How a Citrusy and Bright Summer Wedding Included Lots of Local Washington, DC Flair
Amy and Allen, both attending college only a few miles apart from one another, connected through a dating app. The duo soon discovered they had lots in common—from their favorite local bars to mutual friends—which helped sparks fly even more. “Our first date was at Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers in Washington, DC, and I was immediately struck by Allen's goofy sense of humor. We had such natural banter right off the bat,” Amy reminisces. Long-distance dating soon followed, which only made Amy and Allen’s bond stronger. Ready to take the next step in their relationship, Allen popped the question while on a hike with Amy’s family in Shenandoah National Park.
When it was time to plan their summer wedding, the couple automatically knew they wanted it to happen where their love story began. “Though we both moved from Washington, DC, we knew it would be a special location to have our wedding. Also, I knew I wanted to get married at Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart rather early in our relationship,” the bride says. Located on the main campus of Georgetown University, that chapel is where the couple and their guests enjoyed a beautiful ceremony and Catholic Mass. “Our Mass was incredibly special because it allowed us to slow down and be present,” Amy says.
During the cocktail hour and reception at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown, Amy and Allen’s vibrant and summer-forward color palette—a beautiful blend of chartreuse, yellow, pink, orange and white—came to life. (This was a big difference from the jewel-toned rehearsal dinner they threw the night before.) Surrounded by lush bouquets of dahlias, hydrangeas and more, guests noshed on mini lamb chomps and petit fours while sipping on jalapeño margaritas or bourbon peach teas, the couple’s signature cocktails. Amy and Allen even had time to join the outdoor cocktail hour and revel in the gorgeous July weather themselves.
As a nod to the couple’s time spent wandering the streets of Georgetown, escort cards resembling classic Georgetown townhouses led guests to their designated spots. Whimsical floral centerpieces, colorful taper candles and fresh citruses graced each table, ensuring you’d see a brilliant hue no matter where you looked. Mid-Atlantic cuisine was for dinner, with Maryland crab cakes being a major highlight, and an ice cream cart was wheeled in later to go along with the wedding cake. The rest of the night was filled with so much dancing and singing that no one wanted to leave, which is exactly what Amy and Allen were hoping for. “We planned our wedding around feeling like an authentic Washington, DC summer evening. We wanted it to feel elevated, but not pretentious, and just overall really fun,” the couple says.