The setting was part of the story at the wedding reception of Kendall Strang and former professional golfer Keith Unikel. Congressional Country Club in Bethesda was often a destination for Strang’s family when she was growing up in Potomac. Furthermore Unikel often plays at the renowned links, which are home to an annual PGA tournament. It was the perfect spot in which to forge their own links to one another.
Bride and groom
Strang is a real estate agent and Unikel is a financial adviser. Both are from Potomac and now live there.
The wedding
Nov. 26, 2011, ceremony at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.; reception at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda
How they met
In the summer of 2007, they both attended a party that Strang’s parents were hosting at their home during the AT&T National golf tournament held at Congressional Country Club.
First date
Sushi after work at Tako Grill in Bethesda
The proposal
After a dinner out, Unikel suggested the couple stop for a drink at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he’d arranged a surprise. While there, the hotel concierge (who’d been contacted by Unikel ahead of time) suggested the couple spend the night since there were many vacancies. When the couple got to their suite, a “holiday gift” box from the hotel was waiting. Strang opened the box and found an “absolutely stunning” ring inside. Unikel got down on one knee and proposed.
Wedding theme
Elegant and romantic with modern details
Number of people who attended
300
What made the day special
The couple was thrilled that so many of their friends and family members traveled on Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate with them. “It was so meaningful to us that all of our favorite people were there supporting us on our wedding day,” Strang says.
Favorite moment of the day
For Strang, it was seeing Unikel in his tuxedo for the first time. They met on the golf course so they could take pictures and be together before the ceremony.
Favorite detail
The tent. “For the cocktail reception, we built a huge tent outside on the patio, overlooking the golf course,” Strang says. “The tent is where we kind of went over the top. …The tent had beautiful draping, lots of flowers, chic furniture, crystal chandeliers and a great big rectangular bar with our monogram. After the cocktails and while the reception went on in the ballroom, our amazing wedding planner and her crew flipped the tent and rearranged furniture, changed the lighting and added a black-and-white checkered dance floor and a stage for the DJ to create a fun after-party.”
Gown
Christos from Hitched in Georgetown
Cake
Carrot cake
Photographer
Justine Ungaro
The honeymoon
Nevis, West Indies
Wedding planning
Jennifer Stiebel, SoCo Events
Flowers
Amaryllis Inc.
Invitations and programs
Creative Parties
Catering
Congressional Country Club
Hair and makeup
Ismail Tekin of George Salon at the Four Seasons
Rentals
Sugarplum Tent Company and Wildflower Linens
Music
Ceremony music by bagpiper Tim Carey; reception music by New York City Swing; after-party music by DJ Aaron Couch, Disc Jockeys On Call
Videography
Blue Sky Films
