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Search results for wedding traditions. If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search.

7 Cultural Wedding Traditions and Customs
October 18, 2016

Continuing on with our cultural wedding week, today we are bringing you some of our favorite cultural wedding ceremony celebrations! We love that there are so many different faiths and cultures in this area; this makes sure our wedding ceremonies are always unique and interesting. Whether you want to incorporate your family’s history into your big day, or want to celebrate your faith as a couple, there are so many different ways you can do so. We have outlined and explained some we have seen on United with Love below!

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Pier 23 Photography via Modern and Chic DC Wedding

Korean Pyebaek Originally, the pyebaek is a patriarchal tradition that brought a new bride into the groom’s family fold. The bride would bestow gifts upon the groom’s family and bow in subservience, symbolizing her transition from her own family to the groom’s. Modern Korean weddings, however, incorporate the pyebaek as a means of celebrating the union of two families and is often held either a few days before the wedding ceremony or immediately following with only family present.

The pyebaek begins with the older couple(s) seated on cushions behind a table in front of a painted screen with the newlyweds opposite them. The bride and groom then perform a very deep bow and after, the bride will present the elders with gifts of jujubes (Korean dates) and chestnuts to symbolize children and fertility. The elder then shares wisdom and guidance on married life with the bride and groom. Finally, they will throw the jujubes and chestnut backs to the bride who will catch them in her wedding skirt.

Virginia Chinese Tea Wedding Ceremony

Love Life Images via Vow Exchange and Chinese Tea Ceremony

Chinese Tea Ceremony A Chinese wedding tea ceremony is like the pyebaek in that it also is the formal introduction of the bride to the groom’s family and was created as a show of respect for the bride’s entrance into a new family; it is usually hosted post wedding ceremony. In modern Chinese tea ceremony’s, many couples choose to involve and honor both sides of the family. The order of service is usually parents, grandparents, grand-uncles/aunts, uncles and aunts, elder brothers/sisters, elder cousins.

If two separate ceremonies are hosted, traditionally the groom’s family will be honored first. Likewise, if there is an all-inclusive ceremony performed for both sides, the groom’s family would be served first. The couple (groom on the right, bride on the left) serves sweet Chinese tea to the elders in order of seniority and after each sip, the couple is handed a lai see a lucky red envelope which usually contains money or jewelry. The ceremony is then repeated for the bride’s side of the family, if necessary. The tea ceremony is also the time when a Chinese wedding contract is signed with a traditional seal or a personalized stamp.

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 Meghan Lynn Photography via Colorful Indian-American Wedding in Baltimore

Hindu Baraat A Hindu Baraat is the groom’s wedding procession and in generally a very grand affair. The groom is led to the marriage venue on a Ghodi, or white horse, while upbeat drum music plays. He usually carries a ceremonial sword and is accompanied by a young brother, nephew or cousin. Family members adorn the Ghodi with embellishments that match the groom’s. The groom’s family and friends accompany him to the venue in the large procession and are called the baraati. They are then received and welcomed by the bride’s family members and in some cultures the groom is greeted with the Aarti upon his entrance to the venue. While this procession happens the bride generally watches from the venue but does not take part, as the Baraat is solely to welcome the groom and his family to the marriage site. The bride then joins the groom as both families are introduced in a Milni ceremony and remains for the Varmala, where they exchange garlands to signify the start of their marriage rituals.

Washington DC Catholic Wedding Ceremony (2) Washington DC Catholic Wedding Ceremony (4)

Bonnie Sen Creative Photography via Multicultural Summer Wedding Ceremony

Filipino Veil, Cord & Coin Ceremony A traditional Filipino wedding ceremony often involves several smaller ceremonies within it with deep spiritual meanings. The Veil, Cord and Coin are included most often of all. Ceremonial sponsors are chosen by the bride and groom to take part in the ceremony. Multiple pairs of godparents are customary.

