I bet you’ve never seen Himalayan Sea Salt used quite like this awesomeness made gorgeous at the hands of Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Mixed with copper, lush florals by Sweet Root Village and the best ever escort card display, this black tie celebration planned by Grit & Grace Inc, combines creativity and the most elegant Washington D.C. backdrop. Pore through the images by Abby Grace Photography and raise a pink hued shot glass to happily ever after.
Erica and Kevin McQuade met while both were students of political science at the University of Connecticut. Erica, who works in government relations and Kevin, a consultant, were immediately drawn to each other’s affinity for traveling and rap music. They eventually moved down to Washington, D. C. After two years of long-distance dating and added a french bulldog puppy to their lives. In the spring of 2016, Kevin got down on one knee under the National Arboretum’s seasonal cherry blossoms, surrounded by close friends.
Erica quickly sought out Laura Ritchie of Grit and Grace to style an elegant black tie wedding in the heart of Washington, honing in on a moody luxe design with copper, marble, and Himalayan sea salt accents. To kick off the weekend for many out of town guests, the marble theme from the invitations was copied over for their simple and focused welcome gifts. Filled with custom coffee cups, cookies of their pup and a simple welcome notes this was the perfect way to explore downtown before the nuptials… Brew in hand.
Following a Catholic ceremony at the bride and groom’s DC parish – Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown – Kevin and Erica and their bridal party rode through M Street in Georgetown in an open air trolley waving to everyone along the way. Fitted with custom Stubbs & Wooten slippers, denoting their opposite political parties, they then joined their family and friends for cocktails on the portico of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s O’Byrne Gallery. Though their wedding day fell on the same day as the Insane Clown Posse Rally, A Pro Trump Rally, a 5K and a Latin Festival….. Everything went off without a hitch.
Ahh the joys of having a wedding in our national capital! Despite, the venue being surrounded by military and tanks, and after Grit & Grace sweet talked many a solider as vendors loaded in, the guests barely noticed a thing and they enjoyed the gorgeous weather as if nothing was amiss. The cocktail hour hosted a custom made bar on the veranda from Social Supply events made with a Japanese form of burning wood to create a black snakeskin like texture called Shou Sugi Ban and then lining it in copper. It was a statement piece against the white marble facade of the historical venue.
Touching on their love of good food, great drinks and rap music… They hosted not on an copper accent Old Fashioned Bar but also their Escort Card wall was a huge hit. Laura Ritchie from Grit & Grace used Himalayan Seat Salt Shot glasses filled with tequila and hand calligraphied with each guests name by LH Calligraphy. Their table numbers were written on the lime wedge and guests were simply tickled with the rapper T. I.’s quote outlining this interactive installation.
A food-focused evening didn’t disappoint with a dinner catered by Occasions and then draped in flowers by Sweet Root Village was divine. Copper, wood and black chairs adored the stark white gallery space where we continued the touches of Himalayan sea salt in votives, salt chargers for the Bride & Groom (to keep and use after the wedding!) and dramatic florals filled the mantle and head table.
By mixing textures, patterns and alternating chairs the traditional space went high end and more avante grade than normal downtown DC. DJ Dan then pumped up the jams and had guests dancing under the outdoor portico all night long. Rap battles, old school 90s hip hop and aggressive dance offs were enjoyed by all. By the end of the evening DJ Dan was hired by other couples on the dance floor for their future weddings… No joke! Guests left the evening by walking back across the Ellipse of The White House towards their hotels and some even to a after party at the top of The W Hotel. The next day, the bride and groom left for a two-week honeymoon, eating and drinking their way through Italy.
Photography: Abby Grace | Event Planning: Grit & Grace Inc | Dress: Hitched Salon | Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop | Invitations: Paperless Post | Ceremony: Holy Trinity | Reception Venue: DAR Continental Memorial Hall | Catering: Occasions Caterers | Hair and Makeup: Hair & Makeup Artistry by Claudine | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | DJ: Premier DJ Services | Dog Cookies: Sweet Annalines | Floral: Sweet Root Village | Loafers: Stubbs and Wooten | Production: Jessica Marie | Signage, Coffee Wraps: Paper Daisies Stationery