Demi Wolford & Sam Votto
May 25, 2024
What’s that saying about rainbows and rain? You can’t have one without the other?
Demi Wolford was owed one big rainbow after the winds and rain of Hurricane Irma forced her to leave the island where she was attending medical school and destroyed her apartment and belongings. Back home in Dallas, as she awaited next steps from the university, Demi’s father arranged for her to shadow a physician at an area hospital. It was there that she met her 6-foot-5-inch rainbow: Sam Votto, who was finishing his residency.
“We flirted quite heavily,” Demi recalls of their initial meeting. “We ended up dating for the six weeks I was home.”
Once school resumed, Sam was invested—but Demi wasn’t as sure. “I was like, ‘I can’t date. I’ve got too much going on,’ ” she remembers. Upon completing her studies, the pair reconnected. This time, they both knew it was for good.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the couple, who were forced to navigate the choppy waters of long-distance dating (including a nine-month stint overseas for Sam, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the U.S. Navy). In 2022, Sam proposed while on a walk near Demi’s family’s Highland Park home, where they would say “I do” two years later.
Coincidentally, Demi’s sister also decided to have a wedding at home, just seven months prior to Demi’s, and the siblings shared a planner in Alice and Apricot’s Leslie Ochs. But that’s where the similarities ended. Whereas her sister envisioned a lavish Gatsby-in-the-tropics affair, Demi imagined an intimate Old World–inspired gathering that felt like a farm-to-table dinner.
On May 25, 2024, the couple promised forever in front of 62 of their nearest and dearest. And though they’re still living apart—she works in Duarte, California, for her fellowship in hospice and palliative care; he an hour and a half away in Oceanside—a measly 90 miles feels like nothing to these newlyweds. “After how much time and effort we’ve put into this,” Demi says, “I feel like our marriage is so precious to both of us.”
Main Squeeze
This citrus-accented lemon confection was one of several dessert options; they also had chocolate and carrot cakes, gelato, and a groom’s cake in the shape of a Nike Vaporfly shoe (a nod to Sam’s love of running).
Warm Welcome
The couple sought for their wedding to feel like a European family-style dinner. The playful suite reflected that inviting vibe.
Fine Arts
The garage was converted into an art-filled lounge space, complete with a piano. While the vibe was more swanky jazz club than raucous dance party, the newlyweds did take a spin to “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain. The opening lyrics, Demi says, are especially poignant. “It says, ‘Looks like we made it,’ ” Demi recites, recalling their years of long-distance dating. “It was so hard, but we did it.”
Feels Like Home
Alice and Apricot’s Leslie Ochs might make it look easy to host a wedding at home, but it takes a lot more work—and money—than most people realize. “A lot of people think it would be cheaper. It’s not,” she insists. Beyond the budget, here are three considerations to keep in mind when considering the private-residence route.
Floor-Plan Woes
Working within the parameters of a house’s layout is considerably more difficult than using a space that’s built for hosting large-scale events. “You have the challenge of making things fit within something that’s already there versus a venue, which is a big empty room,” says Leslie, who notes that existing furniture must be moved out before tables, chairs, and bars can be brought in.
Space Invaders
It’s not just the day-of when your house will be out of commission. There will be vendors in and out of your home for weeks leading up to the big event. “They’re prepping the kitchen, because your catering team is going to be coming,” Leslie says. “You’re just having a lot of people in your personal space. It’s a big commitment.”
Sweat the Small Stuff
Beyond the big-ticket items everybody thinks of—like furniture, food, and music—there are supplies you’ve got to stock that would be handled by a venue. Be prepared to buy items like trash bags and toilet paper in bulk!
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