The veil is specially made to go over the groom’s shoulders and the bride’s head (placed by a sponsor) to represent everyone and everything that will protect them, their home and their family and can signify the transformation of two individuals into one family. The cord (lasso) is long and in the shape of a figure 8 to symbolize infinity and often has a rosary attached. It is put around the couple’s shoulders by another sponsor to symbolize the couple’s intimate union and bond to each other for eternity. The coin ceremony involves the bringing of 13 coins to the altar by a small child, generally a ring bearer. The coins are given to the bride from the groom as a promise to financially support their new family and the bride accepts as a promise to build a loving home.

Traditional Persian Wedding Ceremony Rebekah J Murray Photography (1) Virginia Wedding Persian Ceremony (1)

Rebekah J. Murray Photography via Elegant and Romantic Wedding Ceremony

Iranian Sofreh Aghd This cultural ceremony is generally celebrated by Persian couples that takes place in a specially decorated room with an elaborate spread on the floor or the table that contains many symbolic items that represent an element of the couple’s new life together. These include a mirror, two candelabras, an assortment of seven symbolic herbs and spices, flatbread, eggs and nuts (almonds, walnut, hazelnut) to symbolize fertility, seasonal fruits (usually apples and pomegranates), rock candy, coins to symbolize wealth and prosperity, honey which the bride and groom feed to each other off of their pinky fingers, rose water, a bible, wild rue, needle and thread, coal, a ceremonial cloth or rug, sugar cones, etc.

When the bride enters the room, she has a veil covered her face. Once she is seated next to her groom she can remove the veil and the groom peers at her through a mirror, the Ayaneh, making his wife the first thing seen in the mirror. The Ayaneh represents life and truth and remains on the table throughout. Traditionally, in the days of arranged marriages, this first glimpse in the mirror was often the first time that the groom was able to see his bride.

Virginia Wedding Ceremony Handfasting (2)

Sanderson Images via Casual and Intimate Backyard Virginia Wedding

Celtic Handfasting A handfasting is an old Pagan custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. It originated as more than a ceremonial act during a wedding ceremony, as it is today, and spanned an entire year serving as a trial marriage. If all was well after one year and one day, the couple would then get formally married. If the couple was unhappy, they could split up as if they had never been married in the first place. This has often been compared to a modern-day engagement period.

Today, handfasting is much more literal and takes place during the wedding ceremony. After the bride and groom declare their intent to marry, their hands are bound together with a cord (or cords) to symbolize their connection and the union in which they are entering. The wrapping of the cord forms an infinity symbol and the knot that is tied is a representation of oneness between the two. In a show of unity, they become bound to each other.

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Heather Hawkins Photography via Texas Wedding with Feet Washing

Feet Washing  This custom, which is typically practiced at Christian weddings, stems from the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet after Judas’ betrayal. It symbolizes a bride and groom’s humility and willingness to serve the other for the rest of their lives.

This is often done with a pitcher, a bowl, and a sponge right up at the altar. The bride and groom each take turns taking off  their shoes and having their feet lightly washed by the other and then dried with a towel, just as Jesus washed and dried his disciples feet on the last day of his life.

Stay tuned for a full post dedicated to Jewish wedding customs and traditions coming on Thursday of this week! For more cultural wedding inspiration, check out some of our DC area real weddings!

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ceremony and reception  / inspiration and ideas  / Tips & Advice

The In™s And Out™s Of Wedding Traditions
June 10, 2015

Weddings are nothing, if not traditional. From that first date to heading out on your honeymoon, everything about standing up in front of your loved ones and committing yourselves to each other is rooted in a tradition of some sort. That said, the wedding rules have changed. Engaged couples today have and will continue to celebrate their love in their own way. There are no rules anymore when it comes to getting married in the Washington DC area – or anywhere else for that matter! Just about the only thing traditional about today’s weddings is the tradition of making it your own,  making it personal and making your wedding a celebration of who you are as a couple. Washington DC area wedding planner Lee, owner of Savoir-Faire, LLC, put together a list of a few wedding traditions that are worth keeping and some worth bending. Here is what she had to say about wedding traditions¦

