Washington DC Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Chic Blue Velvet & Magnolia Country Club Wedding

Today’s gorgeous country club wedding will give you all the southern vibes. From bouquets blooming with magnolia flowers to a vintage convertible ceremony send-off. Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events brought the bride’s dream of a timelessly southern yet fresh wedding to life. Guests dined at stunning blue velvet tables lit up with chic lampshades, a wedding lighting idea we’d love to see more of in 2020. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Audra Wrisley Photography to see all the pretty.

From Audra Wrisley Photography… Allison & Max tied the knot on a perfect October day, full of sunshine and joy. Designed with blue velvet and classic magnolia flowers at the heart of the inspiration, the bride’s vision of a classic, southern yet fresh wedding came to fruition through Lauryn Prattes’ design.

After getting ready at the bride’s home, Allie and her father drove in his vintage convertible to their church ceremony- greeted by a whole crew of flower girls & ring bearers! The couple wanted a fun, mingling reception and chose to have a cocktail hour style evening- which meant that the design focused on an incredible head table with blue velvet linens, blue & white china, and chic lampshades offset with black velvet chairs.

Their cocktail hour on the terrace featured an ‘apres ski’ vibe, as a nod to their current home in Vail, Colorado where Max is doing his fellowship at the prestigious ortho program. Dinner and dancing concluded with a late night treat of an apple ‘Seiter’ cart in honor of the groom’s last name, freshly rolled cigars and custom cocktail IV bags for guests to conclude the night on a high note.

From the Bride… We wanted timeless, elegant (but not stuffy) with whimsical + creative details! As a 10x bridesmaid, I knew a lot about what I did or didn’t want … lots of drinks and dancing, no seated dinner or matching bridesmaid dresses.
I tried on about 100+ dresses until I settled on the Vera Wang “Ava” dress at Carine’s Bridal, I added custom tulle wrap and sleeves. Personal touches were everything to us! I created a custom watercolor monogram that was applied to the save the date, velvet-backed invite, day-of-details like pillows, wedding program, napkins, etc.

We wanted to highlight all of the places that are special to us in some way – the bride from Maryland (Raw Bar, Maryland Seafood Station), groom from Texas (signature drink, Salt Lick BBQ late night), previous home in Miami where the groom did his residency (cigar roller), new home in Vail, CO (Colorado Chophouse station, outdoor Vail Lounge), “Sugar Magnolia” adorned wedding cake for the groom’s favorite band, Grateful Dead Apple “Seiter” Station to celebrate fall and the couple’s last name! I also commissioned my husband’s favorite concert poster artist for a custom print that served as the guest book!

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Audra Wrisley Photography

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This Modern Inspiration Shoot Brought the Spirit of the Southwest to the Northeast!

Ombré blooms, warm hues, two ceremony designs and one EPIC dress – these are just a few things you can expect to be inspired by throughout today’s gorgeous styled shoot from A. Griffin Events at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Modern brides, you’re going to LOVE this one. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Sarah Bradshaw to see all the pretty!

From A. Griffin Events… Moving from West to East – after years of living out West, Rachel (originally from California) and Tom (originally from Arizona) picked up and moved to Washington DC to pursue higher education where they met and fell in love. Two years and two degrees later, Tom proposed to Rachel and they immediately began planning the wedding of their dreams. They knew they wanted to pay homage to DC as the city that brought them together and what feels more Washington DC than a Smithsonian Museum? The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian posed the perfect fusion of their two homes with its Rotunda design, reminiscent of the sunshine they missed back home.

Being such a stylish couple, we knew we had to design a wedding that would be equally as stylish while still including intentional touches of home. The color palette of warm tones included magentas, plums, oranges, and thoughtful touches of gold and copper and served as the perfect nod to the famous southwest sunsets. Because we were in a museum, we wanted to include pieces from their collection in the design so we intentionally designed around the stunning copper wall built by Hopi artist, Romona Sakiestewa. We chose a minimal and modern thin-framed copper frame for the chuppah custom built by Syzygy Events International to accent, rather than detract, from the copper wall. Sweet Root Village then enhanced the design by adding asymmetrical flowers in an ombre design, for added interest. With this design we paired a custom dress with a fitted silhouette from Carine’s Bridal Atelier, fully equipped with a modern tulle cape attachment that trailed and swayed effortlessly with every movement.

Rachel wore her custom engagement ring complete with a deep, magenta-toned ruby from Trumpet and Horn and dramatic, gold, sun flare statement earrings that popped against her sleek, slicked-back hairstyle and her plum + golden smokey eye from Red Carpet Ready Makeup. No wedding day is complete without designer shoes and these certainly took the cake – Rachel wore nude/white crystal embellished Jimmy Choo heels adorned with a white feather tassel for her stylish bridal look. To make Tom’s gorgeous blue eyes pop, we styled him in a plum shawl collar tuxedo jacket from The Black Tux and kept to clean lines for the rest of his styling. A petite boutonniere from Sweet Root Village was the perfect finishing touch to his attire. The second ceremony design centered around the incredible views from the rooftop, overlooking the Capitol Building and Washington Monument. Sweet Root Village kept the bold color palette as they designed, to pop against the bright blue sky.

