The Couple
Darren was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia. Valerie came to Washington from New Mexico by way of Connecticut.

Darren and Valerie met in August 2000 and began dating two months later (even when it comes to love, they’re both procrastinators). After buying a puppy together and playing at domestic bliss, they moved in together in 2001. Darren told Valerie that they were meant to be together because she was the first woman that didn’t drive him crazy.

Valerie and Darren have two wonderful dogs, Cora and Doc.
They are sad that the dogs won't be able to come to Las Vegas. But they
will be sure to bring them lots of treats when they return!

The Engagement
After taking the bar exam in July 2002, Valerie went to Ireland to spend time with her family there. Darren was to join her there a week later. Unbeknownst to Valerie, who was buried under stacks of law books for two months, Darren had been planning since the spring to ask her to marry him. He even asked her parents’ blessing back in May! Valerie’s best friend, Kathryn, helped to keep the secret.

On Friday, August 9, 2002, Valerie and Darren drove from her family’s home in Cork to the west of Ireland to stay at the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara. After a delicious gourmet meal in the beautiful hotel, Darren put his plan into action. He planned to take Valerie for a romantic walk by the adjacent river, where he would ask for her hand in marriage. However, he was thwarted by a fact of nature: the moon didn’t rise that night, and it was pitch-black at 10:00 p.m. After a somewhat chilly walk through the woods by the light of a large, industrial flashlight (provided by the hotel), Darren gave up on that plan.

Upon returning to the castle, Darren and Valerie stopped in the pub to warm up a little from the brisk walk. There, in the dark-paneled room—and after a couple pints of Guinness and a shot or two of Jameson’s—Darren got down on bended knee and asked Valerie to marry him. After the initial shock (realizing that the beautiful ring in the box was indeed for her), she said, simply, “Yes!” They celebrated their engagement there in the pub, with four salty old Irishmen who were full of advice and well wishes. Slainte!

Needless to say, the rest of the trip was wonderful.

The Wedding
On one of their first trips together, Darren and Valerie went to Las Vegas. Darren won lots of money, Valerie lost only as much as she expected, and they had a wonderful time traveling together—no small feat in the early stages of a relationship! They decided it seemed only appropriate to have their biggest party ever in a fun location—no staid country club wedding for them!

So, Viva Las Vegas! They hope to see you there.