View More: http://kristengardner.pass.us/elizabeth-and-paul-wedding

Photo Credit: Kristen Gardner Photography
from Elizabeth and Paul’s wedding in DC

Weddings are steeped in tradition. Many wedding customs have endured for hundreds of years, but, over time, some of them have lost their significance and fallen out of favor. Over the years, I have seen the wedding traditions that couples are holding onto, the traditions they are choosing to put aside, and the newer wedding traditions that are emerging. Through my experience helping couples plan their big day, here is what I have found to be the in’s and out’s of modern day wedding traditions.

SOMETHING OLD

Wedding Party – Some wedding traditions just make sense! If you’re planning a smaller wedding, you may think that you don’t really need any attendants. I find that couples who lean this way in the beginning tend to change their minds when we talk about the ceremony logistics. Who will hold the bride’s bouquet? The rings? And don’t underestimate the value of a little moral support at the altar.

Guest Book – Back in the day, a wedding guest book was needed for legal purposes. Wedding guests were officially witnesses to the marriage and their presence had to be recorded. Nowadays, wedding guest books and can be everything from advice cards to photographs to signed furniture, or skipped altogether.

First Dance – Formal dancing isn’t a skill many of us possess these days. A quick twirl on the dance floor with your other half is a great way to get the party started at a wedding, though. If you’re nervous about the two of you being out on the dance floor all alone, tell your DJ or band ahead of time to invite others to join you halfway through the song. Also, consider investing in a couple of dance lessons. You’ll feel more at ease and maybe even learn a fancy move to impress your guests!

Cake Cutting – A sweet tradition in every sense of the word! It is a small, but significant showing of how you and your partner will work together as a married couple. And if you don’t want to save the cake top for your first anniversary, have a mini version of your wedding cake made for the occasion. Or you can forego the traditional tiered cake for your favorite dessert, like pie or cheesecake..

Favors – The wedding favor tradition goes back centuries. Weddings have always been considered good luck, and giving out favors to your guests is a way to share that good luck and thank them for their support. Some couples are skipping favors as a way to cut costs, but if you have a fun idea, favors are always appreciated by your guests. And you can create favors that do double duty, like serve as an escort card or as part of the wedding decor.

SOMETHING NEW

The Proposal – Who says romance is dead? Couples have taken marriage proposals up a notch lately. There is nothing wrong with putting a little thought into the occasion and making it special! I’ve seen everything from planning scavenger hunts to secretly hiring a photographer to capture the moment of the proposal. What a great memento for future generations!

Bridesmaid Dresses – All of the rules are being broken in this area! Brides are getting creative (and kinder!) by choosing a dress in a different style and even a different color for each attendant. Brides are even letting their ˜maids choose their own dress. The result is a refreshing departure from the cookie-cutter look of the past. And did you see Solange Knowles’s wedding? Bridesmaids can even look spectacular in white without upstaging the bride!

First Look – We’ve all heard it’s bad luck for couples to see each other before the wedding ceremony, but these days couples can’t resist a sneak peek just before they walk down the aisle! A moment alone before the wedding officially gets underway gives you and your partner a chance to connect and say, You’re amazing; let’s do this! It can also be logistically easier to do a first look to save time on photographs later in the day. A first look with the bride and her father is also starting to trend.

Ceremony Seating – Blending your families and friends into one big happy group is one of your most important goals for your wedding (and after), right? In the past, wedding guests invited by the bride sat on one side, while guests of the groom sat on the other. This can seem a bit rigid these days, as ceremonies are becoming less and less traditional. Plus, it can be hard for guests who are friends with both people getting married! Most of my couples go with traditional seating for those in the wedding ceremony processional, but let their guests pick a seat, not a side.

Planned After Party – There’s always been an after-the-wedding party, but now they’re official. More and more couples are planning parties for after their wedding as part of their wedding day festivities. If you think you’ll be up for more celebrating after the reception, it’s a great way to spend more time with your close friends and family in an informal atmosphere.

