California Inspired Wedding in the Heart of DC at Hay Adams Hotel
The wedding design beautifully married the relaxed, organic charm of Central California (where the bride is from) with the sophisticated elegance of Washington, D.C. For the color palette, we focused on shades of peach with a mix of patterns and textures throughout. We also used rattan and scalloped decor elements to complete the Central CA meets D.C. vision for this wedding.
From the bride: Jake and I started dating in the spring of 2019 while we were both undergrad students at Georgetown University. Fast-forward to spring 2023, Jake pulled off the best surprise ever and got down on one knee at our favorite restaurant, Field & Main in Marshall, Virginia. The surprises didn’t end there as all of our closest friends and family had traveled into town and were waiting upstairs for dinner, followed by a party bus ride back to the city, where we all ended the night celebrating at Tombs in Georgetown.
The groom and his groomsmen all wore classic black tuxedos.
Guests were greeted at cocktail hour with a selection of hors d'oeuvres, including mini lobster rolls, goat cheese and peach crostinis, braised short rib empanadas, and more. For the seated dinner, the first course included a burrata and tomato salad followed by a choice of ginger-glazed Chilean sea bass, seared angus filet mignon, or green asparagus risotto. The bar served drinks all night, including the bride and groom's specialty cocktails: a spicy margarita and a classic old-fashioned. To end the night, a variety of late-night snacks were passed on the dance floor, including corn and edamame quesadillas, cheeseburger sliders, and buttermilk fried chicken.
When it came to florals and decor, the peach-hued color palette and scalloped and rattan elements drove our choices. As a nod to California’s coastal warmth, the natural rattan chairs and white rattan bars added texture and an earthy touch. The scalloped detailing was incorporated into the lampshades, table runners, and charger plates, lending a playful yet elegant cohesion to the design. Soft peach hues dominated the linens and floral arrangements, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Cascading greenery paired with blooms in shades of peach, coral, and blush drew the eye upward and added depth to the space.
The church ceremony took place in Dahlgren Chapel on Georgetown University's campus. The mass was celebrated with readings and music selected by the bride and groom. As the reception festivities began, Meredith and Jake's first dance was to "Me and You" by Kenny Chesney.
The Hay-Adams has a well-known cocktail bar called Off The Record in the lower lobby of the hotel. The walls are lined with political caricatures, and every drink is served on a coaster that features cartoon depictions of current political figures. When thinking of a day-of wedding gift for Jake, Meredith decided to surprise him with an "Off The Record"-style cartoon of their own. We commissioned an artist to design a custom cartoon version of them in their wedding attire enjoying their favorite cocktails in Off The Record. This cartoon was featured on every cocktail napkin that accompanied everyone's drinks during the cocktail hour and reception.
Banana split Dippin' Dots are the bride's all-time favorite dessert, so it was only fitting that they were passed as one of the late-night snacks to end the night. Every server had a custom banana split Dippin' Dots tea towel draped over their arm, and the dessert was a big hit on the dance floor!
