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

Planner, Terri Eaves of Bash shares a bit of insight on the wedding inspiration,

“Ally and Josh wanted their wedding to be a reflection of their life together. Fun, untraditional and a party!  They love specialty brews, concerts and music. They are also night owls-their ceremony did not start until 8:00pm!  Initially, Ally’s ideas scared me!  However, once I met Ally and saw the inspiration boards she had created on her Mac, I knew this wedding would be one to remember. The first and only venue that came to mind was Long View Gallery. Ally and Josh love art and an urban space was the only one that would fit the bill.  There were a few things that Ally had to have on her wedding day: a short, vintage inspired dress, skulls, Baccara roses, leopard print and aubergine.  The mis-matched look wasn’t too hard to pull together at all!

As guests arrived, they entered thru the front of the gallery. High and low cocktail tables with sheer leopard print linens were topped with low arrangements of red flowers.  The bar had clear chandeliers hanging overhead, and across from the bar was Four Star Combo, a rockabilly and classic honky tonk band.  Guests moved up the ramp towards the back half of the gallery where the ceremony took place. Seating was arranged on three sides and pipe and drape separated the ceremony area from what would later become the dinner area and dance floor.

The wedding party (guys dressed in all black, with red print ties and Converse, ladies in all black with a single Baccara rose), walked down the aisle to Four Star Combo’s version of “All Shook Up”. Ally entered with her father, wearing a Vineyard Collection dress with hint of tulle peaking out underneath, and red patent heels, to “Sexy and 17″. Ally’s mom officiated the ceremony.”

After the ceremony, guests walked back down the ramp to cocktails, taking place in the front of the gallery. Four Star Combo continued to play hits from “Daddy-O” to “Linda Lu”. Main Event Caterers passed a signature Mangorita (the groom loves fruit and frozen drinks), macaroni and cheese topped with bbq chicken, beef empanadas, peach gazpacho and watermelon cubes filled with balsamic oil and rosemary salt. During cocktails, Nour Kazoun, Makeup By Nour Kazoun for Madeupart, transformed Ally’s vintage glam look, to a bit more punk rock. She applied more eye shadow, softened her lips and Ally took off her veil and changed into black heels.

After cocktails, guests moved into the back part of the gallery for dinner and dancing. Four food stations were set up: Tuscan Hillside, Harajuku Love (Tokyo), Savannah and Summer Salads.  Each station had multiple menu items, from sushi and wild mushroom gigante ravioli to fried chicken and grilled peach and avocado salad.  The decor was a mix of urban and pretty – steel dining tables with black chivaris, tall florals with hanging amaranthus and taper candles, a half circle, steel corrugated bar and purple leopard gobo on the floor.

The cake, provided by Fluffy Thoughts, was a mix of some of the couple’s loves: tattoos, skulls and leopard print.  Each panel had a skull or tattoo inspired print, alternating with the leopard gobo used on the dance floor.  Sugar skulls adorned the corners of the cake.

The highlight of the evening was the bride’s father teaching guests “The Time Warp”, from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  (This was his only request for the entire wedding.) DJ Lil’e played this tune for him, as he took center stage.  After, DJ Lil’e spun the rest of the night, appropriately clad in all black with many tattoos.

The fabulous vendor team:

Alcohol: Ace Beverage

Planner: Bash

Hair: Bridal Hair by Remona

Decor/Flowers: Capital Decor and Events

DJ: DJ Lil’e

Photographer: Documentary Associates

Lighting: EventEQ

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Band: Four Star Combo, MSE Productions

Venue: Long View Gallery

Make Up: Makeup By Nour Kazoun for Madeupart

Caterer: Main Event Caterers

Dress: Priscilla of Boston

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

Alex and Aisha’s wedding can be explained in three words: classic, romantic, and sophisticated. Alex, a “true prince charming,” proposed to Aisha in front of her favorite place on earth – Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World… what a wonderful true, fairytale wedding story. The couple continued this theme of glamour, elegance, and romance at the wedding, though from a more grownup angle – classic Hollywood.

Sara Muchnick at Engaging Affairs, the planner for this lovely event, explains that Aisha was the perfect Hollywood glamour girl. The décor fit the motif as well, with deep, rich colors and a setting mimicking an old Hollywood bar with ferns, lounge furniture, and crystal lampshades and chandeliers. Everything was incredibly sophisticated, lush, and luxurious. Looking at these photographs, you might mistakenly believe you’re watching an old Hollywood film!

Aisha tells us, “I never imagined that my actual wedding would exceed every expectation I ever had as a little girl growing up.  But it did!  I loved everything about my wedding and wouldn’t change a thing.  Every time I think of how happy I was that day and how perfect everything was my eyes still well up with tears…of joy! I could go on and on and write you a whole story about how much I loved my wedding!  Simply perfect is how I’ll always remember it!”

The fabulous vendor team:

Planner: Sara Muchnick at Engaging Affairs

Venue: Omni Shoreham

Makeup: Nono Girma

Hair: Erwin Gomez

Classic Car: Regal Limousine

Photographer: Michael Bonfigli

Flowers and Décor: Capital Décor

DJ: Aaron Couch

Lighting: Digital Lighting

Solosit: Toni Wilson

Rentals: Party Rentals

Cake: Fancy Cakes by Leslie

Videographer: Blue Sky Films

Beginning April 1st, and continuing throughout the month, Hitched invites you to stop by the salon to donate your gently worn (and dry cleaned) bridesmaid dresses (in all sizes!) that will go to students in our community. Due to the great expense of prom dresses, these girls might otherwise not be able to afford a dress for this special night.