Asymmetrical pedestal arrangements ensured that all focus would remain on the couple and the views around them. With this setting we paired a more romantic strapless A-line gown, with floral lace detailing, also from Carine’s Bridal Atelier. With a wedding at a museum must come a museum-worthy stylish reception design. We knew immediately we wanted to include an abundance of texture and color in the reception design and chose to design two separate but congruent tablescapes to add interest for guests. The Rosa Lucca rose gold linen and Wine velvet linen were the perfect backdrops for the golden chargers, all from BBJ Linen. For an added DC flair, we included natural wood wishbone chairs and handmade plates from Something Vintage Rentals with a white trim, to echo the chargers. Pops of pink could be found in the handmade salt cellars from Something Vintage and all place settings were topped with custom menus from Emily Baird Design, complete with color-corresponding tassels. Emily Baird also designed the invitation suite, a multi-layered colorful packet that sat neatly in a custom box for protection and added flair. All paper goods were styled on two handmade, custom-painted backdrops from Lindale Studios – one brighter and one darker for added interest. Lindale Studios also created a custom backdrop for the impeccably designed cake from Buttercream Bakeshop, which echoed the pink ombre tones of the florals from Sweet Root Village. The cake was layered with fondant texture, rather than flowers, to keep the look modern and fresh.

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Here’s Proof That a Modern Color Palette and a Classic Setting Are a Match Made in Heaven

Although your venue typically sets the tone for your wedding day, don’t let your venue define your entire wedding style – specifically your wedding color palette! Who says a classic venue means endless blush and green? This gorgeous editorial from Sarah Kazemburg Events + Styling will be all the proof you need to let your personality shine through your wedding hues – no matter your venue. The bold contrast of the modern colors against the classic walls of The Anderson House couldn’t be more beautiful, head on over to the full gallery captured by Emily Blumberg Photography to get inspired!

From Sarah Kazemburg Events + Styling… For this inspiration shoot, we pulled together a classic, historic setting in Washington DC with a modern color palette and a fashionable design that could easily be translated to a spring, summer or a fall wedding. The Larz Anderson house set the scene, a historic mansion which was completed in 1905 and described as a “Florentine villa in the midst of American independence.” We stuck with an overall classic and romantic design concept, but brought in a fresh palette of golden, honey and butterscotch tones which popped beautifully against the mansion grounds.

Our bride wore an ethereal, elegant Alexandra Grecco gown with tulle skirt and floral appliques. The plunging neckline gave it the perfect balance of chic and formal with a sleek low bun and soft, natural makeup. Our groom wore a classic black Tuxedo with a textured bout in the wedding colors. Two lush, free-standing asymmetrical floral towers set the altar for the couple (a favorite spin on traditional pergolas and ceremony arches)!

The Garden Facade at Anderson House is easily one of the most magical locations for an al fresco reception in DC. Soft gray velvet linens and Brentwood chairs gave an effortlessly elegant vibe topped with Darling & Daughters‘ stunning florals full of texture in butterscotch and honey tones. Modern menus with yellow shimmer calligraphy completed the place settings.

The wedding cake by Fleur & Flour had a soft, textured design inspired by the floral appliques on our bride’s wedding dress, along with gorgeous climbing sugar flowers – the exact same varieties used in the bouquet and across the wedding design. A bold golden velvet runner added fresh color and texture to the cake vignette. Our sweet flower pup Rue joined the newlyweds for family photo ops, which included some favorite moments from this stunning and inspiring day!

Party Idea: A Rosé Party With Your Girl Gang

What better way to kick off spring than with a girls night out! What if that girls night out was also complete with rosé, cotton candy, and tons of goodies? Now that we’ve got your attention, the team behind Paperless Post and Fathom Gallery is sharing all the deets on their recent Roses and Rosé Soirée. Just in time to get those creative party planning juices flowing!

From Elizabeth Carberry Events…We all know roses are typically red… But for our Roses and Rosé Soirée hosted by Paperless Post & Fathom Gallery in collaboration with Heather Lane Events, the only roses in sight matched the flowing bubbly! It was the perfect ladies days out! Guests were greeted by a waterfall of balloons flowing out of Fathom Gallery’s 2nd story window, from All About Balloons, as they entered the party.

Very rarely do the movers and shakers of the event & wedding service industry get a chance to stop moving and embrace a day created just for them. The mission was simple. Host a soiree where industry creatives could connect for a few hours over delicious, over the top, girly pink inspiration designed by Heather Lane Events and Elizabeth Carberry Creative.

Stem and Thistle made our secret garden dreams come true with flowing greens and roses from the ceiling to the floor to wrap around the bottom of our White Glove Rental and BBJ Linen tablescape.

With an Italian inspired buffet from Root & Stem Catering and the yummiest cake complete with cascading sugar roses created by Fleur & Flour, bellies were full.

And the icing on the cake? The flowing Le Grand Courtage‘s Brut Rose topped with champagne and rose flavor cotton candy spun to perfection by Fluffness.

Gorgeous Green DC Wedding at The Fairmont Washington

There are a handful of colors that make me nervous… among them include purple, red and green. But time and again, I’m proven that each of these hues can shine beautifully when done just right—and oh, does today’s fete do green justice. No surprise there, with Grit & Grace Inc. behind the planning and design and Holly Heider Chapple on florals (how stunning are those creamy bouqs against the mismatched bridesmaids dresses?!). Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography was there to document it all… see it here in the full gallery.

