Our Story

After our four hour long first date in December 2014, we both knew that there was something special between us.  And after amazing adventures on planes, trains, and automobiles in Europe, Florida, California, and many AAdvantage Miles earned to places in between, we both decided that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. 

Under the ruse of a end of year trip/mileage run to Florida (yes, even proposals have airline status implications) and much planning, Matt decided to ask Teresa to marry him.  

After impromptu coordination with several TSA agents at Dulles Airport to make sure the the tiny wooden box in his bag didn’t set off any alarms when the Pre Check line wasn’t open and a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico, he asked her to marry him on a bench in front of a nautical-themed Christmas Tree in Key West.  

And now we’re about to embark on our next adventure: Marriage.  We look forward to sharing this special day with you.

-Matt and Teresa

Wedding Logistics

ParkinG ANd Directions

Parking At Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is located in Georgetown.  While there is on-street parking available, it is extremely limited.  For those driving, please make sure to allow for time and arrive early to find a parking spot.

Directions from Holy Trinity to Fort Myer

Fort Myer is located across the Potomac River from Georgetown in Arlington, Virginia, and is approximately a 15 minute drive from Holy Trinity.  The reception will be held at the Fort Myer Officers' Club located at Patton Hall.

The street addresses to use for Google Maps directions are as follows:

• Holy Trinity Catholic Church: 1315 36th ST NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Fort Myer Officers Club at Patton Hall: 29 Carpenter Rd, Fort Myer, VA 22211 

Note: this address will take you to the Hatfield Gate, which is the only way on to the base.  Do not attempt to access the base from any other gate/checkpoint.  Follow any directions as told once on base (you will have to pass through a security checkpoint as the reception is at a U.S. Military Installation and signs directing you to Patton Hall. 

Special Security Procedures for Access to Fort MYER

Fort Myer is a U.S. Military installation; therefore special access and security procedures are required to attend the reception if you are traveling by yourself (i.e. in your own car).  More information will be provided soon, but ensure that all members of your party have proper government-issued identification on the wedding day.  If you have a Federal PIV/CAC Card/other credentials that let you get on U.S. Military Bases, make sure you bring it as it will be the easiest way to identify yourself at the security checkpoint.  If you don't know what any of those words mean, your driver's license will suffice.   

Wedding Day Transportation

For those not driving (or would rather not drive to multiple locations) on the Wedding Day, we are  providing transportation around DC to/from/and back from the reception.  

Note: the final destination of transportation will be the hotel in Rosslyn.  There will be no transportation back to Georgetown.

ACCOMMODATIONS

For those not local to DC (or want to stay in a hotel for the night), we secured a room block at the following hotel located Rosslyn, Virginia.  

Le Méridien Arlington

1121 19th Street North, Arlington, VA, 22209

(703) 351-9170

Ask for the Sparklin / Carnavos Wedding Room Block when making your reservation.

Note: Reservations must be made before April 9, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

I am friends with Matt and Teresa. On which side do I sit at the Wedding Mass?

Have a seat in the church wherever you would like. This is a wedding, not West Side Story!

Can I take my own photos during the Wedding Mass, and at the Reception?

We please ask that you don’t take any of your own photos during the Mass, and focus on celebrating with us.  We will be happy to share photos from inside the church with you after the wedding.  Feel free to take all the photos you would like during the reception, however.

Since technically Teresa and Matt are millennials, what is your wedding hashtag?

Sigh.  I guess this is a thing you have to address in an FAQ now.  Please feel free to Tweet, Instagram, and Bookface the day using the hashtag #Sparklavos.

What is the attire at the wedding? Do I need to wear a top hat and tails?

While Matt wishes we all could wear top hats and tails, our wedding attire is semi-formal.  Bow ties are welcome, and appreciated, however.   

Why do I need to fill out the security form to go to the reception?

Fort Myer is an active military base and requires visitors to be pre-screened and approved before entering the base.  As a reminder, please include your form(s) completely filled out and signed in your RSVP.  We promise we will not put your information on the Internet. Or open lots of credit cards in your name.

I have a CAC Card/some other Federal ID that gets me on base at Fort Myer. Do I need to fill out the security form?

If you plan on bringing your ID with you on the day of the wedding, then you do not need to fill out the form.  

I am Driving on Base To Attend the Reception.  What do I do?

