1. Real Weddings

A Classic Black-Tie Wedding at the Hay-Adams in Washington, DC

Lauren Ashley Nanna (33 and a director of global administration at a private equity firm) and Robert George Martin (54 and a commercial real estate br

Lauren Ashley Nanna (33 and a director of global administration at a private equity firm) and Robert George Martin (54 and a commercial real estate broker and developer) said “I do” at the chic Hay-Adams hotel in Washington, DC. Inspired by the classic elegance of their stately venue, Lauren and Robert outfitted their wedding with a simple yet sophisticated color scheme of white and gold with dark wooden accents. The ceremony space, a handsome mahogany-paneled room, was embellished with dimly lit candles and planters filled with white roses. Lauren and Robert exchanged vows under a chuppah adorned with boxwood and white roses. “The focal point of the space was a chuppah with boxwood and white roses,” Lauren says. “The mood of the ceremony room being a very intimate, romantic space dictated the same elegance for the reception,” she says. Dinner and dancing took place at the Top of the Hay, the hotel’s rooftop venue, which offers stunning views of Washington DC. Tables were topped with tight structured arrangements of white roses and hydrangeas, along with gold and crystal accents. Personal touches were found throughout the reception, such as a mirrored seating chart, a signature bourbon cocktail dubbed the Pedaler (a nod to the couple’s love for biking) and a New York City skyline groom’s cake. The couple kicked off the dance party with their first dance to “One” by U2, and then the band the Source kept the dance floor packed. “Rob loves tequila, so with the help of [wedding planner] Jeannette and the Hay-Adams crew, we passed iced tequila with all the fixings on the dance floor,” Lauren says. “It was the perfect treat to keep the night moving and a fun surprise to Rob.” After an evening of dancing, guests moseyed down to the Hay’s basement bar, Off the Record, for an after-party. —Marissa Hermanson

Robert popped the question with a six-pronged round solitaire, and Lauren’s wedding ring is a diamond eternity band. Robert’s white gold wedding band is engraved with the couple’s initials and their wedding date.
Although Lauren and Robert live in New York City, they had a DC wedding since Lauren’s family lives in the area. “We picked the Hay because of its spectacular view,” Lauren says of the venue, which overlooks the capital’s monuments. “We also loved the intimacy of the Hay-Adams room and thought it would be perfect for the ceremony.”
Lauren donned a Monique Lhuillier latte-colored lace gown. “It was very romantic and not too racy, and it fit the elegance of the affair,” she says. She accessorized her dress with a long, cascading lace gown for the ceremony and metallic Jimmy Choos.
“We used to be in the same industry and met at a charity dinner. We would see each other at industry events a few times a year. We went to the same charity dinner for the third year in a row and discovered that we were both recently single,” Lauren says. Soon after, the two ended up doing business together, and Robert took her out to dinner. Six months of dinners later, they could no longer deny that something was there.
Lauren’s and Robert’s families, along with their witnesses, celebrated the signing of the ketubah in Lauren’s bridal suite for 30 minutes before the wedding. “It was a spiritual and meaningful tradition that allowed our loved ones to witness and be part of our commitment to each other. The ketubah is now framed and displayed in our home.”
Lauren and Robert said “I do” in an intimate mahogany-paneled room within the Hay-Adams in Washington, DC. “The focal point of the space was a chuppah with boxwood and white roses,” Lauren says. The ceremony space was decorated with romantic candles, boxwood planters and a white fabric runner down the aisle.
Ceremony programs were embellished with white ribbon and an elegant leaf motif.
“I grew up Irish Catholic, and Rob is Jewish,” Lauren says. “We agreed to have a Jewish ceremony.” Jewish rituals included the signing of the ketubah (Jewish marriage document) and the breaking of the glass.
With its spectacular views of DC, the Top of the Hay provides great photo ops with the White House and Washington Monument as a backdrop.
Lauren and Robert’s dinner reception started with hors d'oeuvres and a specialty cocktail called the Pedaler, a bourbon, and gin drink mixed with lime juice, angostura bitters and ginger ale.
In lieu of traditional escort cards, guests' names and table assignments were written on a mirror. “It was very chic and we got to the keep the mirror,” Lauren says. “It is now in our apartment and a wonderful, memorable token of our event.”
A mirrored-glass king's table was topped with crystal candlesticks and low crystal bowls filled with white blooms.
Round dinner tables at the Hay-Adams in Washington, DC, were embellished with tall glass vases filled with white roes and hydrangeas.
Tables at the Hay-Adams in Washington, DC, were cloaked in sophisticated white linens and topped with elegant white floral arrangements and gold accents.
“Rob loves tequila, so with the help of [wedding planner] Jeannette and the Hay-Adams crew, we passed iced tequila with all the fixings on the dance floor,” Lauren says. “It was the perfect treat to keep the night moving and a fun surprise to Rob.”
The couple enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife to “One” by U2. “U2 is Rob’s favorite band,” Lauren says. “We have seen them live 10 times in the past year—seven times in New York City and three times in Dublin, Ireland. Coincidentally, I listened to U2 a ton growing up, and ‘One’ was my favorite song on the 'Acthung Baby' album.”
The couple’s four-tier white cake, embellished with delicate white blooms, was filled with white chocolate cake and hazelnut mousse.
A New York City skyline groom’s cake was a nod to the couple’s home in the Big Apple.
Lauren and Robert gave guests mini cupcakes as favors. “The perfect amount of sweetness without worrying about a sugar high,” Lauren says about the Baked by Melissa desserts.