Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine

One Family, two weddings

2005 was truly a lovely year for the Malek family as Michelle Malek du Pont and brother Fred W. Malek each tied the knot in respectively stunning fashions

Michelle Malek duPont and Christopher Olson
Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, N.M.

Michelle with her grandmoteher, mother Marlene Malek and daughter Olivia

For jewelry designer Michelle Malek du Pont and software entrepreneur Chris Olson, New Mexico was the perfect spot to tie the knot. Michelle and Chris said ‘I do’ in the elegant Loretto Chapel, filled with red roses, which were especially beautiful against the Santa Fe backdrop. The Loretto Chapel is home to the “Miraculous Staircase.” Built in 1870 and famous for its engineering structure (it has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support), the staircase was constructed by a traveling craftsman using only hand tools.

After the ceremony, in traditional New Mexico fashion, a mariachi band paraded the bride and groom through town along with 45 of their closest friends and relatives to the reception at La Posada where guests enjoyed such Southwestern favorites as lobster burritos, fish tacos, and cucumber margaritas. Guests received jewelry and cufflinks at the tables, made specifically for them by Michelle, a jewelry designer for Saks Fifth Avenue and other retail outlets. The bride and her seven year old daughter, the flower girl/ring bearer, wore a similar necklace made by Michelle from real roses and various colors of coral. The fun was contagious, particularly for the bride, her mother Marlene, and the bride’s 90 year old grandmother—as four generations danced into the night! Guests enjoyed the Mexican themed weekend, which included live Mexican carnival music and dancing in downtown Santa Fe; massages at 10,000 Waves; hikes in the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in the slot canyons; and the 1,000 year old Indian pueblo ruins in Bandelier, New Mexico.

After the ceremony, a mariachi band paraded the bride and groom through town...

Left to right: Ted Krai, Rob Zamboldi, Matt Conway, Michelle Olson, Chirs Olson, Will Buss, Tom Hicks, Jay McAndrew and Jay Iannini

Caroline Rocco, Laura Scahwitz and Michelle Olson
Chris Olson, Maryalice McKaughan, Michelle Olson, Leila Baheri and Jack Corwin

Michelle and Chris Olson...with Mariachi band

 

Fred W. Malek and Britlan Gorse

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Parish

Britlan Gorse earned a doctorate in clinical psychology and is currently specializing in developmental assessment of infants and toddlers at Children’s National Medical Center—two very important career accomplishments that could very well help her as she moves into family life. Equally as appropriate for the next stage in his family life (especially if teenagers are in the picture) is Fred W. Malek’s background–Mr Malek is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and has served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War. He is now founder and CEO of TIG Global, an interactive marketing and web publishing firm. But business and accomplishments were secondary on this picturesque day at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown. One good thing about marrying close to home is having all your friends there to enjoy it, including the 17 bridesmaids and groomsmen. An elegant upscale reception was held at the Mayflower Hotel, where Britlan says, “the service was impeccable.” The hotel’s floral decorators created dramatic candelabras with giant spheres of orchids, garden roses, and calla lilies. The colors chosen for the wedding were terra-cotta, mahogany and bronze; the bride wore a classic gown by Steven Yearick. Not a detail was overlooked from the couple’s custom monogram–which adorned the wedding cake, ice sculptures, and was projected onto the dance floor–to the cutting of the wedding cake with the groom’s Navy standard issue sword…which we imagine was not packed for the honeymoon trip to Morrea and Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

Wedding guests

Wedding guests
Anthony and Kandice Gorse, Britlain and Fred W. Malek, and Marlene and Fred V. Malek

Bride and bridesmaids

The groom’s Navy sword was used to cut the cake
Wedding guests

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