Although CNN Correspondent and Anchor Omar Fernando Jimenez III and Maya Kakiuchi Voelk, a marketing director at a large beauty company, both studied at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism at the same time, it wasn’t until years later when a mutual friend suggested he reach out to her when they connected. “After more than a year of—mostly—innocuous messages, I was actually going to be in Los Angeles for work, which is where she was living at the time, and saw an opportunity that became our first date on February 22nd, 2020,” Omar remembers.
Sparks flew and nearly three years later, Omar proposed to Maya in March of 2023. “I reached out to one of her best friends to get her to throw a girls-only birthday dinner—it was that friend’s real birthday weekend,” he explains. “After dinner, her friend led her to the rooftop of the 1 Hotel in Brooklyn where I was waiting, soon to be on a knee, asking the love of my life to marry me.”
Once engaged, the pair decided to host their wedding at the Seattle Tennis Club in Maya’s hometown. “We wanted a venue that could capture the natural beauty of not just the city, but the Pacific Northwest region,” Omar shares. “What better blend of both worlds than a summer Seattle venue with Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier in the backdrop?”
The coastal vibe of the Pacific Northwest led the wedding’s aesthetic with shades of soft greens, blues, and whites that define the region. Kara Galvan of Your Perfect Bridesmaid brought their vision to life, while Amanda K Photography and Northwest Film Co. were behind their lenses, capturing every moment.
The couple worked with stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz on their wedding wardrobes. She recommended Omar seek something custom at Michael Andrews Bespoke, and there, he chose a double breasted black tuxedo. He completed the look with suspenders, a bow tie, black oxfords, and a Rolex, which was gifted by his parents.
The L’Oréal Marketing Director Maya and Gabrielle worked with Lihi Hod on a custom look as well. Her dress featured corsetry and a trumpet silhouette with a detachable train. The bespoke veil was the cherry on top. And on the day-of, Carissa Blossom Artistry gave the bride a soft beauty look.
On July 6, 2024, Maya walked down the aisle with her parents as “Canon in D” was played by the Seattle String Quartet. Omar shed a few tears before one of his best men, Nick Petro, officiated the ceremony under a floral arch by Oak and Fig. “I didn’t think I would cry and I did, hard,” Omar admits. “I was overwhelmed by Maya’s beauty coming down the aisle and what she now represented, not just to the moment but to our futures together. I couldn’t wait to read her my vows because I truly relished the opportunity to put how I felt about her to words. When I finally got that opportunity, I loved seeing the look in her eyes.”
At the reception, the wedding party and their close friends found their seats via photos of themselves with the couple. “It was a special nod to the memories they had helped us make to this point, and the memories they were going to continue to make that night,” Mary explains.
After the newlyweds’ grand entrance and first dance to “Tattooed Heart” by Ariana Grande, they surprised Maya’s parents by replicating the design of their own cake, with the help of Lady Grey. However, the tiers of this confection were nods to the couple’s hometowns—vanilla buttermilk with caramelized bourbon peaches for Georgia and maple buttercream and cinnamon blueberry compote for Washington.
On the dance floor, the couple wanted to take a special moment to honor the love within their party. Over the course of the song “Put Your Head On My Shoulders” by Paul Anka, DJ Joshua Fields called married couples out to slow dance and then slowly asked those who had been married for an increasing number of years to exit the space, until there was only one couple left—Maya’s grandparents, who have been married 70 years. “From there, the party got started!” Maya exclaims. “And there wasn’t enough air conditioning in the world to stop the heat everyone brought to the dance floor.”
Once the fête came to a formal close, remaining revelers headed to the after-party at Cottontail Club in Belltown. Omar, Maya, and their loved ones ended the night with karaoke, bar games, and more reminiscing about their dream wedding day.
