I have a long standing history of loving Kate Spade. Ever since I can remember, her styles, colors and patterns have always appealed to me. My friends and family joke about this “obsession” and I just keep drooling every time I get the “New Arrivals” email from them that seem to come far too often. And it just so happens there are not 1, but 2 Kate Spade outlets in Virginia- LUCKY ME! Upon arriving to Christina and Alex’s DC home for their engagement session, I notice her perfect, pale blue with gold accented Kate Spade handbag resting on their entry cabinet. I swear, I have a radar for anything Kate Spade or something because I can spot those babies a mile away.
I met with Christina before booking and we really hit it off. However, it wasn’t until their engagement session that I realized how much alike we really were. There were pieces and accents all throughout her wedding that just screamed Christina! I believe my favorite accent would be her DIY Geronimo style balloons. She HANDMADE all the tassels and fastened a different scheme to each balloon. They were HUGE, round balloons in all shades of pinks, peach and red. Seriously, fabulous. She gave each bridesmaid a beautiful, gold, engraved Kate Spade bangle bracelet along with “the perfect red” lipstick. The bouquets were all different and each had a unique navy blue ribbon… some polka dots, some stripes, etc. Even the bridesmaids dresses were unique. All the dresses were different colors and styles. With all of this mismatching going on you’d think it wouldn’t “go” but no, everything molded together like there perfect symphony of color. As Kate Spade would say, “Live Colorfully!” It was an eclectic mix yet, chic, modern and elegant but most of all FUN! And fun, would be the perfect word I would use to describe Alex and Christina. Everything about them is lively, fresh and fun. They are SO happy and smiley all the time. Their laughter and smiles are contagious. I definitely think their wedding was the most fun I’ve ever had at a wedding.
After all of the hustle and bustle of getting ready and the excitement of guests, friends and family arriving, it was time for the ceremony which conveniently was just across the street from the hotel. But before the ceremony, Christina and her mother had something special planned. It is a tradition in their family to do an “Old, new borrowed, blue” ceremony just before the bride walks down the isle to meet her groom. This is a time when family and friends gather and give something special of theirs to be attached under the brides dress. All the rings, diamonds and jewelry are strung together with a perfect, blue ribbon and tied in a bow. I’ve never experienced anything like this and I loved the idea. It was so special and an awesome way to bring everyone together. These things may seem simple, but the fact that Christina and Alex wanted everyone to feel like they were a part of the celebration and get excited about the wedding was so cool! As soon as you arrived into the sanctuary, they had a little table setup with an adorable sign and blue bows. Each guest was to wear “something blue” so they knew just how special they are to the couple. Christina is an AMAZING calligrapher and so creative, so all of her details were so fun!
After their beautiful ceremony and FUN exit with red ribbon wands, Christina & Alex, along with their ENTIRE wedding marched to the Library of Congress. I am so excited to have been there to experience all of the balloons going down the street, the family and friends and bride & groom trotting down the streets of Washington, DC. That is something I surely won’t forget. We did a huge group shot of everyone and a few family portraits on the steps before heading to the capital for some bride & groom and bridal party portraits. We had so much fun!! And who knows how many people took pictures, tweeted, facebooked, instagramed, and you tubed this wedding. Every where I looked people were taking pictures and posing with them in the background, it was so crazy but so much fun.
As you may have guessed, their reception was also fabulous. FIlled with adorable hand calligraphic (is that a word?!) signs, pink peonies, blue ribbons and of course, BALLOONS with tassels! They also had one of my favorite things in the entire world…. GEORGETOWN CUPCAKES! You know I was in heaven. She is such a sweetheart and knows how much I love them, she sent me home with a box :) How lucky am I?! There was a lot of mingling going on and Christina and Alex decided to do a few more portraits on the balcony. There was so much excitement, dancing, and singing going on- it was a blast! Her adorable nephews were busting out some moves too, I was impressed. And if you thought the day couldn’t be more fun, you were wrong. Their ceremony was at noon so the guests were served lunch at the reception. So after the reception starting winding down, a group gathered together to head to “Good Stuff” just down the street for a burger. The perfect end to a perfect day. And I have to say, that is the first wedding I’ve received a standing ovation when I left, ever! That was such a cool experience. I know photography was so important to them and that made me so happy. I couldn’t have had a better experience. I LOVE these two and everything about their wedding. The “Kate Spade Inspired Wedding” will go down in the history books for me :) Thank you, thank you, thank you Christina and Alex for having me! I wish you nothing but happiness in your life together and I am so horned to have been a part of your fabulous celebration!!!!
Dress: Ellie’s Bridal Boutique, Shoes: Red Valentino, Earrings: Kate Spade, Bracelet: J.Crew, Venue: Sonoma, Cupcakes: Georgetown Cupcakes, Flowers: Greenworks, Balloons: Shop Sweet Lulu (tassels were diy)
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