This Washington, D.C., Couple Took Their Guests to Paris for Their Nuptials—Without Passports

Bonjour Mon Amour

Guests opened invitations, designed by the Dandelion Patch and calligraphed by Laura Hooper Calligraphy, to reveal a hand-drawing of the chapel at Georgetown Preparatory, where Kyle and Gigi would ultimately wed. To play off the Parisian theme, the couple chose a sleek palette of black, blush, and white; a vellum wrap featured the gates to the Astor Terrace, where their romantic reception would be held. A custom crest, also by Dandelion Patch, appeared again on the paper items seen at the wedding, and completed the suite's sophisticated vibe.

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Petal Power

Gigi's teardrop bouquet by Amaryllis Floral & Event Design was composed of delicate white flowers including freesia, peonies, tulips, veronica, and ranunculus, all of which played to the day's romantic feel.

All the Girls

On the morning of the wedding, the bride gathered with her bridesmaids, all family members, who wore Fame and Partners' "The Claudine" dresses in blush-and-cream gingham. To finish the look, each wore pink wrap sweaters and pearl earrings—gifts from the bride.

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French Dressing

Gigi says choosing her Liancarlo wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline, floral appliqués, and layers and layers of French tulle was the easiest part of the entire planning process. "The dress basically found me," she says. "It was playing peek-a-boo as I walked down the aisles of dresses and was nothing like I'd ever seen before. It felt like my personality was oozing out of this dress. I couldn't stop bouncing and twirling, and spinning around!"

It's a Guy Thing

Kyle designed a bone-colored tuxedo jacket by Knot Standard with a heartfelt message embroidered inside: his wedding date. Under the collar, "Gigi" was written in a pink script. His groomsmen wore black suits from The Black Tux.

Dapper Details

As a wedding gift, Gigi gave Kyle a pair of Boones and Sons Jewelers gold French Bulldog cuff links, a nod to their three-year-old pup, Turtle. He finished off the look with a pair of velvet Ferragamo loafers.

A Sweet Moment

Gigi and Kyle didn't share a first look before their ceremony, but Gigi did spend some quality time with another important man in her life: her grandfather. "My grandparents and I have always been incredibly close, so sharing a moment with my 'Oberdaddy' was very important," she says. "Oberdaddy was at a loss for words and holding back tears of joy. I knew he was proud beyond measure." A few minutes later, he walked her down the aisle.

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True Elegance

The couple exchanged traditional vows during their Catholic ceremony in the chapel where they got engaged. "Seeing Gigi as the doors to the chapel opened was, to date, the best moment of my life," Kyle says. "I have waited for this girl and making her my wife is still the best feeling I've ever experienced."

Gigi's perspective is just as sweet: "Kyle was teary-eyed as he saw me coming down the aisle. He kept saying he loved me and how beautiful I looked and I had to remind him we were in mass and we could talk after! I couldn't stop smiling; seeing Kyle was the best moment of my life."

Sweet Ride

The newlyweds pedaled off to their reception in style: on a Surrey bike, emblazoned with their custom crest, from White Glove Rentals.

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Smell the Roses

Female guests received handmade Chanel-inspired rose corsages, which were calligraphed (thanks to Laura Hooper Calligraphy) with their seating assignments.

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A Chic Setting

The Amaryllis team built two building façades to create a stunning Parisian scene that doubled as interactive escort card walls: at one, named "La Masion des Fleurs de Martha" (named after Gigi's grandmother), women received sparkling rosé and their rose corsages. Next door, at "Cigar et Biere d'Yvonne," men were handed personalized cigars and a beer.

Guests gathered in the courtyard for a cocktail hour that was an entirely unique French experience. "I knew I couldn't bring everyone of Paris," Gigi says, "but I could bring Paris to everyone!"

Best Bites

The couple's crest adorned napkins emblazoned with the cocktail hour's menu, which included French faves like foie gras, mousse macarons, and other bites that the couple consistently craves, like mini tacos.

Très Chic

Stylish guests—who had dressed perfectly for the Parisian celebration—gathered in the courtyard for drinks and bites.

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Blooming with Beauty

Each dinner table at the reception was bursting with blooms, including pink garden roses, tulips, peonies, and lush greenery. An embroidered napkin by Bella Lino rested on each plate. All the details were important to the bride, so much so that when Gigi first met with her planner, Laura at Grit & Grace, she wanted to get going on designing the tablescapes right away. "During the very first meeting, I was very eager to start setting the tables and picking our our flower arrangements," Gig says. "I was 16 steps ahead of the game, and we didn't even have a wedding date yet!"

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Dinner Time

A stunning overhead display of roses and greenery hovered above a long dinner table, while black candlesticks gave off a pretty glow below. When dinner was served, guests chowed down on a poached pear amuse bouche, grilled vegetable towers, a choice of filet mignon or sea bass as a main.

After dinner, the newlyweds dug into a two-tiered lemon cake with fresh raspberry cream filling. A pink linen bow from Jefferson Lane added a touch of elegance to the dessert.

Dancing Fools

For their first dance as a married couple, Gigi and Kyle swayed to Michael Buble's "Everything." Then The New Royals took over and played all of the hits. "We never stopped dancing and not a soul left the dance floor," Gigi says.

Merci Beaucoup

At the end of the night, guests took home a Parisian delight: macarons from Ladurée.

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Sources

Photography, Abby Jiu

Venue, Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church; The St. Regis Washington, DC

Event planning, Grit & Grace

Flowers, Amaryllis Floral & Event Design

Videography, Bowen Films

Stationery, The Dandelion Patch; Bella Figura

Calligraphy, Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Music, St. Catherine of Sienna Choir; The New Royals

Rentals, White Glove Rentals

Bride's gown, Liancarlo

Bride's shoes, Manolo Blahnik

Hair, Remona Solemani

Makeup, Blend

Bridesmaids' dresses, Fame & Partners

Groom's suit, The Knot Standard

Menswear, The Black Tux

Transportation, Limos Inc

Welcome gifts, Ladurée

Embroidered napkins, Bella Lino Linens