Post-Elopement Celebration at the Newseum

Fusion wedding, Real Wedding1 Comment

Our clients wanted to elope. They also wanted to celebrate a bit with their friends and family. So they did both! We had a blast planning and designing this celebration. We didn’t even call it a wedding.

Our clients wanted a cocktail style reception with no formal seating and not too much structure to the evening in general. With a combination of low cocktail tables, hightops, sofas, bar tables and long kings tables, we were able to provide sufficient seating without using traditional round tables (check out the floorplan below). We also had a rolling display of their elopement photos. We had two rooms to work with and so one room became a more relaxing lounge space while the other had a more upbeat feel with the bar and the dance floor.

From a design perspective, our couple wanted a warm feel with elements inspired by nature, mixed with rich jewel tone colors and a splash of Indian inspired motifs to honor the bride’s heritage. Variety was the name of the game when it came to the food and beverage options. At the bar, guests could choose from 4 signature cocktails, 5 craft beers, 2 scotches, in addition to standard beverage options. They served a delicious selection of passed hors d’oeuvres and desserts, as well as savory stations.

All photos by Amber Wilkie unless otherwise stated. Enjoy! Vicky

Newseum 7th floor wedding reception cocktail style
In one room, we created an intimate lounge with comfortable leather sofas and wood coffee tables from AFR, below the slideshow of photo from the couple’s elopement. I also loved the lighting gobo the lighting designer at the Newseum found for us to inject a bit of an Indian flavor. Photo: Vicky Choy
AFR event furniture rental Newseum rustic jewel tones leather
In a larger adjacent room, we continued with the same leather sofas from AFR around the white dance floor. Photo: Amber Wilkie
Newseum 7th floor wedding reception organic wood barnwood grey bar
My favorite bar design to-date! We situated the square, gray barnwood bar in the center of the room. On the left and right sides of the bar are tables where guests can sit in pub height chairs and “belly up” to the bar.” I also loved the ceiling treatment Studio DBI designed for us. Bar: Perfect Settings. Photo: Amber Wilkie

For another shot of that awesome bar, click here.

Newseum Washington DC Wolfgang Puck Catering wedding bar scotch
Our clients were into their beer and scotch and those were highlighted in the choices for their guests. Photo: Amber Wilkie
AFR Vermont table Newseum wedding
We used two of AFR’s Vermont tables for communal seating, especially for elderly guests. Studio DBI designed the floral arrangements and runners to coordinate with the rest of the decor. Photo: Vicky Choy
Studio DBI Newseum Wedding
Loved the textural arrangements from Studio DBI paired with rattan linens from Party Rental. Photo: Amber Wilkie
Bhavna Naik henna artist Washington DC Newseum party
For fun entertainment, we hired a henna artist to paint henna designs for guests of all ages! Henna Artist: Bhavna Naik. Photo: Amber Wilkie
dholi mastana dc wedding reception Newseum
Our dhol player not only greeted guests as they arrived at the reception but also played during dancing. Dholi: Dholi Mastana. Photo: Amber Wilkie.
Newseum wedding fun cocktail napkins ForYourParty.com
Fun facts about the couple were printed on cocktail napkins from ForYourParty.com. Photo: Amber Wilkie
Newseum Wolfgang Puck Catering textured buttercream cake
A simple textured buttercream cake from Wolfgang Puck Catering pastry chef. Photo: Amber Wilkie
Little Bird Creative wedding advice book guestbook
Another fabulous design from Little Bird Creative. Carina designed a booklet with pages where guests could write a tip for the couple on things like what they should name their first puppy, where they should travel to, what they should do for their first anniversary. Photo: Vicky Choy

Production Team
Wedding Planner: Event Accomplished, Vicky Choy
Venue and Catering: Newseum / Wolfgang Puck Catering
Floral & Event Design Partner: Liza Bourkard, Studio DBI
Graphic Designer: Little Bird Creative, Carina Herman
Photographer: Amber Wilkie & Julia Devine
DJ: DJ D-MAC & Associates
Transportation: Reston Limo
Hair Stylist & Makeup artist: Mandy Hollinger
Dhol Player: Dave Gupta, Dholi Mastana
Henna Artist: Bhavna  Naik
Furniture Rental: AFR and Perfect Settings
Cocktail Napkins: For Your Party
Linens & Other Equipment: Party Rental

One thought on “Post-Elopement Celebration at the Newseum”

  1. 6 Interactive Entertainment Ideas for Weddings | Event Accomplished | Event Accomplished LLC March 9, 2017

    […] look like fun, don’t they? Besides these, we’ve also hired an artist to paint live and henna artists. We hope you are inspired by these interactive entertainment ideas and consider them for your […]

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