Catherine Nguyen&John Farese

Catherine Nguyen&John Farese

September 12, 2026

Washington, D.C.

Schedule

Mark your calendars for our special day

Ceremony

September 12, 2026

2:00 PM

Saint Philip Catholic Church

7500 St Philip Ct, Falls Church, VA 22042

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Dress Code: Formal

Please arrive by 1:45 PM to be seated.

Reception

September 12, 2026

5:30 PM

Sequoia DC

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

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Dress Code: Formal

Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate!

Travel

Getting to Washington, DC

Flying

The closest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), just 6 miles from Georgetown.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 25 miles away and may have more flight options.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is 35 miles away and often has competitive prices.

Train

Amtrak serves Union Station in downtown DC, about 4 miles from Georgetown.

Union Station is a major hub with connections from cities up and down the East Coast.

Complimentary Shuttle

We'll be providing a complimentary shuttle service between select hotels and the venue!

More details on shuttle times and pickup locations will be shared closer to the wedding date.

Uber / Lyft

Rideshare services are widely available throughout DC and Northern Virginia.

We recommend using Uber or Lyft for convenient transportation around the city.

Where to Stay

We've reserved room blocks at the following wonderful Georgetown hotels

The Watergate Hotel

Where we'll be staying

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Iconic luxury hotel along the Potomac River with elegant rooms and top-notch amenities.

View Room Block

The Graham Georgetown

1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Contemporary hotel with rooftop bar and easy access to the waterfront.

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The Westin Georgetown

2350 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037

Modern hotel offering comfortable rooms and a fitness center, close to shopping and dining.

View Room Block

Note: Please book your rooms early to ensure availability. All hotels are within walking distance or a short ride to our venue.

Things to Do

Explore our favorite spots in the DC metropolitan area

Attractions

  • National Mall & Monuments
  • Smithsonian Museums (Free!)
  • U.S. Capitol & Library of Congress
  • Tysons Corner Center
  • Old Town, Alexandria
  • Mosaic District
  • Downtown Arlington

Our Favorite Food Spots

Filomena Ristorante

Italian

Classic Italian in a charming setting

Farmers Fishers Bakers

American

Waterfront dining with something for everyone

il Canale

Italian

Authentic Neapolitan pizza in the heart of Georgetown

Baked & Wired

Café

Amazing coffee and cupcakes - a local favorite

Clyde's of Georgetown

American

DC institution with classic American fare

Bar a Vin

Bar

Killer cocktails for killing time

Bangkok 54

Thai

Authentic Thai cuisine with grab-and-go next door

Eden Center

Vietnamese

Cultural staple with the best bánh mì at Banh Mi Oi, pho at Rice Paper, sticky rice at Thanh Son, spicy beef noodles at Huong Viet, and bubble tea at TeaDM

Pro Tip: Georgetown is best explored on foot! The cobblestone streets, historic homes, and waterfront make for a perfect afternoon stroll.

Our Story

Getting to know Catherine & John

How did you meet?

John and Catherine first laid eyes on each other at the Estée Lauder Companies' technology intern alumni event in 2019. When John invited Catherine to his Halloween party, their love story began.

What was your first date?

Their first date was multi-pronged. They first met at Starbucks roastery, practiced their golf swings at Chelsea Piers, shared quesadillas at Los Tacos Numero 1, and ended the night visting the Rockefeller Tree (a post-Christmas traditon they still carry since then). They talked for hours and completely lost track of time - they didn't want the night to end!

Who said "I love you" first?

Catherine did! It slipped out after John dropped Catherine at the Lorimer St subway. She was mortified thinking it was too soon, but the timing was perfect.

How did the proposal happen?

John planned a trip to Newport, RI, for Catherine's half-birthday.They collaborated on an itinerary filled with great food and strolls to explore the coastal town they had visited during their first trip away together. On the Saturday morning where Catherine planned to picnic and fly kites, John pretended to be slow-to-start but really was killing time as his photographer set up the perfect backdrop at Brenton Point. When John dropped to one knee, Catherine could not stop crying tears of joy. John further shocked Catherine by planning a celebration with family and friends at his parents' home on Long Island.

