You can tell I'm rusty at blogging. I didn't take my normal wedding shots so had to steal many a FaceBook picture from the sister of the bride and sweet Melissa. Thanks in advance guys.
Ali got ready at the Sulgrave Club with her cute, smart and really fun bridesmaids. Her dear friend David reminded her that it was gay pride weekend. She was in the heart of Dupont Circle getting ready. Nary a hot pink pump got in the way of being at the church on time.
The nervous Nellie in me got to the church a little early too. E was driving back in from Baltimore. Poor guy had to do a work thing that morning so he met me in the pew, perfectly on time. I love you Charlie. Thanks for loving me despite my nervousness.
I was a little jittery because I was also a reader. I love reading at weddings. It's such an honor, but you really have to hold it together.
I also cry at weddings. Every wedding. Even the ones where I'm working. Watching Stuart walk Alison down the aisle was beautiful, touching and the moment I lost it in the tear department. He finally got to be the father of the bride, not the rector. Stuart was beaming with emotion and they both had tears in their eyes on that lovely walk to Michael. Photos weren't allowed during the ceremony but I'm so glad a friend caught this moment. Alison's veil looked so elegant. By the time they made it to the front I was using Linda's vintage handkerchief from the luncheon the day before and thanking God we had a four verse hymn before I had to read. By the fourth verse I got it together, wiped my tears and headed up to the lectern for the first reading from Michah.
Micah 6:6-8
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
The ceremony was holy and wonderful. The new rector was adorably funny, touching and knocked it out of the park with a reference to the two rivers in New York City joining, like this marriage. Such a fantastic visual. I also caught Stuart smile with pride to Michael's parents after the choir sung. Christ Church has the most talented choir.
It was all smiles and alleluias as they took their first steps down the aisle as man and wife. Another church friend, Tess, wrote how many on the flower committee cried after putting the final touches on the church flowers.
The guests immediately got into shuttles heading to the reception. The bridal party headed up the hill to Tudor Place for group photos. I love this one of the Koenigs that Margaret shot.
We drove our car from Georgetown, ran into the Pride Parade in Dupont and had to turn around. What a beautiful sea of hot pink up at the Dupont fountain. I've never seen so many people up there at once. We were far enough away that we weren't affected, but it was so fun to see all those people partying in the streets. And we almost got a ticket a half a block from the reception. We got off with a warning. Praise God. We were greeted by beautiful place cards, signatures cocktails, tasty lamb lolly's and the gorgeous big bar on the first floor of the Metropolitan Club in Washington, DC. Franny had the Aperol Spritz signature cocktail and Manhattan's were also a hit. My former boss from The George Town Club was the Kenworthy's contact for the wedding at the club. Loved seeing you Melanie.
This was one of those weddings were we had more fun because we knew most of the guests. Alison babysat for James and John when the kids were little. James gave Alison her first job in DC at a TV station. It was so fun seeing our Baltimore besties at "home" in DC.
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| Photo credit Melissa Overmyer |
Poor E was coming down with a head cold so we scooted upstairs early to take pictures of the ballrooms and find a quiet seat in the upstairs bar.
There is something magical about a room moments before the guests sit down. It's as if the chairs sit up straighter, the flowers open just so to show off and the candles flicker like the wink of a snowman. Magic.
The photographer was shooting these same moments.
The escort cards had a beautifully painted table number with gorgeous watercolor flower details. The welcome card had the same artwork with a little froggy in the corner. Mike calls Alison Froggy because she is always hopping from one thing to the next. One country. One event. One segment. Michael gave the most romantic toast to his bride that evening. He mentioned that when Ali travels he would create a little doodle artwork of a froggy hopping to the next adventure. He did this as a coping mechanism because he missed her so much. He created a little story with each trip. And Froggy is always the hero! It was so eloquent and adorable. Froggy is ALWAYS the hero.
The calligraphy on the place cards, monogrammed stemware, navy base plates, menu cards with the gorgeous watercolor K and frog details were subtle and classic touches.
The grooms cake.
The flowers were so gorgeous on the wedding cake and her bouquet.
We sat at the top of the stairs with a great view of the dance floor. We sat with some of our favorite people in DC and enjoyed a gorgeous meal. For club food no one does it better than The Metropolitan Club.
We sat down with Stuart, James and John for a visit. I mentioned how pretty each of the flower arrangements were and he sort of snapped into the present and said, "Are those on every table?" Isn't it funny when you are so wrapped up at weddings that you forget to look around? It all goes by so fast too. Look around my dears. Especially you couples who may be reading who haven't yet tied the knot. I charge you to sit and listen to your wedding. Take 5-10 seconds and just listen to how much love is in the room. Listen to the candles showing off. Listen to your flowers. Can you hear them telling you how beautiful you are, and that they are there to make YOU happy?! Enjoy that sip of your Manhattan. Listen to the love that is in the room. It will carry you for your entire marriage. It's not just a party. It's a reflection of God's love. The couple is a reflection. The people there to support you are a reflection. Enjoy it and savor every second that you can to really be present.
Life is a journey. Dance your little faces off and love each other for the rest of your days.
As we left, satisfied by the beautiful meal, wonderful music, dancing with old friends and cake in the bar, we were greeted by an ICE CREAM sandwich truck. What an absolute surprise and delightful moment. We got huge ice cream sandwiches to go and headed straight to the CVS for a Mucinex/Tylenol Cold nightcap desperately needed for my Charlie.
If you want to see more fun photos from the weekend go follow the hilariously named hash tag #KoenigsIsWorthy. Also, here is a little video from Magesto that sums up this wonderful couple dancing their hearts off. Sparkle on you darling creatures. We love you.
