I’ll take a bit of a break from food and recipes to share a couple of projects with you…first a beautiful wedding.

1991

They met as neighbors on Oak Grove Road, Tupelo, MS but the groom’s family moved away.  At the rehearsal dinner the father of the groom said, “I thought I moved to Tupelo to practice medicine but now I know I moved there for my son to meet the love of his life”.

2016

Fast forward…the families stayed in touch over the years and through a series of fortunate events the couple found themselves in Alexandria, VA…neighbors again…and in love.  I was honored to help orchestrate their special day.

The Reveal

The Bride

The bride wore Romona Keveza Couture in Keveza’s signature five-ply silk crepe. The gown featured an asymmetrical one-shoulder bodice tailored into a slim column floor length skirt. The silhouette was transformed to ethereal elegance by a ball gown overskirt of transparent tulle with a luminescent horsehair border flowing into a chapel train. A chrome metalcraft cincture completed the architectural aesthetic. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of mini calla lilies.

The Groom

The groom chose a classic black tuxedo accompanied by a black bowtie with white pin dots, a black and blue foulard pocket square and mini calla boutonniere.

The Wedding Party

The bridesmaids wore Amsale designs with bodices of their choice.  The matte sequined, floor length gowns echoed the bride’s modern aesthetic in metallic black, gunmetal, gold and rose gold. The ladies carried hand-tied bouquets of feathered apricot callas.  The men mirrored the grooms attire.

The Ceremony

Elizabeth Heekin Brevard of Tupelo, Mississippi and Denis Alan John Doorly of Marblehead, Massachusetts were married May 27, 2017 at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington D.C. with Rev. William E. Green and Very Reverend Christopher R. Armstrong officiating.

The Reception

The Reception-Cocktail Hour

The reception was held at The Andrew Mellon Auditorium in the Federal Triangle. Guests enjoyed a three-stage evening beginning with cocktail hour enjoying welcome cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres as well as burrata small plates and a trio of soups.

The Reception-Dinner

The second stage of the evening featured a four-course dinner in a modern diner setting.  Guests introduced themselves to hostesses who found their name in the ”reservation” book. They were escorted to their table where servers attended them.

• Table Shares…Signature Pimento Cheese, Mediterranean Olives, Chow Chow with Assorted Breads
• Composed Antipasti Plate…speck, grilled peach, cornichon, pea tendril, pearl onion, swirls of minted pea puree’, country mustard, gruyere tuile
• Spring Risotto…fresh asparagus tips and fried mint leaves
• Chicken & Mushroom Beggar’s Purse + Beef Short Ribs-dijonnaise ale sauce, wilted spinach, silver queen corn souffle’ timbale, charred cherry tomatoes

The Cake

Created by the artist’s at Buttercream Bake Shop the design took inspiration from the bride and bridesmaid dresses.

The Reception-Dance Party

The couple’s first dance as husband and wife started the third phase of the evening followed by a dance party of epic proportion led by the amazing musicians of ‘Round Midnight’. Wedding cake and mini ice creams cones were passed around the dance floor. Additionally,  Diner pies were stationed including Chocolate Chess Pie using Lizzie’s Grandmama’s recipe.

 

Everyone was offered ”big slice” pizza and sodas as they exited the building to watch the couple ride away in one of the District’s ”pedicabs”.

The overwhelming response surmised the wedding was lovely and a good time was had by all.

• Wedding Designer-Tim Pierce, Signature Designs, Inc., Memphis, TN
• Wedding Coordinator-Laura Ritchie, Grit & Grace, Washington, DC
• Wedding Gown-Carine’s Bridal Atelier, Washington, DC
• Bridesmaid Attire-Bella Bridesmaid, Memphis, TN
• Menswear-Men’s Wearhouse, Washington, DC
• Florist and Production, Amaryllis Floral and Event Design, Landover, MD
• Caterer, Occasions Caterers, Washington, DC
• Lighthing, Frost Lighting Co. of D.C., Washington, DC
• Pre-Wedding Printing, Reed’s, Tupelo, MS
• Wedding Week Printing, Paperzest Design Studio, Washington, DC
• Guest Gifts, Marigold and Grey, Kensington, MD