With every wedding there are a few bumps along the road. For Patty and Jasper, one of those “bumps” included the original wedding reception venue not living up to its end of the bargain. Ultimately, we had to void the contract and move the reception to another location. That “bump” turned into one of the best things that could have happened for their wedding day. The new location, Hotel Helix in DC, proved to be the perfect space for the club-like feel the couple was aiming for.
Patty and Jasper celebrated the traditional Korean wedding ceremony, the paebaek, the day before the wedding. The next day, they had a traditional ceremony at St Andrew Kim Catholic Church followed by a reception there for parents and the church community. Following that reception, Patty and Jasper’s friends all went to Hotel Helix for food, drinks, and dancing for the rest of the night.
The party at Helix was high-energy and hip, and included lots of fun food, a vodka bar, and amazing music spun by local deejay Russell Belicek with Chris Laich Music.
A few months before the wedding, photographer Ethan Yang went to New York City, where the couple lives, to shoot some engagement shots. Urban and incredible!
The paebaek ceremony was colorful and symbolic. Elders on the groom’s side of the family offered words of wisdom to the couple and the ceremony included a tradition that predicts how many children the couple will have. They ceremony was both joyful and meaningful.
The marriage ceremony took place at St Andrew Kim’s Catholic Church in Olney, Maryland.
The bride and groom and the entire wedding party had a great time throughout the day, enjoying each moment including the dance-filled party at Hotel Helix which lasted late into the night.
I had such a pleasure working with Kristin & Carl as they prepared for their recent wedding at The Mayflower. Yes, they were planning a beautiful wedding which was fun to work on, but the real joy for me came when I saw not only how they loved each other, but also how evident it was that they really are each other’s best friend. They were kind to one another, laughed heartily together, and showed great love to both of their families. A sweet couple!
I also loved the way they made their wedding personal to them — right down to a Mets groom’s cake and processional music that the bride had been dreaming of for years and years.
The parents and grandparents entered to “Like A Prayer” and the processional, including the bride, walked in to “Don’t Stop Believin’” — both played beautifully by the Cherry Blossom String Quartet. The bride wanted to enter at a certain point in the song and we were able to time it perfectly so that the doors opened and the beautiful bride processed down the aisle. Later at the reception, one of the bride’s closest friends sang a toast to the tune of “Don’t Stop Believin’” — a fitting tribute!
Caren and Ed are two of the loveliest people I’ve had the privilege to get to know through Rex & Regina Events. One need only to have seen the joy, respect, and love their friends exhibited toward them at their wedding celebration to get a small glimpse of how special they are. Caren’s girlfriends went so far as to sing a special musical number in Caren’s honor and Ed’s siblings and parents each gave a very special toast/roast to celebrate him and his new wife.
Caren & Ed’s wedding was not only fun and joyous, but reflective of their personalities and passions, as well. They are the proud parents of two adorable cats, Bago and Goon, who, while not present at the wedding, were amply honored. They are also passionate about cars and their Alfa Romeo Spider provided a sporty backdrop for some of their photos.
The wedding was captured beautifully by Anne & Bill Holland of Holland Photo Arts and came to life courtesy of some amazing vendors, named below.
Congratulations, Caren & Ed!
Caren & Ed
aisle runner flanked by hurricane candles nestled in wheatgrass
vine-wrapped chuppah with white floral accents
the ceremony under the chuppah
wheatgrass and tulip floral centerpiece as guests entered
escort cards were later nestled in the wheatgrass arrangement
special roasted coffee beans with Bago & Goon's photos were set in the wheatgrass at the end of the evening for guests to take home
the centerpieces reflected the wedding's light green and cream color palette
children's meals were marked in a whimsical way on the escort card
the cupcake tower was topped with a custom small cake for the bride & groom to cut
a kiss during the cutting of the cake
a stunning bridal bouquet
the mothers carried small, hand-tied posies
a surprise musical number performed by the bride's friends
Nick & Tyler planned a gorgeous wedding, considering every detail and making sure guests had a fabulous time. But one of the things that struck me most in the planning process was the tenderness they had toward each other — expressed no more perfectly than during their First Look and at their ceremony. The photos below capture what we all saw that day — a couple madly, deeply over the moon for one another.
Congratulations, Nick & Tyler!
getting ready
The beautiful bride
The First Look
A sweet moment
The wedding party basks in the lights of Bethesda
A kiss
The Ketubah signing
The bride waits for the processional to begin
The bride and her parents process toward the chuppah
My last wedding of 2009 was one of my favorites of the entire year. Katie and Masato are a gorgeous and incredible kind couple and their wedding, which happened to fall on the first snow storm DC had seen the entire year, was absolutely amazing.
The couple got ready at Hotel Rouge in DC and then took some photos on the National Mall. A beautiful ceremony took place at All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church in DC with a reception following at the Carnegie Institution.
