At their wedding in heart of Georgetown at the Halcyon House, Sara explains, “We wanted the overall vibe of the wedding to be fun and different, yet still have a very classic feel to it. We absolutely did not want a typical wedding venue, which made the Halycon House perfect.”  The venue allowed them to achieve this dream of “fun yet classic” for their wedding: the downstairs space is a blank canvas, and very modern, providing the couple with ample room to use their imagination and create their ideal setting, while the upstairs space is more traditional.

The variation among rooms of the house let Sara and Owen use a different color scheme and theme in each room. The end result was incredibly unique – full of fun, beautiful, and diverse décor by Amaryllis Florist, Capital Décor and Events, Pam Barefoot and Frost Lighting!

Dinner was served in the spacious lower level of the House, which had been transformed from a typical concrete basement into a classy, elegant dining room. Everything was lit with a red hue – so very romantic.

After dinner, the guests were led upstairs into a completely different environment than where they had just dined – suddenly they were stepping foot into a room with bright colors, fun patterns, and glowing colored lights. Sara and Owen loved seeing the looks of shock and awe on the guests’ faces as they saw the dance area – a total change of scenery from the dining room! They say that the unexpected, wild atmosphere “really let our guests know that it was not time to let loose and have a great time, which is ultimately what we wanted.”

After the ceremony and reception, Sara and Owen sped off to their Bahamas honeymoon in an elegant, vintage Bentley!

The fabulous vendor team:

Ceremony: Trinity Methodist

Venue: Halcyon House

Planner: Atrendy Wedding, Pam Barefoot

Caterer: Main Event Caterers

Photographer: Rodney Bailey

Florist: Amaryllis Florist

Band: Eleven Eleven Band, Jazz Trio

Décor: Capital Décor and Events

Cake: Fancy Cakes by Leslie

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Makeup: Leah McKay

Hair: Sachi Medlicott

Photobooth: M J Alexander

Transportation: Atlantic Valet, Fleet Transportation, Fairfax Limo

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 Newseumwith 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

The cake display looks delicious – a midnight treat to welcome the new year!  Love the party hats! What a fun way to say hello to 2010!

The fabulous vendor team:

Venue: The Hay-Adams

Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Duncan with Pineapple Productions

Florist: Jack Lucky Floral Design

Photographer: Deb Lindsey Photography

Band: Backstage

Cocktail Music: Bel Canto Strings

Make-up: Leah McKay

Hair: Christophe Jouenne

Dessert Display: Just Cakes

Wedding Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Linen/Chairs: DC Rental

The Hotel Monaco made quite the backdrop for these “get ready” shots. The flowers by Helen Olivia are so lush and vibrant.

So much happiness – this is why I love my job!

The gorgeous room and spins on the dance floor…

Sweet favors, a lovely cake, the newly weds…

The fabulous vendor team:

The bride and her ladies look like they are right out of a photo shoot, simply gorgeous.  The fabulous Carine’s Bridal Atelier designed custom bridesmaid dresses for each lady, gowns that you could actually wear again after the wedding – crazy, right?!

I love this moment with Bridget and her father on the way to the church – again, this is such a great shot that it looks like a pre-designged photo shoot.  The American flag in the background is so fantastically DC inspired.  Jennifer Lust Portrait Design makes me feel like I am actually with them on their big day.

After pronounced husband and wife, Bridget and Ryan are so happy that they look they are going to skip down the aisle.

Here are the elegant rooms shots with the gold chivari chairs, the mix of tall and low neutral arrangements by DaVinci Florist, Laura Hooper Calligraphy on the menus…yes, I am gushing.

How cool is the Notre Dame ice sculpture?!  A personal detail that is playful and unique.  Then, don’t you just want to get on the dance floor with the bride and groom?  Sound Connection by Andy Kushner Entertainment rocked it.

The fabulous vendor team:

Church: St. Aloysius Catholic Church

Reception: Andrew Mellon Auditorium

Photography: Jennifer Lust Portrait Design

Dress: Christian LaCroix – Carine’s Bridal Atelier

Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom made by Carine’s Bridal Atelier

Floral,  Lighting, Linens: DaVinci Florist

Band: Sound Connection – Andy Kushner Entertainment

Invitations, Menus, Place Cards: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Video: Suburban Video

Caterer: Occasions Caterers

Hair: Jean Bay – Salon Jean

Make-up: Stacy Ferguson

Event Coordinator and Designer: SoCo Events

The ceremony took place at Holy Rosary Church, one of the most historic and beautiful churches in DC.

After the breathtaking ceremony, guests moved to DAR, for social cocktails and an elegant dinner.

I absolutely love the groom’s cake, as a take on the movie Cast Away and the groom’s name, Wilson. Such creativity by Fluffy Thoughts!

Here are some of the stunning details that set this wedding apart from the rest! Oo-la-la! Photographer Jennifer Hughes did a fabulous job capturing the celebration.

