Today’s wedding reminds me so much of D.C. – the type of classic and sophisticated elegance that you can only find in the District…

This Memorial Day Weekend wedding by Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events took place at the National Cathedral and the Hay-Adams.

The light shown through the gorgeous stained glass windows as the beautiful bride and handsome groom exchanged vows in the Great Choir in the heart of the cathedral in front of 120 of their closest friends and family.  The bishop’s garden at the Cathedral provided a perfect backdrop for some fun portrait shots. Fun!

Chantal of Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events told us, “The cocktail hour atop the Hay-Adams’ roof took in one of the most amazing views of the city as guests mingled and enjoyed hors d’ourvres.  After a delicious dinner in the ornate John Hay room, guests danced the night away to the amazing band Sound Nation.”

Sounds like a blast – and so pretty!!

Thanks to Bryan Blanken from Freed Photography for sharing the pictures!

The fabulous vendor team:

Ceremony: The National Cathedral

Reception: The Hay-Adams

Photographer: Bryan Blanken from Freed Photography

Planner: Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events

Band: Sound Nation

Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

Music + Dancing = Fun! This is one of the elements I have been looking forward to delving into for a long time. One of the things that I have never understood is why people don’t take advantage of the music provided to them during a wedding reception? Personally, this has always been one of my favorite elements, and because of this, I’m going to make sure that everyone is up and dancing at some point during my reception because I know I will!

In order to make sure everyone has s good time, my challenge is to make sure that there is music that everyone can shake a tail feather to. For the people that are friends of me and my significant other, it will be a piece of cake. Everyone else not in the 25 – 40 age brackets; we might be up for a bit of a challenge finding something everyone can enjoy.

First things first – Band or DJ? While there are pros/cons to both, it ultimately comes down to personal taste. While Will prefers the DJ experience, I really wanted to have the chance to give guests the experience of having both. While my parents haven’t really said much during the planning process, they did let me know their strong preference toward live music and were generous enough to give a little extra towards my musician fund so this could happen (thanks guys!). Due to their generosity I am now able to look for vendors that have both a DJ (got to keep the groom happy!) and band services.

After taking advantage of different bridal shows offering the opportunity to listen to band/DJ combos and reading local bridal magazines, I made a selection that I believe will satisfy us, our parents, and guests alike.  .  Andy Kushner Entertainment has the distinction of being not only the manager and owner of four different bands (SoundConnection, Marquise, SoundNation, and theVIPs) but he is also a band member too.

It’s so hard not to fall in love with Andy when you first meet him. He’s got a personality that really makes you want to have him at your party – outgoing and energetic; just like his bands. His passion for music in general was evident during our conversation and especially when he described their different styles. No matter what music genre they specialize in, they all have one thing in common – their passion for audience participation. Speaking of audience participation, Andy also has some DJ’s that will appeal to Will so that he can have the club “experience” he’s looking for as well.

Andy was able to pair our specialized musical needs (R&B/Motown/Hip-Hop/Top 40) with his talented musicians, and in the end we decided Sound Connection along with one of Andy’s DJ’s will be responsible for keeping the party moving.   I’ll be that girl ABBA aptly described in their song “Dancing Queen” – “See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The autumn color palette, the moss, the full blooms – wow, I LOVE it!  The ceremony took place in the Dahlgren Chapel in Georgetown.

If you have been lucky enough to dine at the Four Seasons, you know that their food is out of this world.  On the night of Claire and Harley’s wedding, over 300 guests dined on a quadrant plate menu, that included Crabcake with Vegetables slowly Poached in Olive Oil, Bell Pepper Roue and Micro Greens; Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Celery Root Puree & Whole Baby Heirloom Carrots; Korean BBQ Shrimp with Tropical Fruit Salad, Chili Oil; Mushroom Carpaccia with Tomato Brunoise & Micro Greens Garnish – YUM!

The service was a la minute so everything happened in real time.

The dessert was a tasting portion of the bride’s favorite of traditional apple crisp with Four Seasons flair of housemade cinnamon ice cream.  Later in the evening, the hotel served traditional wedding cake.  And, guests got down to one of the best bands in town, Sound Connection by Andy Kushner Entertainment.

The fabulous vendor team:

Venue: The Four Seasons, Washington, DC

Floral/Decor: Amaryllis

Photography: Freed Photography

Planner: Michele Hodges Events

Band: Sound Connection by Andy Kushner Entertainment

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd.

Videography: Suburban Video

Transportation: International Limo

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