Ultimately, of course, the traditions you decide to include in your wedding should be a reflection of your families and of who you are as a couple. Isn’t it nice that we have some flexibility in the 21st century?

**************

Thank you so much, Lee! It was fun to go down wedding tradition lane with you today and learn more about what couples are saving and skipping for their weddings. For more from Lee, or if you are looking for a wedding planner in the Washington DC area, be sure to check her out at Savoir-Faire, LLC.

For even more locally helpful advice, you may look through our DC area wedding idea galleries and find wedding advice from local DC area pros. If that isn’t enough, check out our collection of local DMV weddings from the real world and the best DC area wedding vendors who make it all happen.

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ceremony and reception  / Tips & Advice

Early Spring Virginia Wedding with Filipino Traditions: Toni + Carl
March 16, 2011

I absolutely love it when couples incorporate cultural traditions into their wedding and today’s spring wedding in Virginia from Jan Michele Photography is no exception.  Toni and Carl celebrated their wedding during last year’s cherry blossom season, incorporating many Filipino traditions into their day in honor of Carl’s Filipino heritage.  Of course, they couldn’t resist a few portraits under those gorgeous cherry blossoms and I totally get it, I can’t wait for this year’s cherry blossoms to make their appearance in just a couple short weeks!

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From Toni: Carl is Filipino and we wanted to incorporate the Filipino traditions into our ceremony.  Some of these customs include principal and secondary wedding sponsors and a Arrhae (coin) ceremony.  We chose some of Carl’s aunts and uncles to be the principal sponsors, or godparents, of our wedding.  We chose our bridesmaids and our groomsmen to be our secondary wedding sponsors and gave each couple a specific function: lighting of the unity candle, putting on the veil and the cord.  Additionally, the arras symbolizes 14 tenets of an enduring marriage, which include: love, harmony, cooperation, commitment, peace, happiness, trust, respect, caring, wisdom, joy, wholeness, and nurturing.

 

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Carl and I wanted a relatively simple wedding.  We got married at the very end of March with Spring right around the corner.  I thought it was appropriate for the bridesmaids to wear green.  When I think of Spring, I think of the earth being reborn in lush vibrant colors.  Carl and the groomsmen wore a barong tagalog, the traditional Filipino dress shirt.

 

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Carl and I decided to invest in a great photographer!  Our wedding day was a blur, which is why we were so thankful to have such beautiful pictures of our special day.  Even though it was raining the day we got married, we still wanted to have our wedding pictures taken outside near the cherry blossoms and in front of the beautiful doors of the National Gallery of Art. Hiring a great photographer was our priority and money well spent!

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Instead of purchasing wedding favors, we decided to donate that money to a local charity.  This money went to Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), where we regularly volunteered together.  We also decide to get cupcakes from Buzz Bakery instead of a traditional wedding cake.  We also hired a jazz trio for the cocktail hour followed by a DJ for the reception.

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Congratulations Toni and Carl thank you for sharing your lovely wedding with us!

The following Washington, DC area wedding vendors contributed to Toni and Carl’s wedding:

Ceremony Venue: St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Reception Venue and Catering: Hilton Arlington
Photography: Jan Michele Photography
Floral Design: James Flowers Love
Wedding Cupcakes: Buzz Bakery
DJ: The Lace Music
Transportation: Chariots for Hire

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: Jan Michele Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

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inspiration and ideas  / Real Weddings  / virginia weddings

Romantic Surprise Home Wedding
September 15, 2020

Today’s beautiful wedding is one for the books. Have you ever heard of a surprise wedding? Imagine being a bride-to-be getting ready for a night out at a fancy charity gala complete with celebrities, professional photographers, and gorgeous attire. When you arrive at said event it turns out to actually be your wedding! Fully planned and ready to go.

