Ilona and Evan // Decatur House Wedding, Washington, DC // DC Wedding Planner

August 14, 2014 Katie Wannen

Ilona and Evan hired me for partial planning - so I've been working with them for quite a while. I started with them last year to help them find their venue and nail down all their major vendors. Then I finally reemerged in March to do Month-of Coordination for them. I love this couple. They had some super fun elements to their wedding that made it so personal and unique and they and their whole family were a joy to work with. Big thanks to Chris Zarconi for the lovely photos!

They really wanted to embrace the DC in their DC wedding - so after some separate getting ready shots, they took some great couples portraits and bridal party shots around the monuments in DC.

Meanwhile, we were setting up the Decatur House for their ceremony and reception. As a couple they loved to travel so they used all of the National Parks they'd been to as a jumping off point for the reception. The tables were all named after specific parks, and Emily from Love Blooms did customized (and stunning) arrangements for each table to reflect each state park (not to mention the rocking bouquets you saw above - I ADORED those bouquets). They picked natural colored linens (blue, greens, and browns). Their escort cards were mini succulents, and their table map then turned into a guest book (they got this map off of Etsy, of course, and I loved it! Great idea).

Their ceremony was also filled with some fun quirks, including a reading from "Oh, The Places You'll Go" with choreographed tricks by the bridal party!

This wedding also featured yet another mascot! My 2nd mascot in May! This time, it was a surprise not only to all the guests, but to the groom as well! Ilona decided to surprise Evan by having the Orioles bird come out during cocktail hour. It was awesome and so much fun! Meanwhile guests drank their signature cocktail (a mint julep) while playing corn hole and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Everyone then moved back into the carriage house for dinner and dancing. Main Event created a delicious meal, including a special grilled pineapple dessert station to honor their love of Hawaii. Ilona’s father gave one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard and I’m not gonna lie, I flat-out cried.

After dinner Mike Bell from MyDeejay KILLED it. The dance floor was packed all night long and I have to say - it was packed with people of ALL ages. Which I loved.