Kindly RSVP to rsvpdc@elanartists.com!

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

Where does Volanni find inspiration to create such artistic and beautiful arrangements?

Ultimately we feel that our inspiration comes through us from a higher source and we are just the vessel. You can call it Mother Nature or God, we just feel each design out intuitively. We also get ideas from inspired themes in other mediums, such as fashion and architecture- from the past to the present.

What are overarching themes to the Volanni ‘style’? Can this be easily incorporated into the visions of your clients?

Good design and clean lines, but form and balance hold the style together. The design could be architectural or it could be very lush, but it has to be well balanced. We can accommodate any clients, from those that prefer the traditional to those that connect with the contemporary. We are best known for our contemporary design.

What are a few of the most rare or striking flowers or plants that you use in your work?

I love green goddess calla lilies and all types of orchids.  It just depends on what comes to me when I am designing because I can find beauty in any flower.  They all inspire me.

What flowers or plants do you recommend to your clients during the holiday season? What are the most popular, and are there any ‘hidden gems’ that are often under-utilized?

I love red dogwood, ilex berries, and all types of holiday greens (magnolia, cedar).  My holiday design is either very architectural or natural.  I love what is outside.  So everything is right there and not necessarily hidden.

What is the largest arrangement or installation that has been created by Volanni?

A good friend of ours, Jenny Peterson, got married at the Halcyon House in Georgetown and we constructed a 15ft x 6ft tower covered with white gerber daisies and a band in the middle that was made of green goddess calla lilies.  The tower doubled as a video screen that had abstract images projected onto it.

That must have been quite a beautiful site!  Thank you very much Michael, and we look forward to seeing and experiencing many more of your breathtaking creations.

Recently, planner Aimee Dominick described the venue to me as an “urban barn” – I could not have said it better myself!  The columns, the open floor plan, the high ceilings, the back patio…it is just fabulous.

For more information, contact Wendy Charles at wendyc@halcyonhse.com.

Photographs courtesy of Holland Photo Arts.