We can’t even imagine all of the creative planning and deception that went into planning Andrew and Yuliia’s big day but we know it was a flurry of precise timing, some serious cover ups, and attempts to keep her from googling the fake charity event. Not only did they have to convince the bride to wear a full length wedding-esque gown to the event but they also had to coordinate professional makeup, hair, and nails for the big day. They must have done a great job though since Yuliia did not know it was her wedding day until she stepped out of the car. Whew! What a challenge that must have been.

During the intimate ceremony with family and friends in attendance, the couple incorporated Ukrainian traditions as a nod to the bride’s culture. The couple participated in a tying of the cloth, called a Rushnyk. It is a ritual cloth embroidered with symbols and cryptograms of the ancient world. This particular one was given to Yuliia by her friends at her “girls party” before leaving Ukraine. Following the ceremony guests dined at long tables decked out in velvet mauve linens with with the floral runner centerpiece of our dreams. The abundance of pink and purple flowers has us swooning! After dinner they danced the night away and sailed off in a pretty cool yellow convertible to cap the night. Thank you to Awesomesauce Photography for sharing this romantic surprise home wedding with us today!

 

The following DC wedding professionals contributed to this at home surprise wedding:

Photography: Awesomesauce Photography | Event Planning: Illumination Events Studio | Floral: Cultivated Events Co | Videography: Double Take | Wedding Cake: Goodrich Gourmet | Ceremony Musicians: Ninja Strings | Hair: Jouer Lash & Brow | Rentals: Rent E-Quip | Makeup: Lou Stevens Glam Squad | Catering: Goodrich Gourmet | Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dresses: Lex’s of Carytown | Submitted via: Matchology

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proposals  / Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Pink  / Real Weddings - Purple  / Real Weddings - Virginia

Fun Raspberry Plain Manor Wedding
February 14, 2020

There are a few things we learned about our bride Heather, in today’s Raspberry Plain Manor Wedding. She loves dance, loved ones, photography, her now husband and The Capitals. Every single one of these things are incorporated into their wedding day. The moment guests entered the Virginia wedding estate, they knew it would be a perfect day! For starters, on June 15th in Virginia… it wasn’t hot. Check the box for a positive start to the day. Being a wedding photographer herself, the bride knows the importance of a schedule and stuck to it all day! Ryan and Heather had a sweet first look and the day went off without a hitch from there. They shared their love and vows in front of a room full of friends and family. Once made official, it was time to party. Ryan and Heather LOVE the Washington Capitals. How do you pull off the ultimate wedding surprise? Have Slapshot enter the wedding reception to greet all the guests. This is a great way to incorporate DC into your big day. Thank you to Carly Rehberg Photography for sharing their Raspberry Plain Manor with us today.

Whats your proposal story? “Ryan originally wanted to purpose at a Capitals hockey game. He could not get to my dad in time to do that. He did not want to purpose until he talked to my father in person. Ryan knew my grandmother who was 92 at the time really meant a lot to me. When we planned on visiting her with my dad (after he finally got to talk to him in person) he also let my grandma know what he was going to do. Ryan took me to a special place in Chesapeake Beach, Md. in front of the water where my grandfather had a special brick for being in the military (Ryan is in the military as well). Ryan purposed by his brick and where my grandmother could see it all happen as well as my dad. I had no idea he had it planned. I was completely taken away and excited. “

What was your wedding vision? “My vision for our wedding was for it to be beautiful and comfortable. I photograph weddings and really wanted to go to a venue that I had never been to before. Ryan loves historic areas, that was very important to have a piece of what he loves involved. We went to a bunch of venues together and we both fell in love with Raspberry Plain Manor. It had wonderful staff, areas for photos inside and outside. The groom and bridal suite were perfect! It had easy access for any elderly as well.

The colors we picked were a steel blue, light pink, light green, with a touch of gray and accent of gold. We picked those just because they were light and airy. It felt perfect for a summer wedding”

The special traditions we did: “I had my grandmother’s brooch on my bouquet (other family members used the same one when they got married) We did had a special candle for the unity candle. During the reception – We did this thing (that we have done at many weddings) called “tie limbo” where two groomsmen tie their ties together and guests do the limbo. We also had – Slapshot the Washington Capitals mascot come to the beginning of the reception. This was more of a tradition for Ryan and I as the Washington Capitals brought us together and we really wanted a touch of the Capitals at our wedding somehow.”

