Capitol Wedding: Daniel & Rachel’s DIY Christmas Wedding in Washington, DC

Earlier this week we got our first round of Tim Riddick Photography awesomeness with Marissa & Trey’s Brookside Gardens Engagement. Today, that awesomeness continues, with a STUNNING Washington, DC Christmas wedding with some DIY Christmas wedding themed projects, also captured beautifully by the talented Tim Riddick.

Daniel & Rachel’s wedding had all the makings of a beautiful Washington, DC wedding ~ the groom a Lieutenant in the US Navy, and a stunning bride in lace. They used the Christmas holiday to their benefit ~ incorporating Christmas details into their DIY wedding projects and design. [For more Winter Wedding Inspiration ~ Be sure to check out the guides we created, Part 1 here and Part 2 here!]

Daniel & Rachel’s DIY Washington DC Christmas Wedding

About the couple:

Daniel and Rachel met at a wedding in 2008, where they both were in the wedding party. Shortly after they met Daniel, a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, was deployed to Iraq and later finished out a tour in Japan. All the while they kept in contact. When Daniel returned to the states they had a long distance relationship while Rachel finished her graduate degree in School Psychology. They were engaged May 2011 in Charleston, South Carolina. They were married December 17, 2011 before they again would have to be separated by another deployment.

Rachel’s red wedding shoes are the perfect pop of color for a Christmas wedding!

how much do I love this red, vintage styled bridesmaids dress? … a LOT!

Rachel shares some insight into their wedding details & design:

The wedding was during the holidays and the bride and groom wanted to keep the colors in tune with the seasonal feel. They chose red as the main color with accents of gold, white, and green throughout the décor. The venue they chose was the Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square. They are proud of their connection to the military and the space provided an interesting historical feel as well as an intimate area to celebrate their wedding.

The ceremony took place at Saint Peter’s on Capitol Hill Catholic Church. Daniel lived near Capitol Hill and attended this church every Sunday while he lived in Washington, D.C. Daniel grew up in Connecticut and Rachel in Georgia.

They agreed on getting married in Washington D.C. because of their love for the city and uniqueness it could offer their guests.  At the cocktail hour they offered spiced apple cider and eggnog as specialty drinks.

I couldn’t agree more with their reasoning for getting married in Washington, DC :)

Click inside to see the rest of Daniel & Rachel’s Washington, DC Christmas wedding at the Army & Navy Club by Tim Riddick Photography

Daniel and Rachel had an intimate wedding party. Daniel had two groomsman; his brother, Stephen and best friend Patrick from high school and college. Rachel only had one bridesmaid, her sister, Kelli. Daniel’s mom and dad walked him down the aisle. Also, Rachel’s mom and Dad walked her down the aisle. Daniel’s sister and Rachel’s brother both were lectors at the ceremony.

I’m a total fan of the updated wedding tradition of having BOTH your parents walk you down the aisle.

Rachel shares their DIY wedding projects:

• Wedding Programs: Printed at office supply store and then tied with a ribbon
• Escort card: Printed using computer and hand embossed using embossing powder (white and gold)
• Menu Cards: Printed using computer and hand embossed with embossing powder
• Table Numbers: Printed using computer and spray pained base gold to match

omg this moment between the bride and her father ~ just beautiful

Another one of their DIY Projects ~ Christmas gifts as favors!

Congratulations Daniel & Rachel! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous Christmas Washington, DC wedding with us! And a special thanks to Tim Riddick Photography for sharing his beautiful images with us!