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A Collegiate-Inspired Royal-Blue-and-White Wedding in Washington, D.C.

A Collegiate-Inspired Royal-Blue-and-White Wedding in Washington, D.C.

July 27, 2011

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Alison and Chris

Alison and Chris first met at Georgetown University. Though Chris claims he first spotted Alison when she was a freshman, it wasn't until the summer before her junior year (his senior) that their paths really crossed -- just a few blocks from where they'd eventually wed five years later.

Following graduation, they began a long-distance relationship and finally reunited in Washington, D.C., to begin planning their wedding. Midway through their engagement, the couple moved to Providence, Rhode Island. However, they stayed true to their D.C. school with a "vintage collegiate" theme honoring their college sweetheart beginnings and the place where it all began.

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The Invitation

The letterpressed invitation, designed by Paper Moss, introduced the blue-and-white color palette. It also hinted at the cherry blossoms that dot Washington, D.C., in the early spring months.

The stamps on the outer envelope were more than just for postage: The nine carefully chosen stamps helped tell the couple's story and tie in the details of the wedding. Dolley Madison, in homage to her stay at Dumbarton House (the wedding venue) during the war of 1812; Alison's home state of Indiana; Chris's home state of Maine; a LOVE stamp designed by Robert Indiana; two George Washington stamps; and three Washington, D.C., stamps.

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The First Look

Wanting a special moment alone to reflect on the day, Alison and Chris saw each other a few hours before the ceremony.

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Her Bouquet

Florist Holly Heider Chapple of Holly Chapple Flowers created all of the natural, elegant arrangements for the day. For Alison's bouquet, Chapple used dark blue hydrangea, blue hyacinths, blue muscari, blue thistle, blue privet berry, blue delphinium, dark purple lilac, purple anemones, purple monkshood, agapanthus, dusty miller, and seeded eucalyptus. Alison wanted hydrangea and rosemary in her bouquet to remind her of her late grandmother, Rosemarie.

Lace from Alison's great-grandmother's wedding dress bound the handle of the bouquet; it was also sewn into the inside of Alison's gown.

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His Boutonniere

Thistle, blue privet berry, and blue muscari were wrapped in blue ribbon for Chris's boutonniere. His pocket square is from Turnbull & Asser.

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The Bridesmaids

Alison's bridesmaids wore Lela Rose dresses in royal blue chiffon. They accessorized with Ann Taylor shoes, J.Crew hairpins, and Banana Republic earrings.

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The Bridesmaids' Bouquets

The bridesmaid's bouquets were made using Sahara roses, thistle, blue muscari, seeded eucalyptus, spray roses, and dusty miller.

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The Groomsmen

Chris and his groomsmen wore Joseph Abboud suits from Men's Wearhouse and ties from Turnbull & Asser.

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Preceremony Portraits

To maximize their time with guests during the reception, Alison and Chris took their portraits with photographer Kate Headley prior to the ceremony.

Here, the couple pose with the maid of honor, Caroline, and best man, Adrian.

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Preceremony Portraits

Alison and Chris also posed for family portraits, including one with Alison's parents, Jim and Cecily Noelker.

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A Wedding Day Walk

After taking portraits at their wedding venue, Dumbarton House, Alison and Chris took photos around Georgetown University's campus and along the streets of Georgetown.

Alison wore a Paloma Blanca dress, from Jeanette's Bridal. A ring belonging to her late grandmother, Katherine, served as "something old"; the Mikimoto pearl necklace Chris surprised her with on the day of the wedding was "something new." Earrings from Adorn were her "something borrowed," and the Gucci shoes from Saks Fifth Avenue were "something blue."

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Showing the Way

Signs by Westwind Sign matched the invitation suite.

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Ceremony Decor

An arrangement of lilac, blue thistle, blue and purple anemones, blue delphinium, blue veronica, and hydrangea filled a basin outside Dumbarton House.

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Ceremony Programs

Paper Moss designed the yearbook-inspired programs. The booklet included photos of Alison and Chris at age 7, postage stamps from their home states, an outline of the ceremony, a listing of the bridal party, a map showing where the bridal party hails from (they're from nine different states and have lived in 23), and a back page reminiscent of a yearbook's endpapers.

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The Ceremony

The Reverend Dr. R. Scott Colglazier, a friend of Alison's family, came from Los Angeles to officiate at the Christian ceremony. In an outdoor garden, surrounded by 125 loved ones and a Georgetown University string quartet, Alison and Chris wed.

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Flag Them Down

In lieu of a confetti toss following the ceremony, guests waved collegiate-inspired pennant flags designed by Paper Moss and executed by Ritzy Bee Events.

