Sara Alepin, CEO of District Bliss and co-owner of Photos from the Harty (@districtblissevents @photosfromtheharty) and Steph Norton, entrepreneur (@minus510), talk with Rick Yarborough, NBC producer, and his husband Joe Winter who were married in Washington, DC. They are now known as The Winterboroughs (the Game of Thrones nerd in me immediately thought of Winterfell ha ha.) Topics on the podcast: discussion about challenges they faced as a gay couple — Rick being from the south, Joe being in the military, laws, and more — and how they overcame these obstacles. We discuss Pride Weekend in DC, how Dolly Parton took part in their wedding, and their wedding planner that had three costume changes —not for them, for himself! — and how their families were able to celebrate their union with them.

The Winterboroughs, captured by Photos from the Harty

SHOW NOTES

Wedding Date: March 25, 2017

Wedding Location: The Army and Navy Club

Approx. number of guests who attended your wedding: 110

HISTORY

How did you two meet?

The official story is Starbucks. The unofficial story is a bar in DC.

What was the first thing you noticed about your partner?

I noticed his smile (and those eyebrows).

Tell us about the proposal!

Well, we had been together for 9 years. But we weren't sure we'd ever get married due to DOMA and Joe being in the military. But when that changed we started talking about marriage. And I had planned the perfect proposal, in a hot air balloon over Virginia wine countryside with the sunrise and a glass of champagne. Unfortunately, mother nature had a different plan. And my plans were literally cancelled due to weather six times. So, I was determined not to let the weather spoil it again and proposed on a cruise to Mexico in our cabin. The ring was under the breakfast plate cover. We spent the entire day on a private beach, just the two of us and a butler.

YOUR WEDDING

What was your favorite part about the wedding?

Incorporating our dear family and friends who had been a part of our journey into the day. Joe's best friend started the ceremony with a reading of SCOTUS Justice Anthony Kennedy's opinion when marriage equality became law. My best friend read a poem. The man who introduced us said a prayer. Another dear friend sang "Somewhere" from Westside Story. Our siblings each spoke before dinner. And my long-time work wife and dear friend celebrated with a sweet toast.

What were your top 5 favorite moments from your wedding?

5. We surprised our guests during the cocktail hour with friends who sang various songs that meant a lot to us. (We have a lot of talented friends.) 4. The cookie table, all 2000 which were baked by Joe's mother and godmother. It was a huge hit. 3. Our first dance, choreographed by our friend James Ellzy. (I danced with him in the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington). 2. The group photo of EVERY guest taken from the second floor. It hangs in our dining room. 1. The finale on the dance floor where, first our parents surrounded us, followed by every guest circling us in one huge group hug. I tear up thinking about it now.

What, if anything, would you change about the wedding planning process?

Our after-party didn't exactly end up as we had planned. Another wedding apparently crashed the location, leading to a bit of chaos. But it made for a great story. I probably would have met with the location in person and gone over more details about expectations.

What, if anything, would you change about your wedding day?

Nothing. It was perfect.

Did you participate in any family traditions, or incorporate any heirlooms into your wedding?

I wrote letters to my new mother in law and godmother in law. Joe and I gave our parents special gifts the morning of the wedding including special perfume and custom embroidered handkerchiefs.

What was the planning process like? Did you run into any obstacles? How did you overcome them?

Joe and I did a lot of the planning. Our friend Jocko helped keep us on track with monthly goals, starting about seven months out. But then the week of the wedding he totally took over everything taking so much pressure off of us. It was an especially stressful week leading up to the event with my father almost not making the wedding due to being in intensive care in another state with congestive heart failure. We ended up cancelling my parent's travel and lodging three days before the wedding, only to have to rebook everything two days before the wedding when my father made a miraculous improvement. Had it not been for friends willing to jump in and pick them from up, etc, it would not have gone as smoothly.

What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?

Who to invite. It was tough to cut down the list. But we decided if we had not seen or hung out with the person in the last year, we probably weren't that close.

What is your favorite thing about your significant other? And, if there is a least fave thing, feel free to share that. ;)

His love for his family. He's an angry driver. LOL

Have something else to share?

He planned our entire honeymoon, and kept it a total surprise, even while on the trip. I'm a producer, and this was the first time I'd given up that much control. Guess I love him.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Seriously, we'd do anything for Sara who has become a great friend since our wedding. She and Katie (Photos from the Harty) made our day so special, catching amazing moments. We felt like they were just part of the family.