One of the things I love about having planned weddings for so many years is that I get to do multiple weddings within a family and see my former couples and their new children. I especially love having children of my former couples in the wedding party! Stephanie and Ron's gorgeous wedding at The Park Hyatt was one of these family affairs. I have planned the weddings of at least three of their cousins and friends and one of the flower girls was the daughter of a favorite couple of mine from several years ago. It was such fun to see my past brides and grooms and get to catch up with them (and I'm happy to say that they are all still very happily married). Love that!
The day started out with getting ready at The Park Hyatt by the talented makeup artist Pattie Martin and hairstylist Maria. The girls were relaxed sipping champagne and laughing before heading off in limos to the ceremony at Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac.
The beautiful ceremony was made even more of a success when our tiny flower girls made it down the aisle!
After the ceremony, the bridal party dashed off for some fun photos at Glen Echo Park despite the on and off drizzle!
Back at The Park Hyatt, guests were enjoying cocktails and were serenaded by the Sage String Quartet from Bialek's Music. The ballroom was set with flowers from Petal's Edge, linens from Party Rentals and lighting from John Farr Lighting. Tables alternated between profusions of baby's breath, taper candles and elevated arrangements of roses, hydrangea and stock. Gold embroidered linens and cream fabric draping the walls completed the look to give the room a warm, intimate glow. Truly romantic!
Tables were set with menu cards and two favors for each guest: a set of crystal elephant salt and pepper shakers in a gold box and a jar of the Groom's grandmother's famous strawberry jam (how she made 200 of these and lived to tell the tale, I'll never know!) The extra surprise of the evening was the red envelopes under guests' plates filled with lottery tickets!
After an amazing dinner by Chef Brian McBride from The Park Hyatt (I can personally attest to how amazing the shrimp ravioli were) and some heartfelt toasting, DJ Aaron from Chris Laich Entertainment kept the guests on the dance floor all night.
But the surprises didn't stop! Guests were treated to a traditional dragon dance and the bride and groom changed into Vietnamese outfits for the occasion. Talk about high-energy!
Thank you to my wonderful team for making this wedding such a success and such fun! Michael Deltette from The Park Hyatt was a rock star, the ladies from Egomedia Photography were true professionals and captured amazing images (and a huge thanks for letting us showcase them here), the video team from Photoria was completely unobtrusive and the dragon dancers from Wong People Kung Fu were so easy to work with. I could not have done it without my amazing assistant, Maeve, who always makes the wedding days fun.
Special thanks to Stephanie and Ron and their families for being so wonderful and including me in so many of their family celebrations. I can't wait for the next one!!
Laura
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