Jen and Steve // Carnegie Instute of Science, Washington, DC Wedding // DC Wedding Coordinator

Jen and Steve toured Carnegie Institute of Science last fall when I was running around coordinating and setting up Brittany and Dan's wedding. They briefly met me and later reached out to see if I'd help them! Jen and Steve got married at the Carnegie Institute of Science on Friday, October 30th. This awesome couple also did a killer job of adding some Halloween touches while still keeping things classy. Jack-o-lanterns were in the fireplace, her bouquet was a STUNNING dark, gothic, feather masterpiece created by Uncloudy Studio, they were introduced to "Thriller," and the place cards had a little extra bite to them (as you'll see). Also, Jen's dad MADE the cake topper and it was amazing! After a first look and some beautiful photos (by the awesome Shandi Wallace), they took full advantage of the venue by doing the ceremony in the round. Cocktails, dinner and dancing followed. The evening ended with a delicious cookie table in honor of Jen's grandmother. It was such a fun party - Jen and Steve were some of the most friendly, hilarious, wonderful couples I've worked with (and Steve can dance his a$$ off which is my very favorite type of groom). So enjoy this spooky stunner of a wedding!

Jen and Steve's Vendors:

Venue: Carnegie Institute of Science

Coordinator: Katie, The Plannery

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Floral: Uncloudy Studio

DJ: Dave Grimm from Bialek's Music

Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Palm Strings Trio

Brittany and Daniel // Carnegie Institute of Science Wedding, Washington, DC // DC Wedding Coordinator

How hot are Brittany and Dan, you guys? I admit, I'm a bit biased because Brittany may be one of the best curly-girl brides I've ever seen. But dang, yo. It also helps that they're two of the most pleasant, sweetest and fun people - even while planning their wedding from Indianapolis!

Brittany and Dan got married on a Friday this November at Carnegie Institute of Science, a venue I'd been dying to work in (and will hopefully work in again this January if Baby Wannen stays put). They used plum and gold as their primary design inspiration, and wanted a really romantic, candlelit evening. Spilled Milk catered a great family-style meal. Uncloudy Studio, brought in by Brittany at the last minute, KILLED it with the florals (seriously… seriously). And obviously we have to thank and give mad props to Shandi Wallace for these stunning images. I loved this wedding because at first glance it seems fairly traditional - but their super personal ceremony and vows in the round, their small DIY details (those swizzle sticks!), their adorable cutting cake, the glow sticks and sunglasses provided by the mother of the groom, all those details really spoke to Brittany and Dan as a couple.

After getting ready, doing a first look and some portraits, Brittany's Dad officiated a wonderfully personal ceremony in the round. Cocktail hour followed, then the family style dinner, a quick cake cutting, and finally dancing (led by DJ Maskell) and photo booth fun rounded out the evening. Big congrats to this awesome couple!!

Brittany and Dan's Vendors:

Month-of Coordination: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: Carnegie Institution of Science

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Florist: Uncloudy Studio

DJ: Mark Maskell

Photo booth: Bash Booths

Dock 5 // DC event space

Last week I attended the launch of Dock 5, a great new event space in DC. Dock 5 is a very raw, warehouse-type space, and features over 12,000 square feet, 22’ high ceilings and glass garage doors. The venue is directly above the artisanal marketplace, Union Market, which houses over 30 of the top food producers in the region. By the way, the excellent photos, below, are taken by Mary Kate McKenna - the bad ones are by me (I was having too much fun to focus - isn't that the sign of a good party?)

It was a really fun event. Buffalo Bergen provided wonderful cocktails and sodas. Dolcezzo Gelato had a Gelato truck with a choice of salted caramel gelato and blood orange sorbet.  Spilled Milk catering provided tasty passed hors d'oeuvres - but my favorite item was the bacon garden in which candied, spicy bacon was available on a stick. It was awesome. I've decided all events should now have bacon on a stick.

Rappahonnock Oysters also had a raw oyster bar (delicious and decadent) and we may or may not have taken some of Spilled Milk's bacon and used it as a topper on an oyster. Just saying. Maybe. And maybe it was delicious.

The space has a ton of possibilities. It is quite raw, so one definitely needs to consider lighting, decor, and furniture to create various spaces and help create a flow for your evening. The huge bonus is that it's very large for DC - it's hard to find venues this size in the area, so anyone with a large guest list and a modern sensibility should definitely check it out.

Big thanks to Dock 5 and the whole team for a really fun evening!

p.s. Sarah of Val & Sarah also most definitely created the next bridal trend. Two words: bacon bouquet