1. Real Weddings

An Intimate, Modern Wedding at Range Restaurant in Washington, DC

James Chu (35 and an IT professional) and Quentin Hart (34 and an IT professional) had three words in mind when planning their wedding: rustic, reclai

James Chu (35 and an IT professional) and Quentin Hart (34 and an IT professional) had three words in mind when planning their wedding: rustic, reclaimed and modern. To achieve this look, they chose a bright color palette of purple and gray to contrast with the taupe interior of their reception venue, Range. The long farmhouse table in the private dining area of the Washington, DC, restaurant was lined with rose petals and corrugated metal cake stands that matched the theme of repurposed materials. Displayed on the cake stands were flower arrangements of spider chrysanthemums, roses and thistles arranged in mason jars for a rustic touch. Also keeping with the "reclaimed" look were the menus, which were printed on recycled kraft paper and featured a motif with the couple's names, "Q and Chu." This motif was echoed throughout the wedding, in everything from the programs for the ceremony at DC War Memorial to the cuffs of James and Quentin's dress shirts. After a custom meal created by the team at Range, James and Quentin's guests enjoyed a variety of baked goods made by Grassroots Gourmet, and instead of a traditional wedding cake, the bakery served five kinds of cake for dessert. All the amazing details from the day were captured by Robin Shotola Photography.

James wore gray oxfords with purple shoelaces while Quentin wore black wingtips with the same shoelaces. They purchased their coordinating shoes from Cole Haan.
The cuffs of James and Quentin's dress shirts were embroidered with their nicknames in purple. This motif became a logo for their wedding, and it was repeated throughout the wedding stationery.
James and Quentin wore matching gray vests with black pants on their wedding day. They finished the look with matching black-and-white plaid bow ties. Their clothes and accessories were made by Knot Standard.
The ceremony programs were displayed in a metal pail alongside Chinese paper fans that James and Quentin provided for guests to use during the outdoor ceremony. The programs were printed on recycled kraft paper and featured the same motif from the grooms' dress shirts.
James and Quentin were married at the DC War Memorial. They chose the space because of its intimate size and location. The couple were surrounded by their closest family and friends as they exchanged their vows under the rotunda.
The reception took place at Range, a Bryan Voltaggio restaurant in Washington, DC. Their guests sat on leather seats at a farmhouse table in a private dining area of the restaurant. The long table was lined with rose petals.
Mason-jar centerpieces were displayed on corrugated metal cake stands for an industrial look. The jars were filled with purple spider chrysanthemums, purple roses and thistles.
The menus, which were printed on recycled kraft paper, featured James and Quentin's personalized logo. The couple worked with the chef at Range to create a custom family-style dinner menu for the long dining table.
Grassroots Gourmet created a variety of cookies and baked goods for dessert. James and Quentin provided their guests with goodie bags to fill, so they could enjoy the desserts as wedding favors.
Instead of a single wedding cake, James and Quentin had Grassroots Gourmet create five cakes for them. Three of the cakes were arranged on a cake stand with separated tiers.