Kelsey & Phil’s Classic, Art Deco Inspired DC Wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Images: The Happy Couple

Sometimes I get wedding inquiries where I can tell from just a few sentences, that these prospective clients and I were totally MFEO. This was the case with Kelsey & Phil. From the Harry Potter style ask, to the jumping on board to guest blog their planning experience, to the mutual love of Parks & Rec, and right on to the shared affection of lists, meetings & spreadsheets – Kelsey & Phil were my people and their wedding did NOT disappoint. So I am super excited to have Kelsey guest blogging today for her own “real wedding” feature. Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day & for allowing me to get to meet your AWESOME family. This wedding won’t be forgotten ANY time soon <3

You guys, I’ve been blogging for Bree for months and I realized that I never got to do her traditional ‘real wedding’ post. I’ve been gabbing with the dos, don’ts, buy, sell, eat, don’t eat, ivory, cream, well now it’s time to leave the advice aside and tell you about the best day ever. My wedding.

Phil and I did a first look where we first fell in love, The George Washington University. I met him there and he put on a blindfold so I could tie his bowtie. Then the big reveal. It was wonderful. We were able to soak in all the magic of the day and the night to come without the chaos.

Our ceremony and reception took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The space was elegant and classic, which was the perfect backdrop for our black tie wedding. Guests were greeted with coupe glasses of prosecco while the Cherry Blossom String Quartet played songs everyone knew, like Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, and of course, Star Wars.

Our ceremony was orchestrated by the lovely Maureen Burke who we found online and she quickly turned into our wise best friend who we lovingly (and secretly) referred to as Offish Mo.

Phil’s groom’s gift was a gospel choir. He had often joked about wanting a Love Actually moment at the wedding and with the stealthy help of Bree and the Howard University Gospel Choir, as soon as we were pronounced, the choir appeared to the surprise of everyone (including Phil) singing ‘Oh Happy Day’ (obviously a Sister Act moment).

The ceremony space was flipped for dinner and dancing during cocktail hour. Guests were invited back downstairs for dinner that included tomato soup with grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, short ribs, and a bit later…a tater tot bar.

Emotional speeches, choreographed first dances, and then, as Bree calls it ‘dance party USA’ and that it was. As you remember from this post, great music was a must for me.