We're always getting requests for more indoor wedding inspiration ~ more ballroom or country club weddings, and today's elegant Georgetown ballroom wedding reception is quite simply, stunning! Claudia Lutman Events helped design and choreograph this romantic marriage of two of our nation's finest! We're thrilled to share it with you today.
from the beautiful bride ... Our journey began in the war torn country of Afghanistan. We were both deployed there as part of Operations Enduring Freedom to help rid the region of terrorists that have done harm to the country and pose a threat to our well being; as well as to stabilize the region and try to make it a better place for the indigenous people. We both had made the decision to volunteer and serve our country when it needed its people most. It was by fate that we were sent to the same area of operations.
from Claudia ... As gentle and gracious as Southern women, Felicia's wedding reflected delicate yet sophisticated details, infused with Southern class and embodied with romantic elegance. With a whimsical color palette of pale pink, shades of cream and sparkling silver, the scene was set with faux silk, boxed, invitations featuring the couple’s custom designed monogram adorned with a dainty pearl accent, scalloped and embellished silver threaded lace and ornate silver corners. Scalloped escort cards were affixed with a pearl pin onto an oversized silver framed of pale pink duponi silk; with the table numbers and menus doubled as a threefold old complete this regal invitation suite. Reminiscent of décor found in a grand Southern mansion, florals contained stands of pearl accents, tables topped with silver embroidered lace overlays encrusted with crystal accents while the crystal chandeliers sparkled over the gazebo dance floor. As evening approached, pale pink shades of light glow inside the glass enclosed ballroom, the Colonnade Room, while the Courtyard Garden and its fountain became illuminated with soft, glowing flickers of ambient light and of course . .. . . romance" – Claudia Lutman Events
images courtesy of jennifer hughes photography
more from Felicia ... “Our wedding inspiration was southern-traditional with a modern touch. Elegance was also key. We wanted a mixture of two cultures, African American and Puerto Rican. Everything came together beautifully!
We knew we had to get a wedding planner because I volunteered to deploy back to Afghanistan after meeting John. Also, John was stationed at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. So planning a wedding in the Washington, D.C. area would have been quite difficult! The wedding planning all started with the wonderful Claudia of Claudia Lutman Events. She made the planning of our wedding simple and worry free.
We wanted to have the reception in the heart of Washington, D.C., Georgetown, so we knew that we had to secure a venue quickly. Even though we started one and a half years in advance, our first choice was already booked. We couldn’t believe it!!! After seeing the gorgeous pictures of the Fairmont Hotel online, our choice was made. Securing the church was our next obstacle. Because we wanted to marry in Washington, D.C., we had to find a Catholic Church in the D.C. area that was willing to marry us, even though we were not members. Most churches require that you be a member if you wanted to marry there. We were getting very worried that we wouldn’t find a church. After searching for 4 months, we finally found a small chapel on Ft. Myer’s Army Base in Virginia.
Before I was to deploy again to Afghanistan, we were able to pick out our wedding colors and linens. Because my family is from the south (North Carolina) we were able to incorporate a southern theme by having beautiful, tall rose and hydrangea floral arrangements. For the next seven months, I was planning the wedding from Afghanistan. Thank God for email! Claudia kept us up to date on everything!!! She was able to book most of our vendors while I was away.
John and I wanted to combine both of our cultures for the wedding. John’s family is from Puerto Rico and my family is African American. We were able to jump the broom, which in some African-American communities, marrying couples will end their ceremony by jumping over a broomstick, either together or separately. Latin Dancers were also a part of the reception. We used Dance In Time Productions. They were able to incorporate Salsa & Rueda styles of dancing. They got the crowd up on the dance floor! It was a lot of fun. Our guests truly enjoyed this!!
About the middle of the reception, I was able to change into my second gown, also made by Reem Acra. After the change, we all were able to dance the night away. This was a day that we’ll never forget. Now we can live happily ever after. Love Everlasting!!
Thank you to all our family and friends! You made our day truly special!! Also, thank you to all our vendors!! We couldn’t have done this without you. ~Felicia and John
See Felicia and John's full gallery here!
Event Design and Planning: Claudia Lutman Events
Ceremony Location: Fort Myer Memorial Chapel
Embellishments Custom Designed Invitations
Flowers: Heaven on Earth Wedding Flowers
Photography: Jennifer Hughes Photography
Reception Location: The Fairmont Hotel
Cake: The Icing Cakes and Confections
Cinematography: Blue Sky Films
Rentals: Perfect Settings
Linens: BBJ Linen
Dress: Reem Acra
More of Felicia and John's Wedding Story
It all started at 6:00am on March 20, 2010. The Fairmont Hotel was able to get my bridal suite early. John already had a room at the Fairmont so that’s where the groomsmen stayed. My beautician, Linae Williams, arrived to the Fairmont Hotel at 7:00am. My bridal suite was too quiet because it was just the two of us. About 8:00am, all of my bridesmaids knocked on my door. I was so happy to see them. The quiet time turned into laughs. We had a blast telling stories about each other. Once I was finished with my hair, the next bridesmaid sat in my beautician’s chair. Line Williams worked non-stop!! I was so happy with her work!! The make-up artist came and did a wonderful job. I normally don’t wear make-up so I was pleasantly surprised at how I looked. After that, the photographers (Jennifer Hughes) and videographers (Blue Sky Films) came to the bridal suite to take pictures. My bridesmaids were helping me get dressed. I felt like a movie star, especially once I put my wedding dress on, which was made by Reem Acra. I couldn’t believe it. This was it, the day I’ve been waiting for all my life. I was getting married! John and I were able to exchange gifts by having the maid of honor and best man deliver them. I almost cried when I got John’s gift. He got me an anklet which I was able to wear through the day. I added my now deceased dog’s Tiffany charm to the anklet. That truly touched me. I got John a gorgeous Louis Vuitton wallet which he wore through the wedding day. We were happy to see that we both wore the gifts we received. The ceremony at the Chapel was perfect. Everything went as planned. The church was already gorgeous, so it only need a touch of flowers at the alter. After the ceremony, John and I drove away in a 1952 Classic Bentley. As we were driving throughout the city, people were honking their horns and waving. That’s something we’ll never forget!