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Cocktail Fare

Following the early evening ceremony, Alison and Chris hosted a dessert reception instead of the traditional seated dinner. Some savory options, like these mini hamburgers with brie and homemade ketchup, were passed before the sweet treats were offered -- even the trays were part of the decor. Here, a framed embroidered design with some of Alison's prize ribbons on the corner.

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Cocktail Fare

Design Cuisine, which catered the reception, also served shots of sweet potato soup with applewood-smoked bacon and blueberry gastrique.

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Reception decor

Memorabilia -- including Alison's 400 prize ribbons from years of horseback riding and track competitions -- decorated the tent. Vintage pennants and varsity letters found on eBay and Etsy were mixed in.

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The Guest Book

A Fujifilm Instax camera was set out for guests to snap photos. They could then slip them into an album made by Adesso Albums.

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The Backdrop

The backdrop for the guest book photos was a vintage map framed with ribbons and memorabilia.

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Postcards

Guests' response cards, which were vintage postcards stamped with the couple's logo, bordered the edge of the map.

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The Centerpieces

Alison gathered assorted vases and trophy cups from antiques shops on Cape Cod and found books at D. Kelley Fine Used Books in Newport, Rhode Island. The vessels were filled with blue or white flowers.

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The Centerpieces

Florist Holly Heider Chapple used ranunculus, tulips, stock, spray roses, thistle, and blueberries in the all-white arrangements.

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The First Dance

Mr. and Mrs. Vinciguerra danced to Michael Buble's version of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life."

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The Father-Daughter Dance

Alison and her father danced to "Unforgettable," sung by another father-daughter duo -- Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. The dance was one of the most special and poignant parts of the day for the bride and her dad.

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All Rolled Up

Alison bought pashmina wraps for the female guests to wear during the reception. She sewed on custom tags (with the couple's initials and their wedding date) made by Peg Bowles of Initial Impressions. And even with a surprise flood the week prior to the wedding, DIY-er Alison was able to finish the task -- on the drive down to Washington, D.C., with a flashlight hanging from her neck.

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The Desserts

Root beer floats were passed later in the evening. Other desserts included baked Alaska brownie sticks with torched meringue; demi creme brulees with caramelized-sugar crust and strawberries; and rustic blueberry, cherry, and apple tarts.

A gelato stand offered three homemade gelatos scooped to order, a cheese board held crispy crackers and bread, and a fruit display included freshly whipped cream and raspberry puree.

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The Cake

Ritzy Bee Events worked closely with Design Cuisine on the look of the wedding cake. The two-tier key lime cake with blueberry filling reflected both Alison's childhood trips to South Carolina and Chris's home state of Maine. The postage stamps from the invitation were replicated on the fondant. A tiny vintage trophy topped the confection.

Alison and Chris cut the cake with servers belonging to his grandparents, Dorothy and Louis, who were unable to travel to the wedding.

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The Cake

Like hand-cancelled stamps on an envelope, a circle with the couple's names and "April 10, 2010" -- the wedding date -- decorated the base of the cake.

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The Favors

Iced cookies, made by Design Cuisine, were in the shapes of the bride and groom's home states.

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The Favors

The cookie favors were packaged in cellophane bags with small buttons, which were designed by Paper Moss and produced by Just Buttons.

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The Crowd

Fellow Georgetown University alumni joined together to sing the college's fight song.

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The Getaway

Guests, with ribbons and pennants, assembled in two rows on the front lawn. The newlyweds ran through the rows at the reception's conclusion.

For her getaway, Alison changed into an ivory version of the Lela Rose dress worn by her bridesmaids; she purchased it from The Bride Room.

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Sources

Photography: Kate Headley Photography
Event Design and Planning: Ritzy Bee Events
Florist: Holly Heider Chapple of Holly Chapple Flowers
Hair and Makeup: Andre Chreky/The Salon Spa
Veil: Paloma Blanca
Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands: Diamonds Direct
Rentals: DC Rental
Reception Music: Chris Laich Music Services
Calligraphy: Judy McCabe of Write for You Calligraphy

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A Collegiate-Inspired Royal-Blue-and-White Wedding in Washington, D.C.

1 of 35

Alison and Chris

1 of 35

2 of 35

The Invitation

2 of 35

3 of 35

The First Look

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4 of 35

Her Bouquet

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5 of 35

His Boutonniere

5 of 35

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The Bridesmaids

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The Bridesmaids' Bouquets

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The Groomsmen

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Preceremony Portraits

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Preceremony Portraits

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A Wedding Day Walk

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12 of 35

Showing the Way

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Ceremony Decor

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Ceremony Programs

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The Ceremony

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Flag Them Down

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Cocktail Fare

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Cocktail Fare

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Reception decor

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The Guest Book

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The Backdrop

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Postcards

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The Centerpieces

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The Centerpieces

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The First Dance

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The Father-Daughter Dance