The fabulous vendor team:

Planner - Simply Chic Events

Ceremony – Holy Rosary Church

Reception – DAR

Photographer – Jennifer Hughes

Videography- Blue Sky Films

Caterer- Main Event

Florist – Helen Olivia

Deejay- Aaron Platt w/Chris Laich Music Services

Lighting – John Farr

Wedding Cake & Groom’s Cake – Fluffy Thoughts

Hair & Makeup – Red Door

Lounge Furniture – Room Service

Julia and Chris are so lovely, the ceremony is so classic, the reception is so hip — all the perfect ingredients for a fabulous affair.

I love the fashion-forward shots of the bridal party.

Wedding Photographer Moshe Zusman takes such lovely photographs outside around the District!

The beautiful dinner…

Yummy cupcakes by Fluffy Thoughts. Beautiful tall arrangements by District Favorite, Multiflor.

The guests rocked out to music by DJ Neal Becton.

The vendor team behind this lovely wedding…

Photography: Wedding Photographer Moshe Zusman

Floral: Multiflor (A District Favorite!)

Planning & Dress: Carine’s Bridal Atelier

Hair: Elegant Hair by Giselle

DJ: Neal Becton

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Church: Holy Trinity

]]> http://www.districtweddings.com/real-wedding-julia-and-chris-at-the-w-hotel/feed/ 2 http://www.districtweddings.com/real-wedding-by-love-life-images/ http://www.districtweddings.com/real-wedding-by-love-life-images/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:43:40 +0000 Danielle Freedman http://www.districtweddings.com/?p=4385 Last June, Devon shared the incredible engagement photos of Kaja and Dan in Union Station.  Today, we are lucky enough to see the wedding photographs, also shot by Stephen Bobb at Love Life Images, Inc.  After the fun engagement session at Union Station, I knew the wedding would be amazing…and, you will see, it really is!

Kaja wore blue Vera Wang gown. She was stunning.  They walked to the ceremony through the streets of Georgetown – how fun!

How fabulously “DC” is this photograph?  The ceremony and reception took place in the District’s Zone 2 in Georgetown.  This spot is close to where Dan proposed to Kaja not too long ago.

The reception was at the fabulous House of Sweden. How about these beautiful sunset views over the Potomac?

Before the wedding party was announced, the bridal party had fun doodling on this white board.

The House of Sweden has absolutely incredible event space.  The design is so sleek and so clean – I just love it.

Here, Kaja and Dan enter from a glass elevator. How cool is this ceiling?!

The party was jumping with tunes from DJ Steve Hoffman from Good Note DJs.

I love the cake by Fluffy Thoughts!

Thank you to Stephen Bobb of Love Life Images and a huge CONGRATS to Kaja and Dan!!

The vendor team behind this lovely wedding…

Coordinator: Leslie Weekes, Leslie Manning Events
Cake: Fluffy Thoughts
Caterer: Main Event Caterers
Florist: Bergerons Flowers
DJ: Steve Hoffman, Good Note DJs
Lighting: Dan Martin Productions

Well, they won!



Photo: USWeekly


In June, they learned the news and the whirlwind planning began.  The wedding date was set for Sunday, September 27, 2009.  The first order of business?  To secure The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center as the venue for their Dream Wedding.

Ronald Reagan Building Executive Chef Xavier DeShayes worked with the couple to design a menu that incorporated some of their favorites, and drew inspiration from Ngo’s Vietnamese heritage.  A carving station featured the groom’s special request -Mini Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches and a signature drink, The Trackarita.

Oh, how I love the Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Building.  You can see why it is one of D.C.’s most beautiful and most sought-after venues in our area.

Read more about this amazing affair…

The very talented vendor team…

Bridal Attire: Vera Wang

Bridesmaids’ Attire: Lela Rose

Invitations: Ceci New York

Catering: The Ronald Reagan Building

Cake: Sylvia Weinstock

Flowers: Janet Flowers Wedding and Event Design

Entertainment: The Source

Photography: Robert Evans

Videography: Monachetti


A little more about the contest…

Emily and Charlie were married on September 19, 2009 at the Meridian House.  To pull together an event that was both flawless and filled with style, Emily and Charlie turned to the oh-so-talented Aimee Dominick of A. Dominick Events (a District Favorite!).

I asked Aimee about this fabulous affair and here’s what she had to say…

This wedding at the Meridian House was my favorite look so far this year.  I just loved the mix of the contemporary clean decor against the grand, historic setting. I’m fairly certain it was the first time anyone used a disco ball at the venue.  It was also really fun to work with the bride’s palette of white, black and hot pink- so fun and unexpected!

Photographer extraordinaire Jeff Greenough captured these beautiful photos and was kind enough to send them our way.  I usually select a handful of photos for our real wedding features, but there were so many amazing shots, I just couldn’t narrow it down.  Without further ado…

The girls got ready at the fabulous Hay-Adams Hotel… Such a luxurious, beautiful location to prep for the big day!

Look at this phenomenal transformation.  Aimee and her team clearly know how to execute a picture-perfect vision.

I am loving everything about this wedding… the white, black, pink…the mix of modern and traditional…Emily’s pink shoes and not one, but two gorgeous dresses…

A huge thanks to Jeff Greenough and A. Dominick Events for sharing this gorgeous wedding with us.  Congrats Charlie and Emily — you definitely threw a show-stopping party!