This Romantic, Edgy Hotel Wedding in Washington D.C., Was Attended by Just 17 Guests

Kelly and Daniel are mystified that their paths didn't cross sooner—they both grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and attended the same college in Miami. When the duo finally did meet through a mutual friend at a basketball game in 2013, they began a friendship that didn't become romantic until nearly a year later.

On December 15, 2019, five years after meeting her, Daniel proposed to Kelly. He had planned moment down to the minutiae—get her out of the house under the guise of grabbing coffee while walking their dog, have her friends and family sneak into said house, propose, then return to an overjoyed home full of people ready to celebrate. It ended up being a rainy day, and while Daniel initially had a difficult time convincing her to accompany him, he finally managed to get her outside and in front of the Lisa Marie Thalhammer "Love" mural in Blagden Alley, which is where he proposed. Unbeknownst to the bride, the holiday party she was planning for that evening doubled as her engagement party.

The couple was in the midst of finalizing their big-day preparations when the pandemic hit. While they had initially planned a 150-person event in Palm Springs, California, they worked with Emily of Karson Butler Events to put together a COVID-friendly micro wedding, deciding that they would host their West Coast party when they could safely celebrate with a bigger group. So, on November 21, 2020, Kelly and Daniel were married in a private room at The Line Hotel in Washington D.C., with just 17 guests present for the ceremony and 13 for the post-nuptial dinner. With a romantic, neutral color palette, the couple celebrated what was truly most important—their love.

On the morning of the wedding, Kelly got ready in a glamorous pajama set, complete with feathered sleeves, with a glass of Champagne in hand.

For her big-day jewelry, the bride selected a tennis bracelet, right-hand ring, and pearl drop earrings from Mateo. The diamond and gold bracelet, a family heirloom, was a gift from her mother on her 30th birthday. Her cocktail ring, which belonged to her grandmother, had even more significance—unfortunately, her grandmother passed away less than two weeks before the wedding. Though she couldn't be there, "it was really special knowing I had a part of her with me," says the bride.

Kelly is saving the wedding dress she originally selected for her future Palm Springs wedding, so she decided on a champagne-hued gown from Markarian for her smaller affair. She had fallen in love with the garment a couple of seasons ago, and decided to reach out to see if the company could custom make it based on her measurements. She knew ordering it without trying it on was a risk, so she was relieved when the final result fit perfectly. The dress' gold tinsel dots, puff sleeves, and cream ruffle oozed whimsicality; the plunging neckline was accentuated with a cream floral motif placed in the center of the bodice.

To speak to the dreamy champagne color palette, the bride's bouquet from Sweet Root Village was composed with orchids, garden roses, buttercups, and anthurium, all in neutral tones. The posy was loosely tied with a taupe ribbon.

Daniel selected an Isasia tuxedo jacket for the micro wedding. The tailored Italian-made garment boasted a satin lapel, burgundy silk, and a wool interior. Black tuxedo pants, a sleek bow tie, and velvet Christian Louboutin tuxedo slippers completed the look. Kelly surprised Daniel with Shinola cuff links for the big day, which he wore alongside his watch, also from Shinola.

Kelly and Daniel were drawn to The Line Hotel's rooftop for its sweeping views of Washington, D.C.—with the city as their backdrop, they shared their first look. The bride was filled with anticipation—so much had changed since they first began planning their wedding in December 2019, and she couldn't believe the moment had finally arrived.

Daniel waited for Kelly with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Rafiki, who was dressed for the occasion in a bow tie. "I knew she was there when Rafiki started pulling and wagging, which made me really happy," Daniel says. Both the bride and groom agree that they were floored when they saw each other; they immediately embraced and were overjoyed to share the moment together.

The bride cites getting ready with her mother as one of her favorite parts of the day. "It had been a really tough couple of months for my family, especially my mom, who had just lost her mother, and it really put into perspective how special these moments really are," shares the bride.

Kelly and Daniel began their venue search immediately after they were engaged. One of the first locations they considered? The Line Hotel—"it's cool and funky, yet laid back and has so much D.C. character," says the bride, noting that the former church boasts ionic columns and arched milk glass windows. When they selected it for their micro wedding, they had the run of the place; the hotel restaurant A Rake's Progress was closed due to COVID-19, so the couple was able to rent out the area for their ceremony and intimate dinner party.