From Holly Chapple… The bride and groom met in preschool in Fort Myers Florida. One of their first memories was at a Bat Mitzvah in 2003. Neither of them were dancing when a slow song came on and a match maker came out of the wood works and suggested Daniel ask Alana to dance. They dated in high school and remained good friends as Daniel went off to Rollins College a year before Alana graduated. Alana used every excuse she could to visit him with her friends, and Daniel even returned to his old high school to attend prom with Alana as her date. Alana moved to DC for college, in part because she knew how much Daniel loved it, and during her senior year, Daniel made his way to the District for a job on the hill. Alana chased Daniel while they explored DC together and this is ultimately why they decided to get married here…where they fell in love, built a life together and wanted to share this with their families.

Alana and Daniel’s day featured rich, varied green bridesmaid dresses, which popped against the floral bouquets. Both of the bride’s dresses were show stoppers and custom made for her in Israel. She travelled there a few times to have them made! The super unique escort wall was dreamt up by Grit & grace to pay homage to the romantic parks in Paris. The copper coated pillar with gentle patina was a huge talking point.

The use of white leather as backers to menu cards was so unique. The place cards and the rough cut “posters” on the escort wall were carefully chosen as a natural element but with a little sass….just like Alana’s incredible personality. The transformation of the Grand Ballroom still allows for peaks of the beautiful mired walls and modern chandeliers at The Fairmont. Mixing velvet & wood created an outdoors in vibe and the floral and trees truly helped make this reception feel like a Midsummers’ Night Dream in Fall. Little salt and pepper capsules were made by the bride for the tables and each VIP guest at the king tables.

The welcome gifts were designed with a drawing by a family friend and complied by Marigold & Grey for over 200 guests that all travelled from out of town. They included many of the bride and grooms favorite things! Larry is their huge white fluffy dog who played a huge roll throughout their wedding including an entire after party themed as Larry’s Lounge.

A Floral-Filled Wedding at The Mayflower Hotel Fit for a Princess

Once again, our friend and floral design extraordinaire, Holly Heider Chapple Flowers WOW’d us with her unbeatable arrangements. Today’s gorgeous couple wed at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with a reception to follow at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. Lisa Ziesing was there to capture every memorable moment while Cheers Darling Events had the event running smoothly. Don’t miss a single detail at the full gallery!

From the Bride… In the Spring of 2014, Jim and Meg met at the Kentucky Derby. After a fun weekend of parties, ponies, mint juleps and betting, Jim decided to bet on his future and ask for Meg’s number. The following weekend, Jim conveniently found himself in Nashville for business where Meg lived. They were scheduled to meet for cocktails. Meg was casually running late and upon her arrival she literally fell “head over heels” at first sight. Meg no longer wears 4” heels.

A few dozen gourmet cupcakes, flights and even a pie on “Fourth of July” later they found themselves where it all began, amidst the chaos of the Lavin household on Derby weekend, Jim got on a knee and popped the question. The decided to be wed the following May in Washington D.C. at St. Matthews Cathedral with a reception following at The Mayflower Hotel just 4 blocks from their new home.

About the wedding: I am one of 7 girls. How do you plan a wedding that doesn’t resemble your 3 other sisters who had just recently gotten married? You have it in a different city! I felt that I was extremely lucky when it came to planning my wedding. I had items that made me very nervous, the size was going to be large – how do I not feel like I am among a sea of people? The Mayflower Hotel was the perfect answer. The ballroom was two stories, and it created the dimension I needed. Check. Next, I sat for hours going through Washingtonian Bride Magazine and highlighting photos of floral arrangements that I liked. When I went back, I noticed almost all of them were created by Holly Heider Chapple. I knew that I needed to meet this woman.

Most people have a parent with them when they start to meet with vendors, however I was all alone. I felt like I was going to an interview, would she like me, would I like her, how would our styles make sense of each other. Needless to say, Holly was the answer to my prayers. We chatted about me, my spouse and what I wanted for my wedding. All I kept telling Holly was that I wanted understated elegance. I wanted it to be romantic, yet playful. In the end, she executed the full design of my wedding and it was more than I could imagine. Weddings are about the couple and those around you on the day of your wedding. I had my husband, parents, family and a woman who was dedicated to putting a smile on my face.

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Amie Decker Beauty

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Himalayan Sea Salt Played a MAJOR Role in this Wedding…and It’s Stunning

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.

The Unexpectedly Chic Wedding Color You Should Consider

As an editor at Style Me Pretty, I have the treat of looking at dozens of weddings and editorials each and every day, and with that comes a familiarity with the current trends in colors. And while I’ll never tire of the classic blush, ivory, and gold combo, I can’t help but get excited when I see an unexpected hue styled to perfection. So when this romantic bridal inspiration session by East Made Event Company landed in my lap with its understated and chic ode to yellow, I was instantly hooked. Take a peek at the photos captured by Jeremy Chou and fall in love with this bold color.

From Elizabeth at East Made Event Company… Yellow. An often underutilized color in fine art wedding design, yellow exudes joy, happiness, and cheer. Goethe wrote, “We find from experience that yellow excites a warm and agreeable impression…The eye is gladdened, the heart expanded and cheered, a glow seems at once to breathe toward us.” Coming from a desire to demonstrate how the boldest, sunniest color can be elegantly subdued, the inspiration for this bridal session was drawn from the blush tulle, rose gold sequins, and yellow appliqué flowers on an exceptionally designed Emily Riggs gown.

Paired with a second, equally detailed, white gown, the yellow color also shines in the floral arrangements by Sophie Felts and in the vintage glassware, originally owned by stylist Elizabeth’s great-grandmother. More minimal elements, like the invitation suite by Julie Ha and a vintage ostrich feather fan, balance the appliqué embellishment. Photographed in the newly renovated chapel and on the back lawn of the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC, the shoot mimics the bridal portrait elements of a real wedding day. Our bride is first posed in front of large windows for portraits, and later, gracefully swishes her gown on the lawn behind the impressive European-style architecture of the school. Dainty tablescape and dessert displays round out our details, ensuring that the overall design is “warm and agreeable” indeed.

Setting the Mood for the Most Romantic Rainy Day Affair

Inspired by the romance of a rainy day, this photo shoot crafted for the Jeremy Chou workshop sets the tone for an elegant and moody celebration. Classic details masterminded by East Made Event Company are paired with a sea of candlelight, florals by Wild Green Yonder and the old world beauty of Anderson House. It just might make you wish for overcast skies and a little good luck sprinkle on your wedding day.

Embracing a late summer day of pouring rain, we allowed ourselves to be inspired by this Langston Hughes quote: “Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”

Lulled by the sound of rain and surrounded by the lush grandeur of the 1905 Anderson House in Washington, DC, dusty blue-grey tones and a candlelit aesthetic set the mood to this shoot designed by East Made Event Company for the Jeremy Chou Photography Workshops in DC. Drawing inspiration from the exquisite detail on both Emily Riggs gowns and the refined decor of the venue, each element of this slightly moody shoot was carefully chosen for the fine art bride who appreciates subtle embellishment and luxe materials. Soft silk ribbon from Frou Frou Chic, elegant calligraphy by Julie Ha, and the most carefully crafted accessories by Maggie Wu created a delicate bridal look, which is juxtaposed with a more organic tablescape, with handmade pottery candlesticks, raw linen napkins, and organic florals by Lori Tran. Embellished, silver flatware from stylist Elizabeth’s own collection inspires an antique aesthetic, reflective of the grandeur of the venue. By the end of the day, the skies parted enough to enjoy some photos on the front portico of the Anderson House, the perfect finale to Day One of the workshop.

We’re Celebrating Love With This Stylish DC Anniversary Sesh

As much as I adore weddings, there is a special place in my heart for anniversary sessiona. Marriage is hard work, ya’ll, and each year a couple goes through hand in hand, through the beautiful moments and the painful moments, is something to be celebrated and documented! Which brings me to today’s Washington DC anniversary session captured by Novaes Photography. Yes, this is one good looking and super stylish duo, but what brings me chills is the expression of love and respect in each of their eyes when they look at each other and their touching words below. They get it.

From the couple… After our marriage in October 2016, Krishaun and I spent the next year planning and navigating our life to promote love, hope, and joy through our love as husband and wife. We spent the year working towards building a foundation for our future family and worked tirelessly to become the best versions of ourselves with these new found roles. As newlyweds, we focused monthly on our vision as a couple. The 15th of every month finds us having what we call “navigator’s conferences” – moments when we take the time to remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on our marriage – physically, mentally, and spiritually. During this time we reflect on what’s working in the marriage, what can be improved, and what aspirations we have not only for our marriage, but also most importantly for each of us as individuals. Although being husband and wife are our first and foremost roles, we understand that we are individuals who yearn to grow. We act as one another’s personal cheerleader, pushing one another to continue to strive for excellence. The first year of marriage was a phenomenal time of growth and love. We traveled, we laughed, we lived, and we loved. We developed a deep partnership focused on building a legacy and look forward to the years to come.

We Can’t Decide What We Love More: This Dress or These Florals!

I know we’re already diving into winter’s wonderland but can we go back and do autumn just a little bit more? Because this shoot right here has us all heart eyed with fall florals and one gorgeous gown and we’re not ready to leave it anytime soon. Kelly Hornberger captured all the chic seasonal moments at this historic D.C. hotspot and we’re oh so grateful she did. Head to our gallery to see more!

From Kelly Hornberger Photography… Gorgeous fall flora color scheme bridals set amongst the stunning Tudor Place historic home and gardens.

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The Chicest Ballroom Wedding Overlooking the White House

In the age of gorgeous garden weddings, a thoroughly modern ballroom affair is like a magic unicorn. It only comes around once in awhile but when it does, we are alllll about it. This DC celebration styled by Lauryn Prattes brings together acrylic, marble, green vine installations by Sweet Root Village and chic tablescapes that go way beyond your typical modern affair. Dive into this glamorous day with a Whitehouse view captured by Lisa Zeising for Abby Jiu Photography and a film by East West too!

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From the Photographer… Lauren and Rand had a difficult year prior to their engagement enduring the loss of Lauren’s mother and Rand’s own battle with cancer, which he thankfully overcame. Because of this they wanted their wedding to be intimate and reflect those nearest and dearest in their life, and those who had supported them through it all. Their wedding day was filled with love, laughter and warmth filled the room.

Lauren and Rand had selected the Hay Adams for it’s amazing views of the city as well as light and airy room. To really make the room a light, bright and chic space we installed custom wall to wall white carpet creating a completely neutral and blank canvas. The wedding design was inspired by the young and modern city chic couples new home, which featured white cabinets, marble countertops and clean minimalist decor. A soft color palette came to life for the wedding of white, grey and marble was accented by the tiniest touches of lavender and plum.

Setting the tone for the wedding day the invitation suite featured a marble letterpress invitation tied with a custom dyed grey silk ribbon, grey envelope with a casual calligraphy font and mix of grey, black and white vintage postage – all sealed with a white wax seal. As guests arrived to DC they were greeted with welcome boxes showcasing some of DC’s best local treats – custom marble heart cookies from Buttercream Bakeshop, cheese stamps from Kinderhook and coffee from Compass Coffee.

The ceremony took place in the dark, wooded lower level ballroom. Warm candelight and white drape filled the space and a marble printed program was placed inside an acrylic floating frame from Artifact Uprising, accented with greenery.

Following the ceremony guests moved upstairs to cocktail hour and were treated to a Tonic Bar in honor of the couples favorite cocktail – a gin and tonic. The custom tonic bar was finished with a marble top and behind a smoke grey acrylic menu was accented by a decanter light installation and fresh greens. Guests could select from His and Hers cocktails, or build their own tonic with a variety of garnishes.

A favorite detail from the evening was the escort display – marble hexagon tiles were edged in gold and then calligraphed with each guests seating assignment – the tiles were then velcro’d to smoke grey acrylic so guests could take their tile with them to their seats. A lounge vignette featuring marble topped tables with gold bases finished off the space.

Following cocktails curtains pulled back to reveal a breathtaking dinner space. The intimate wedding size of 110 was perfect for 2 long dramatic tables sweeping across the front room so guests could dine overlooking the White House. Tables featured a stunning display of crystal candelabra’s accented by various height taper candles and votives – not a single bloom was placed on the table. Above a lush ceiling of greenery and delicate lavender and plum flowers danced among crystal chandeliers.

Place settings consisted of hand made “faux” marble chargers topped with grey plates, napkins tied with marbled silk ribbon and were finished with a velum menu and matte gold and white flatware.

The couple live down the street from DC’s newest and favorite bakery, Buttercream Bakeshop. They designed a marble cake delicately adorned with flecks of gold foil which sat atop a lucite column surrounded by candlelight.

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Amie Decker Beauty

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The Views From This D.C. Wedding Are Iconic

When I visited the Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters in D.C. for the first time, I was in awe by the grandeur of the architecture and the view of the Washington Monument, yet the space somehow still felt intimate. I couldn’t stop imagining the beautiful weddings that I knew must take place beneath the portico. Now I no longer have to imagine them, because Annalyse and Sam’s timeless affair blew away even my sweetest daydreams. Luckily for me, Joey Kennedy photographed every detail of their elegant wedding, from the Jenny Yoo clad bridesmaids to the tables topped with Mallory Joyce‘s floral creations.

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After graduating from Auburn University, Annalyse moved to Washington, D. C. to pursue a career on Capitol Hill. Sam was a year ahead and already working in politics following his time at the University of Virginia. In 2012, both Sam and Annalyse hit the campaign trail and traveled to Ohio. It was in Cuyahoga County where they met and struck up a friendship that would soon turn into something more. When they returned to the city, Sam asked Annalyse to dinner. That was the beginning of an adventure highlighted with farm trips, Florida visits, graduate school study, promotions, and Auburn games. Sam proposed at his family farm in Pennsylvania early one morning in October of 2015.

As a member of the Capitol Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and after visiting the venue, Annalyse and Sam fell in love with the architectural impact and elegance of the one of a kind space. Despite the proximity to the White House and National Mall, the portico feels intimate.

The wedding day began with an outdoor bridal shoot in Georgetown full of garden greenery, captured in perfect light and detail by Joey Kennedy. The bridal party made their way to Christ Church Georgetown, the church where both the groom’s parents and grandparents were wed, before heading to the DAR. The vision for the elegant and romantic DAR building was brought to life with stunning design and florals arranged to complement the light, airy space by Mallory Joyce Designs. The bride and groom surprised guests with caricature artists during cocktail hour and dined at tables adorned with garden-fresh floral arrangements in greens, whites, and soft pinks. Guests danced the night away overlooking the Washington Monument!

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Jenny Yoo

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A Classic D.C. Wedding Guaranteed to Melt Your Heart

The heart-melting moments captured by Elizabeth Fogarty Photography of Lauren and Mohammed’s wedding are too many to count. From the adorable pre-wedding gift – a puppy named Gatsby, to the vows Lauren read to Mohammed’s son during the ceremony, I squealed then cried my way through this beautiful gallery. There’s so much to love about this classic D.C. affair!

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From Elizabeth Fogarty Photography… Lauren and Mohammed wanted to welcome their guests to a quintessential Washington D.C. experience for their wedding weekend. They moved from New York to D.C. in the spring of 2016 and wanted to celebrate the place where they will begin their life together.

When considering venues, they selected Meridian House because of its history, elegance, and classic style. Designed by John Russell Pope – who also designed the the Jefferson Memorial, the National Archives, and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art – Meridian House captures the feel of D.C. in a more intimate setting. They also fell in love with the Linden Grove, an Italian style garden which reminded them of their time on the Amalfi Coast.

Given the beauty of Meridian House, they wanted a simple, elegant wedding design that did not have any sense of “snootiness”, to use Lauren’s term. Beth Trenti, of Porter and Ives, worked with ivory and cream garden roses and added in local DC blackberries, grapevines, and hops for a more laid-back, seasonal feel.

The wedding menu also considered the Muslim faith of Mohammed’s family. While he is not Muslim, they wanted his family to feel welcomed and respected with sparkling juices and a pork-free menu.

Lauren and Mohammed share a love of travel. Mohammed proposed on the beach in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Olympics, and their honeymoon took them to Dubai (where Mohammed was born), the Maldives, and Sri Lanka where Lauren met Mohammed’s extended family.

SoulCycle is one of their favorite activities, so they invited all their wedding guests to a ride the morning of their wedding.

Zach, Mo’s son, was a big part of the wedding. Lauren even read vows to him, too!

Lauren and Mo had the sweetest first look, and Mo surprised Lauren with the gift of a puppy – Gatsby!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

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Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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A Classic Wedding In Our Nation’s Capital

A classic wedding in one of the most iconic cities in the country. This is the stuff we ache for around here. Shannon Moffit captured this elegant affair in our nation’s capital and with the white bouquets and champagne bridesmaids’ dresses, I have no doubt that these looks will never, ever go out of style. See them all in our gallery right this way and enjoy this sweet love story play out below!

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Classic Weddings

From Shannon Moffit Photography… Our nation’s capital, Washington D. C., is a symbol for classical elegance, home to some of the greatest examples of 20th century neoclassical architecture, a style known for its clean lines and symmetry. Kate and Adam’s wedding was not only an embodiment of this architectural style, but also a perfect reflection of the city in which they wed – classic and refined with a modern twist. The two said their vows on a cool March afternoon, a few days before spring, at The St. Aloysius Church, a Roman Catholic parish listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After the ceremony, we headed to the marble arches of the Jefferson Memorial for some luminous portraits of the couple, the bride and her maids in unique champagne-colored BHLDN gowns, and the groom and groomsmen in custom black tuxedos from The Black Tux. The wedding festivities continued at one of D. C.’s finest historic hotels, The Omni Shoreham. The reception space was dressed in white – complete with white garden roses, elevated snowball hydrangeas, and white tulips. Kate sparkled in her Lazaro gown, which flowed delicately as her new husband spun her around the dance floor to the tunes from their live band. Guests danced the night away until a final sparkler exit, the perfect ending to a classic event.

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Wedding Dresses

Lazaro

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

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The Most Delicate D.C. Wedding With 2 Stunning Dresses

This Bride’s wedding day style is soft, delicate, and feminine – and we’re in love. She donned two equally gorgeous gowns, one featuring an intricate floral bodice from BHLDN and a ball gown with a striking sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder sleeves from Morilee. Her look was completed with a statement lip and the softest looking bouquet by Floral + Bloom Designs. Michael + Carina Photographers and Josh Gooden Photo + Cinema captured this sweet summer morning, so scroll on to see some of our favorite moments!

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Spring Weddings

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Classic Weddings

From Michael + Carina Photographers… We photographed Fan and Chang’s gorgeous D.C. wedding at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington D.C. on June 11th, 2017. Fan and Chang met during their studies in D.C. several years ago and decided it was the perfect location for their wedding day. Their families flew in from China for the big event. The Bride, who is incredibly stylish, couldn’t decide between two dresses, so she decided to wear both. Her delicate style was emphasized by soft pastel colors, delicate flowers, a swooped hair updo, and simple yet elegant details. The indoor ceremony was held in a cozy space filled with greenery and mauve candles. The reception space was beautifully decorated with greenery cascading from the lush centerpieces. The green, cream, and blush color palette went perfectly with the unique stone architecture of the venue. The Washington Monument and White House made for the perfect backdrop for their family formals and their first look!

From the Bride… Chang and I met and fell in love with each other in this beautiful city, Washington D.C., when we both chose to continue our graduate study here at George Washington University. We have spent so much wonderful time together in the city that we both love, so it’s natural that we held our wedding at the Hay Adams where the view from Top of the Hay took our breath away from the first time we stood on the terrace to overlook the Washington Monument, White House, and the Lafayette Square.

I wanted to have an intimate Sunday morning wedding with only our beloved family and friends in June (my favorite time of the year), and Chang was happy with everything that I wanted as long as I was happy. I love flowers, vintage stuff, handmade/handcrafted details, and all the pretty little things, so I have enjoyed planning my own wedding. I like to see how everything about my wedding works together and love to see everything come together in a way that I truly love. (I even tied all the ribbons, packed all the favor boxes, and – of course – did all the wax seals on the invitation envelopes.) From the blush roses, ivory peonies, green silk ribbons, and blush textile, to the beautiful paper suite, the blush velvet ring box, and the Jo Malone Osmanthus Blossom Cologne that I picked for the wedding day, I selected every single detail about the wedding, and I was so fulfilled to see it all come together.

Thanks to my talented florist, photographers, cinematographers, illustrator, DJ, and hair and makeup artist – and all of the vendors – I had a wedding better than I have ever dreamed of on this beautiful morning. Planning a wedding could be stressful and exhausting, but we are so lucky that we were supported by family and friends, and we had the best team of vendors, among which Michael and Carina are the best of the best. And thanks to my dearest Chang, who tried to help me with stamping the wax (but he’s not good at it at all) and tying the ribbon bows (terrible at this, too), who always supports me, encourages me, comforts me, and shows his love to me. He’s the one that made my dream come true. We were overwhelmed by the support and love from our friends and family traveling long distances to celebrate the important moment with us. We have had such a great time sharing our love story and all of our happiness with them. We enjoyed every second on the wedding day, and it was one of the best days of our lives.

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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A Wedding Ceremony on the Steps of the D.C. War Memorial

You know how they say location is everything? Well, that couldn’t be truer of Attiya and Mike’s wedding. They exchanged vows on the steps of the historic D.C. War Memorial, fulfilling the bride’s lifelong dream of marrying on the National Mall. “D.C. is home, where we met, where we fell in love, and we wanted that to spill out in everything,” Attiya said. Claire Duran Weddings and Events made certain no detail was overlooked and we’ve got all the beautiful captures by Bonnie Sen.

From Claire Duran Weddings and Events… Mike and Attiya met in D.C. on 11/11/11, and got engaged almost four years after during Attiya’s birthday. After their engagement, the only way in which they could have had the perfect celebration, was by walking the National Mall, as he knew that watching the sunset on the Mall was her favorite thing!

Since she was a little girl, Attiya tells us that she only imagined getting married on the Mall — she hadn’t a clear idea of how dress would look like, or whom the spouse would be– she just knew she wanted the Mall. Hence, when the time came, they planned everything around that long wanted dream.

Attiya’s parents hosted a large and formal Pakistani wedding, so the couple decided to do a small, simple cocktail-style wedding surrounded only by their closest ones the day after. They made sure that almost every aspect of their Big Day was local and personal. For instance, the DJ was the brother of Attiya’s best friend, the cake was from their favorite local celeb pastry chef (and ours!), Buttercream Bakeshop. Overall, they wanted something their children could look at one day and love. They didn’t want anything that followed a passing trend, that they would have regretted choosing years later. Instead, they wanted classic, elegant, simple, D.C.

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Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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Three Tips For Looking Completely Natural In Your Wedding Photos

If you find yourself panicking over the mere thought of getting those engagement + wedding photos taken, know that you are not alone. Freeze face happens to the very best of us, and if you’re more than ready to conquer those awkward poses and staged kisses, the uber-talented Bethany Rees of DOLA Photography is here to tell us exactly how it can be done. Cozy on up for a lesson in oh-so-natural wedding photos below.

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

When it comes to capturing natural images, I love to keep couples moving and doing things, so that they almost forget they are being photographed. Even small amounts of movement can make photos look less posed and stagnant. It’s great when couples are up for whatever I ask, like leading one another through a field or walking quickly together down a set of stairs, trusting that I will always make them look good. Even if they are just standing in one spot for me, I’ll ask them to sway, almost slow dance with each other, so there is always movement. A good photographer knows how to give direction to get natural looking photos out of anyone, no matter what their personality is like.

IGNORE THE CAMERA

My style is also very photojournalistic, so outside of the time we do portraits together, I am constantly scanning the room on a wedding day looking for small moments – glances, laughs, hugs… those are the best candids. Sometimes I even hold my camera up and wait. I can see the photo in my head and I just need something small to happen, or someone to move into the frame to get it perfect, and it happens so quickly that if I didn’t already have my camera ready at my eye, I would miss it! For those photos I need people to ignore me – a lot of times when people see a camera they want to pose or smile, which is great, but normally my favorite candid photos happen when people are just being present, enjoying themselves at the party and ignoring me.

ENJOY YOURSELF

Consider doing something that is just for the two of you. It doesn’t need to be something major, but a small moment or activity together gives an opportunity for me to just document what you’re doing together in an unscripted way. Get coffee, have a glass of champagne together, go off and eat your cake while watching the sunset. Give yourselves extra down time in your wedding day schedule to really allow yourself to relax and for spontaneous things to happen. Those in-between moments are always some of my favorite and the most natural looking photos! For engagement sessions, too, I recommend getting your hair and makeup done so you are feeling fabulous and confident… treat it like you’re going on a fun date!

You want your wedding day to rock, so finding a photog that can ease your mind and help you feel natural in front of the camera is key. Bethany Rees, studio owner of DOLA Photography, is one of those talented photographers, using her years of experience to snap images that are modern, timeless AND gorgeous… and all with an unobtrusive and laid-back style that will sooo put you at ease. We are all kinds of obsessed with her photojournalistic style, and her ability to snap those moments you didn’t even know were happening. Do yourself a favor and contact her today for a wedding album filled with heart-tugging images you’ll cherish for always.

Photography: DOLA Photography

A Sentimental Proposal Inspired by the Bride’s Grandparents

This Groom-to-be absolutely nailed the proposal. While watching the sunset at their favorite spot, Chris handed Hilary a note with a semaphore message on it. Despite not knowing how to read semaphores, the Bride-to-be knew immediately that it read,”Will You Marry Me, Hilary?”…It was the same way her grandfather proposed to her grandmother almost 70 years earlier! With her grandparent’s proposal note framed and hanging in a special place at home, Hilary could not imagine a more special way to begin this new chapter in their lives. Their classic, formal engagement captured by Lissa Ryan Photography is as cute as their proposal story, so see it all right here.

From the Bride-to-be… We met at a group dinner (he was a friend of a friend) and then went dancing after. I remember being charmed by his East Coast, clean cut appearance and the fact that he could twirl me on the dance floor. As soon as we met, everything felt different. I’m not very much of a romantic, but all these cliches were coming true, and he was so genuine and amazing – like no one I had ever met before.

The first five months of our relationship was getting to know each other long distance. He lived in Florida, and I lived in California. We belly laughed together on the phone through calls and texts. His charm was so strong, even from across the country. Looking back, I’m so glad we had that time. I think it gets lost nowadays. With technology and this fast paced world, we don’t take the time to stop and just talk. Chris soon moved out to California and we were able to start our future together!

Chris proposed at our favorite sunset spot in Corona del Mar, CA. It was a Saturday night, and he got me to dress up a little by fibbing that we were meeting some friends for dinner after. Otherwise, he knew I would wear my traditional ‘yoga pants, sweatshirt, hair bun’ to our sunset jaunt. He also had our sneaky, amazing friends hiding in the bushes to take some candid photos, so we have the whole thing documented. It was a sunset like any other, then he handed me a piece of paper with a semaphore message spelling out ‘Will You Marry Me, Hilary?’ I knew instantly what it was (and I don’t know how to read semaphores), because it was the same way my grandfather proposed to my grandmother almost 70 years earlier. He was deployed on a ship and sent her a hand written, hand drawn semaphore message to propose. We have always loved that story, and I still have the piece of paper he sent to her framed and in a special place. So here we were, in present day, with a new message printed from a computer, sharing the same joy and invitation to spend our lives together. He made all of my dreams come true that day, and he totally nailed it. We were able to share the night at a surprise party with close friends and family after the sun went down. It was (to date) the best day of my life!

It’s actually hard to sum up the vision for our wedding because we have a lot going on. The ceremony will be at the USNA Chapel – it’s a formal and very beautiful spot. Then we’re going rustic for the reception at Hemlock Farm in Edgewater. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE barns and anything country. So on our big day, there is a range of Navy dress whites to hay bales. To connect everything together, we’re incorporating a lot of vintage and industrial elements in a tent to give it some rustic glam. I’m working with Adriana Gorman of Adriana M Events to plan, and she is amazing. I’m so confident that the scatter of ideas in my head will all come together in the coming months.

Planning from California has actually been great. I have been stalking social media for ideas and have found amazing people to work with! Aside from the look and feel of the decor, we just want to have fun and set up the night to enjoy time with our people. We love to dance, love to laugh, and love to let loose. Can’t wait to see everyone we love in one space and celebrate!

Photography: Lissa Ryan Photography | Hair and Makeup: Lori Nansi | Venue: Tudor Place | Film Processing: The Find Lab

Luxe “Capital City Chic” Wedding in Washington DC

Once this DC wedding made its way around the SMP office, we deemed it one of the best ballroom affairs to ever hit our pages. No surprise, Julie of Strawberry Milk Events was at the helm of this showstopper, planning every step of the way. Inside the gallery, you’ll find incredible details like a floral-covered ceremony wall and a gilded dessert display that’ll make your jaw drop. Thanks to KT Merry for each and every image, plus a must-see film below by our friends at East West!

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From planner + designer, Julie of Strawberry Milk Events… This couple wanted to give their guests a “classic D. C.” wedding experience. The ceremony and dance party took place in a “from scratch” ballroom we built on a high-rise terrace overlooking Georgetown, DC on a perfectly sunny, fall day.

The elegant, city-chic affair was both modern and romantic, and an all-white and gray palette incorporated warm fall tones such as beige, blush and antique gold. We wove a unique, laser-cut motif throughout many elements such as the invitations, linen and tent decor (bars, valance, band stage, etc.)

The couple exchanged vows in front of a gorgeous, white flower wall and later danced under the custom, tiered chandelier made entirely of gold leaves which sparkled in the candlelight while city lights twinkling in the background. Exquisite gold draping, a gray and gold custom patterned floor, a French electric violinist during ceremony and cocktails, fall-inspired apple brandy cocktails and DC-themed welcome guest bags were a few additional highlights.

It was fun to see the “tented ballroom” transformation from the ceremony to a dance lounge which took place while the guests enjoyed a delicious, multi-course dinner inside. Guests re-entered the tent after dinner to a rocking band from Elan Artists, a change in lighting which contributed to the change in mood, a too-pretty-to-eat gilded dessert display, and oversized, plush lounge furniture groupings.