Real Weddings: Monica + Dave

Monica and Dave’s elegant DC wedding has such lovely, personal elements, and a completely unique reception location – a Franciscan Monastery – that I’m absolutely in love with!  Janice from Bellwether Events flawlessly executed all of the events of the day, and all of the beautiful photos are by Kurstin Roe Photography

Monica is radiant in her Ramona Keveza gown and lace-trimmed veil. 

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Monica and Dave were married at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill.  To honor spring in beautiful DC, a cherry blossom motif was featured on their ceremony program.

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After the ceremony, the wedding party took portraits at Upper Senate Park and near the Lincoln Memorial.

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The reception, held at St. Francis Hall, the Franciscan Monastery, was designed to transport guests to an old European villa, with port wine barrels as decor, and ivory arrangements in antiqued terracotta holders. 

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Table numbers were created in the style of wine labels, and Spanish music was played as guests entered the reception hall. 

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Monica’s parents are from Portugal.  To incorporate her heritage, the Portuguese word for “thank you”, Obrigado, lit up the far wall, and the waitstaff passed Portuguese Daisy cocktails, a delicious mixture of port, brandy, grenadine, and lemon juice.

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The following Washington DC wedding vendors contributed to Monica and Dave’s wedding:

Wedding Planning – Bellwether Events
Photography – Kurstin Roe Photography
Ceremony location – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Reception location – St. Francis Hall The Franciscan Monastery, managed by Celebrations by Cara
Floral – Petal’s Edge Floral Design
Lighting – John Farr Lighting
Band – Sound Nation from Sam Hill Entertainment
Rentals – Select Event Rentals
Catere – Catering by Windows
Stationery – The Written Word
Gown – Ramona Keveza
Bridesmaids – Vineyard by Priscilla of Boston

For more Washington DC wedding inspiration and to follow EAD’s two DC-area bride bloggers, visit the Washington DC weddings guide!

*Bellwether Events is one of EAD’s fabulous Featured Vendors. For information on EAD’s editorial policies, click here.