Floor-to-Ceiling Windows Provided Sweeping Fall Views at This Simple, Elegant Wedding in Washington, D.C.

Suite Tribute to the Venue

"I am stationery-obsessed, and the infinite options were too exciting," Katie says of selecting the invitations. "Ultimately, we settled on Chicago-based small business EVR Paper, founded by Christine Ross. Christine creates beautiful watercolor collections and developed the perfect suite for us, incorporating olive branches as a tribute to our venue, the United States Institute of Peace."

Bridal Essentials

The bride found her simple, off-white Alexandra Grecco wedding dress, complete with a plunging V-neckline, at Lovely Bride in Georgetown. "As soon as I saw it, I knew that Jesse would love it, and from an architectural perspective, that it would be impossible to find something that better fit the clean lines of USIP," the bride says.

A hand-tied bouquet, filled with olive branch leaves, red king protea, and blue thistle, added a pop of color to her look and paid homage to the season.

Ready for Her Close-up

Katie slipped on Ti Adoro jewelry and knotted, chunky-heeled sandals from Loeffler Randall—they were the perfect shoes for dancing, she notes. The bride also donned blue sapphire earrings from her aunt and carried an antique silver pocket mirror her mom engraved for her.

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Dressed to Impress

Jesse wore a custom dark blue suit from Enzo with a Drake's of London shirt and Sid Mashburn tie. He also sported his favorite Halios watch.

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All in Anticipation

Both Katie and Jesse were equally anxious to see each other ahead of their first look. Katie says spending the night and day apart in anticipation of the wedding was nerve-wracking, but made reuniting at last that much sweeter.

A Family Affair

The couple had a small bridal party—just four people in total. Katie asked her cousin and brother to be in the wedding, while Jesse had his brother and sister by his side.

Their bridesmaids wore emerald green BHLDN frocks and held the same style bouquet as Katie, just slightly smaller.

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Simple Ceremony Details

At the ceremony, the venue's dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows were the focal point. The duo chose a simple chuppah draped in white, and decorated the structure with greens and rose-colored protea. White chairs—arranged in small, varied rows, which elongated and curved the aisle—spoke to the clean, streamlined space.

Forever Awaits

Katie's father and mother walked her down the aisle to "All of Me" by John Legend.

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Officially Husband and Wife

Jesse's step-brother officiated the couple's service. "[He] approached this in the most thoughtful way, reaching out to loved ones, interviewing them, and weaving together a super tailored, special, and also funny ceremony," Katie shares. "We wrote our own vows and selected two readings that were delivered by our good friend, Kristen, and Jesse's step-father."

The pair also paid tribute to Jesse's religion with a few Jewish customs, including the wrapping of the bride and groom in a prayer shawl, or tallit. The couple's mothers joined them under the chuppah to help wrap them together before they were pronounced husband and wife.

Musical Highlight

"Our photographers took a few really incredible photos that captured the string band over our guests and looking towards the chuppah," Katie says. "These are some of our favorites from the wedding." The quartet continued to play during the cocktail hour.

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Custom Cocktails

Signature sips included "A Perfect Pair" and "To Have and Tequila." The first drink featured pear brandy, bourbon, and cider, while the second combined elderflower, tequila, ginger ale, and lime juice.

Cocktail Hour Details

Among the many special details that appeared at the cocktail hour and reception—including their custom matchbooks, displayed in glass jars on the bar—one do-it-yourself project hit close to home. The couple framed images of their grandparents and placed them around their guest book to pay tribute to the loved ones no longer with them.

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Chic Reception Signage

"We worked with Just Write Studios to design and produce beautiful fabric signage," Katie notes, adding that they use varying shades of green and soft cream tones to construct the seating chart, in addition to the other big-day signs.

Sunny Reception

The venue was filled with cheerful, bright light all throughout the event. As the sun set, the couple wanted to continue that sense of warm ambience: Since the venue didn't allow real candles, their florist Duran Floral Design added flameless candles in hurricanes to the bases of the centerpieces to brighten the space after dark.

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Floral Touches

Large blooms, blended linens, and green-and-gold accents defined the tabletops.

Green Thumb

The custom table numbers, as well as the other fabric big-day signage, blended in with the simple aesthetic of their wedding.

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Streamlined Settings

Gold silverware accented gray plates and crystal goblets at each setting.

Tasty Treat

Simplicity defined the cake—a white carrot-flavored confection accented with small flowers—as well.

Sealed with a Kiss

The newlyweds' best advice for couples? Cherish the journey to your wedding. "We thought that giving ourselves a little more than a year was plenty of time, but in retrospect, we would have loved to linger longer over the planning process," Katie says.

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Sources

Photography, Bonnie Sen
Venue, United States Institute of Peace
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Anne Kelley Events and Design
Flowers, Duran Floral Design
Invitations, EVR Paper
Day-of Paper Products, Just Write Studios
Officiant, Justin Bolois
Bride's Gown and Veil, Alexandra Grecco via Lovely Bride
Shoes, Loeffler Randall
Hair, Roberto Alercon
Makeup, Leah Margosis
Bridesmaids' Dresses, BHLDN
Groom's Attire, Enzo; Sid Mashburn
Groomsmen's Attire, Suit Supply; Chipp Neckwear
Wedding Bands, Tiny Jewel Box; Bario Neal
Guest Book, Sugar Paper
Music, MSE Productions
Catering and Cake, Occasions Caterers
Rentals, Table Manners DC
Lighting, Frost DC
Favors, The Emerald Hound; The Paper Source