Advice for couples planning “Our advice for couples planning their wedding would be to take your time, do your research, if you have family/ friends that have knowledge with signs, flowers, etc. ask for their help and advice. For decor such as frames, signs, candle holders; choose ones you can reuse in your home. Selling your used wedding decor you won’t use after is very smart- people are always looking for things. Take a step back and think what are the things you remember the most about weddings. Don’t stress on the little things…As long as you and your guests enjoy the time celebrating two people becoming one, that is what truly matters.”

The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to their wedding:

Photography: Carley Rehberg Photography | Venue: Raspberry Plain Manor | Event Planning: Iconic Event | Floral: Meghan Easterday | Stationery: Minted | Videography: Britany Sulcer | Wedding Cake: I Want Pretty Cakes Inc | Beauty: Best Face Forward | Catering: Gala Cuisine | Bakery: Capitol Chocolate Fountains | DJ: Jasen Vigiantti | Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden | Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Keds for Kate Spade | Veil: veils for brides | Headpiece: Vivid Bridal Boutique | Wedding Dress: Vivid Bridal Boutique | Submitted via: Matchology

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Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Military  / Real Weddings - Summer  / Real Weddings - Virginia

Meaningful Multicultural Wedding at the Ritz-Carlton DC
September 11, 2019

Despite both attending at Brown University, it wasn’t until Ibrahim and Karina moved to New York City as post-grads that their paths finally crossed. Thanks to mutual friends, they started dating shortly after meeting and, after nine years, decided to tie the knot in a beautiful Multicultural wedding at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC.

In planning their wedding, the pair knew they wanted the opportunity to express both of their backgrounds both aesthetically and practically. Karina, who is Japanese and Italian, wanted a unique celebration to honor her marriage to Ibrahim, who is Guinean and Congolese. As a way to create something new and inclusive of everyone involved, they decided to extend their wedding experience across two days. Friday night saw a welcome dinner, aptly named “A Cultural Celebration,” which brought together guests from across the globe; this provided a perfect way to kick off their DC wedding weekend.

The wedding itself was Western in tradition, with added touches of Japanese décor and a West African DJ. The pair opted for private vows at the ceremony, with music playing so that only the couple could hear one another’s vows yet all guests felt like they were a part of the exchange. They did, however, share the sand ceremony with everyone. Guests from all around the world brought sand from Italy, Japan, Guinea, and Maryland to signify their heritage.

From DIY kokeshi doll cake toppers to handcrafted mizuhiki boutonnieres, Karina and Ibrahim’s wedding experience captured their one-of-a-kind relationship through and through. They successfully brought together various traditions, both old and new, to create something that represented each of them as individuals and, of course, as a newly married couple. Thank you to Ashley Atelier Flowers for sharing this multicultural wedding with us today!

The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to this Ritz-Carlton wedding:

Florist: Atelier Ashley Flowers | Venue & Catering: Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. |  Photographer: Violet Short  | Videographer: Tweed Weddings |  | Planner: Lynn Nelson, Bridal Silhouette | Officiant: Alexis Kassim | Hair Stylist: Ali Wear | Dress: Made with Love Bridal

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Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Black Tie  / Real Weddings - Blue  / Real Weddings - Cultural  / Real Weddings - DC  / Real Weddings - Purple  / Real Weddings - Summer

Garden Inspired River Farm Wedding
July 8, 2019

Leslie and Rob had a relaxed wedding day that fully embraced the natural beauty and scenery of River Farm, a fantastic Virginia wedding venue. Their day was focused around family, with their nieces and nephews involved in the ceremony that highlighted Jewish traditions; Grover the golden-doodle even made an appearance for photos and to walk down the aisle. We love when couples include their pets in the big day. Furry fries are our favorite!

