A Vibrant Autumnal Wedding With Homages to Chinese Culture at Potomac View Terrace in Washington, DC
Jean and Hamilton’s first date was via Zoom. Having met online, it only seemed appropriate to keep things virtual, especially in the early days of the pandemic. Before long, they took their dates offline and outdoors, bonding over shared interests like their love of cats and a focus on the easygoing. Their proposal even emulated this trait, described as “intimate and relaxed” by the couple, with the only audience being their two cats. Hamilton had decorated the space at their home, and they’d both crafted a home-cooked meal for the occasion. The two knew when it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted one simple principle guiding the day: “Easy for our guests, easy for us," they say, focusing on making the day low-hassle while still being fun. With Jean’s Chinese culture, both she and Hamilton wanted to bring elements of that to the forefront of their day. They worked with a wedding planner who could bring their unique and personal vision to life at the Potomac View Terrace in Washington, DC.
The soon-to-be-weds aimed to fill out the space of this historic venue with its stunning views of many notable places: the US Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Pentagon, Air Force Memorial, Memorial Bridge and the Potomac River. Planning their day for autumn also meant changing scenery, so the decor and florals had to match. “We love bright and joyful, so our color choices were purposefully a brighter fall palette of oranges, chartreuse green, and pops of red… Neither of us [was] looking for a monochromatic or all-white wedding,” Jean says. These color choices added warmth to the outdoor space. The addition of “Chinese elements and Southern touches” from the couple and their planner created a blend of brightness and elegance in decor, florals and even their attire. Hamilton’s first look was a classic black-and-white tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere to match Jean’s bouquet. Jean opted for three different looks throughout the wedding day. First, a traditional ceremony dress, strapless and chic with embroidered floral elements before she changed into a dance-worthy second look at the reception. Their PR rep at Be Inspired Public Relations says, “Jean… finish[ed] the evening with a sequined fringe mini dress and cowboy boots while Hamilton changed into an authentic Chinese shirt symbolic of the two embracing each other's cultures and becoming one unit.”
As for their florals, they filled the space with hues of orange and coral to give that autumnal feel. For the decor, their vendors utilized “bright color as well as tons of elegant touches like the Chinese armoire, the emerald sofas and the table settings with chartreuse tablecloths and chinoiserie,” says Jean. They even played around with texture and height, with their ceremony decor of bright orange pillars and matching florals to accent the rest of the palette.
Jean and Hamilton both looked forward most to the ceremony itself, calling themselves “sentimental” for that particular eagerness over finally exchanging vows and becoming a team. Even the lead-up to the ceremony was exciting for the bride, especially the getting ready and the food she enjoyed during the morning. And food remained a crucial part of the day, with the newlyweds serving up some delicious sushi during the cocktail hour. But that wasn’t the only surprise up their sleeves for the post-ceremony event. “We had lion dancers during the cocktail hour that folks seemed to love. In particular, Jean's little cousins from China that had traveled the farthest were delighted by that part of the day,” Hamilton says. These lion dancers are a traditional Chinese custom meant to bring good fortune and luck to the newlyweds.
Another way Jean and Hamilton brought good fortune to their guests? Through the one-of-a-kind seating chart, a Chinese armoire full of red and gold boxes. “[The boxes] donn[ed] the guests' names and table numbers in gold leaf calligraphy, the perfect way to incorporate red, the luckiest color in Chinese culture that symbolizes joy, celebration, vitality, success and good fortune,” says their PR rep.
Their easygoing approach and focus on blending their two cultures made their Washington, DC wedding something they’ll look back on for years to come. And their advice for couples planning their own big day reflects that. “Remember, it's supposed to be fun! There's really nothing you HAVE to do other than enjoy the process. If you find yourself agonizing over not being able to get the exact shade for your napkins, take a step back and remember that you're getting to plan an entire day around the person you love and starting a new life together,” the newlyweds say.