I’m fairly confident in saying that every wedding should now include a Dimitri Olive Oil bar. And this Greek inspired affair? Totally started the trend. With Abby Jiu and Monachetti capturing it all to share, we’ve got a day filled with cultural meaning and Laura Hooper Calligraphy, it just doesn’t get any better. See it all in The Vault!
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From Abby Jiu…Anna and Jim wanted to have their wedding on a romantic Greek island while indulging in local cuisine and dancing the night away with family friends. When they quickly realized that would be quite a bit to plan and ask of guests, they decided to have their wedding stateside. They would bring Greece to the US! Anna, a chemist, and Jim, an intellectual property attorney, both from the Peloponnese, wanted their heritage and love of Mediterranean cuisine to be reflected throughout their wedding, so they hired Stephanie Economides with Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events to design a wedding that had the feel of home. From the invitation suite, to the Greek Church, to the late night Loukoumades (Greek Doughnuts), no detail was missed.
The invitation suite, designed by Winifred Paper, truly set the tone for Anna and Jim’s romantic, Grecian inspired affair. Anna and Jim have many family members that do not read or speak English, so a velum overlay with Greek wording was designed to lay over top of English wording. The invitation featured rose gold letterpress with olive branch details blind embossed onto the paper. It was wrapped together with gold threading and sealed with a rose gold wax seal featuring the couples monogram. To incorporate their strong faith and heritage, a “coat of arms” was created and included Poseidon’s Trident.
The ceremony, held at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, was rich in culture and tradition. During the service, Anna and Jim held two lit candles, called “Lambades.” These candles, lit be the Priest, signify that Christ, the Light of the World, will light the way for the couple’s new life together. To modernize the style of these, Amaryllis adorned the lambades with olive branches, blush roses and ivory silk ribbon. When the service concluded, guests received traditional Greek favors, “Koufeta.” Seven rose gold Jordan almonds, an odd number not divisible by 2, representing the idea that the couple will never separate or break up.
Anna and Jim hosted the reception at Congressional Country Club. They wanted to guest to eat and drink just as if they were on a Greek Island! All Greeks love their ouzo, so to kick off the party, trays of a lemon-infused ouzo mint spritzers were passed around on coasters with Greek terms of endearment (written in both Greek and English). The patio at Congressional Country club has a Mediterranean vibe, so this was a perfect fit for cocktail hour. Underneath the pergola, a lounge was set up… just as if they were to be on the beach! While sipping on ouzo, guests enjoyed flavored olive oils and olives imported from the footsteps of Mt. Taygetos in Greece!
The ballroom was transformed into a romantic, Mediterranean oasis, wrapped in soft white sheer drapes. A floral installation hung above the head table and included ivory and blush roses and olive branches. Clusters of candles and candelabras sat on top of the mirror-topped head table to create the style and feel that they couple sought after.
While dancing the night away to Greek tunes played by Apollonia Band, guests enjoyed late night Greek Doughnuts, also known as “loukoumades” that were brought in from Mike Isabella Concepts. Loukoumades are a traditional Greek dessert that are soaked in honey syrup and topped with cinnamon and nuts and served hot out of the fryer.
Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Cinematography: Monachetti | Event Planning: Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events | Floral Design: Amaryllis | Stationery: Winifred Paper | Ceremony Venue: St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Reception Venue: Congressional Country Club | Hair + Makeup: Georgetown Bride | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Lighting: Summit Event Pros | Band: Apollonia Band | Greek Doughnuts: MIC Events | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs | Linen Rentals: DC Rental | Olive Oil: Dimitri Olive Oil
