The adorable couple met at her birthday party in 2007 and Lauren sweetly admits that it still is the best birthday present she has ever received. After an amazing time at the party, the two were soon inseparable, and a year later Lauren moved to England with Mark — followed six months later by a marriage proposal in a candle-filled apartment. She said yes and before they knew it, they were saying “I do” at Annunciation Catholic Church and atop the glittering W Hotel overlooking their old city and sharing a first kiss, dance, and sunset as a married couple.

Since they began their life together in D.C., it was the perfect city in which to host the wedding ceremony and reception. Referring to the amazing views held at the W Hotel venue, Lauren explained, “Overlooking the Washington Monument and the White House, it was such a special place to celebrate the city we both love and fell in love in.”

Lauren’s bridesmaids carried bouquets of roses in shades of pink and red, international colors of love! During the ceremony, Lauren held back happy tears as she and her husband exchanged vows and beamed at her guests who cheered in support and joy. Afterwards, on their way to the limo where bottles of celebratory champagne awaited them, the newlyweds were showered not only with affection but with pale pink rose petals too!

Despite threats of rain and bouts of wind that nearly stole Lauren’s veil from atop her head, the evening turned out to be absolutely perfect. Just as the wedding party returned to the W Hotel for the reception, the sun came out, as if making a special appearance for the celebration.

That evening at the W Hotel’s Altitude Ballroom and Terrace, as the sunset painted the perfect backdrop for the reception, guests danced, nibbled on vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, and toasted to the incredibly happy couple.

Congratulations to Lauren and Mark on their fabulous wedding and growing family – the couple is expecting their first child soon– a “honeymoon baby”!

The fabulous vendor team:

Photography: egomedia photography

Church: Annunciation Catholic Church

Reception Venue: The Altitude Ballroom and Terrace – W Hotel, Downtown Washington, DC

Wedding Day Makeup: Carola Myers

Band: Truth Groove

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a six-course gourmet meal, prepared by Design Cuisine.  Dancing and conversation followed as everyone enjoyed the amazing music performed by Aria Hendricks and her band.

I especially love how clear it is that Jennifer and Randy pored over the details of their event and used their unique skill set (her BA in Film at Bard College and an MFA in Film & Television from New York University and his MFA in Film & Television from New York University)  to create a vision for their eclectic, woodsy wedding style which was executed with perfection by their team of wedding professionals.

The mixing and matching of china is fabulous!

In particular, the green elements were extremely important to Jennifer and Randy — guests were transported to and from CBF via shuttle, carbon offsets were purchased for the wedding and guests’ transportation, invitations were letter-pressed (a greener form of printing), all printed materials and packaging utilized recycled paper, there was minimal use of flowers (and use of flowers in season and local) and the food was organic and local wherever possible.

Congrats to Jennifer and Randy!

The fabulous vendor team:
Photography: egomedia photography
Venue: Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Caterer: Design Cuisine
Event Design: Syzygy
Floral: Multiflor
Lighting: Atmosphere
Music: Aria Hendricks
Officiant: Kit Laybourne
Wedding Planner: Wedding Savvy/Raquel Shutt
Wedding Gown:  Amsale