Michelle Kosinski and Kimbell Rush Duncan's Wedding "Lovebration"

The Couple

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Kate Headley

When Kimbell Rush Duncan proposed to Michelle Kosinski, he didn't get the answer he expected—at first. After just over a year together, "of course I wanted our relationship to go there," Michelle says. But like any good reporter, the TV journalist had some questions. For the next few minutes, she quizzed him on his priorities: "I had to know we agreed on our values!"

Luckily, they did, and with her "yes" on the record, it was on to the next question: Where to wed—and live? Kimbell, an American-born philanthropist and a widowed father of two, had been in the U.K. for 20 years. Michelle, a New Jersey native, was working in London when they met at a party. "We had no idea where to get married," she says. Fate intervened when she received a job offer stateside to be a CNN White House correspondent. "It was a great opportunity, and Kim grew up near D.C.," says Michelle. With their future home settled, the pair chose the historic Anderson House, which contains artifacts from the American Revolution, as their venue, and developed a playful Britain-meets-America theme.

On August 9, 2014, about 170 friends and family members gathered for what Michelle and Kim dubbed a "Lovebration." Before the event, the couple had asked guests to submit photos that captured love in their lives, and after the Catholic ceremony, a slide show of the images played on a loop. In the same vein, the newlyweds requested that attendees stand up and, rather than offer a toast, share their own love stories. "We wanted everyone to have fun and laugh," says Kim, "and, honestly, not to focus on us too much."

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The Stationery Suite

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Kate Headley

Guests were invited to the "Lovebration" by way of booklets that held vintage postcards of Washington, D.C., and a leather bookmark.

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A Worldly Welcome

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Kate Headley

Welcome bags with English breakfast tea, a Harrods teddy bear, and locally made pastries and granola drove home the Brit-and-Yank theme.

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The Fashions

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Kate Headley

The couple and Kim's 5-year-old twins, Sofia and Nikita, posed with a statue of George Washington.

Along with celebrating Britain and American, the couple also honored their heritages. Michelle wore a flower crown as a nod to her Polish roots; Kim, along with his father and son, sported a kilt in the Duncan clan's 19th-century tartan.

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The Bridal Bouquet

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Kate Headley

The bride carried a bouquet of white garden roses, geraniums, herbs, and passionflower vine crafted by Beehive Events. "We wanted it to look like the flowers were just picked out of an English garden, to look messy and heathery and wild," she says.

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The Flower Girls

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Kate Headley

A quartet of flower girls, made up of the newlyweds' nieces and Kim's daughter, wore flowy frocks from Olive & Fern.

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Pretty Posies

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Kate Headley

The four flower girls, who also wore floral crowns, carried miniature versions of Michelle's bouquet, with lavender garden roses as the focal point.

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The Programs

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Kate Headley

The ceremony programs featured a linen cover, each guest's escort card, and a logo of crossed silhouettes of the British and American flags that Michelle and Kim developed for the wedding.

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A Grand Entrance

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Kate Headley

Michelle, in Oscar de la Renta, entered the ceremony from the Anderson House's grand staircase.

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The Ceremony

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Kate Headley

Michelle and Kim recited their vows under an arch of ninebark, olives, willows, and hydrangeas.

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Looking Sharp

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Kate Headley

Revelers dressed in black tie for the occasion.

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A Polish Tradition

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Kate Headley

At the cocktail hour, each female guest was offered a floral crown, a traditional Polish adornment, on antique silver trays. The head toppers were made of vines, leaves, flowers, and other natural bits, such as acorns.

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Intercontinental Cocktails

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Kate Headley

Both British and American influences were evident throughout the event. Pimm's cups and mint juleps were on offer during the cocktail hour.

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Luxe Lounging

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Kate Headley

For dinner, multiple spaces inside the Anderson House were utilized, including the ballroom, conservatory, and garden. Terraces like this one were set up with French barrel furniture and copper and glass lanterns.

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The Reception

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Kate Headley

Square tables, like these in the ballroom, were topped with vases crafted of twigs. The tables were spread out among three spaces for dinner. To keep everything connected, TV screens showed a feed from the other rooms and the slide show of photos guests had submitted beforehand.

"Honoring your guests and ensuring that your wedding is full of what makes you unique as a couple will make the day sing," says Michelle.

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The Table Décor

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Kate Headley

Centerpieces included garden roses, geraniums, scabiosa, basil, rosemary, and verbena.

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A Dance Break

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Kate Headley

Halfway through the reception, Polish dancers performed a polka and invited guests to join in.

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Sweet Treats

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Kate Headley

Honeydew frozen treats were served toward the end of the night. Sticky toffee pudding and pie à la mode for dessert was another nod to the pair's British and American roots.

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The First Dance

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Kate Headley

For the couple's first dance, they asked musician Jon Regen to perform an original song titled "Revolution."

Later, as the couple made their exit, guests waved the countries' flags. It was a fitting sight for a duo who met in England and were just starting to build a home in America.

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Sources

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Kate Headley

Location: Anderson House

Event Planning: Pineapple Productions

Catering: Design Cuisine

Flowers: Beehive Events

Photography: Kate Headley

Officiant: Father Michael Kelley of St. Martin's Catholic Church

Stationery: SimpleSong Design

Calligraphy: Arney Walker Calligraphy

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Music: [jazz pianist] Jon Regen; [ceremony musicians/vocalists] Red Hook Orchestra; [string quartet, classical guitarist trio] MSE Productions

Rentals: Sugarplum Tent Company; Design Foundry

Videography: Suburban Video

Lighting: Frost Lighting, 703-866-5153

Bride's Gown and Veil: Oscar de la Renta

Accessories: Sergio Rossi shoes; Harry Winston engagement ring; Mikimoto earrings

Hair: Peggy Ioakim of Karma Beauty Lounge by Erwin Gomez

Makeup: Leah Margosis

Menswear: Albion Highland

Transportation: Linder & Associates

Audio/Visual: All Stage & Sound

Bagpiper: Robert Mitchell

Comedian: Tom Wilson

Polish Dancers: The Krakowiak Dancers; Ojczyzna Polish Dancers

Silhouette Artist: Caricature Artists Group

Valet Parking: MJ Valet

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