One of my favorite elements of the wedding was the arrangement of 1,000 origami cranes that the couple carefully and meticulously folded over the months leading up to the wedding. The result was a stunning backdrop for the cake, a focal point for the reception, and, as Japanese tradition holds, blessings for a lifetime.
Helping the bride with her stunning dress
The bride wore a beautiful wrap on the way outside to see her groom for the first time
Walking through the snowy streets of DC
The wedding party, with the girls donning gorgeous purple dresses
The bride in red snow boots. I love it!
gorgeous wreaths, created by Yellow Door florists, adorned the church doors
The married couple recesses down the aisle
Beautiful tablescapes
The Carnegie Institution came alive with beautiful lighting from Atmosphere
A beautiful moment in a beautiful space
1,000 origami cranes handmade by the couple hang from an archway
the intricate cranes
A well-rehearsed and well-executed first dance on the grand floor
Working with Lindsay and John on their October 3, 2009 wedding at River Farm in Alexandria, Virginia was such a wonderful treat. Couples like Lindsay and John are the reason I love my job so much — madly in love, sweet and kind to one another, fun family and friends, and a desire to make their wedding day special not only for themselves but for each of their guests.
The Bride and her mother worked exceptionally hard to ensure that each guest would feel welcome. From pashminas for each of the women attending to plentiful hors d’oeuvres to special touches like chocolate-dipped strawberries to accompany the wedding cake.
The decor of the wedding was inspired by the venue — historic River Farm. Colonial-inspired touches like iron lanterns lining the walkway and hanging with garland from the top of the tent played up the history-rich setting.
Congratulations, Lindsay & John! What a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple!
A gorgeous fall bridal bouquet
The maid of honor holds a hand-tied bouquet featuring cala lillies
The feather-trimmed boutonniere echoes the feather on the bride's gown
programs were tied with luxurious satin ribbon in coordinating colors
Adorable flower girls prepare the way for the Bride
The Entrance of the Bride
napkins were adorned with a single orchid
The tent at River Farm featured brown and gold hues and was accented with lanterns and romantic florals
I recently worked on a beautiful wedding that merged major modern flair with sacred, time-honored traditions.
I met Ana & Socheat while working on weddings for their friends Hyun & Tae and Sophia & Matt. The couple’s wedding reflected both their chic, modern taste and their Filipino and Cambodian heritages. (Sophia & Matt’s wedding was featured in the Spring/Summer issue of The Knot magazine. Check it out here.)
Ana looked absolutely stunning! Her bridal bouquet was exquisite and we adorned it with a special rosary that her mother got for her.
A gorgeous bouquet
The bridesmaids looked beautiful in Vera Wang dresses in the same color but different styles. The light pink bouquets provided a wonderful contrast.
Beautiful bridesmaids bouquets
One of the things I loved about Ana & Socheat’s wedding was the way they incorporated traditions from their Filipino and Cambodian roots. The two were glowing as they said their vows and exchanged rings.
The Ceremony
The traditional Filipino veil ceremony took place within the marriage ceremony itself.
The bride and groom don the veil
Chris Baltazar is one of my favorite photographers to work with. Why? Because he gets amazing shots like these that transform the space and that totally capture the spirit of the couple.
The very modern and very fabulous Bride & Groom
The Bride & Groom go for a ride
Silver, fuschia, and black accents gave the room the modern feel the couple was going for.
The uplighting in the room helped give the space a very modern vibe
The table and place settings echoed the silver, fuschia, and purple color scheme.
The menu card
Chocolate truffles for each guest
I see a lot of wedding cakes, but honestly, this has to be one of my favorites. It fit the scheme so well and it really reflected the Bride & Groom’s modern taste.
Beautiful cake from Edibles Incredible
The dancing at this wedding was incredible! Here the couple slows it down with their names shining behind them on the dance floor.
One of the best things about working with clients on a wedding is not only getting to know them better but also getting to know their family and friends. I had such a wonderful time working on a recent wedding in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in large part due to the fabulous wedding party, family, and guests. Both from the South, the Bride and Groom and their families were such a delight and from start to finish their energy, kindness, and joviality were contagious.
The evening wedding was held at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Chevy Chase with a reception for 280 guests following at the Chevy Chase Club.
The Bride and Groom arranged to see each other prior to the ceremony. Their “first look” was captured by Pablo Sartor of Freed Photography. Photos of the Bride and Groom were taken on the grounds of the Club.
The Bride & Groom's first look
A kiss on the lawn of the Chevy Chase Club
A very smart looking couple
A single gardenia graces the Bride's hair
The groom had ten groomsmen and several ushers; prior to the ceremony they relaxed and watched some golf in the Club’s Tap Room.
Groomsmen enjoy watching golf on TV at the Club before the ceremony
The bride’s two sisters were her maids of honor and her brother and sister-in-law were also in the wedding party.
The Bride with her two sisters, her brother, and her sister-in-law
The large wedding party included two flower girls and a ring bearer.
The Wedding Party
The Bridal Party
Laura was absolutely stunning in a dress from Hitched, makeup by Kari from Erwin Gomez Salon, and hair by Chris from Ipsa.
