Congratulations Rachel & Ariel!

Where to begin with this story? So many interesting tidbits about this wedding. Rachel & Ariel are both lawyers. Ariel's whole family is musically gifted (more on this later). The only word I can think of for how I would describe the planning of this wedding was: adventurous!

Site: Decatur House, DC
Caterer: Basikneads & chocolate fountain by The Chocolate Chick
Photographer: David Lee & Dana Romanoff (friend of the bride & groom)
DJ: Brad Hill
Floral Designer: Greenworks Cynthia Kim was our designer and was awesome! First, Rachel didn't decide that she wanted some flowers until just 2 weeks before the wedding. Cynthia squeezed us in with very little direction and came up with some gorgeous arrangements. See photo below.

This was one of the most memorial and special ceremonies I've ever witnessed. First, 2 of Ariel's friends from high school and his stepfather taught the guests how to sing the Kol Ha Neshamah in rounds. Once the guests got the hang of it, we started the processional as the song continued. Then, Ariel's father played an excerpt from Klezmers' Wedding Music on his violin. Followed by traditional Jewish ceremonial parts. As Rachel & Ariel did the Hakaphah (circling), 8 of Ariel's friends sang Dodi Li in a capella. All incredibly moving. [At the rehearsal, I had heard the acapella and it literally gave me goosebumps.]

Rabbi Biber had this chuppah structure created (it came along with tech support .. ha ha!) but it's a bit plain. So Rachel & Ariel literally handed me the pieces and a bolt of fabric and asked me to do my magic. OK! I experimented with covering the poles in shear fabric while using their personal tallits (prayer shawls) as the top covering. It wasn't bad except the tallits didn't exactly cover the whole top, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a canopy. Take #2. Wouldn't you know it! I just happen to have some sticks that I got from Laura at Soiree Special Events just a week or 2 ago. I was able to reuse them as covering for the poles, lending a more natural look which worked really well in the setting of the Decatur courtyard.

Attempt #1Attempt #2 - Better.

After dinner, waiters passed out chocolate truffles made with love from one of Rachel & Ariel's friend Justine Pringle of Nunu Chocolates.

Guests LOVED the candy bar! Everybody scooped some on their way out! One of Rachel's bridesmaids provided the candy.

The amber-lit tent over the courtyard at Decatur House. Rachel & Ariel are seated in the center of the photo while listening to the toasts.

The ever-popular polaroid guestbook. I usually have someone designated as the picture-taker. This was a DIY version where everybody took their own pictures and it worked out great also!

The buffet arrangement by Greenworks.

The Carriage House of the Decatur House, all set up for the cocktail hour. We used a mix of brown and orange crush type tablecloth on all the tables. Very iridescent and festive.

eaTips: If you are having food stations or a heavy hors d'oeuvre reception (i.e. stir fry station, grilling station), spread the stations around so that the guests don't create a traffic jam at one station. You may also want to consider two smaller bars. Guests love to congregate around the bar. Also for heavy hors d'oeuvres, think about seating. This style of reception typically does not have seating for everyone. Is that going to be an issue for your guests? Contact us and we can help you design your event to make sure all your guests are comfortable!