What do you love most about each other?

John loves Catherine's infectious laugh and how she can light up any room. Catherine loves John's thoughtfulness and the way he always knows how to make her smile, even on the toughest days.

Favorite thing to do together?

Travel the world! John and Catherine have lived in New York, Romania, and Malaysia together. They love exploring different cultures, trying exotic dishes, and going on new adventures.

"And now we're getting married! We can't wait to celebrate with all of you."

Wedding Party

The amazing people standing beside us

Varija Shukla

Varija Shukla

Maid of Honor

Michael Farese

Michael Farese

Best Man

Kathy Mays

Kathy Mays

Matron of Honor

Nugent Cantileno

Nugent Cantileno

Groomsman

Claire Nguyen

Claire Nguyen

Bridesmaid

Francis Nguyen

Francis Nguyen

Groomsman

Nicole Farese

Nicole Farese

Bridesmaid

Christian Atalese

Christian Atalese

Groomsman

Dayana Bottcher

Dayana Bottcher

Bridesmaid

Dan Nolan

Dan Nolan

Groomsman

Sofiya Bandura

Sofiya Bandura

Bridesmaid

John Gatta

John Gatta

Groomsman

Catherine Hoang

Catherine Hoang

Bridesmaid

Kevin O'Neil

Kevin O'Neil

Groomsman

Matt Seeba

Matt Seeba

Groomsman

Luka Ilic

Luka Ilic

Groomsman

Registry

Your presence is the greatest gift, but if you wish to honor us with something more...

Crate & Barrel

For our home essentials and kitchen items

View Registry

Target

For everyday items and household needs

View Registry

Down Payment Fund

Help us save for our first home together

View Registry

Thank you for celebrating with us and for your generous support as we start our life together!

Q&A

Frequently asked questions about our wedding

When is the RSVP deadline?

Please RSVP by May 31, 2026. This helps us finalize our headcount with the caterer and venue.

Can I bring a date?

Due to venue capacity, we can only accommodate guests formally invited on your invitation. If you received a plus-one, it will be indicated on your RSVP.

Are kids welcome?

If your invitation includes your children, we would love to have them celebrate with us! Otherwise, we are keeping the day adult-only to allow all our guests to relax and enjoy themselves.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is Formal. Think floor-length dresses, dark suits. We want you to feel elegant and comfortable!

Will the ceremony and reception be indoors or outdoors?

The ceremony will be indoors at Saint Philip Catholic Church. The cocktail hour will be outdoors, overlooking the Potomac River, and the reception will be indoors with access to outdoor terraces.

What time should I arrive?

Please plan to be seated by 1:45 PM for the 2:00 PM ceremony. This gives you time to park, find your seat, and settle in before we begin.

Is there parking available?

The ceremony has ample parking available. For the reception, parking is available onsite at Colonial Parking Garage. We highly recommend using our complimentary shuttle service or rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.

Will there be an open bar?

Yes! We'll have a full open bar with cocktails, wine, and beer throughout the reception.

I have dietary restrictions. What should I do?

Please indicate your dietary restrictions or allergies when you RSVP. We'll work with our caterer to accommodate all dietary needs.

Can I take photos during the ceremony?

We've hired a professional photographer to capture our special moments. We kindly request an unplugged ceremony - please silence your phones and enjoy being present with us!

What will the weather be like?

September in Washington, DC is usually mild and pleasant, with average highs around 78°F (26°C) and lows around 58°F (14°C). However, please check the forecast closer to the date and dress accordingly.

How can I contact you with other questions?

If you have any questions not answered here, please email us at nguyenfarese@gmail.com.

Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us directly. We're happy to help!

RSVP

We can't wait to celebrate with you

RSVP details will be available soon. Please check back later!