This Couple Was the Very First to Wed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC

On the first day of the year, Lena Tillett (33 and a news anchor) and Christopher Washington (39 and a food tech entrepreneur) said “I do” in the first wedding the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian has ever hosted. The museum is “one of the most remarkable buildings in Washington,” Lena says. “It’s a stunning, sacred space with a breathtaking rotunda and skylight.” The spiritual vibe was a major reason the duo settled on NMAI. “We were inspired by the Black social scene of 1940s Washington, DC,” she says. “I grew up hearing stories of Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday coming to town and their lavish parties. We wanted to recreate that feel.” Given the location, it was also important to honor American Indian history with a land acknowledgment to start the ceremony.

Since the museum is stunning on its own, the couple focused on floral designs with “impact over quantity.” The couple selected a “soothing yet stunning palette” of terra-cotta, rust orange, toffee and ivory with copper and black accents. The centerpieces included lisianthus, sweet peas, ranunculus, Queen Anne’s lace, scabiosa and pampas grass.  

“We wanted a semi-circle for the ceremony to create a setting that felt incredibly intimate and loving—as if our guests were hugging us. During the ceremony, we felt enveloped in love from our guests,” says Lena. 

Before Lena and Christopher shared their first dance, guests enjoyed a performance. “The dancers’ number was so special. With the jaw-dropping backdrop of the decor and the museum’s expansive space, the whole room was just spellbound. We shed some tears,” recalls Lena. 

"On the morning of the wedding, my mother surprised me with a vintage bracelet with a heart-shaped pendant that originally belonged to my maternal grandmother." In addition to the bracelet, Lena’s mother gave her earrings that once belonged to Lena’s paternal grandmother. “It was incredibly emotional and special,” recalls Lena. Beyond accessories, her mom also played a big role in helping select a wedding dress: “Never in a million years did I think I would wear a gown with that much sparkle, but my mom knew it was the one as soon as I put it on,” says Lena.