Last Spring, I was connected with a lovely Mother of the Groom living in Texas. Patti was planning from afar, and I was delighted to be her “boots on the ground.” The groom – Thomas – is one of three boys. The bride – Shannon – is one of three girls. Their relationship started in college (War Eagle!); they settled in Houston and were to be married in Washington, DC – close to Shannon’s hometown. So Patti envisioned a classic DC event in City Tavern Club, a Georgetown institution since the late 1700s.
And it was fate to have it at this venue since two of the rooms in the house also shared the bride and groom’s last names – The Long Room and The Bliss Room. (Meant to be, right?!) Patti envisioned the evening starting upstairs for cocktail hour, complete with a live pianist and a photo slideshow of the couple, with passed appetizers and cocktails. Then the main event would continue downstairs with outstanding food, desserts, and speeches to toast the soon-to-be-married pair. There would be summer floral arrangements and room for the large wedding party to mingle with family and friends.
So on a hazy July evening, the bride and groom, their families, and the wedding party arrived at the corner of Wisconsin and M Streets. Immediately upon entering, the energy went up tenfold. Seriously, I have never seen a soon-to-be bride as excited as Shannon. She was glowing. And the bridal party (I believe 24 of them!) was so friendly, joyful, and ready to celebrate the night before the big event.
For florals, we brought in recent Texas transplant Mary Ann Blooms who (lucky for me!) is now in Virginia. She dressed the head table with colorful daisies and greenery and a jaw-dropping arrangement to highlight the bride and groom’s seats. Guests dined on a duet of steak and crab cakes with an incredible wine selection, desserts, and cocktails.
My favorite part of any event is the little touches that elevate the design. The invitations by Weezie B Designs had an illustration of the front doors of the building. And one of my favorite touches of the evening were the place cards – gold ink calligraphy on the dark green ribbon to match the dark green plates of the Club.
Such a fantastic evening for a soon-to-be-married couple!
All images by Karena Dixon
VENDORS
Calligrapher: Jenny Paxton
Florist: Mary Ann Blooms
Invitations: Weezie B Designs
Photography: Karena Dixon
Planner: Boxwood & Bloom Events
Venue: City Tavern Club