If you are driving to the wedding reception, please tell the security guards you are attending the Sparklin - Carnavos wedding at Patton Hall and follow any instructions they give you.  Make sure you have the ID you used to fill out the security form to present to the guards as well.

Which hotel has the wedding block?

We have secured a room block at the Le Meridien Arlington. When making your reservation, ask for the Sparklin / Carnavos Wedding Room Block.  In order to get the discounted rate, you must make your reservation before April 4, 2018.

Which nights are part of the wedding room block?

Friday night (5/4/2018) and Saturday night (5/5/2018) are the main room block nights. You can reserve rooms for those nights via the link on the website.

I plan on staying at the hotel for longer than the weekend. Can I get the rate for the extra nights I plan on staying? How do I book that?

The wedding room block rate extends three days before and after the two main nights. If you would like to stay at the hotel outside those two nights, please first make a reservation for the night(s) of the room block you would like to stay via the link on the website.  Then, let either Teresa or Matt know the additional days you would like to stay at the hotel and they will work directly with the hotel to adjust your reservation accordingly.

I Tried Booking the Hotel online or via Telephone and Was told the hotel is sold Out.  What do I Do? Sleep under the Key Bridge?

If you receive an error that you cannot book a room because the block is full, please contact Teresa and/or Matt.  Never fear, we will work with the hotel to add more rooms to the block as needed.

I am not staying at the hotel but would like to use transportation to get to/from the reception.  Where can I/should I park?

You are welcome to use the transportation we are providing, regardless if you are staying at the hotel.  There is parking available at the hotel.  Parking rates are as follows:

• Valet Parking (Sun-Thurs): $40 per day, (Fri-Sat): $25 per day
• Self Parking (Weekends Only): $18 per day

What time is the bus leaving the hotel?

The bus from the Le Meridien Hotel will be leaving for Holy Trinity at 2:15 p.m.

I am driving to both the Wedding Mass and the Reception.  Where can I park?

Only street parking is available in Georgetown and you may have to park down the block from the Church.  Please leave ample time for parking as you may need to circle the block for a spot.  Fort Myer has ample parking adjacent to the Officers Club, however.

WHAT TIME IS THE BUS LEAVING THE Reception?

The buses will leave the reception  back to the Le Meridien Hotel no later than 10:45 p.m.  

Can I take an UBER/LYFT from the Officers Club at FORT Myer home at the end of the Night?

Because of security restrictions,  ride share vehicles are not permitted on base at Fort Myer.  Any car picking you up would have to meet you at the main gate, which is a very long walk from the Officers Club.  We highly suggest that you take the bus off base back to the hotel and go home from there.  Or continue to be sociable and join us at the afterparty for a bit.  More details to come.

Wedding Party

Bridal Party

MARIANNE Sparklin

Maid of Honor

Teresa has known Marianne since the late 1980s.  One could say they are sisters.  And that one would be correct.   In 2008, Marianne and Teresa went to Egypt and saw the Great Pyramids.  They also took an overnight train to Luxor, and made it back to tell the tale thanks to Teresa. 

BarbAra Sparklin

Maid of Honor

Barb, the youngest of the Sparklin Sisters,  and Teresa both enjoy DIY projects, hanging out with Scout the Dog, and cooking and entertaining .  Barb and her fiancé Rob are also getting married in 2018, but no one thinks a double wedding is a good idea.

Patrick Cook

Bridesman

Once upon a time, Teresa was an indentured servant at a softball field snack bar.  Patrick found out that if he hung out at said snack bar, he could get free snacks at the end of the night.  During those summer days between eighth and ninth grade, their mutual admiration for nachos and hot dogs blossomed into a friendship that has lasted over more than half their lives. 

Rebecca Yates

Bridesmaid

Teresa met Rebecca in 2010 and was her adopted work mentor.  They quickly became friends as they both realized they enjoyed Harry Potter, cupcakes, wine, and traveling.  Seven years later, she is one of Teresa's closest friends despite being on Team N'Sync to Teresa's membership in the Order of the Backstreet Boys. 

Groom's Party

Kathleen Powell

Groomslady

Matt and Kathleen have been friends since their sophomore year of college.  Despite heated discussions early on on the merits of Greater New York and the correct pronunciation of the word Appalachian, Kathleen and Matt have remained friends; so much so she's like the sister from Tennessee that he never knew he had.  

Kathleen and Matt also hiked 200 miles across Northern Spain during the summer of 2012.  The still are friends despite this trip.

Registry

We have registries at the following stores: