Steampunk Style

Jen and Chris wanted to have a “DC” wedding that everyone would enjoy – and without a doubt, they succeeded in creating a memorable and fun celebration for all! The romantic understated look was filled with white flowers by Amaryllis , simple white table settings, a patterned green table linen, and oodles of candles.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts allowed the couple to have multiple spaces to create separation and movement throughout the wedding; the ceremony on the first floor, the cocktail hour on the third floor with the exhibits, the dinner on the mezzanine, and then dancing on the first floor.

A. Dominick Events seamlessly led the planning and day, Occasions Caterers served the delicious menu, while Sound Connection kept the dance floor packed! Thank you to the oh-so-fabulous Abby of Abby Jiu Photography for sharing her breathtaking pics!

The fabulous vendor team:

Planner: A. Dominick Events

Photographer: Abby Jiu Photography

Venue: National Museum of Women in the Arts

Rental Equipment: Perfect Settings and La Tavola Linen

Catering and Cake: Occasions Caterers

Floral: Amaryllis

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Transportation: Atlantic Services Group

Ceremony Music: Celebrated Strings

Band: Sound Connection

Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper

Calligraphy: Lettering by Lynne

Hair: Hair by Jewels

Make Up: Carola Myers

Hi Hi Hi! I hope that you all had fabulous weekends! Today, I am back with a gor-g-eous wedding by Bash at The Corcoran . This is definitely a huge dose of design inspiration to start off your week. LOVE.

The fabulous vendor team:

Planner: Bash

Band: Black Tie via Washington Talent

Cocktail Music: Spanish Guitarist via Elan Artists

Photography: Connor Studios

Venue: The Corcoran

Ceremony Church: Holy Rosary Church

Catering: Design Cuisine

Beverages: Ace Beverage

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Lighting: John Farr Lighting

Flowers: Philippa Tarrant Floral Design

Drape: Fabrications

Transportation: Haymarket Transportation and RMA

Stationer: Baton Rouge Paperie

Today, I have an adorable story and beautiful wedding to share.  Sarah and Manetho were married at the W Hotel …She was a high school principal and he was her trainee – oh boy! Enjoy!

The fabulous vendor team:

Photography: Documentary Associates

DJ: Chris Laich

Today’s wedding is the perfect example of a bride and groom’s style and hometown melding – Elisa and Ian’s  contemporary taste was set in the classic St. Regis .

I am so happy that Love Life Images was there to capture all of the fabulous details that A. Dominick Events and Elisa, Ian and their families pulled together! With so many wonderful touches, it is hard to decide what the best part of the day was – what is your favorite?

The fabulous vendor team:

As we kick off 2012, I am delighted to introduce the updated District Favorites list today!  This includes my favorite vendors in town and why I adore them — they are friendly, thoughtful, creative, and their work is phenomenal.  In my opinion, they are the best. Check it out!

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Now, to continue this week’s start, on to today’s Real Wedding…

Kyle and John were married last spring at Longview Gallery . Their wedding is really their own and I am thrilled that Garrett Hubbard has shared the pictures of the day with us!

The fabulous vendor team:

Photographer: Garrett Hubbard

Caterer: Occasions Caterers

Makeup: Makeup by Brooke

Event Coordinator: RSVP Event Planning

Venue: Longview Gallery

Today’s wedding is going to knock you off your feet! It is chock-full of the most talented vendors in town – all for an incredible looking couple, Heather and Eric.  This wedding is elegant, sophisticated, luscious, chic – just stunning!  Happy Monday!

The fabulous vendor team:

Ceremony and Reception: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC

Photography: Freed

Planner: Evoke DC

Florist: Edge Flowers

Music: Free Spirit

There is no doubt about it, that the National Museum of Women in the Arts is one of the most incredible wedding venues in Washington.  It has a prime downtown location, lovely architectural detail, and beautiful art. Maya and Steve’s wedding was planned by Terri Eaves, the owner of the fabulous firm, Bash and it too matches all of the above adjectives

The fabulous vendor team:

Venue: National Museum of Women in the Arts

Planner: Bash

Photography: Connor Studios

Catering: Main Event Caterers

Floral: Philippa Tarrant Floral Design

Decor: Capital Decor

Ceremony Music: Da Vinci Strings via Washington Talent

Lighting: John Farr Lighting

Band: Prelude

Videography: Dolce Studio Films

Today’s wedding is one of the most beautiful that I can remember seeing in ages – and that says a lot considering how many lovely weddings I get to check out!!

Danielle and Nick’s wedding was a swanky, sultry throwback to the 1940’s. This gorgeous couple had an incredible eye for detail and a wonderfully theatrical sense of style that translated into an absolutely stunning affair.

“I loved the couple’s distinct style. There was nothing “bridaly” about this wedding, which made it even more fun to plan.” said wedding planner Laura Weatherly of Engaging Affairs .

Following a beautiful candelit ceremony at St. Aloysius Church, the happy couple were whisked away in a vintage Rolls Royce while guests were transported to an era-gone-by when they entered the intimate reception at the Carnegie Institute .