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Today’s Real Wedding is a fabulous example of a traditional wedding with flair. Mindy and Eric were married at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, followed by a reception at the St. Regis. The bride and groom described their wedding planning experience with Simply Chic Events as “fun and stress-free”, which is apparent in the photographs by Holland Photo Arts of this beautifully executed event.

Time to get hitched…

The purple hued flowers by Philippa Tarrant really pop. Cheers to that!

Some of our favorite details include the pink flower arrangements in the shape of the bride and groom’s first initial that adorned the gates of the St. Regis to the splash of color used in the décor of the cocktail hour and late night.

Haute Papier designed the beautiful, ornate print materials.

Mindy recalls her special day, “Some of our favorite parts of the day were being introduced at the reception as a married couple…We had our DJ put together a mix of a few songs that corresponded accordingly to our wedding party couples being introduced.”

The bride noted that their guests loved the photo booth by Booth-O-Rama they had set up, which gave everyone a memento to take home from Mindy and Eric’s wedding. I have to say, I love including the photo booth in weddings that I plan, too, and have stepped up to the camera once or twice myself – it’s so fun!

At the conclusion of the reception, sliders, grilled cheese, and mini milkshakes were served as a fun treat for the end of a magnificent event.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

The fabulous vendor team:

Photography: Holland Photo Arts

Ceremony: St. Matthew’s Cathedral

Reception: St. Regis

Planner: Simply Chic Events

Flowers: Philippa Tarrant

Cake Baker: Kendall’s Cakes

Reception Music: DJ D-Mac

Furniture: Capital Decor & Events

Stationary: Haute Papier

Videography: Dolce Studio Films

Photo Booth: Booth-O-Rama

Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Mark Ingram

Kelly B. Jenkins is one of the founding partners of CDE, and he uses his many talents every day as the Lead Creative Designer.  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that Kelly agreed to share his insight with us.  So, without further ado…

What is the difference between Capital Decor and a traditional florist?

The biggest difference between CDE and a traditional florist is that we are a “one stop shop.”  Although my background is heavily influenced in floral design, we have become extremely involved with overall event design and production.  Meaning, we can design the entire esthetic of the room and provide everything from pipe and drape fabrications, dance floors, staging, lounge furniture, non-traditional dining tables, custom made bars, ceiling treatment, non-floral centerpieces too, and of course, beautiful flowers!

Design by Capital Decor & Events

What trends are you seeing right now in wedding floral design and decor?  

I think there is a very defined turn towards the hip, young, edgy and relaxed look.  I have been in the special events industry here in Washington for almost 20 years and DC has always been known for having a conservative look to their events. 

Now we are starting to do so much more “loungey” looks with backless sofas, ottomans, seating cubes and lots of South Beach-type elements.  We are doing lots of unconventional seating like large banquettes, square tables covered in faux leathers such as snake skin, ostrich and crocodile.  We are doing clear Lucite tables filled with water and flowers and tables covered with mirrors.  We are really getting away from the typical round table with linen.  We are also adding lots of elements such specialty bars and buffet tables. 

Clients are really starting to “think outside of the box” and we are no longer just decorating a ballroom, but creating a restaurant/ lounge atmosphere.

Design by Capital Decor & Events; Photo by MBK & Associates (top)

What should a couple look for when meeting with (and eventually deciding on) a design specialist/florist?

Well, obviously the designer’s style should be in sync with the couple’s style.  I think it’s good for the couple to go to the office or studio of the designer and see their work space; how is it decorated/ designed, are they a legitimate business and not just working out of their garage (this can help insure that they will really come through for you on your wedding day and have the staff to back them up) and do they seem “in-touch” with current trends and fashion? 

All of these things are important, but what’s really most important is a connection.  You have to feel comfortable and have a sense of trust.  A good designer will and should be willing to give you a detailed proposal, sketches and a sample centerpiece….but no matter how many visuals they provide, the client can rarely, truly visualize what the designer can see, so its imperative that the client have a comfortable trust level in their vendors.  I feel this applies not only to designers, but all vendors from caterers to coordinators to valet service!

Design by Capital Decor & Events

How do you suggest a couple maximizes their floral/decor budget? 

Put your money on big impact décor.  Sometimes it’s more effective to put your dollars in an area that has a big visual and go simple on small details.  Example, if you pipe and drape a room your guests will walk in and really notice the warm, lush ambiance…then go simple on the tables, like a huge cluster of various height vases filled with water and floating candles and tons of votives.  A room wrapped with flowing drapes surrounding 20 tables filled with reflective candlelight is one of the most opulent and romantic looks you can get! 

Also, go simple on the bridal bouquets.  I think the days of big, trailing bouquets of flowers are over, and I say…”good riddance.”  I feel bouquets should be small, tailored and simple.  Let the girls stand out and be seen and not hidden with big, over done bouquets of flowers. 

But, it’s also very important to be realistic….. remember, this IS a business and although most of us LOVE what we do, we are all in it to make a living.  So, don’t expect vendors to give and give and give without fair compensation.  Most business owners have many expenses and many mouths to feed.  So try not to order the filet when your wallet is telling you to have a burger!       

Well said, Kelly!  I love it when vendors are open, honest, and trustworthy.  I am very grateful that Kelly shared a few minutes of his day with us.  I’m telling you, Capital Decor is the way to go! 

Back later with a special giveaway…

{*Photographers –  If any of these are your pictures, shoot me an email and let me know.  I want to be sure to give you credit!}

Photos: Freed Photography

A BIG thanks to Kelly B. Jenkins, one of the masterminds behind Capital Decor, for sending us these gorgeous photos!  Love, love, love!

Look at how they turned an average ballroom into a beautiful purple occasion…

Photos: Michael Bennett Kress & Associates

Gorgeous!!!  I’m such a fan!