One of the building's arched stained-glass windows served as the backdrop for their ceremony. The area was decorated with a selection of the day's florals, pampas grass, and white candles of varying heights encased in hurricanes.

The duo framed the property's iconic tilted Baroque mirror with grounded floral arrangements that matched those seen in the ceremony space.

Attending concerts had always been one of the couple's favorite pastimes, so the bride and groom knew that live music was a must, even at their micro event. Danni from Lucy Black Entertainment provided the day's musical accompaniment. Before assuming his position in front of the artfully designed setting, Daniel walked down the aisle to "Best Part" by Daniel Caesar. While Kelly's mother will escort her towards the altar during their larger celebration, the bride decided to walk down this aisle solo, while "A Million Dreams" from the The Greatest Showman played in the background.

Prior to the vow exchange, Daniel's sister read "Love," a poem by Roy Croft, before a pal shared "True Love," by Robert Fulgham. The duo initially planned on reciting traditional promises, but decided to write their own for their intimate D.C. wedding. Drew, a former roommate and close friend of the couple, served as the officiant.

And just like that, it was time to celebrate. During cocktail hour, the newlyweds served their signature drink, a punch bowl of "Finn McCool" (a vodka-infused passionfruit cocktail, from hotel's restaurant, Brothers and Sisters). Since guest safety was paramount, appetizers were displayed behind a plexiglass partition, and were served by a singular station attendant. Hors d'oeuvres included beef carpaccio on potato crisps and corn cakes topped with pepper, cheese, and chives.

While the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, Emily and her team from Karson Bulter Events flipped the room, placing a stately wooden kings table and tan leather dining chairs in front of the stained-glass window and leaving the ceremony décor intact for flourish.

The tablescape's color palette consisted of ivory and cream, with taupe, beige and champagne elements. Charcoal planters held arrangements of dusty pink garden roses, white anthurium, and ivory sweet pea. Textured taper candles encased in tall hurricanes were strategically placed along the table; smaller votives in crystal vases were scattered throughout. A translucent beige table runner cascaded down the station and gold-rimmed ivory plates were adored with cloth napkins, held together by tan rings with a gold button fascinator. Unique turtleshell silverware felt cohesive against the brown-based, neutral color palette.

Menus from Minted told of the meal, prepared by Chef Eric Bruener Yang of The Line Hotel, to come; for dinner, guests chose between a roasted leg of lamb or fresh Chesapeake fish.

Their two-tier apple spice wedding cake from Buttercream Bakeshop featured pear butter and was decorated with textured salted caramel buttercream. A selection of garden roses adored the top of the confection, showcasing the neutral color palette of the wedding.

Although this was not the celebration they had initially planned, the couple says it helped them realize the true meaning of a wedding. "Ultimately, I got to marry my dream girl with my family and friends around me," says the groom, simply. Daniel and Kelly both agree that their marriage was more important than the party itself: "It's about the two of you and celebrating your commitment to one another," says Kelly.

Kelly, with the help of Emily from Karson Butler Events and the Syzygy Event Productions team, planned one final surprise for Daniel—an after-party filled with disco-inspired décor! Their suite was filled with disco balls of varying sizes, silver balloons, glitter, and confetti to properly celebrate the newlyweds.

Photography, Jana Williams
Venue and Catering, The Line Hotel
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Karson Butler Events
Flowers, Sweet Root Village
Virtual Invitations, Emily Baird Designs
Day-of Paper Products, Minted
Bride's Gown, Markarian
Jewelry, Mateo
Shoes, Christian Louboutin
Hair and Makeup, Amie Decker Beauty
Groom's Suit, Isaia
Groom's Cuff Links, Shinola
Engagement Ring and Wedding Band, Stephanie Gottlieb
Music, Lucy Black Entertainment
Cake, Buttercream Bakeshop
Rentals, Something Vintage Rentals
Favors, Ah Louis Store
Disco Ball and Suite Décor, Syzygy Event Productions