Even Rain Couldn't Make This Couple's Garden-Inspired D.C. Wedding Any Less Beautiful

A Vellum-Wrapped Invitation

Stephanie B. Design created the stationery suite with dusty blue ink, a custom crest incorporating the bride's and groom's first initials, and a die-cut details card. Vellum wrapped around the pieces was fastened with a wax seal.

Welcome Totes

Guests received tote bags stuffed with bottled water, gummy bears, chocolates, and jalapeño-flavored potato chips—all treats the couple felt represented them.

The First Look

The rain plan for the pair's first look was just as lovely as the original one—they met in a stunning hallway in the Anderson House. "Standing there, my heart pounding, I was so nervous," Marcus says of waiting to see his soon-to-be wife. "Then I felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned, and I was floored. Abby was glowing perfection and I was speechless. I had her do a spin as I looked on and just smiled, beaming from ear to ear."

As they hadn't seen or spoken to each other since the night before (something they're not accustomed to), Abby couldn't wait to see Marcus. "I wanted to tell him everything that had happened that day," she says. "To hold on to him as we entered into a really big moment that we had planned together for so long. I was so happy but not at all nervous about the act of actually getting married. I was very ready for that part."

Black-Tie Attire

Marcus selected a navy blue Max Davoli Baroni tuxedo, tailored by Geoffrey Lewis Custom Tailors with a black shawl collar. He rounded out his ensemble with a shirt and bow tie from Suitsupply, a vintage Gucci watch once owned by his father, and a pair of Magnanni shoes.

Abby had no idea she'd end up wearing a strapless dress—in fact she had told herself she didn't want one. But when she went shopping at Carine's Bridal Atelier and tried on about a dozen gowns, the only one that made everyone with her gasp was strapless. The Monique Lhuillier wedding dress also elicited feelings in Abby, who says she felt elegant and glamorous. The ball gown featured a deep sweetheart neckline with an asymmetrical lace overlay and a low back. Her accessories were just as lovely. She chose an Untamed Petals headpiece and Aleksa Karina veil that matched her tulle skirt.

A Gift from the Groom

Marcus gave Abby a diamond necklace on the big day.

Her Heels

Abby wanted to be comfortable so she wore open-toed shoes from Aquazurra with a fun cascade of flowers along the back.

A White Bridal Bouquet

The bride wanted a mostly-white bouquet so as not to detract from her dress. The loosely arranged bundle by Sweet Root Village created a garden-like aesthetic, incorporating greenery, peonies, roses, and tweedia, ranunculus.

The Wedding Party

The wedding party was comprised of the couple's closest friends. The ladies wore peach-colored dresses from White Runway and the guys donned suits from Lapel.

Tasseled Programs

Program fans had pink tassels as a nod to the Oriental influences of the venue, and also in anticipation that it would be a warm spring day.

The Bride's Entrance

"My most memorable moment was watching Abby descend the staircase with her parents," Marcus recalls. "It was a magical moment. So often you see brides walk down the aisle, so seeing her come down these large, ornate stairs in her gorgeous dress made the moment very real and very special." The trio entered to the classic Canon in D by Pachelbel and surprised guests—who thought the processional would be from behind them and not down the stairs.

A Beautiful Rain Plan

Because of rain, the ceremony moved inside to the Cannon Room of the Anderson House. The non-religious service was officiated by Abby's friend, who was her mentor during her undergraduate years at Harvard University and is an ordained minister. The bride and groom exchanged personalized vows, a friend read "The Art of Marriage," and Marcus's younger sister read Maya Angelou's poem "Touched by An Angel."

"I really didn't want to cry during the ceremony," Abby says. "But after Marcus's vows, I was really emotional. By the time we were officially married, the moment just really hit me hard. After all the months of planning, we were finally married. I cried tears of joy and it was an amazing feeling." The string trio played a jazzy rendition of "Isn't She Lovely" as the newlyweds recessed smiling from ear to ear.

