Monday, June 7, 2010

A Wedding Planner Gets Hitched at The Washington Club {Amy & Clark}


Just a few short weeks ago, our very own Amy walked down the aisle and married a really great guy. We all love Clark and he makes Amy really happy!

Since Amy had quite a bit of experience planning weddings and had seen tons of cool things, she had pretty good ideas of what she wanted for her wedding. She had a fabulous vision of a very elegant garden tea party (but set inside a stately D.C. mansion). She wanted a daytime event in the Spring that would have an elegant feel with touches of whimsy throw in.

Having loved a wedding she planned at The Washington Club, Amy selected the gorgeous Dupont Circle mansion for her ceremony and reception venue.


She chose the Mayflower Hotel right up the street as the perfect place to get ready and take some great portraits ahead of time. Hair was done by the always amazing Susie Ruckshal and makeup by the divine Pattie Martin. These two ladies always make our brides look stunning!


Amy's gorgeous Ulla-Maija gown and veil came from Hitched Bridal Salon in Georgetown (always an Engaging Affairs favorite). Her bridesmaids wore fabulous blue Dessy dresses from The Bridal Closet in Vienna. Check out the sassy blue shoes Amy wore under her dress!



Amy and Clark also wanted a focus of the day to be on the ceremony itself. They created a meaningful and personal ceremony and then added some dramatic impact by having the Howard University Gospel Choir perform. Amy and her Dad walked in (well, danced in, really) to "This Will Be"and she and Clarke recessed to "Oh Happy Day!" The choir was amazing and added great energy and joy to the day.



I love the chandeliers, sconces and tapestries in the ceremony room. And check out the cool balcony in the back!

After cocktails, guests were seated for lunch and were treated to a truly fun Southern menu (fried chicken and shrimp and grits--can you say yum?) with a few twists like the fabulous cheese course served with Tupelo honey and the passed brownie pops and miniature ice cream cones. The fabulous Joel from Occasions made sure that everything was perfect.


Petal's Edge created the floral decor to bring the outdoors inside by creating grass and tulip table runners on long rectangular tables and vintage teapots brimming with Spring flowers on round tables. Deep blue linens were the perfect background for the vintage patterned china and gold rimmed crystal that Amy selected to evoke the feel of a formal tea party. The custom-designed menu cards echoed the programs and even the invitations (all created by the same designer, Jason Vandorsten).




Amy and Clark had a beautiful wedding cake (with three flavors inside: carrot, mocha and Tupelo honey) created by the amazing Kendall's Cakes plus a "cheese" cake. This fun stack of cheeses sat by the wedding cake and made everyone look twice.


After lunch and a series of heartfelt toasts, guests danced to the sounds of "Groove" through Bailek's Music and Amy and Clark dashed off for a fun Dupont Circle/Mayflower portrait session. Thanks to Juan Carlos Briceno of Fotobriceno for sharing the gorgeous photos with us! Video was done by David Morley (we can't wait to see it).


I go to a lot of weddings and I can truly say that this was a special day full of joyful, unique touches. Congratulations Amy and Clark!

Laura