One of our Meridian House weddings featured in Emmaline Bride

Washington DC Meridian House wedding fall

Remember Aubrey and David’s fall wedding (and here) at the Meridian House in Washington, DC? More of their story on Emmaline Bride blog. Check it out! — Vicky

Real Wedding: Bejeweled Modern Wedding at the Newseum (Part 4 The Team)

If you missed it, go back to Part 1 (sneak peek), Part 2 (design) and Part 3 (food). This was a great way to close out 2010 — Vicky

One of my favorite photos of the year - so like them. Garrett took them around the Newseum building for photos and this is what happened. Photo: Garrett Hubbard.

Ceremony Location: Dahlgren Chapel, Georgetown University. One warning is that Dahlgren’s music director can be challenging to work with and a hired string quartet would not have been his choice of music. They also do book weddings back to back so be cautious of your set up and photo needs.

Reception Location + Catering: Newseum with Wolfgang Puck Catering. Stephanie Retelle. Stephanie was great – very helpful and accommodating. The food is outstanding.

Ceremony Musicians: Ensemble Elan.  The bride used to play the cello so hiring a string quartet was important for her. One of her favorite pieces of music was Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana. I have to admit I love it too although I never knew the name of the piece. .

Floral Design: Petals Edge Floral Design. Another great job as described in Part 2.

Photography: Garrett Hubbard. Garrett is a photojournalist for USAToday and you can see his experience reflected in his wedding photographs. Great use of light (even in a dark reception room) and creative compositions while always on the move, like a true photojournalist should be. The best part is that he is just the happiest guy you’ll ever meet.

Transportation: Reston Limo. The couple was gracious enough to offer transportation between the church, Newseum and back to hotels. We needed all 3 buses and everything went pretty smoothly.

Rental: AFR Furniture Rental (lounge furniture) and Party Rental (linens)

DJ: Elan-DJ (Cheryl) Not to be confused with Elan Artists.

Guest Hotels: Hotel Monaco DC and Courtyard Marriott

Rehearsal Dinner: Vinoteca. One of the couple’s favorite restaurants.

Welcome Party: A friend’s home.

Real Wedding: Bejeweled Modern Wedding at the Newseum (Part 3 The Food)

Part 1 (sneak peek), Part 2 (design).

So I don’t usually dedicate a whole post to the food at a wedding but for those of you who know me, I love food. I love all the diverse and creative restaurants in Washington, DC. I get very excited for a unique wedding menu which is why I had to share this fun one by Wolfgang Puck Catering. I’m drooling just looking at the pictures!

Hors D’oeuvres

Mediterranean Onion Tart with Tomato Confit, Goat Cheese Mousse and Black Olive Puree
Prosciutto Beggars Purses Stuffed with Truffled Mascarpone Cheese, Chive Ribbon
Chinois Lamb Chop Lollipops with Cilantro Mint Vinaigrette
Lobster Corn Dogs with Ginger Lime Aioli
Sweet Potato Cigars with Roasted Apple & Thyme Sour Cream

Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Stack

Dinner

First Course: Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Stack, Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette
Entree Choice #1: Wild Striped Bass with Triple Cream Feta and Scallion Puree, Sautéed Zucchini, Sundried Tomatoes, Black Olives, and Wild Oregano, Champagne Fennel Nage
Entree Choice #2: Grilled Snake River Farms Kobe Beef with Yuzu Peppercorn Sauce, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
Vegetarian Option: Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffles and Parmesan Cheese
Dessert: Crispy Soufflé Purses with Raspberry Chocolate Ganache and Calvados Ice Cream

The Crispy Souffle Purse - can you see the oozy chocolate inside?

Dessert Buffet

Cheesecake Lollipops
Macaroons
Mini tarts- Pumpkin, Pecan, Lime
Homemade Kit Kat Bars
Chocolate Mini-cupcakes

Dessert Buffet

All photos by Garrett Hubbard. Finally, vendor reviews in Part 4 to come — Vicky

Real Wedding: Bejeweled Modern Wedding at the Newseum (Part 2 The Look)

Before the holidays, we showed you a sneak peek from this fall wedding. Here is the rest of the story.

Color. I love working with clients who stay true to their own styles and sensibilities. Being that this wedding was in the fall, people naturally think fall colors like brown, deep orange, and mustard yellows. Not here. The bride chose jewel tones with deep purple / eggplant, dark red, gold and pewter / silver for her color palette.

Check out her stylish pewter colored jacket. She also carried a sparkly clutch with gold beading.

Photo: Garrett Hubbard. Bride in her stylist pewter jacket with her groom outside Dahlgren Chapel in Georgetown University.

At the reception at the Newseum, we agreed that alternating shimmery tablecloths in Butterscotch and Black Cherry, along with eggplant colored napkins was a smart choice. Amber colored uplights washed the room in a warm glow.

Photo: Garrett Hubbard

Flowers. For centerpieces, Petals Edge Floral Design nailed the style perfectly, alternating between low clusters of red and orange mokara orchids and eggplant mini-calla lilies, and tall submerged orange cymbidium orchids. Their design was cohesive, with just the right amount of variety in color and textures to keep it interesting but not over the top.

Photo: Garrett Hubbard. Sample of the low centerpieces. Love the bride and groom's reaction to the toast.

Photo: Garrett Hubbard. Close up of the table setting - love how the shimmery tablecloth catches the candlelight. Sample of the tall centerpiece.

All photos by the insanely talented Garrett Hubbard, who just got married himself! Vendor round up next — Vicky

 

Real Wedding: A Fall Wedding at the Meridian House (Part 2)

As stated in Part 1 here are the much-anticipated details of the ceremony and reception for Aubrey and David’s Fall wedding at the Meridian House.

The ceremony was  a coupling of a traditional Persian ceremony and a non-denominational ceremony.  The couple  sat at the traditional Persian ‘Sofreh-ye Aghd’ facing east. It is tradition that by facing east, the direction of sun, the couple faces the Light of God.  The Sofreh-ye Aghd is a traditional Persian spread of flowers, fruit, spices and objects that symbolize things the couple want in their marriage.

Photo: Stacey Veath Photography

After the “I do”, guests were treated to a fantastic garden cocktail hour among the beautifully lantern lit Linden trees.  Aubrey and Dave chose a palette of apple green, bright oranges and shades of pink to decorate their reception.  As a fun surprise for the couple, I had their escort cards placed among three trees and hung with green ribbon.

Photo: Stacey Vaeth Photography

Dinner was served at leisure through multiple stations and rooms by  Main Event Caterers.  We provided the the table numbers and menu cards through Papeterie.  Aubrey and Dave decided to forgo the traditional wedding cake and served cupcakes, provided by Georgetown Cupcakes,  and other confections for dessert.  All of this was topped off with some fantastic sliders toward the end of the evening.  While all of the delicious food was being devoured, there were just as many people dancing the night away to the DJ, Bryan George.

Photo: Stacey Vaeth Photography

As favors they had cupcakes to go, which everyone loved!

Stay tuned for part 3 where I will the vendor team for Aubrey and Dave’s wedding. In the mean time, check out Stacey Vaeth’s blog for more photos.

Cheers! Megan