1. Real Weddings

A Sophisticated Wedding at Decatur House in Washington, DC

Danielle Couick (34 and a wedding and event planner) and Doug Sandler (50 and a professional speaker and emcee) planned a sophisticated and original s

Danielle Couick (34 and a wedding and event planner) and Doug Sandler (50 and a professional speaker and emcee) planned a sophisticated and original soiree at the Decatur House in Washington, DC. Just steps from the White House, the mansion gave guests a “true DC experience,” with a refined color scheme of black, white, navy and emerald with pops of vibrant magenta and gold. “We are both in the special-events industry, so it was really important for us to keep our guest list intimate and the feeling of the wedding personal,” Danielle says. “We really wanted our day to be a reflection of who we are as individuals and as a couple.” During the ceremony, a unique layout allowed Danielle and Doug to be surrounded by friends and family, giving the ceremony an intimate feel. Danielle designed a dramatic ceremony backdrop—a boxwood wall adorned with white flowers at the top and a sea of floating candles at the base. As a surprise to Doug, Danielle arranged for a small gospel choir to sing “You Are My Sunshine” and “Oh Happy Day” for the recessional. The couple even incorporated the breaking of the glass, commemorating Doug’s Jewish faith. The glass was a gift to the couple, which was then made into a custom mezuzah that hangs by their door, reminding them of their union. A cocktail-style reception followed, including food stations, several of the couple’s favorite cocktails (they couldn’t settle on one), a dessert bar and late-night snacks. Other surprises included the maid of honor rapping her entire speech to the song "Bust a Move," Danielle's go-to karaoke song, with the bridal party as backup, and the couple's grand exit in a rickshaw. —Marissa Hermanson

Calligraphy font and emerald green envelopes added a whimsical touch to their timeless black-and-white invitation suite.
Guests received welcome boxes packed with tasty snacks: Berger Cookies and Goetze’s caramels from Baltimore, Andes mints, mini cans of Perrier and dark chocolate-covered pretzels. Welcome letters notified guests of the weekend’s events, directions and important details.
Danielle and Doug wrote their vows together, then wrote letters separately, which they read aloud during the ceremony. “It was a perfect moment of love, honesty and humility,” Danielle says.
Danielle's grandmother's earrings and blusher-style veil added a hint of vintage glam to her bridal look.
Danielle carried a bouquet of white phalaenopsis orchids, peonies and a variety of greenery that were tied with long pieces of ribbon that fit her classic color scheme. Lamb’s ear, a nostalgic flower for Danielle, was also tucked into her bouquet. “As a child, I would pick the lamb’s ear from my grandmother’s garden and just rub it between my fingers when I was worried,” she says. “It was a nice piece of calm during the hustle of the day.”
Doug sported a navy and black tuxedo.
Danielle made Doug’s boutonniere out of feathers and a fly-fishing lure as a nod to his love for the sport, which brings him clarity and peace. “We lost the lure sometime around the middle of the wedding,” Danielle says. “Someone literally got hooked!”
Bridesmaids donned navy floor-length gowns in a variety of styles and fabrics, and groomsmen sported black suits and navy ties. “It was important to me that the bridesmaids felt beautiful in their gowns, and yes, that they could really wear them again,” Danielle says.
For a backdrop, Danielle designed a boxwood wall adorned with white flowers at the top, and a sea of floating candles at the base.
The flower girl was dressed in a poofy navy dress and carried a ball of greenery down the aisle.
A cocktail-style reception included food stations, several of the couple’s favorite cocktails, a dessert bar and late-night snacks.
At the reception, Danielle had the bar decorated in boxwood and their initials, "D & D." During cocktail hour, guests snacked on mini fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, baby sliders, spicy tuna rolls and shrimp and grits.
Since they couldn’t decide on a signature beverage, Danielle and Doug instead came up with a menu of his and hers cocktails that included Jack and Ginger, Budweiser, pink champagne, Moscow Mules and Sidecars.
Mirrors were hung on the boxwood wall after the ceremony, featuring quotes from cards the couple had exchanged over the years. The mirrors now hang in the couple’s home as a reminder of their wedding day.
Food stations included a pork barbecue station and a sauce bar with a variety of delicious Southern sides.
Tables were adorned with glitzy navy linens and white-and-navy-striped linens and were topped with white, green and magenta arrangements.
A small Funfetti cake was decorated with gold, white and emerald frosting and crowned with a silly "I love you like a fat kid loves cake" topper.
The night's celebration closed with a dramatic sparkler send-off.
Forgoing a traditional getaway vehicle, the couple climbed in a rickshaw decorated with a "just married" sign and clinking cans.