While Jimmy Attridge’s initial proposal to Kate Sullivan might have been a joke, it was a clear indication of what was to come. “We were in law school at Georgetown and had just met at an event for the Student Bar Association,” Kate explains. “We were going to walk around the monuments, and he proposed in the back seat of a taxi cab, hoping to get a free ride—and he figured it was a good way to get the first kiss out of the way!”
The real engagement was about three years later. Jimmy concocted a story about fake dinner plans with co-workers and instead had a driver take them to Washington, D.C.’s, Tidal Basin, where he proposed in the rain under umbrellas. Rain was a big part of their wedding day also, the only downside to an otherwise perfect day, Kate says. “Luckily everything was indoors anyway,” she notes. The decision to get married in St. Louis wasn’t automatic. Kate moved away when she was 18 months old, and her family lived many places growing up. “My dad’s family has always lived in St. Louis, so we would visit often. It was the one constant place in my life.”
The classic MAC ballroom fit Kate’s desire for a traditional, elegant affair. “We didn’t look anywhere else,” she says. “My aunts were married there, and I fulfilled my mom’s dream of a big downtown wedding.” The night before, she and her bridesmaids stayed at her grandmother’s house, where they got ready on the big day. “We fit in a walk around the neighborhood in the morning,” Kate says. “It was so nice to get a little exercise and have some girl time before the craziness started.”
A couple of memories stand out in Kate’s mind. “Walking down the aisle was so neat,” she recalls. “I’ve never seen Jimmy cry, and I could tell he was tearing up, which blew me away.” The band kept the party going at the reception. “I will never forget when they announced everyone could start dancing,” Kate says. “It was a mad rush to the dance floor. Both of our families love to dance, so it was packed the whole night!” The couple resides in Washington, D.C., where Kate is a labor law attorney for the U.S. Postal Service, and Jimmy is an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
[resources]
Ceremony | Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Reception | Missouri Athletic Club
Gown | Augusta Jones
Cake | Missouri Athletic Club
Florist | Bloomin’ Buckets
Music | BOOM
Honeymoon | Hawaii
[wedding party]
Maid of Honor | Caroline Sullivan
Bridesmaids | Laurie Mavica, Blair Rinne, Margaret Schaffer, Jessica Schwartz
Best Man | Kevin Attridge
Groomsmen | William Attridge, Thomas Attridge, A. Michael Sullivan IV
Bride’s Parents | A. Michael Sullivan III & Rosemary Sullivan of Town & Country
Groom’s Parents | Daniel & Anne (Missy) Attridge of Annapolis, Maryland
Photos by Lisa Hessel Photography