Congratulations Julia & Chris!
Thursday, May 6th, 2010I have known this bride for a LONG time. I began my career years ago at Wolf Trap and one summer, had a WONDERFUL intern named Julia. Fast forward over 10 years later, and I see on Facebook Julia’s getting married! I email her to congratulate her, and she says “oh, and by the way, I need a planner…” Of course I signed right up!
Speaking of Facebook, that’s how Julia and her amazing husband Chris met, years ago, when Facebook would send you people in your area that you might like. Chris thought he “might like” Julia and little did he know, on a cold night in January, 2010, he’d be marrying the girl he thought he just might have a connection with 
The night started with a ceremony at the beautiful Centreville United Methodist Church, the church Julia has wanted to be married in her whole life! Music for the ceremony was provided by the Cherry Blossom String Quartet (well, not the whole quartet…Julia is usually their violist!) (All photos by the super Liz Hough)
Julia planned every last detail but Chris, a graphic designer, designed all of the paper pieces, including the menus, invitations, and programs!
I absolutely LOVE this photo of the couple, just after they were married, at the church’s entrance. How gorgeous is that vintage fur stole, compliments of the bride’s grandmother?
After the ceremony, everyone headed to the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks to start the party. This Marriott has a GORGEOUS cocktail area, made even more beautiful by the lighting from Swank Audio Visuals:
(Of course, an adorable flower girl in your picture doesn’t hurt!)
Guests found their seats with these winter-themed pine cone escort cards, which were a labor of love for the whole family!
Throughout the planning, Julia kept talking about the “wow” factor in the ballroom. Well, she definitely got it! With a combination of the already beautiful ballroom:
Linens from DC Rental:
More lighting from Swank:
…and my favorite part, the centerpieces! Chris and Julia had three different centerpieces. Two of them were provided by a Wish favorite, Barbara Von Elm at Growing Wild:
And the third was designed by Julia and put together by my beautiful assistants and me! (and which you’ve seen before, as they’re for sale!)
The trio of centerpieces came together for a GORGEOUS reception room. When Julia and Chris had their first look, the bride was definitely wowed!!!
Speaking of wow, I was wowed to find out that Julia’s friend from high school, Sally Kwok, has only been in business as Cake Bee for a year. Look at her gorgeous cakes!
(The small bride’s cake was based on Chris’ design from the invitations!)
The groom’s cake combined the groom’s three loves — coaching youth football, Caps Hockey, and, of course, Julia Sally has a food printer which printed the corporate logos to give the cake a realistic Verizon Center look!
In addition to the two cakes, Chris and Julia had a pie and ice cream station!
As if that wasn’t enough sugar, Julia’s mom baked mini breads for guests to take home, sealed with the couple’s custom monogram (again, created by the groom) and gave them the recipe for the bread to bake at home!
A few more gorgeous pictures of the day:
Congratulations, Chris and Julia! Thanks for letting me be part of your wonderful day!