Cocktail Hour Fun

Abby honored her parents, who hail from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, by having a steel drum band play during cocktail hour. "It made for a really joyful time as guests mingled and danced before dinner." Guests could also wander through the house (which is also a museum), snack on appetizers that nodded to the groom's southern roots and the bride's West Indian heritage, or sip on the signature cocktail which was called a "Bitter Sweet Bourbon Street" (a mix of bourbon, simple syrup, aromatic Thai bitters, absinthe, and vermouth served over ice and garnished with a cherry and lemon twist).

Lucky In Love

Guests found their seating assignments written on blue Chinese take-out style boxes. It was a nod to the fact that for nearly every big occasion (anniversaries, promotions, new apartments, etc.) Abby and Marcus celebrate with a bottle of wine and some Chinese take-out. As this was the biggest occasion of all, they invited their guests to participate in the tradition.

What's Your Fortune?

Inside each box were custom fortune cookies with the lyrics to some of the couple's favorite love songs. The pair's names, wedding date, and wedding hashtag were written on the back.

A Grand Reception

The reception took place in the venue's grand ballroom, where long tables were set with glowing taper candles and low floral arrangements.

Pretty in Pink

Though the bride's bouquet only included white flowers, the centerpieces were done in shades of pink, peach, and soft blue. Sweet Root Village designed the arrangements using peonies, roses, ranunculus, snapdragons, spray roses, and tweedia.

A Floral Accent

To create a focal point in the room, the mantel of the fireplace was decorated with flowers and greenery.

The Place Settings

Monogrammed napkins tied with delicate ribbon and gold flatware gave the evening a luxurious feel.

For dinner, guests ate halibut with a flavorful basmati rice and sumac- and chili-rubbed chicken breast.

Place Cards

The head table's place cards were displayed on petite bud vases.

A Three-Tier Cake

Couture Cakes by Sabrina created a cake with three tiers and two flavors—including red velvet for the groom. Sugar flowers covered each layer, the bottom of which featured a pale blue marbled design accented with flecks of edible gold leaf.

The First Dance

"Our first dance song was really special to us because of how unexpectedly it came to be our song," says Abby. One of Marcus's favorite songs is "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys, but Abby always thought it was too uptempo to dance to during the wedding. After they got engaged in December 2016, the bride and groom went to New York to celebrate and saw the Tony Award-winning production of "The Color Purple" with the original cast and starring Cynthia Erivo. A few weeks later, during a performance at the 2017 Grammys, Cynthia Erivo and John Legend sang a new rendition of "God Only Knows" as a duet. This time, it was slower. The minute they heard it, it was obvious: this was their song.

During dinner, Abby's bridesmaids surprised her by arranging an impromptu performance by one of her college choirmates. He sang an a capella rendition of "What a Wonderful World," a song that had also played during the ceremony.

A Change of Clothes

Abby chose a blush-and-gold embroidered Theia dress with pearl straps for her reception dress. "It was so comfortable and elegant," she says. "When I tried it on, I felt like it really said 'married woman,' which was the look I was going for after the ceremony. Plus, it was great to dance in."

Marcus also changed his outfit. "I wasn't going to let her have all the fun," he says of slipping on a Ralph Lauren Purple Label ivory dinner jacket. "Once I put it on I felt like James Bond," he adds.

Sources

Photography, Elizabeth Fogarty

Location, Anderson House

Event planning and design, Cristina Calvert Signature Weddings

Catering, Occasions Caterers

Flowers, Sweet Root Village

Videography, Sok Vision

Stationery and monogram, Stephanie B. Design

Cake, Couture Cakes by Sabrina

Music, The String Queens (ceremony); Pan Masters Steel Orchestra (cocktail hour); Van Petty with MyDeejay (reception)

Rentals, Perfect Settings; White Glove Rental

Bride's gown, Monique Lhuillier from Carine's Bridal Atelier

Bride's accessories, Untamed Petals headpiece; Aleksa Karina veil; Aquazurra shoes

Reception dress, Theia

Hair and Makeup, Demetress Valentine Glam

Bridesmaids' dresses, White Runway

Groom's tuxedo, Geoffrey Lewis

Groom's accessories, Suitsupply shirt and bow tie; Magnanni shoes

Groom's dinner jacket, Ralph Lauren Purple Label

Menswear, Lapel

Transportation, Reston Limousine

Custom fortune cookies, Fancy Fortune Cookies