Leigh and Sam’s love story began on a Wednesday night at a USC dive bar, where the music was loud, the atmosphere was lively, and neither had any idea their college romance would eventually lead to marriage.
Nine years later, after navigating long distance, law school, career moves, and a surprise engagement in the Bahamas, the couple gathered their loved ones for a classic East Coast wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club.
Their celebration planned with Roberts and Co. Events and photographed by Kate Melconian brought together the best of both worlds: the elegance of a historic country club and the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of a gathering among friends. With a romantic ceremony beneath a heritage tree, an Anne Barge ballgown, and lush garden-inspired florals, Leigh and Sam created a wedding that reflected both their shared history and the life they were building in Washington, D.C.
A Wednesday night at USC started their love story
Leigh and Sam met during their senior year at the University of Southern California at a beloved college dive bar known as the 9-0.
It was a Wednesday night, and both were enjoying the kind of spontaneous midweek outing that makes college memories so memorable. The atmosphere was loud and energetic, making it nearly impossible to have a real conversation, but the two continued getting to know each other throughout their final year at USC.
What began as a carefree college romance gradually developed into a lasting relationship. Over the next nine years, Leigh and Sam navigated the challenges of growing together while building their individual careers.
Their relationship included a period of long distance while Leigh attended law school and Sam’s career took him to Las Vegas. Through the changes in location and the demands of their professional lives, their connection continued to grow.
A birthday trip to the Bahamas became a surprise proposal
After years together, Sam planned a proposal during a trip to the Bahamas. The getaway was originally intended to celebrate his 30th birthday, giving Leigh no reason to suspect another milestone was about to take place.
Shortly after the couple checked into their hotel room, Sam surprised her by proposing. He had arranged for bouquets of flowers and a bottle of champagne to be waiting upon their arrival, creating a romantic setting for the moment.
An Anne Barge ballgown with a floral-embroidered veil
Leigh’s bridal fashion embraced the classic elegance of the wedding setting while incorporating a romantic botanical detail.
She wore a timeless ballgown by Anne Barge, choosing a silhouette that complemented the historic character of Chevy Chase Club.
Her veil introduced a softer, more whimsical element, featuring delicate embroidered floral motifs in shades of green and pink. The subtle colors and floral embroidery connected her bridal look to the garden-inspired ceremony design.
Together, the gown and veil balanced traditional bridal fashion with a distinctive personal touch.
The look felt especially fitting for a celebration that embraced classic style without sacrificing individuality.
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A classic East Coast wedding at Chevy Chase Club
When it came time to plan their wedding, Leigh and Sam looked to Washington, D.C., as a reflection of the next chapter of their lives together.
After beginning their relationship on the West Coast and spending years navigating different cities, they wanted their celebration to embrace a distinctly East Coast aesthetic.
Their vision was classic, elegant, and refined, but never overly formal.
Chevy Chase Club offered the historic character and welcoming atmosphere they were looking for.
The venue provided a traditional backdrop while allowing the couple to create a celebration that felt relaxed and personal.
It was especially important to Leigh and Sam that their wedding bring together loved ones from both coasts, creating an opportunity for their families and friends to celebrate the relationship they had watched develop over nearly a decade.
A heritage tree became the centerpiece of the garden ceremony
The couple exchanged vows outdoors on the lawn at Chevy Chase Country Club, where a large heritage tree provided a naturally beautiful ceremony backdrop.
Rather than constructing an elaborate altar, the design embraced the tree itself as the focal point.
Individual flower stems from Toulies en Fleur lined the aisle, creating a delicate, garden-inspired pathway toward the ceremony setting.
At the base of the tree, floral arrangements formed an organic altar that felt connected to the surrounding landscape.
The effect was romantic and understated, allowing the beauty of the grounds to remain central to the moment.
A string ensemble accompanied the ceremony, adding a timeless musical element to the outdoor setting.
Leigh and Sam also incorporated meaningful Jewish traditions, including the breaking of the glass.
The combination of natural beauty, live music, and personal traditions created a ceremony that felt both elegant and deeply connected to the couple.
Lush garden florals and soft blue accents filled the reception
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktail hour before moving into the ballroom reception.
The garden-inspired aesthetic continued throughout the celebration, with lush floral arrangements bringing natural beauty into the indoor spaces.
Soft blue accents were woven into the decor, adding a gentle touch of color to the otherwise classic design.
The combination of romantic florals, subtle color, and the club’s traditional interiors created an atmosphere that felt refined without becoming overly formal.
The transition from the outdoor ceremony to the ballroom reception also reflected the couple’s overall vision.
They wanted the day to feel cohesive, with the natural elegance of the gardens carrying through to the evening festivities.
A wedding that brought the West Coast and East Coast together
For Leigh and Sam, the wedding was as much about gathering their people as it was about the setting or design.
Their relationship had begun in California, continued through years of long distance, and eventually brought them to Washington, D.C.
Along the way, their families and friendships had become increasingly intertwined.
The wedding offered an opportunity to bring those different parts of their lives together in one place.
Rather than creating a celebration that felt overly structured, the couple wanted their guests to feel comfortable, connected, and genuinely part of the experience.
The atmosphere balanced lively celebration with quieter opportunities for conversation, allowing friends and family from both coasts to spend meaningful time together.
Cigars on the patio kept the celebration going
One of the evening’s most memorable details came outside the ballroom, where guests gathered on the patio for cigars.
The relaxed setting provided a place to step away from the energy of the reception, catch up with friends, and enjoy conversations that continued late into the night.
It was a fitting addition to a wedding centered on bringing people together.
The patio gathering also reflected the comfortable atmosphere Leigh and Sam had hoped to create, where the celebration could feel sophisticated without losing its sense of ease.
After nine years together, their wedding was an opportunity to enjoy the company of the people who had supported them throughout their relationship.
From their first meeting at a lively USC bar to a romantic ceremony beneath a heritage tree, Leigh and Sam’s story had carried them across the country and through many different chapters.
Their Chevy Chase Country Club wedding honored that journey with timeless fashion, meaningful traditions, and a gathering that connected their West Coast beginnings to their East Coast future.
And as guests lingered over cigars and conversation on the patio, the celebration captured exactly what the couple had envisioned: a beautiful evening made even more memorable by the people sharing it with them.
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