Jaclynne Elizabeth Murk and Robert Dean Hart Jr.

Her story: Jaclynne Elizabeth Murk, 27, was born in Baltimore and grew up in Monkton. She works as a marketing manager for Experis Technology Group in Bethesda. Her parents, Chris and Susan Murk, live in Monkton.

His story: Robert Dean Hart Jr., 27, was born in Columbia and grew up in Clarksville. He works as a health care benefit consultant at Lockton in Washington. His mother, Annette Hart, lives in Clarksville.

 

(Photo:yellow prom dresses)Their story: The two met in August 2011 in Federal Hill. They discovered that Jackie lived across the street from one of Dean’s college friends in Baltimore, and Dean lived a few streets from her best friend in D.C.

After hanging out a few times, Dean asked Jackie to a restaurant for their first date; a few short weeks later, they officially began dating.

“I thought he was so much fun,” she said. “I really liked hanging out with him. We really got along really well. It’s easy when a person is attractive and fun.”

They live in Arlington, Va.

The proposal: On March 15, 2014, Dean took Jackie to Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington for dinner. The restaurant was perfect for the two because they both love steakhouses.

“The restaurant is also located very close to where we spent one of our favorite days,” Jackie said, reminiscing about the time the two got caught in a heavy downpour and sought refuge in a bar. They were soaking wet but still had a great time.

“Dean picked this restaurant for that reason,” she added.

After dinner, Dean brought Jackie to the front of the Capitol, and when no one was around, he proposed.

“I absolutely knew that it was coming,” she said. “I was nervous all day long. I was hoping he wouldn’t do it at dinner. But we were able to have a glass of wine and enjoy a really awesome dinner.”

When he finally asked her, Jackie was in a state of bliss.

“It was pure happiness,” she said. “It was the cutest thing ever. I missed what he said at first. I dropped to my knees, too. We sat there and hugged each other.”

They later met up with friends at a piano bar in Georgetown.

Venue: One hundred fifty people attended the reception at The Belvedere in Mount Vernon.

Flowers and decor: Flowers — which consisted of baby’s breath, hydrangeas, roses and peonies — were from Floral Impressions. The colors were white, gold, navy and green. Jackie came up with the color scheme and inspiration after looking through “hundreds and hundreds” of options in magazines and online.

“The Charles Room at The Belvedere is very intricate, so we wanted colors that matched and wanted flowers that didn’t distract from the detail of the room,” she said. “We wanted simple, beautiful and elegant.”

Jackie had a large bouquet of peonies, hydrangea, roses and ranunculus.

Her dress: Jackie wore a silk taffeta ballgown by Amsale from Garnish Boutique in Ruxton. “I wanted simple and elegant,” she said.

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Bridesmaids wore long gold, sequined dresses by Adrianna Papell from Garnish Boutique.

“I wanted something different. Something that stood out,” Jackie said. “I wanted the style to match the elegance of a ballroom.”

Men’s attire: Dean wore a tuxedo with white dinner jacket from Men’s Wearhouse. The groomsmen wore matching attire.

Music: The Bachelor Boys Band provided the music. The couple’s first dance was to “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King.

Food and dessert: Truffles Catering provided the food. Appetizers included crab dip, a salmon platter, a vegetable display, chicken wrapped in prosciutto, mini crab cakes and shrimp St. James. Dinner consisted of seasonal berry salad, a filet and chicken topped with jumbo lump crab meat.

For dessert, La Cakerie provided the red velvet cake and cannoli cake. They also served chocolate-covered strawberries.

Favors: After the reception, the couple served pizza in the Owl Bar, located in The Belvedere, for everyone. Macaroons were given as favors.

Special touches: Jackie and Dean honeymooned in Italy, where they visited Sorrento, Capri, Positano and Rome.Read more at:orange prom dresses