Ali & Charlie’s Something Blue Soirée in Northern Virginia

A Stunning Summertime Soiree 

Ali & Charlie tied the knot on June 22, 2019 in a ceremony at Concord-St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. The wedding was embraced by a gentle blue, adding an optimistic tone to the entire day. After the ceremony, the newlyweds celebrated their new stage of life with a reception at the Mayflower Hotel, arriving to the reception in style in a vintage Rolls Royce. Family and friends celebrated the couple into the night, surrounding them with love before sending them off on their journey of marriage. 

Before the wedding, Ali spent quality time with her bridesmaids, giving them all monogrammed button downs the same color as their dresses to get ready. Ali herself got ready in an identical white monogrammed button down, enjoying the company of her closest friends and biggest supporters while preparing for her big day. 

Charlie similarly spent his time before the ceremony with his groomsmen, who gifted him with whisky for his wedding day. The men toasted Charlie and Ali with their gift, kicking off their celebration of the couple early in the day and showing the joy felt by all in their friends’ marriage.

Bridesmaids wore floor-length, cornflower blue gowns, each with a different neckline. Varying styles of the dresses ensured each bridesmaid felt at her most beautiful while still appearing in a cohesive group. The lovely blue was seen throughout the entire wedding, in everything from the flower girl’s sash down to small details like the ink on invitations and placecards. The gentle blue looked beautiful on each bridesmaid, and especially complimented the bride herself, embracing the entire day with its calm, optimistic hue. Groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, with cornflower blue bow ties adding a pop of color to their timeless look. 

Ali herself wore a timeless, A-line gown with a train flowing out behind her. The classic silhouette and white silk made a simple yet striking contrast to the blue of the bridesmaids around her, allowing Ali to further stand out from the crowd. Small details, like buttons up the back and the sash coming to a bow in the front, heightened the dress’s timelessness and added to its elegance. Ali wore her hair in a low updo, complimenting her natural beauty and emphasizing the strapless neckline of the dress. She embellished the look with a pair of diamond drop earrings, not taking away from the simplicity of the dress, and a pair of shoes the same color as the bridesmaid dresses for her “something blue.” Ali’s simple, timeless look made her a stunning bride on her wedding day. 

Ali and Charlie rode in a vintage, white Rolls Royce adorned with greenery and a license plate proclaiming their brand-new marriage to their reception.

Ali rode to the ceremony with her parents, spending her last moments before marriage with the support of her mom and dad. Charlie and Ali’s ceremony was held in the sanctuary of Concord-St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to the ceremony, a musician in a traditional kilt played the bagpipes to accompany the beginning of the proceedings. The aisle was adorned with garlands of greenery and white flowers, matching the bride’s bouquet and the floral arrangements on the altar and adding a special beauty to the sanctuary for the ceremony. Ali’s father walked her down the aisle, then the couple was married in a traditional methodist ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, Ali and Charlie rode in a vintage, white Rolls Royce adorned with greenery and a license plate proclaiming their brand-new marriage to their reception.

The reception was held at the Mayflower Hotel following the ceremony. The blue of the bridesmaids’ dresses was incorporated into details of the ceremony, with hints of blue in the floral centrepieces and blue ribbons embracing the napkins and menu. The elegant light blue tablecloths complimented the bolder shade of blue seen throughout the wedding, adding a soft touch to the reception. Dinner was illuminated with elegant crystal chandeliers and table-top candlelight. After dinner, guests were treated to a white, four-tier cake with a bow detail that resembled Ali’s dress. 

Once finished eating, guests continued to celebrate the newlyweds with music from a live band and dancing. Ali and Charlie spent the night surrounded by friends and family, spending their first few hours as a married couple surrounded by an outpouring of love and celebration. Genuine, overwhelming joy in the couple’s marriage was felt by all guests present. At the end of the night, friends and family sent the newlyweds off with a glimmering corridor of sparklers, creating a beautiful moment to end the day. 

Photographer: Rachel May Photography

Venue & Caterer: Mayflower Hotel