Their reception was tented and decorated in clean white. Pops of mint and pink flowers created a soft, lovely ambiance. Succulents served as both escort cards and take-home favors. a nod to the gardens on the property. Pro tip: Choose your wedding favors wisely! “Interactive” favors such as plants and food items are more likely to be taken home by guests. Thank you to Love Life Images for sharing this garden inspired River Farm wedding with us today!










The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to this River Farm wedding:

Photography: Love Life Images | Venue: River Farm | Catering: DC Vegan Catering | Coordinator: Cherry Blossom Events | Gown: Global Bridal Gallery | Designer: Casablanca | Beauty: Down the Aisle in Style | Florist: Bloom Fresh Flowers | Cake: Out of the Bubble Bakery | Officiant: Rabbi Jesse | Ceremony Music: Sage String Quartet | Reception Music: DJ David Grimm | Rentals: Brooke Rental Center | Invitations: Minted

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Pretty in Pink Tented Wedding
February 11, 2019

Lauren & Robert’s stunning pretty in pink tented wedding was hosted at Rust Manor and was filled with a ton of handmade details. These elements were so gorgeous, you would absolutely never know they were DIY! Together, these two handmade their black and white wooden dance floor, oh my gosh! They also created their monogrammed bar, all signage, a custom love story, and even a 7-foot escort card display! We are so impressed! The soft pinks and dusty tones of this color story really gave the day an romantic, dreamy feel. They chose to forgo old traditions, like a wedding party, opting instead to get ready with their families and simply focus on each other throughout the day. Thank you to Alicia Lacey Photography for sharing this stunning DIY wedding with us today!

The following Washington DC professionals contributed to this pink Rust Manor House wedding:

Photography: Alicia Lacey Photography | Venue: Rust Manor House | Florals: Blooms of Reston | Catering: Great Blue Heron | Cake: Victoria’s Cakery | Band: Bachelor Boys Band | Invitation Suite: Paradise Invitations | Bridal Boutique: BHLDN | Grooms Attire: Black Tux

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide. For additional local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries. Especially relevant would be our Washington DC area real weddings.

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Sweet Virginia Home Wedding
January 2, 2019

Happy New Year everyone! We are kicking off 2019 right with a sweet Virginia home wedding today. Kelly and Logan got married at Logan’s family home. Logan and her father took bamboo from the property to create the chuppah frame. Logan’s mother then hung it with fabric and Barbara from Growing Wild adorned with floral clusters.

The couple offered tea and lemonade to the guests once they arrived for the outdoor ceremony. Logan’s older sister led the marriage ceremony. Both Kelly and Logan stomped on glass at the end of the ceremony, in keeping with Jewish wedding traditions. Afterwards, guests mingled on the yard while Jack Ass Flats played live music.

The driveway to the home was perfectly flat, so they decided hold the tented wedding reception there. This allowed them to also use the carport as event space; it was dressed up with a little bit of drape and lighting. The string lights, farm tables and lush decor helped create the Mid Summer’s Night Dream atmosphere they were aiming for. After a Southern-inspired dinner and sweet wedding cake, guests danced the night away. Later on, both brides tossed their bouquets to a group of all the single guests, and then it was time to send the brides on their way with a sparkler send-off! Thank you to Bellwether Events for sharing this at home wedding with us today!

The following DC wedding professionals contributed to this sweet Northern Virginia home wedding:

Planning: Bellwether Events | Photography: Heather Ryan Photography | Catering: Main Event Caterers | Flowers: Growing Wild Floral Co | Tent, Lighting, Stage: Sugarplum Tent Co | Beauty: Makeup by Sage | Cake: Fancy Cakes by Leslie | Band: Jack Ass Flats | Paper: Vista Print | Farm Tables: Elegant Momentz | Drape: Drape Kings | Valet: MJ Valet

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide. For additional local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries. Especially relevant would be our Washington DC area real weddings.