A stunning bride
As guests arrived, they passed the gorgeous bridal portrait and wedding cake, and were invited to sign “His and Hers” adirondack chairs in lieu of a guest book. The Chevy Chase Club is known for its white adirondack chairs dotting the back lawn of the Club so these special chairs will serve as a reminder to the Bride and Groom not only of all of the guests that celebrated with them that day but also of the unique location of the reception.
The Bride
His and Hers adirondacks
His and Hers adirondacks
The Club did an amazing job on this four-tiered wedding cake, with each tier separated by clusters of hydrangea. But the cake was special for more than just its appearance. The mother-of-the-bride, an exceptional baker, provided her own special recipe for the Club to make and they did so perfectly. The cake was delicious!
A special wedding cake
The Bride and Groom do the honors
A delicious dessert
The Southern tradition of a groom’s cake was met with a new twist at Laura and John’s wedding. Instead of a cake, the groom chose an assortment of pies which guests sampled throughout the evening.
Peach pie
Key Lime pie
Chocolate mousse pie
A mixture of tall and low arrangements of white roses and hydrangea filled the room, thanks to the talented Sue Morriss.
Sue Morriss' beautiful floral designs graced the ballroom
Later in the evening, the Bride and Groom treated guests to flip flops, white workout headbands that read “Dancing Machine” in gold, and single floral blooms for the women to wear in their hair. They also partook of the bouquet tossing and garter traditions.
The garter tradition
The dance floor was full all evening, thanks to the fabulous sounds of the 12-piece band, Highway Star.
Guests enjoy the festivities late into the night
After all the guests cleared the ballroom to get ready for the Bride and Groom’s send-off, the Bride and Groom danced one last song alone.
The very last dance of the night
Sending off the Bride & Groom
Congratulations, Laura and John! Wishing you countless blessings!
When I first met with Missy and Brian and learned of their vision for their wedding, I was instantly hooked. Featuring elegant tones of warm browns, natural greens, and ivory — all very earth-inspired tones — and set in the beautiful grounds of Woodend Sanctuary, the design ultimately reflected a classical, formal elegance without being “stuffy.”
The wedding began with a beautiful ceremony under a birch chuppah, the perfect complement to the tree-lined Grove in which the ceremony took place.
The ceremony under the nature-inspired chuppah
The ceremony in the Grove at Woodend - a magical setting!
Guests moved from the Grove to the Lawn to enjoy cocktail hour. Passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served by Occasions Caterers‘ impeccable staff.
Guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres outside
Dinner took place on the tented terrace, from which guests could admire the nearby woodlands. Gorgeous flowers for the wedding were provided by Growing Wild and were in keeping with the nature-inspired color scheme.
The Tented Terrace
Low centerpieces featuring shades of green adorned each table
The tablescape reflected the natural surroundings with its cream, brown, and green elements
Not officially on the guest list, but these onlookers were more than welcome at the party!
Night falls over the festivities
The wedding cake was adorned with brown satin ribbon, a white sugar flower, and a whimsical topper providing a nod to the wedding venue: The Audubon Naturalist Society.
A gorgeous -- and delicious -- wedding cake provided by Occasions Caterers
Music and dancing were important elements to Missy and Brian. They chose a 1940s-style band with a very vintage look. Talented and versatile, Raggs and the All-Stars played a variety of music throughout the evening.
I recently worked with a beautiful couple on their May wedding in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. From the start, I loved the concept for their wedding: intimate, casual elegance steeped in the rich history of the cobblestoned streets of Alexandria.
The ceremony took place at the Historic Christ Church where, inside, the pew George Washington and his family sat in when they attended the Church is perfectly preserved.
Historic Christ Church in Alexandria
Following the ceremony, a bagpiper followed by the Bride & Groom marched triumphantly from the Church to the Lee-Fendall House just a few block away. Having all the guests join in the procession was so festive.
Bagpiper piped the Bride & Groom and guests from Church to the Lee-Fendall House
The Lee-Fendall House was the perfect venue for this intimate wedding. With tents in the back of the house, tables with soft blues and greens, and gorgeous floral arrangements featuring hydrangea, the reception transformed into beautiful garden party.
Lee-Fendall House
Tent and garden area were set for cocktails when guests arrived
Beautiful floral wreaths, by The Enchanted Florist
It’s so important to find ways to make one’s wedding personal. With a southern heritage, the bride & groom chose shrimp and grits for the menu. Guests loved not only food itself, but the beautiful presentation.
In Keeping with their Southern roots, Katie and Philip ensured shrimp and grits would be on the menu.
Katie and Philip danced their first dance to music played by the band, Groovetown.
The beautiful couple dances their first dance
In addition to a bride and groom’s cake, delicious pastries and cookies were served later in the evening.
Tiered pastry stands
It was a beautiful, special day from start to finish. Congratulations and many blessings, Katie and Philip!
