And To Think…They Met as Civil Servants in Alexandria City Hall
Deborah Warren and Jim Moran Marry at Last
ALEXANDRIA, VA -Surrounded by blue linens and flowers and the soft glow of white sparklers beneath a beautiful white wedding tent in McLean, guests cheered and shared their warmest wishes with newlyweds Deborah Warren — Arlington County Dept of Human Services Deputy Director — and Jim Moran—the beloved former Alexandria mayor and retired U.S. Congressman from Northern Virginia. Their joyful Friday ceremony marked the beginning of a weekend filled with intimate, invitation-only celebrations.
After a kickoff of “refreshing drinks and light bites” prior to the outdoor ceremony, Moran and Warren met on their home’s stone terrace–bursting with blue hydrangea plants, baskets of white hydrangeas and roses, and other alabaster and azure floral urns—and exchanged vows. The ceremony was followed by an al fresco seated dinner and dancing reception with a live band, accompanied by a Saturday “cozy” farewell brunch of coffee and donuts, culminated by a tour of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.
Officiating at the Friday evening wedding was U.S. Congressman Don Beyer of Alexandria.
READ MORE: BEHIND THE SCENES THE DAY OF THE WEDDING
Fortunately for the approximately 240 guests in attendance, only a brief sprinkle caused minor inconvenience, while severe thunderstorms severely impacted other areas of the region.
Following the ceremony, delighted guests enjoyed generous boatloads of shrimp and oysters beneath the shade of a small grove of trees, near the house and the tent set for dinner and dancing.
Royce Cohen of Royce Flowers of Alexandria designed the floral arrangements, which included lush table centerpieces featuring white and blue hydrangeas accented with classic white roses, a beautifully composed bridal bouquet, and thoughtfully integrated floral elements that enhanced the surrounding landscape.
Mindy’s Catering, based in Alexandria, curated a menu inspired by traditional Nantucket fare, featuring dishes such as New England potato salad with dill pickle, classic Boston baked beans, lemon chive aioli–dressed New England lobster rolls, and perfectly cooked beef tenderloin served with a zesty horseradish sauce.
For dessert, guests were treated to a five-layer wedding cake filled with fresh blueberries and a bright lemon curd.
Longtime friend and photographer Neshan Naltchayan of Naltchayan Photography—whose relationship with then-Mayor Jim Moran spans more than 40 years in Alexandria—served as the official wedding photographer, capturing the day’s memorable moments. When Naltchayan met with the bride and groom on Sunday to share some of the images, he shared with The Zebra that one of the couple’s favorite wedding gifts was a painting of a boat on the Cape by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, presented by his son Patrick Kennedy, who attended the celebration.
The groom referenced the lyrics of John Legend’s song ‘All of Me’ before he and his bride took to the floor for their first dance as newlyweds to the romantic tune.
Engaged since 2018, Moran and Warren planned a blue-and-white colored Nantucket-style wedding, uniting their shared childhood years of growing up in nearby Boston neighborhoods. Since meeting early in their governmental careers in 1985 in Alexandria, Moran and Warren experienced occasional points of connection their extensive mutual careers in public service.
The couple plan to settle into their McLean home, now beautifully enriched with many more blue hydrangea bushes lovingly planted on Sunday. Once part of the wedding décor, the blooms will now serve as a lasting, living reminder of the gleeful weekend celebration.
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