With Simply Chic Events behind the planning, and the words “backyard Parisian weddings” in the inspiration, what comes next is pure magic. Captured by Maria Vicencio Photography, the wedding is romance embodied, complete with glittery gold Kate Spade heels. And we love it so, so much.
From the bride… Our love story started brewing when we met our freshman year of college, but it really started bubbling when the groom moved to my hometown, Washington, D.C., after graduation. For three years in the city, we were close friends attending all the same parties and functions until one New Year’s Eve where a request for a kiss led to a whole lot more. Since Washington is my hometown and it’s such a special place for both of us, we knew we wanted to celebrate our wedding in the city.
Our vision for the wedding was anything but monumental. We wanted to transport our guests outside of a concrete jungle and create an oasis in the capital. We loved the look of backyard Parisian weddings celebrated in and outside of historic homes, and when we found the Meridian House, we knew it was the perfect place. The Beaux-Arts design of the site and the removal from the hustle and bustle of the city made us swoon. We also loved that we could share our vows in the garden, toast in the pebble-floored Linden Grove, and dance among the rooms in the mansion. The unique, elegant and luxurious Jefferson hotel was the perfect pre-ceremony compliment to the Meridian House.
When we settled on an October wedding, we knew it would be a challenge to make our theme come to life — we do not favor traditional fall colors. Working with Simply Chic Events and Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs, we created a romantic, sophisticated and intimate wedding that really reflected the east coast Parisian vibe we had our hearts set on. Our palette was muted and warm — taupe undertones with ivory, dusted with champagne and rose gold highlights. Blush and peach accents completed the look along with a fair amount of mercury glass. We brought these tones into our save the date cards and invitations from Bella Figura, with rose gold edge-foiling, and gold design foiling, respectively.
With a goal of 130 guests, we incorporated antique furniture rentals with elegant calligraphy to keep the affair intimate while also giving it a refined style. My essential inclusions were Italian accents on the menu, and we worked with Design Cuisine to offer arancini hors d’oeuvres, a gnocchi first course, and copious amounts of Prosecco. The groom’s roots lie in Maine, and late-night lobster rolls were a critical inclusion to keep our guests well-fed on the dance door. We also named two specialty cocktails after the places we’ve had the most treasured memories with our family: for the bride, the “Bethany” (sparkling wine with St. Germain and soda), and for the groom, the “York Harbor” (whiskey, bitters, club soda and a sugar cube).
A special touch was added to the wedding thanks to the mother of the groom. Her close friend is a descendant of Queen Victoria’s bridesmaid, and this bridesmaid carried myrtle in Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert. The bridesmaid’s family preserved the myrtle and grew a hedge from the sprigs of the bouquet. We were lucky enough to have some of that myrtle placed in my bouquet and in the groom’s boutonniere, connecting us to such a special romance.
Coffee and macaron service at the end of the night, coupled with the cutting of a Magnolia cake from Maggie Austin, tied-up the affair nicely, and we had specialty cupcake favors made for our departing guests, which were topped with an animated figure of our married name: Fox.
Photography: Maria Vicencio Photography | Event Planning: Simply Chic Events | Floral Design: Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Maggie Austin Cake | Invitations: Bella Figura | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Design Cuisine | Makeup: Leah McKay | Makeup: Tiffany Mason | Hair: Bridal Hair By Remona | Calligraphy: Arney Walker | Lighting: Lighting Professors | Entertainment: The Mustangs Band | Favors: Georgetown Cupcakes | Mens Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: Say I Do Your Way - Joyce Cochran | Hotel: The Jefferson | Wedding Venue: Meridian International Center | Bridal Clutch: Carlos Falchi | Bridal Jewelry: Carolee | Bridal Jewelry: J.Crew | Musicians: Sage String Quartet | Rentals: AFR Furniture Rental | Wedding Band: Gorman Jewelers | Wedding Band: Tiffany & Co.