Sultry 1940s Style {Danielle and Nick}

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of planning a fabulous 1940s styled wedding for Danielle and Nick. They loved rich colors, feathers and retro cocktails so we worked to create a wedding that would reflect their fun personalities.




The bride found her gorgeous Monique Lhuiller gown at Carine's Bridal Atelier in Georgetown and paired it with to-die-for Christian Louboutin shoes. Her bridal bouquet featured ivory blooms and brown feathers and was wrapped with a jeweled rosary.

After getting ready at The Mayflower Hotel, the bride arrived for the ceremony at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in a classic white Rolls Royce from Regal Limousine.




After photos on the steps of the church, the bride and groom dashed away to the reception at The Carnegie Institute. This is my new favorite venue for smaller weddings. I love the grand entrance and the gorgeous marble rotunda!



Cocktails were in full swing with 1940s music played by the amazing DJ Kopec, and fun hors d'oeuvres like mini pigs-in-blankets atop shots of beer being passed by Well Dunn Catering.


Guests were welcomed with a note tucked into a vintage typewriter and cards were slipped into an iron birdcage adorned with feathers.


Capital Decor built a custom wooden bar to create a speak-easy vibe for the bar and bartenders from the popular Todd Thresher bar PX who created handcrafted cocktails like a sweet basil martini and their signature grog (don't ask me what's in it but it's good).


The groom changed out of his ceremony tux and into a custom brown suit that fit the reception vibe while the bride changed her hair and jewelry. Don't they look amazing?



Kendall from Kendall's Cakes created the gorgeous cake that was decorated with peacock feathers and sat on a linen created entirely out of peacock feathers!




Carrying the feather theme into the dinner, we tucked peacock feathers into the napkins along with the menu cards that featured a peacock. Even the bride and groom's places were topped with a jeweled peacock frame with a picture of the couple.


Jeff and his talented team from Capital Decor created stunning floral arrangements and tablescapes for the long, rectangular tables we used for dinner. Deep brown velvet linens from DC Rental were topped with crystal table runners, jeweled candles and shaded candleabra dripping with crystals. John Farr Lighting created the amazing sultry lighting for the room.




I loved when the bride and groom entered the dining room and the bride saw her married name for the first time on her place card (all the place cards were done in vintage typewriter print by Sprites Ink)!


After a elegant three course dinner during which The Cherry Blossom String Quartet serenaded the guests, the couple took to the dance floor for their first dance. Then DJ Chris Kopec turned it up a notch and guests took to the dance floor and it was packed the rest of the night.



While guests danced, the catering and decor team (and my fabulous team) broke down all the tables in the dining room and moved lounge furniture in to create a lounge for the cappuccino station and donut machine. I have never seen such a fast room turnover in all my years in events! Guests enjoyed freshly made donuts and coffee before hopping on shuttles from Linder and Associates and heading back to the Mayflower Hotel. What an amazing night!


Thanks to the phenomenal team of vendors that made the wedding possible. Michelle from Carnegie was a dream to work with, Ric from Well Dunn moved mountains to make everything happen, Chris Kopec and his team spun some of the best dance music I've heard in ages, Jeff from Capital Decor went above and beyond to create the breathtaking decor and my own team (Maeve, Alison and Christine) was everywhere at once.

We can't wait to see the video from Stereo Waltz Films--they are always a pleasure to work with! A huge thank you to Fotobriceno for the gorgeous images. And a special thanks to Danielle and Nick for letting us share their special day!