1. Real Weddings

Lisa & David: A Classic Wedding in Washington, DC

Lisa and David's driving inspiration for their wedding was modern elegance with a clean, contemporary style. They chose classic black and white as the

Lisa and David's driving inspiration for their wedding was modern elegance with a clean, contemporary style. They chose classic black and white as the colors for the day, giving the main details a nice clean contrast. THE BRIDE Lisa Ko, 24, buyer THE GROOM David Wu, 29, IT consultant THE DATE October 16 Lisa was expecting a carefree, casual day when her boyfriend, David, called to suggest that the two go out for breakfast. I actually didn't want to go, Lisa admits. I was sitting around in my pajamas when the doorbell rang. She didn't see anyone outside, and she was just sitting down again when she heard the bell ring again. This time, she opened the door, and the couple's dog Phoebe came running in with a sign around her neck that read, Will you marry me? Lisa looked up and saw Dave standing in her doorway with a bouquet of roses. All I kept saying was, 'Is this for real?' Lisa remembers. Needless to say, it was for real, and I said yes! Phoebe got to wear another sign just over a year later -- the couple included a picture of their pooch wearing a sign that read Happily Ever After on the programs at their Washington, DC wedding.

To spend the most time possible at the posh party they'd planned, Lisa and David chose to meet up before the wedding to take all of their formal photos. The couple rented a trolley and traveled with their photographer and videographer to the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol.
Lisa and David chose a four-tier square cake adorned with fresh flowers and a silver monogram topper and filled with yellow cake and layers of white chocolate mousse and raspberry filling.
Lisa carried a bouquet of ivory roses and dendrobium orchids.
Lisa designed a monogram that she and David used throughout the wedding. It popped up on the programs, the place cards, and the cake topper, but it made its biggest impact lit up against the wall at the reception.
David and Lisa kicked off the party with their first dance, a foxtrot to Nat King Cole's L.O.V.E. -- the perfect way to get an elegant evening underway.
Lisa wore an ivory silk strapless gown by Manalé that featured a hand-beaded bodice and a silk skirt with gathering all over it.
Lisa carried out the black-and-white color scheme down to the smallest detail, with black ribbon trimming the programs and votive candles that doubled as escort cards.
Guests received a pair of black chopsticks with a tag that read Lisa and David: A Perfect Pair.
Lisa's maids' bouquets included different white blooms such as hydrangeas, roses, and ranunculuses to contrast with their black satin Bill Levkoff A-line dresses.
To keep the black and white look from getting too cold, Lisa incorporated just a bit of color -- warm, pink lighting during the reception. I wanted the lighting to create drama and impact when the guests entered for dinner, she explains.
David and Lisa's ceremony and reception took place in the Pavilion Room of The Ronald Reagan Building, an octagonal room with a high, domed ceiling and views of Pennsylvania Avenue and Woodrow Wilson Plaza. Rose petals and arrangements of dendrobium orchids lined the aisle, and the altar was decorated with candelabra and more orchids.
The pink lighting washed the room with a warm glow, and centerpieces of dendrobium orchids overflowed their fluted silver vases.