The Chicest Ballroom Wedding Overlooking the White House
In the age of gorgeous garden weddings, a thoroughly modern ballroom affair is like a magic unicorn. It only comes around once in awhile but when it does, we are alllll about it. This DC celebration styled by Lauryn Prattes brings together acrylic, marble, green vine installations by Sweet Root Village and chic tablescapes that go way beyond your typical modern affair. Dive into this glamorous day with a Whitehouse view captured by Lisa Zeising for Abby Jiu Photography and a film by East West too!
From the Photographer... Lauren and Rand had a difficult year prior to their engagement enduring the loss of Lauren’s mother and Rand’s own battle with cancer, which he thankfully overcame. Because of this they wanted their wedding to be intimate and reflect those nearest and dearest in their life, and those who had supported them through it all. Their wedding day was filled with love, laughter and warmth filled the room.Lauren and Rand had selected the Hay Adams for it’s amazing views of the city as well as light and airy room. To really make the room a light, bright and chic space we installed custom wall to wall white carpet creating a completely neutral and blank canvas. The wedding design was inspired by the young and modern city chic couples new home, which featured white cabinets, marble countertops and clean minimalist decor. A soft color palette came to life for the wedding of white, grey and marble was accented by the tiniest touches of lavender and plum.Setting the tone for the wedding day the invitation suite featured a marble letterpress invitation tied with a custom dyed grey silk ribbon, grey envelope with a casual calligraphy font and mix of grey, black and white vintage postage - all sealed with a white wax seal. As guests arrived to DC they were greeted with welcome boxes showcasing some of DC’s best local treats - custom marble heart cookies from Buttercream Bakeshop, cheese stamps from Kinderhook and coffee from Compass Coffee.The ceremony took place in the dark, wooded lower level ballroom. Warm candelight and white drape filled the space and a marble printed program was placed inside an acrylic floating frame from Artifact Uprising, accented with greenery.Following the ceremony guests moved upstairs to cocktail hour and were treated to a Tonic Bar in honor of the couples favorite cocktail - a gin and tonic. The custom tonic bar was finished with a marble top and behind a smoke grey acrylic menu was accented by a decanter light installation and fresh greens. Guests could select from His and Hers cocktails, or build their own tonic with a variety of garnishes.A favorite detail from the evening was the escort display - marble hexagon tiles were edged in gold and then calligraphed with each guests seating assignment - the tiles were then velcro’d to smoke grey acrylic so guests could take their tile with them to their seats. A lounge vignette featuring marble topped tables with gold bases finished off the space.Following cocktails curtains pulled back to reveal a breathtaking dinner space. The intimate wedding size of 110 was perfect for 2 long dramatic tables sweeping across the front room so guests could dine overlooking the White House. Tables featured a stunning display of crystal candelabra’s accented by various height taper candles and votives - not a single bloom was placed on the table. Above a lush ceiling of greenery and delicate lavender and plum flowers danced among crystal chandeliers.Place settings consisted of hand made “faux” marble chargers topped with grey plates, napkins tied with marbled silk ribbon and were finished with a velum menu and matte gold and white flatware.The couple live down the street from DC’s newest and favorite bakery, Buttercream Bakeshop. They designed a marble cake delicately adorned with flecks of gold foil which sat atop a lucite column surrounded by candlelight.
photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Videography: East West | Florals: Sweet Root Village | Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop | Calligraphy: Katie Gibson Calligraphy | DJ: Bialys | Ceremony Music: Capitol Harpist Entertainment | Ceremony and Reception: The Hay-Adams Hotel | Custom Tonic Bar, Acrylic, Lounge Furniture: BD3 Design | Hair and Make-up: Amie Decker Beauty | Matte Gold/White Flateware: borrowed BLU | White Carpet, Dance Floor, Chandelier: Fabrication Events | invitations and paper goods: Paper Daisies Stationery | linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental | styling and coordination: Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events