White House Correspondent April Ryan and husband James Ewing at their wedding at the Carriage House at Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore, MD.Photo:Clapp Studios Photography
Clapp Studios Photography
April Ryannever planned on getting married for a second time, but her wedding day couldn’t have been any more perfect.
On Oct. 14, the veteran White House reporter, 56, tied the knot with her fiancé James Ewing at theCarriage House at Gramercy Mansionin Baltimore, MD.
“This is my second chance love story,” Ryan told PEOPLE ahead of her big day. “I’m divorced and didn’t plan on getting married again. I even vowed never to do it again. I never thought someone would sweep me off of my feet and make me realize I shouldn’t put myself on a shelf. There is more to give and more to do.”
White House Correspondent April Ryan and husband James Ewing at their wedding at the Carriage House at Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore, MD.Clapp Studios Photography
She continues: “I was content with being alone the rest of my life, but James changed my outlook. I’m excited for the entire thing because it is going to be a moment of covenant, a moment of music, a moment of friends and dancing – a moment of celebration. A bunch of moments wrapped into one.”
Ryan and Ewing were already connected on social media when they coincidentally met in the Baltimore Washington airport.
They messaged back and forth online following their chance airport meeting and on their third date, “he told me he loved me,” recalls Ryan. “Shortly after, I returned the sentiment.”
The theme of their wedding celebration was “romantic garden” with a color scheme that included blush, white, ivory and gold. The duo worked with theirflorist Bella FioriEvents to decorate the space with hydrangeas, roses, garden roses, spray roses, lisianthus, soft greenery and cherry blossoms.
Ryan also shares that she and Ewing, a retired Naval officer of 25 years, incorporated candles and lighting throughout the historic space. The pair created a candle company together calledJare candlesand guests will be going home with candles as a wedding favor. Guests at the affair included Sheryl Lee Ralph, Valerie Jarrett and Jonathan Capehart. Jarrett brought a handwritten note from Former President Obama and Erica Loewe, Special Assistant to the President, delivered a handwritten note from President Biden.
“I wanted guests to be comfortable the entire time,” she says. “There was a great emphasis on guest experience, and I, alongside my wedding planner (Cashmere Events,) wanted to be immersed in the planning process. I’ve been relaxed throughout most of the process and wanted the ceremony and weekend to be more intimate and smaller.”
Among those in attendance were Governor Wes Moore, Melba Wilson, Jawn Murray, Susan Rice and Ronnie DeVoe.
White House Correspondent April Ryan and husband James Ewing’s wedding at the Carriage House at Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore, MD.Clapp Studios Photography
The bride also placed flowers on the seats on her side to honor her late parents.
White House Correspondent April Ryan at her wedding to James Ewing at the Carriage House at Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore, MD.Clapp Studios Photography
“I incorporated some tradition into my vows, and also had some input from my oldest daughter, Ryan, who thought the vows needed a little bit more fun in them,” she says.
After the ceremony, Ryan changed into a white, silk Paul Rekhi jumpsuit for the reception. The newlyweds hosted a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres including fresh fruit, warm crab and cheddar fondue and bourbon street shrimp before a dinner of harvest salad with chicken azel, salmon with an Asian glaze and vegetarian paella fromSimply Elegant.
As a sweet touch they went with a 4-tier almond buttercream cake with swiss raspberry and vanilla custard filling from Artistic Desserts.
The cake design featured Swarovski crystal ribbon bling with gold backing plus, edible beads and hand painted gold design topped with fresh flowers.
As a final send off, guests gathered in the garden for sparkler photos at Sunset.
“James is willing to work with me on my dreams, cook with me, solve issues that I’m perplexed about – all the big and little things. He’s a family person. His commitment, involvement and ‘togetherness’ is hard for me to express. He’s one of a kind, really,” Ryan says.
Now, the couple is celebrating their marriage with a honeymoon to Italy. “I’m excited to experience Italy with all the senses, alongside my husband,” she says.
“We’re writing the future – we want to make memories. He’s adventurous and creative with activities, restaurants and shops. We do fun things together, simple things and just living our lives. In the midst of everything, we want to live our lives together – laughing, moving, being together.”
“We found one another after giving up on love. Now, our story is a forever love story.”
source: people.com
