This Couple Hosted an Elegant Summer Wedding at a Historical Landmark in Washington, D.C.

Emily and Brian first crossed paths during their sophomore year at the University of Maryland. A decade later, on February 7, 2020, Brian brought Emily back to campus to propose on the grassy mall. The pair planned for an August 7, 2021, wedding with uncertainties of what was to come, given the pandemic, but luckily, were able to keep their original wedding date and host their nuptials for 90 guests (and their dog!) at Anderson House, a natural historic landmark in Washington, D.C. "The house is built for entertaining, especially in the warmer months with its gorgeous reflecting pool in the back garden," Emily says. "It's a historic, ornately decorated venue, but at the same is an intimate, fun, and colorful space."

The couple dove into the wedding-planning process; it was a welcome distraction during 2020's stay-at-home orders. They divided the majority of the prep work and enlisted the help of a month-of-coordinator from Simply Styled Events to manage all the details leading up to the big day.

Ultimately, Emily and Brian's wedding was a formal, but fun summer party that catered to their guests, who traveled from several different states and countries to celebrate their nuptials. Two days before the wedding, Emily and Brian had separate bachelor and bachelorette parties, and the evening before the big day, they hosted a welcome party for all of their guests in D.C. And then it was go time. Complete with a colorful palette—blue, blush, white, cream, peach, and gold—their wedding day was the al fresco dinner party (and, later on in the evening, dance party!) of their dreams.

Emily researched wedding dresses online before she shopped in stores, and could never get the "Swanson" gown by Pronovias out of her mind. The crepe and French lace gown had a mermaid silhouette, lace cap sleeves, and a chapel-length train. She began calling boutiques to find a retailer for the gown, but wasn't having much luck. When she checked with a boutique near her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, the shop told her they were getting the dress in a few months. In the meantime, she scheduled an appointment there to look at a few others. "When I arrived, the store had actually gotten the dress the day prior, so it was waiting there for me in the morning!" Emily says. "Sometimes when you know, you know. And, sometimes there are also signs!"

The bride paired her gown with Kate and Mari drop earrings, Badgley Mischka shoes, and a Sara Gabriel veil.

Emily held a medium-sized loose bouquet with roses, cosmos, and dahlias in shades of blush, white, cream, peach, and caramel, plus foraged greenery. Her attendants held smaller iterations.

The bride kept a "something blue" handkerchief, embroidered with the pair's name and wedding date, on hand for happy tears.

Emily and Brian asked their closest family members to join their wedding party, instead of going the traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen route. Their sisters wore floor-length dresses they selected themselves; the colors worked inside the wedding color palette. The groom's brother donned a black tuxedo.

The bride embraced her grandmother, who was also included in the wedding party, ahead of the service.

The couple's dog, Indigo, wore a floral collar that matched Emily's bouquet. "All eyes were truly on her," the bride says.

A welcome sign with a custom illustration of Emily, Brian, and Indigo was displayed in a gold frame and placed on a vine-covered easel just outside the venue's entrance. The piece of signage later served as the couple's guest book.

The ceremony took place inside the venue's ballroom, where chandeliers and high ceilings set an elegant tone. The couple initially planned to host an outdoor service, but it rained that morning and the grass was too saturated. "Stem & Thistle went above and beyond quickly pivoting, and honestly we think it all worked out for the best!" the bride shares.

Lush flower arrangements in hues of ivory, cream, and caramel were placed on the fireplace mantel, while large stone urns framed the fireplace. Clusters of candles were placed around the arrangements, as well as behind the last row of chairs framing the aisle entrance.

Emily walked down the aisle with both her mother and father by her side as guitarist Phil Kominski played Head and the Heart's "Honeybee." The service began with a quote from Les Misérables, followed by a reading by the bride's sister; then, the couple shared personal vows. "Our actual vows were a complete surprise on the day of, but they ended up naturally mirroring each other. We both highlighted how our relationship and journey over the past 10 years had led us both to grow as individuals and as better partners." Emily says. "Brian outshone me by memorizing his vows."

The groom wore a midnight blue Knot Standard tuxedo paired with matching leather loafers from Soulier Shoes and black onyx Paul Stuart studs.

During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed easy-to-eat passed appetizers like mini crab cakes, lobster medallions, and truffle mac and cheese lollipops. Emily and Brian offered two signature cocktails—a bourbon and honey cocktail called "the Belmont" as a nod to their neighborhood, and a gin and thyme cocktail named "The Girard," a reference to their college days. Phil sang and played acoustic guitar as everyone mingled.

The couple's reception was held in the venue's courtyard, where a mix of round and long tables were set up around the pool. Bistro lights were strung up above; some of the ceremony florals were repurposed for the party, and were arranged around the water for a lush touch.

Place settings featured wicker chargers, which offered a textural element, paired with simple white coupe bowls, gold flatware, and etched glass drinking glasses. Knotted eggshell blue napkins were placed on top of the bowls with a black-and-white dinner menu.

The centerpieces and floral design seen throughout the reception included organic arrangements of roses, cosmos, dahlias, ranunculus, and other seasonal blooms. Foliage included smilax, ruscus, and autumn eucalyptus; live branches added texture.

As some of the couple's loved ones shared heartfelt toasts, guests enjoyed their first course; a watermelon feta salad. The second dish was a choice of short rib served with roasted garlic potato purée and honey roasted heirloom carrots, pan roasted salmon with wild rice pilaf, or pickled fried leeks with summer pappardelle and quinoa paella.

The couple's three-tiered wedding confection, made by Fluffy Thoughts Cake, featured a crawling floral design that mimicked the big-day blooms. "We tried to keep all our guests happy by doing a 'Neapolitan' style cake," Emily says. The bottom layer was vanilla cake with chocolate buttercream; the middle was vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream; and the top was strawberry shortcake.

After an evening of dancing in the property's ballroom, the couple's guests gave them a proper sparkler send-off at the conclusion of the party. The Monday after their big day, Emily and Brian jetted off on their honeymoon to the French Riviera. As for the pair's best wedding advice? Compromise a little, but make sure the critical decisions reflect you as a couple. "That way, your wedding will reflect your relationship, love, and bond," Emily says.

Photography, Jennie Raff
Venue, Anderson House
Event Coordinator, Simply Styled Events
Flowers, Stem & Thistle
Invitations, Zola
Paper Products, Zola; Shine Wedding Invitations; Etsy
Welcome Sign, Miss Design Berry
Bride's Gown, Pronovias Atelier; Garnish Boutique
Bride's Veil, Sara Gabriel
Bride's Jewelry, Kate & Mari
Bride's Shoes, Badgley Mischka
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Amie Decker Beauty
Groom's Attire, Knot Standard
Groom's Shoes, Souliers Shoes
Groom's Accessories, Paul Stuart
Music, Phil Kominski, Dan Goldman Events
Catering, Spilled Milk Catering
Cake, Fluffy Thoughts Cake
Beverages, Ace Beverages
Rentals, DC Rental; La Tavola Fine Linen
Favors, Neuhaus
Transportation, BLS Limo Group
Lighting, Dan Goldman Events
Dog Handling and Care, Furever and Fur Always