The deep, rich colors and sumptuous fabrics were bathed in warm hues of amber and burgundy light to create a mood of regal elegance. A custom built wood bar created a speak-easy vibe as bartenders from the popular Todd Thresher bar PX crafted signature cocktails like a sweet basil martini. During cocktails, guests oohed and aahed over the vintage typewriter with a note welcoming them to the wedding and the gorgeous cake decorated with peacock feathers that sat on a linen created entirely out of feathers!

While guests enjoyed cocktails and fun hors d’oeurves like mini pigs-in-blankets atop shots of beer, Nick changed out of his ceremony tux into a custom brown suit that fit the reception’s mood. Danielle changed her hair and jewelry but stayed in the same gorgeous Monique Lhullier  gown and to-die-for Christian Louboutin shoes.

The sumptuous dining room continued the elegantly retro look of the night. Long rectangular tables and velvet-tufted chairs ran the length of the room. Deep brown velvet lines  were topped with crystal table runners, jeweled candles and shaded candleabra dripping with crystals. Peacock feathers were tucked into napkins along with menu cards bedecked with peacocks and the guests’ place cards were printed in a vintage typewriter font.

After a dinner of three exquisite courses, guests began dancing the night away while the dining room was turned into a gentleman’s lounge featuring a cappuccino station and donut machine. This stylish retro event was timeless from start to finish.

The fabulous vendor team:

Event Planner: Laura Weatherly, Engaging Affairs

Venue: Carnegie Institute

Photographer: Juan Carlos Briceno, Fotobriceno

Videography: Stereo Waltz Films

Caterer: Ric Marino, Well Dunn Catering

Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

Floral Design & Decor: Jeffrey Fox, Capital Decor

DJ: Chris Kopec

Transportation: Linder & Associates and Regal Limousine

Strings: Cherry Blossom String Quartet

Place cards: Sprites Ink

Rentals: DC Rental

Lighting: John Farr Lighting

Valet Parking: Unipark

Nikki and Tom were married at the fabulous W Hotel on Valentine’s Day. The romantic white, black and red palette made for such glamorous decor and the W Hotel’s modern take on the classic building makes it fun, funky and absolutely one of the best venues in D.C.!

Nikki and Tom were absolutely thrilled with their W experience – it was everything they could have hoped for on their big day. Nikki says that they visited the W when it was under construction but saw their vision and knew that it would be a “fun, funky, classy place” to exchange their ‘I Dos.’ The selling point was of course the gorgeous view from the rooftop – it literally overlooks the White House! The couple also loved the hotel’s phenomenal wedding suite, the amazingly attentive staff, and the delicious food and drinks.

Their proposal story is any romantic girl’s dream — when Nikki was visiting Tom in Paris (yes, Paris!), as soon as she stepped off the plane to meet him, he greeted her with a hug, a kiss… and a proposal! He later explained he wanted the first words she heard from him in the most romantic city in the world to be “Will you marry me?” Of course, she said “Yes!”

The couple carried their incredibly sweet theme to their wedding – you can’t get much more romantic than getting married on Valentine’s Day!

Red roses, the symbol of Valentine’s Day, floated in glass vases everywhere you looked, along with white roses, lilies, and a fun, bright red flower in Nikki’s hair.  We heart Multiflor !

The couple was lucky to miss the snow storm of 2010! Fortunately, the day of the wedding was snow-free and perfect – though Nikki admits the week leading up to it was nerve-wracking with back-to-back blizzards just days before.

An additional benefit to having your wedding on Valentines Day? Nikki jokes, “Now Tom will never have an excuse for forgetting our anniversary!”

The fabulous vendor team:

Photographer: Genevieve Leiper Photography

Florist: Multiflor

DJ: Chris Laich Music Services – Aaron Platt

Hair and Makeup: KC Felton

Venue: The W Hotel

Today’s Real Wedding is so picture perfect. Alicia, the bride, was glowing and the celebration was beyond lovely – pure sophistication with pops of whimsy.

The bride tell us, “Many people think of DC for its historical significance, but we really wanted to represent a more modern feel. There was something really cool about getting married on the rooftop of the Newseum with the dome of the Capitol in the background – a blend of old and new. We worked with the best in town on our wedding and it made all the difference – they helped make it unique and memorable for us, our families, and all of our guests!”

The contrasting colors of slate gray for the bridesmaid dresses and bright orange-red for the bouquets parallel the bride’s desire for a blend of old and new in her wedding.

These photographs of the bride with her family – grinning widely in obvious merriment and pride as they hug her – are so heartwarming.

The love shared by the couple is shown in the happiness and excitement on both of their faces – there does not seem to be a photograph from the wedding in which they are not glowing with joy, grinning at each other… or groovin’ on the dance floor!

What a view of the gorgeous and stately Capitol building! The Newseum is an incredible location for a DC wedding.

The fabulous vendor team:

Planner: Alexandra Kovach, Alexandra & Company

Photography: Matt Mendelsohn

Floral: Sidra Forman

Cake: Just Cakes

Catering: Wolfgang Puck

Ceremony music: Sterling Artists

Band: Jukeboxx

Venue: Newseum

Dress: Oscar de la Renta

Hair: Eduardo Bravo at Ilo Salon

Makeup: Lauren Miller