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Industrial Chic Rainy Torpedo Factory Wedding
September 17, 2018

This wedding was actually not Kassie and Richard’s first choice; the original plan was to hold the ceremony at the beautiful King St Garden in the heart of Alexandria. Unfortunately, the rain that day forced them to take on their plan B. The ceremony was pushed back 2 hours and moved indoors to the Torpedo Factory, the industrial wedding venue planned for their reception. Despite all of this, Kassie and Richard’s enthusiasm and happiness were steadfast. Honestly, we think their plan B was pretty darn good. We are loving this industrial chic rainy Torpedo Factory wedding.

The bride says her inspiration came from spring in DC and their waterfront venue. Ivory and blush with a pop of pink, lots of greenery, and navy blue with champagne were the colors they chose. With the waterfront venue, the couple chose to incorporate a slight nautical theme through navy accents and candle lit lanterns scattered throughout the ceremony and reception. They also had bistro lights strung across the entire first floor of the venue, adding a romantic touch to the industrial space.

Other design elements included cool black and white invitations, wood signage and chairs, acrylic table numbers with white scripting, ivory linens with a hint of shine and rose gold and gold accents in between. Their wedding signature cocktail was the Moscow Mule so the wedding favors were copper mugs. What a great idea! Not only does it allow for guests to enjoy the cocktail authentically, but it’s also a fab take home! Thank you to NST Pictures for sharing this Torpedo Factory wedding with us today!


Did you include any family heirlooms or special traditions? Katelyn loved her Pandora bracelet, so I used three charms from her bracelet and tied to my bouquet (an elephant, a cross and an angel). My family is very Italian so for the rehearsal dinner, we picked an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Old Town called Il Porto. As a special, new tradition, I had both my mother and my father walk me down the aisle.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Just try to take a step back and take it all in. Especially on your wedding day but even through the planning process. It is such a fun time and you feel so much love from friends and family. So do your best to enjoy it and don’t sweat the small stuff. Just remember that you are marrying your person surrounded by everyone you love and that is truly what matters.

What were your favorite parts of the day? It actually poured down rain our entire wedding weekend. It was considered the “rainiest” weekend DC had seen in a long time. I was obviously upset because our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour were supposed to be outside. However it turned into some pretty fun memories and cloudy weather makes for great photos! I had purchased 20+ umbrellas for bridal party and family. I joked the whole weekend “make sure you don’t forget your umbrella.” Although we were originally bummed, the ceremony was very intimate and beautiful. The weather was initially disappointing but ended up making great memories and photos! We ended up taking pictures at the iconic Alexandria memorial – George Washington Masonic Memorial – and the photos are so amazing and it sheltered us from the rain!

What did you do for favors? My cousin made 150 elephant buttercream frosted sugar cookies for dessert and my mother brought them from Michigan. My younger sister, Katelyn, passed away 2 years ago and we tried to tie her into our day as much as we could. She was both a phenomenal baker and loved elephants so we used the cookies as a way to remember her. We added a tag to each one saying ‘In loving memory’ and explained the meaning. We also tied her memory and story into our ceremony and our vows as well. Our relationship began shortly after she was diagnosed as terminally ill. Not only was he a huge support system for me, but was also so amazing to her! 









 

The following Washington DC Wedding professionals contributed to this rainy Alexandria wedding:

Photography: Suzanne Jakes Photography | Event Planning: Confetti Events | Floral: Love Blooms DC | Catering: Main Events Catering | Videography: NST Pictures | Entertainment: Adam “DJ LUCCIO” Carluccio | Beauty: MAB Artistry | Lighting: John Farr Lighting | Invitations: Minted | Cookies: Cakes by Stephanie | Guitarist: Chris Wyton | Officiant: Dan Iten | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander Signature | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Shoes: Gucci | Ties: The Tie Bar | Groom’s Attire: Jos A Bank | Wedding Ring: Ascot Diamonds | Submitted via: Matchology

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide. For additional local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries. Especially relevant would be our Washington DC area real weddings.

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