grace + david | an elaborate dinner party wedding at woodend sanctuary
/Grace + David’s wedding day made me fall head over heels in love with them as a couple again… they personalized their day to be exactly what they wanted while staying true to themselves and prioritizing safety, family and a fabulous celebration (but you need to scroll down to see the way they both reacted during their first look and how to make a dinner for 9 incredibly elegant and memorable with a few key elements).
If you missed their engagement photos, go see them here, where I share more about the start of their love story and all the sophisticated, silly, sweetness that makes up their relationship! One of my favorite details that stands out and is still so rare these days is that they planned and executed their proposal together.
THIS ELABORATE YET INTIMATE DINNER PARTY WEDDING AT WOODEND SANCTUARY FELT LIKE A DREAM DAY FOR THESE 5 REASONS:
Yes they had a small guest list, but that didn’t stop Grace and David from having a celebration that was full of texture and fancy, luxurious and lush garden party vibes.
Incorporating one of the bride’s favorite landmarks, the Bishop’s garden at the National Cathedral, not only made for breathtaking portraits, but it complimented the feel of the entire day being primarily outdoors in an elegant and stately garden setting while still having covered areas in case of rain.
There were toasts, appetizers, multiple courses, dancing and lounging in a setting that consistently celebrated nature as the backdrop. Woodend Sanctuary has so many unique areas to host the entire wedding day: the tented terrace, grove of trees, portico, great hall and 2 separate getting ready suites!
With an intimate guest list of 11 including the couple and the bride’s adorable little nephews, everyone had a chance to share their wishes for the couple! David’s parents each gave a toast that was full of the sweetest life lessons and memories of his childhood while Grace’s parents recited a poem they created. When David’s Dad ended his thoughts with “now he’ll always have Grace to love him”, I nearly lost it behind the camera…
Grace changed dresses (I love when couples embrace an outfit change to make the reception more easily danceable and fun!) while David enjoyed whiskey in the library with his groomsmen.
But let’s back up to how the day started, as Grace got ready with her parents… here are some of the adjectives that come to mind as the day began: relaxed, classic, timeless, genuine, thoughtful, beautiful, sentimental, intimate, focused on family…
Throughout the wedding planning process (and even more so as we got closer to the big day that was postponed from May to August due to the pandemic), Grace and David always had the right attitude... they found their person and were excited to be married in whatever form that took!
I was so looking forward to documenting their rehearsal dinner and welcome reception at The Hay-Adams in DC with a ceremony and reception at Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD the next day. Then when COVID hit, those plans weren’t feasible. They knew that safely celebrating with their parents and siblings was the top priority and so downsizing to an extremely intimate and elaborate dinner party for 9 at Woodend Sanctuary after a ceremony where both of their fathers officiated, became the new plan. Working with Vanessa of Little Black Book they planned an extraordinarily relaxing and picturesque day that started with a first look and newlywed portraits at Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral.
Grace and David not only saw each other for the first time on their wedding day among the roses of Bishop’s Garden, but they were able to truly relax, enjoy and savor a slower pace before their ceremony since we had set aside 2 hours of time for portraits and signing their marriage license in a courtyard at the National Cathedral.
When it started to drizzle, we moved under one of the covered areas of the Cathedral where there is a beautifully tranquil space to sit and regroup… proof that a little rain is not only good luck, but inspires creativity in finding new portrait backdrops that have become some of my favorite from the day!
Originally planning to hold the ceremony in the tree grove at Woodend, their plan B turned out just as beautiful, if not more, because the garden-inspired florals on the long headtable were able to frame the ceremony views. Nadine DeLeon Designs incorporated pink and white blooms intertwined with greenery garland running along the front of the table - paired with light blue glassware and matching napkins to compliment the blue hues of their summer dinner party, it was such an inviting and elegantly whimsical tented patio ceremony and reception!
As soon as the ceremony was over, lounge seating was setup surrounding the perimeter of the ‘dance floor’ and a warm palette of mustard, gold and pink whimsical garden vibes with pops of blue and greenery accenting the space. David and the groomsmen (their dads and brothers!) enjoyed drinks in the library of the historic estate while Grace changed into her second dress of the evening that was clearly made for twirling...!
Congratulations again to you both and your loving families!! I was honored to be able to celebrate alongside you and document all of the love, support and joy that went into such a perfect intimate wedding - I can’t wait for you to continue to twirl and dance your way into married life!
xo,
Naomi
kudos to this talented vendor team!
design + planning: Little Black Book
venue: Woodend Sanctuary
portraits: Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral
florals: Nadine DeLeon Designs
catering: Purple Onion Catering
transportation: Reston Limousine
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