Kathryn and Jon's Rustic Rooftop Wedding in D.C.

The Couple

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcbg001-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

"Without any number of other love stories, we would never have been able to have our own," says management consultant Kathryn Bailey of her romance with Jon Bellish, a program development manager. Which is why when planning their fall 2013 wedding, she had each invitation envelope lined with a copy of a love letter written by her great-grandfather in the 1880s to his future wife. It's also why, after their Episcopalian ceremony in Washington, D.C., she and her groom gathered all 135 of their guests for a group photo at St. Alban's church. "I think of that picture as our new family's first heirloom," Kathryn says. "We love looking at it."

On the day it was taken, their nearest and dearest had plenty to look at, themselves, starting with the sweeping city views from the rooftop Potomac View Terrace, where the couple held their reception (though the pair met on a ski trip in Vail, Colorado, and now live in Denver, Kathryn grew up in D.C.). "It's on the National Mall, so you could see almost every monument, from Arlington National Cemetery to the Jefferson Memorial," recalls Jon.

Before tucking into beet and asparagus ravioli, beef tenderloin, and pistachio-crusted halibut, revelers sipped locally brewed beer—a particular thrill for the newlyweds. "Kathryn's high-school history teacher made it," says Jon. "For Coloradans, the only thing better than beer being brewed nearby is knowing the person who did it." (That wouldn't be the only suds-fueled highlight. Postparty, at a nearby bar, Jon's younger brother challenged Kathryn to a beer-chugging contest, which was judged by the priest who had just performed the ceremony. "She lost," says Jon. "That time!")

After dinner came dancing—and an impromptu performance from the groom, who hopped onstage toward the end of the night to play bass with the band on Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic." It was a high point for Kathryn, though Jon singles out a different moment as his most memorable: "I looked around and realized that everyone I care about was there." Well, almost. They didn't know it then, but in 15 months their family circle would widen yet again, when they welcomed their newborn son, Samuel.

01 of 14

The Fashions

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcbg008-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

One of the first things Kathryn, in Vera Wang, noticed about Jon, in a Jos. A. Bank suit: "He's perpetually in a good mood!"

02 of 14

In Good Company

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcgr036-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Bridesmaids wore pale Alfred Sung dresses. "We wanted all the colors to be soft and natural," says Kathryn.

03 of 14

Her White Bouquet

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcbg005-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Kathryn's creamy clutch included garden roses, ranunculus, zinnias, and jasmine—"my favorite scent in the world," she says.

04 of 14

A Petite Bouquet

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcff060-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Kathryn's four flower girls carried petite posies of garden roses, green privet berries, scented geraniums, and umbrella ferns.

05 of 14

The View

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr001-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

The view from the couple's reception venue, the Potomac View Terrace, included sweeping vistas of the monuments that dot the National Mall.

06 of 14

Snazzy Signage

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr128-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

A hand-painted sign spelled out the brews on offer.

07 of 14

Signature Drinks

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr138-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Along with the craft beer brewed by a friend of Kathryn's, drinks included a St. Germain cocktail and a twist on an old-fashioned.

08 of 14

Special Seating

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr002-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Bay laurel, seeded eucalyptus, and a wooden plaque by Paper Tangent decorated the newlyweds' love seat.

09 of 14

The Reception

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr035-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Tables were set with copper chargers and compotes filled with fruit, flowers, and greenery.

10 of 14

The Place Settings

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr011-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

The couple made the vellum menu bags (holding bread) from a Martha Stewart Weddings template they found online.

11 of 14

The First Dance

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr186-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Kathryn and Jon twirled under Edison lights to "Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes," by Taj Mahal.

12 of 14

The Cake

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr004-s111704_vert.jpg
Leo Patrone

The two-tier cake was ringed with sugar flowers and blackberries and created by Maggie Austin Cake.

13 of 14

Late-Night Sweets

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcr563-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

A serve-yourself churros-and-chocolate station fueled the party postdinner.

14 of 14

Sources

kathryn-jon-wedding-dcbg008-s111704.jpg
Leo Patrone

Locations: St. Alban's Episcopal Church [ceremony]; Potomac View Terrace [reception]

Event Planning and Design: Simply Chic Events

Catering: Occasions Caterers

Flowers, Décor, Rentals, and Tent Draping: Beehive Events

Photography: Leo Patrone Photography

Videography: A Bryan Photo

Stationery: Simplesong Design [invitations]; Paper Tangent [day-of paper and signage]

Calligraphy: Lee Ann Clark

Cake: Maggie Austin Cake

Music: String Poets [ceremony and cocktail hour]; The Source [reception]

Rentals: Perfect Settings; Festive Fare Charlottesville

Bride's Gown: Vera Wang

Bride's Accessories: The Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel [veil]; Siman Tu [veil comb]; Kate Spade [shoes]

Hair: Andre Chreky Salon

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Sung

Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

Flower Girl Dresses: David's Bridal

Mother-of-the-Bride Dress: Carolina Herrera

Transportation: Sunny's Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Dance Floor and Bistro Lights: Skyline Tent Co.

Childcare: Whitehouse Nannies

Reception A/V: RCI Systems

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles