Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Our story starts 12 years ago, when we were both attending Saint Paul's in Brooklandville, MD. The funny part is, back then, we were just friends, but I always had a HUGE crush on Michael. As we both moved on to college, Michael attended Emory in Atlanta, GA, and I attended Towson in Towson, MD. We naturally grew apart and lost touch.That was until in 2020 when my family moved to the Washington D.C. area, where Michael was conveniently in his L1 year at Catholic University. We learned early after my family's move that we were located very close to one another. After many Snapchat messages requesting to take me out for a drink, I finally obliged in the fall of 2021. We went to a small bar named Church Hall in Georgetown, where we met some very interesting characters.For the next year, we casually dated, going to bars around the DC area. Michael FINALLY asked me to make it official almost a year later, on September 3rd, 2022.After that, we spent our time exploring DC Museums, trying new restaurants, traveling to the Caribbean, but also to New York, New Jersey, and Ohio to see family.On July 26th, 2025, Michael planned the most special date so far. We left on time?!?! Ubered to the National Art Museum, and walked around there for a while, went to lunch at Boqueria, and finally ended up in the national mall, where he asked me to MARRY HIM!!!! He had planned for our parents to be waiting for us back at my house, and we spent the night celebrating.We can't wait to get married surrounded by all of the people that we love on December 5th, 2026.

Our story truly embodies the invisible string theory...

Our Story

Photos

Welcome Party 

Please join us on Friday evening at Lansdowne Resort for a casual kick‑off to the wedding weekend. We'll have drinks and light snacks from 8:00–10:00pm; come say hi to the bride and groom and get the celebration started! Lansdowne Resort is a quick 10 minute drive from the Home 2 Suites and Holiday Inn Express.

Wedding at Raspberry Plain Manor

The wedding ceremony and reception will both take place at Raspberry Plain Manor starting at 4:30pm. Shuttles will be provided for our guests to and from the host hotel, Lansdowne Resort. Shuttles will begin boarding at the hotel at 3:15 pm and will leave promptly at 3:30pm to head over to Raspberry Plain Manor. Please note that the Lansdowne Resort check in time is 4pm; if you are planning a Saturday arrival, please plan accordingly! Return shuttles will be available at the end of the reception at 10:15pm and again at the end of the after party at 11:15pm.

After Party at Raspberry Plain Manor

Keep the fun going at our after party, held onsite at Raspberry Plain Manor from 10:00-11:00pm. Return shuttles will be available at 11:15pm to return guests to Lansdowne Resort.

Weekend Events

Wedding Party

Lansdowne Resort is the host hotel for the wedding weekend. A room block has been secured for our guests and shuttle transportation will be provided to and from the wedding at Raspberry Plain Manor on Saturday. For guests who choose to stay at other accommodations (other hotels, Airbnb, VRBO), Leesburg has taxi, Uber, and Lyft. However, please note that these modes of transportation may not be readily available the further out from Leesburg city center that you stay. Please note that ride share options are extremely limited once you are at Raspberry Plain Manor. Do NOT count on Uber or Lyft rides to be available at the end of the wedding (unless pre-arranged)- plan to use the wedding day transport provided.

A room block has been reserved at the Lansdowne Resort for the weekend of the wedding at the rate of $229/ night. Please call the hotel directly at 1-877-509-8400 OR click the link below to secure your room. Be sure to complete your reservation before Wednesday, November 4, 2026 to secure the special wedding weekend rates. If calling into the hotel directly, be sure to mention the Blandino-James wedding room block. Check in time is 4:00pm and check out time is 11:00am at the Lansdowne Resort.

Lansdowne Resort

A room block has been reserved at the Home 2 Suites Leesburg for the weekend of the wedding at the rate of $199 per night. Please call Hilton Reservations at 1-800-HILTONS OR click the link below to secure your room. Be sure to complete your reservation before Wednesday, November 4, 2026 to secure the special wedding weekend rates. When calling in, please mention the Blandino-James wedding room block. Check in time is 3:00pm and check out time is 11:00am at the Home 2 Suites Leesburg. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO WEDDING DAY SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THIS HOTEL.

Home 2 Suites by Hilton Leesburg

A room block has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express Leesburg for the weekend of the wedding at the rate of $139/night for king or queen rooms OR $169/night for one bedroom suites. Please call hotel reservations at 703-669-1650 OR click the link below to secure your room. Be sure to complete your reservation before Wednesday, November 4, 2026 to secure the special wedding weekend rates. When calling in, please mention the Blandino-James wedding room block. Check in time is 3:00pm and check out time is 11:00am at the Holiday Inn Express Leesburg. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO WEDDING DAY SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THIS HOTEL.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Leesburg - Historic District by IHG

Transportation will be provided to and from the wedding at Raspberry Plain Manor from the host hotel, the Lansdowne Resort. Please plan to arrive to the lobby of the Resort at 3:15pm to board the shuttles for a PROMPT 3:30pm departure to Raspberry Plain Manor. Please note that the check in time at Lansdowne Resort is 4pm; if you are planning a Saturday arrival, please plan accordingly! Shuttles will depart Raspberry Plain Manor to head back to Lansdowne immediately after the end of the wedding at 10:15pm AND at the conclusion of the after party at 11:15pm. Please note that ride share options are extremely limited once you are at Raspberry Plain Manor. Do NOT count on Uber or Lyft rides to be available at the end of the wedding (unless pre-arranged)- plan to use the wedding day transport provided.

Shuttle Service from Lansdowne Resort

Travel

Transportation will be provided to and from the wedding at Raspberry Plain Manor from the host hotel, the Lansdowne Resort. Please plan to arrive to the lobby of the Resort at 3:15pm to board the shuttles for a PROMPT 3:30pm departure to Raspberry Plain Manor. Please note that the check in time at Lansdowne Resort is 4pm; if you are planning a Saturday arrival, please plan accordingly! Shuttles will depart Raspberry Plain Manor to head back to Lansdowne immediately after the end of the wedding at 10:15pm AND at the conclusion of the after party at 11:15pm. Please note that ride share options are extremely limited once you are at Raspberry Plain Manor. Do NOT count on Uber or Lyft rides to be available at the end of the wedding (unless pre-arranged)- plan to use the wedding day transport provided.

Shuttles to Raspberry Plain

Black Tie OptionalWe’re excited to celebrate with you in Leesburg, VA on December 5, 2026. Dress for an elegant evening—think tuxedos and formal gowns if you’d like, or polished cocktail attire as a stylish alternative. For men: tuxedos, or dark suits. For women: floor-length gowns, dressy cocktail dresses, or tailored jumpsuits.

Dress Code

Things To Do

Leesburg Premium Outlets

Leesburg Historic District

This is a little closer to Dulles Airport, but a really cool museum to visit, and free!

Samantha & Michael

Samantha & Michael

Photos