We have quite a unique wedding experience to kick off your week today! Jessica and Josh didn’t just say “I do” and travel down the road for their reception. They eloped at Versailles (Yes, in France!), honeymooned in Barcelona and then followed it all up, a month later, with a stunning wedding celebration in Maryland! Talk about the best of both worlds, or continents in this case! We’re kicking things off with a set of gorgeous wedding portraits Readyluck Photographers took just before their stateside affair kicked off, along with a little bit about their ceremony experience across the pond. Head back later to see their full, DIY reception in all it’s glory!

From Jessica: Josh and I wanted to celebrate our wedding with an intimate ceremony first, followed by a larger summer garden party under the stars. Having them a month apart let us extend the festivities further! We traveled to Versailles, France with 13 friends and family members, and exchanged vows in the gardens of Versailles–one of my favorite places on earth! There’s nowhere else quite like it. Our party one month later was held at Josh’s parents house in Westminster, MD, amidst rolling hills and goat farms–a very bucolic landscape. We wanted the event to have a French and Spanish feel in terms of food and drink, and we showed photos and videos from our ceremony in Versailles and our honeymoon in Barcelona, Spain. For our party back in the states, I wasn’t so concerned with tradition (formal entrance, seating arrangements, bouquet toss, etc.) as I was with just being able to mingle and talk to all our guests. I really wanted it to feel like a casual get-together. No stuffiness!

Our main priority for the ceremony was finding a hotel in the tiny town of Versailles where all our family and friends could stay together. That, and finding a restaurant to serve us a multi-course French meal immediately following the ceremony. Luckily, we found both within walking distance of the palace grounds! I definitely splurged on my wedding dress, which I justified by wearing twice–at both the ceremony and the party. I chose silk chiffon so that it was a little more portable on the long flight to France!

The following Washington, DC area wedding vendors contributed to Jessica and Josh’s wedding:

Caterer: b Bistro
Photographer: Lindsay of Readyluck Photographers
Floral Designer: J.J. Cummings
Tent: Loane Bros.
Cake: Charm City Cakes
Stationery Designer: A Printable Press
Stationery Printer: Catprint
Groom’s Suit and Shirt: Express
Groom’s Tie: South Moon Under
Bride’s Dress: Jenny Packham from Rizik’s
Bride’s Headpiece: Twigs & Honey
Bride’s Shoes: Lavender by Vera Wang from Nordstrom

Don’t forget to visit our vendor guide for more fabulous Washington, DC area wedding professionals or our real wedding gallery for more beautiful Washington, DC area weddings!

Photo Credits: Readyluck Photographers

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