Location: Washington, DC, USA
Setting: Historical building
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Number of guests: 126
Wedding theme/style: Glam, sophisticated, elegant.
Lindsey and David’s love story began five years ago when they met at the University of Southern California. Lindsey was in her first year of pharmacy school, while David was completing his last semester. Despite the distance, with David moving to Charleston post-graduation, the couple made it work, spending almost every weekend together. “When I finally graduated from pharmacy school, I made him move to DC with me where I grew up and all my family lives. Now he loves it here!” shared Lindsey. Their journey culminated in a beautiful wedding set in the heart of Washington, DC.
The wedding took place at the prestigious American Pharmacists Association with a rooftop reception at Potomac View Terrace, offering stunning views of the Capitol and the Washington Monument. The couple envisioned an outdoor part with great views and embraced a neutral color palette of white, creams, green, and gold.
Lindsey’s wedding day began with a serene morning spent with her bridesmaids, complete with champagne toasts and joyful laughter. She wore a breathtaking gown by Australian designer Kyha. “At the time I was looking, my dress was only available to try on in Australia and New York. I went to 5 dress shops looking for a dress similar to my inspiration picture, but nothing felt right,” she recalled. Her maid of honor found the original dress from Australia at a trunk show at Garnish Boutique in Baltimore, and as soon as Lindsey tried it on, it was meant to be!
Her total look included grandmother’s diamond necklace and wedding band, Pearl-Embellished Satin Pumps from Jimmy Choo, and a pearl Eos Clutch from Cult Gaia. Shenoa Nicole from DMV did her makeup, and Sarah from Amie Decker’s team styled her hair, ensuring her curls lasted all day. “For my “something blue” my maid of honor gave me a heart with me and my husband’s initials that was sewn into the dress,” shared Lindsey.
David prepared for the big day surrounded by his groomsmen, wearing a stylish white tuxedo jacket with black lapels that perfectly matched Lindsey’s sophisticated style.
Lindsey and David shared a tender first look moment with their beloved dog Wally. The beautiful photos taken by David Abel Photography captured this intimate moment with stunning clarity and emotion. The backdrop with greenery and elegant white marble architecture created a timeless and stylish setting, enhancing the natural beauty of the couple. David‘s ability to capture not just the posed moments, but also the candid, spontaneous smiles and glances, added a layer of authenticity to the photos, making them true reflections of Lindsey and David’s joy and love on their wedding day.
The ceremony was held at the stairs of American Pharmacists Association, a venue that held special significance for the pharmacist bride. The steps were adorned with elegant white floral arrangements by Edge Floral Event Designers, creating a stunning backdrop. Surrounded by their loved ones, Lindsey and David exchanged vows, sealing their love with a movie-like kiss.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a delightful cocktail hour with signature drinks and great views of the Nation’s Capitol. The bartender expertly mixed the cocktails, setting the tone for the evening’s celebrations.
For the reception, each table was meticulously decorated with white floral centerpieces, crystal glassware, and elegant gold cutlery. Wildwood Calligraphy and Post created the wedding suite, including the dance floor, escort wall, and table numbers. Lindsey shared that it added such a special, personalized touch to the event. “Our wedding colors were white and gold with a ton of greenery and candles. Soft glam meets modern romantic!” the bride described.
As the night progressed, Lindsey changed into her second look, a white sequin mini dress with ostrich feathers from Eliya the Label paired with Cult Gaia rhinestone shoes, perfect for dancing under the stars.
The evening also featured a stunning cake by Design Cuisine, decorated with white roses and greenery. Guests enjoyed dancing and celebrating with songs by Sound Connection band that kept the energy high all night long.
Advice from the couple:
• Get a wedding planner! Michele Hodge made everything so easy and fun. She was able to capture exactly what we wanted!
• Try to take mental pictures and be present in the moment because it is one of the only times all your loved ones will be together in the same place. Also, find an amazing photographer who will capture all the beautiful moments to look back on. David Abel is the best!
• Hire a videographer! The video that Paperboys created is really special to have.
• Trust your vendors and let them have creative freedom! If you give them too much direction, I think it takes away from their creativity. They are the experts!
• Have your dog in the wedding. We hired Furever and Fur Always to take care of Wally and they were amazing! Tehya got him to pose in every single picture and it was so special to have him there to celebrate with us without having to worry about keeping him entertained.
PHOTOGRAPHER David Abel Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Paperboys | PLANNER Michele Hodges Events | VENUE Potomac View Terrace | FLORALS Edge Floral Event Designers | HAIR Amie Decker Beauty | MAKEUP Shenoa Nicole Makeup | DRESS Garnish Boutique | CATERING Design Cuisine | RENTALS Allied Party Rental | STATIONERY Wildwood Calligraphy and Post | BAND Sound Connection | LIGHTING 4 Wall | TRANSPORTATION Reston Limo | DOG CARE Furever and Fur Always
