Beautiful Ballroom Garden Wedding in Washington DC

Elise and Dana first crossed paths during a friend’s rooftop celebration, where Elise’s interest was immediately piqued by Dana.

Although Elise was “giving her best doe-eyed glances in his direction” it wasn’t until a mutual friend set them up on a semi-blind date that they would finally connect. The spark flew and it wasn’t long before they were planning the next date and the next, eventually becoming inseparable. Dana and Elise were pronounced husband and wife during a beautiful ballroom ceremony in Washington DC. Read all about their love story, romantic icerink proposal, and wedding experiences. Featuring planning by MunaLuchi Coterie member Anyvent Event Planning.

Bride & Groom: Elise & Dana
Occupations: Attorney
Wedding Date: March 16, 2019
Wedding Location: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC

How did you meet? On March 16, 2014, Elise and Dana both happened to attend a celebration on a friend’s rooftop. Elise was celebrating a friend’s completion of the Rock n Roll Half-Marathon, while Dana was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Elise arrived first, and after a couple of hours, Dana showed up and piqued Elise’s interest. Although she wanted him to approach her, while giving her best doe-eyed glances in his direction, he did not notice her.
Elise later reached out to her friend Dayo and asked to be set up on a date with the cute, tall guy from the rooftop. The arrangement Elise proposed was that if he set her up with Dana, she would set Dayo up with one of her friends in return. Dayo agreed to the deal and reached out to Dana, asking if he wanted to go out with Elise. While Dana did not remember Elise, he agreed to the semi-blind date after some light Instagram stalking.

Tell us about the proposal. Elise had been asking Dana to go ice skating for years. On a Saturday in January, Dana planned a date night that comprised of ice skating at the Wharf’s outdoor skating rink and dinner at Del Mar. Elise was ecstatic. Ironically, when she hit the ice she was very wobbly and held on to the wall the entire time because she was afraid of falling. Dana arranged for the ice to be cleared for maintenance when Elise was at the far side of the rink. This plan set up Elise to be the last person to get off the ice. Dana grabbed her hand and skated to the center of the rink and got down on one knee. A photographer captured the romantic setting and Elise’s surprised face. (They used this photo for the save-the-date.) It felt like a movie proposal because the audience watched and cheered. Afterward, they went to Del Mar to celebrate with a few friends.

Wedding Style: Hotel Monaco’s beautiful venue is adorned with ionic columns and a circular dome and we went for an Indoor Romantic Garden. Dana wore a custom tux from Suit Supply and Elise wore a white off the shoulder trumpet dress from Lovely Bride.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We incorporated pictures of our family into the ceremony and it was important that the ceremony affirmed a modern take on equality, partnership, and love. We also jumped the broom!

Wedding party gifts: For the Maid of honor a basket of goodies made up of slippers, robe, Jasmine Gullilory’s book the Wedding Date, candles, and special body scrub by Sabon. For the Best Man a Cuban Cigar and an engraved flask.
Ceremony entrance song: “Fur Elise” by Beethoven
First dance song: A mash-up of “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, and “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” by Method Man and Mary J Blige.

What is your best memory from your wedding? Our ceremony was dreamy and the actual ceremony was very special. It was very important to us that our friends and family actually danced. DJAyescold delivered! We will forever remember when everyone swag surfed for the last song to Juvenile’s classic “Back that A#$% up”!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Get a wedding planner! Anyvent Event Planning was amazing. We couldn’t do it without her. And, never assume that someone received your invitation.