April Ryan, veteran White House reporter, tied the knot with her fiancé James Ewing at the Carriage House at Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore, MD.
She described their love story as a second chance at love.
“This is my second chance love story,” Ryan told PEOPLE ahead of her big day. “I’m divorced and didn’t plan on getting married again. I even vowed never to do it again. I never thought someone would sweep me off of my feet and make me realize I shouldn’t put myself on a shelf. There is more to give and more to do.”
“I was content with being alone the rest of my life, but James changed my outlook.” She added, “I’m excited for the entire thing because it is going to be a moment of covenant, a moment of music, a moment of friends and dancing – a moment of celebration. A bunch of moments wrapped into one.”
At the reception the married pair shared their first dance to “You Put a Move on My Heart” by Quincy Jones and Tamia.
Esteemed guests in attendance included Valerie Jarrett, Susan Rice, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and his wife Dawn Moore, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition, Real Housewives of Potomac stars Gizelle Bryant and Charrisse Jackson-Jordan.
According to PEOPLE, Ryan and Ewing coincidentally connected at the Baltimore Washington airport after following each other online.
They messaged back and forth online following their chance airport meeting and on their third date, “he told me he loved me,” recalled Ryan. “Shortly after, I returned the sentiment.”
The couple is celebrating their marriage with a honeymoon to Italy.
“We found one another after giving up on love. Now, our story is a forever love story.”