Photo: Anne Robert Photography
"Justin and I really wanted our ceremony to be a quiet affair that would allow us to focus on each other," says Kassandra ("Kc" for short). As the first stop along their three-part affair, Kc and Justin exchanged vows with just their parents in attendance.
Kc wore a dress by Kim Elleen, which she paired with Nine West shoes and a floral headpiece (from Enchantedly Yours). Her bouquet, by Nouveau Fleur, featured craspedia, yellow tea roses, and lemon leaves. The groom sported a gray bespoke suit by Indochino, a polka-dot tie and pocket square (from Gracey Bags), and a boutonniere of yellow tea roses.
After the ceremony, the couple surprised 25 of their friends at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden with the news of their marriage. (Their friends thought they were attending the couple's engagement party.) The "engagement party" invitations were by J Press Designs.
"The National Gallery of Art holds a 'Jazz in the Garden' event every Friday night during the summer, and it's one of our favorite pastimes," says Kc. "It just made sense to share our news with our friends in that setting."
Guests sat on vintage quilts while listening to live music from the jazz group Natty Beaux and nibbling on a variety of cheeses, crackers, breads, jams, and fruit, which were displayed atop whitewashed wine crates. "It was laid-back and comfortable, but a little more upscale than our typical Friday night summertime jazz picnics," says Kc.
About three months later, the couple and 90 guests celebrated at a reception aboard the Cherry Blossom riverboat. "We wanted our reception to feel different from the garden party, and we wanted to share the iconic views of the District with our out-of-town guests," says Kc. "We liked that the riverboat had a bit of a Southern feel to it."
Kc wore the same Kim Elleen dress and accessorized with a navy and yellow ribbon belt (from Danielle Hensley) and yellow Steve Madden shoes. Justin wore a navy bespoke Indochino suit and a striped J.Crew tie.
Photos: Anne Robert Photography
As the boat cruised the Potomac, guests dined on chicken roulade, an assortment of dishes featuring locally sourced vegetables, and a variety of soups, all catered by Windows Catering. For dessert, Kc and Justin served a "cheese cake" assembled by Windows using wheels of the couple's favorite regional cheeses and crowned with a whimsical wooden topper.
Photographer: Anne Robert Photography || Bride's Dress: Kim Ellen || Bride's Headpiece: Enchantedly Yours || Bride's Ribbon Belt: Danielle Hensley || Groom's Suit: Indochino || Groom's Tie and Pocket Square: Gracey Bags || Invitations: J Press Designs || Reception Site: Cherry Blossom Riverboat || Floral Design: Nouveau Fleur, 202-543-8616 || Catering: Windows Catering || Cake Topper: Goose Grease || Cupcakes: Baked and Wired
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