This Formal Washington, D.C., Wedding Proves How Timeless a Green-and-White Color Palette Really Is

Under the guise that they had come to photograph birds in Shinnecock Bay—a Southampton, New York, home to egrets and other sea birds—Will asked his then-girlfriend, Brittany, to join him on a dock, camera in hand. It was the perfect, natural setting for his proposal. Except, it wasn't. The couple arrived to the bay just in time for low tide—but the end of the dock on which Will had chosen to propose had been flooded with a swarm of flies. "Brittany ran back toward the beach and settled on a bench in the middle of the dock," Will recalls. "Clearly, I should have checked the tides before hatching this plan, but it was still very picturesque."

Eight months later, the couple wed on February 2, 2019, opting for an indoor wedding at Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C.—where flies definitely couldn't interrupt. Brittany and Will envisioned "an elegant, timeless winter wedding with our dearest friends and family." They were joined by 51 guests for the formal fête, which Simply Chic Events helped plan; the bride describes the resulting party as "timeless," "fun," and "intimate."

"We wanted it to feel like a black-tie version of the fun parties and dinners we all already have together: An amazing band playing the songs we all dance to in our kitchens, the spiked cider we toast with during winter beach weekends, the shared cigars on the porch, and always having a camera around," she says. "It was all very familiar, just snazzier."

Brittany had long admired Anne Robin's calligraphy and had dreamed of her writing the couple's invitations. Brittany's dream came true: Robin addressed the couple's emerald green envelopes in white ink, writing first names only, "which I don't consider informal; it's personal, intimate," Brittany explains. The couple used vintage stamps—in color-coordinating hues—to mail their Cheree Berry Paper-made invitations.

Brittany's Sareh Nouri wedding dress caught her eye the moment she spotted it. "Other dresses were nice, but when I put on this dress I knew," the bride remembers. And though she kept another appointment that day, Brittany had no question about what gown she would ultimately buy.

Though her gown appeared to be simple at first glance, Brittany's dress actually featured several striking details—those accents are what really caught her eye. "I fell in love with the train," Brittany says, because it's "so subtly dramatic. And who doesn't love a bow?!"

Brittany is a self-proclaimed shoe addict, so she couldn't settle for just any wedding-day pumps. "I really wanted them to match Will's [green] tuxedo jacket, and wanted a velvet or suede—something a little cozier for winter," she explains. "After buying and returning a handful of shoes, I found a pair I liked. I remember being on the phone with my mom and saying, 'I have to go—I found my wedding shoes.' It was love and I promptly bought them."

The green velvet pointed-toe pumps featured a sling-back strap lined in fur.

The couple opted for a first look at The Hay-Adams Hotel, where they got ready. "We were anxious to see each other and excited for that part of the day to start—the important part!" says Brittany. And perhaps because they were so excited, their first look didn't go quite as planned. "He had his back turned and then I was supposed to approach and tap him on the shoulder," Brittany describes. "But because of my train, he said, 'I can hear you!' So then I started laughing and just said, 'turn around!" It's obvious that Will liked what he saw.

Will bucked the black-tie tradition and donned a green velvet tuxedo jacket. "Will is known for his colorful style—printed pants, bright jackets—so I was hoping he'd wear something other than black," Brittany admits. "When we came across this dark green velvet jacket, I knew it was perfect." He paired the ensemble with black velvet shoes and a black silk cummerbund.

Brittany's bouquet by Sweet Root Village—a gathered, naturally flowing arrangement of white garden roses, ranunculus, tulips, anemones, green bay leaves, vines, and gardenia foliage—was beautiful.

Brittany let her four bridesmaids choose their own dresses. "I wanted them to feel great, with their own style, so the only requirement was [that the dresses be] black and long," she explains. As a gift, Brittany gave her friends black furs, "and they all opted to wear them on Saturday as well," she says. It was "an unexpected but great addition to their outfits!"

The couple had their flower girls' dresses custom-made by Patricia Smith in the U.K. "My sister had a swatch of my dress sent over so she could perfectly match the ivory tone," Brittany explains.

Brittany and Will held their ceremony at St. John's Church, where they attend services. They opted for traditional vows; Song of Solomon 2:10-13 and Colossians 3:12-17 were also read.

The couple's ceremony getaway car? A vintage taxi. "When thinking of the getaway car, I wanted something different and meaningful," explains the bride. She and Will chose a vintage checkered taxi cab because, as a New Yorker, the groom felt there was no better option.

The couple hosted their reception at Daughters of the American Revolution, which boasts views of the Washington Monument as well as striking structural details, such as floor-to-ceiling windows and high vaulted ceilings.

Not all of the reception tables featured centerpieces. Instead, they showcased center "trees"—beautiful, green branches that drew guests' eyes up to the ballroom's high ceilings. Candles held in glass cylinders also decorated the tables and cast a romantic glow on the reception.

Menu cards were printed in flat dark green ink on thick ivory cardstock and tucked into a color-coordinating green napkin.

The couple offered guests a special cocktail—a bourbon-and-fig old fashioned made with cardamom bitters and fig, and blended with Bullet Bourbon and fresh lemonade.

Brittany and Will welcomed toasts during dinner. According to Will, "The speeches were indescribable—both heartfelt and hysterical. Stuff-of-legend kind of funny."

Lounge areas, where guests could relax and talk over their drinks, were decorated with plush green sofas and glass-topped coffee tables—and polished off with low floral centerpieces.

The couple's two-tier almond wedding cake was iced with raspberry-rose buttercream and decorated with gold leaf details and fresh flowers provided by their florist.

Photography, Clay Austin Photography
Location, The Hay-Adams Hotel; St. John's Church; Daughters of the American Revolution
Event planning, Simply Chic Events
Catering, Occasions Caterers
Flowers, Sweet Root Village
Videography, Monachetti Weddings
Officiant, The Reverend Bruce McPherson
Stationery, Cheree Berry Paper
Calligraphy, Anne Robin
Cake, Buttercream Bakeshop
Music, Dexter Lake Club Band
Rentals, Occasions Caterers; Something Vintage
Bride's gown, Sareh Nouri
Bride's headpiece, Ulyana Aster
Hair and makeup, Amie Decker Beauty
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer attire, Patricia Smith
Groom's shoes, Stubbs & Wootton
Transportation, MJ Valet; The Checker Cab