Timeless DC Wedding Inspiration At The International Spy Museum Puts the Class In Classified

^{PHOTO: Sydney Darwin Photography}

Among other things, DC has a reputation for being buttoned-up and traditional, which wouldn’t be all that fun to look at when it comes to a wedding design. So this team of vendors set out to reframe that sentiment. What if, instead of traditional, we went for timeless? Timeless can be extravagant and opulent. Think Audrey Hepburn or James Dean, look at the architecture in DC, all iconic, all timeless, but never boring. Vendors were asked to stick to a mostly neutral color palette and to incorporate metallics and textures to bring a richness to the design. The result–a chic metropolitan affair that won’t go out of style anytime soon. Lauren Dieckhaus Photography, Sydney Darwin Photography, and Granger Creative were asked to play up lighting and shadows in the photos and video to give this event an air of mystery, they were at the International Spy Museum after all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob111nfKBYo

^{PHOTO: Lauren Dieckhaus Photography}

^{PHOTO: Sydney Darwin Photography}

^{PHOTO: Lauren Dieckhaus Photography}

^{PHOTO: Sydney Darwin Photography}

^{PHOTO: Lauren Dieckhaus Photography}

DC'S TOP-SECRET WEDDING VENUE

Located in the heart of DC, just off of the National Mall, lies a modern venue and museum that holds some of the nation’s most riveting declassified secrets, the International Spy Museum (and it's good lookin’ too!). The edgy glass structure, flanked by red neon lights, looks exactly like what you’d think a Spy Museum would look like. In addition to the space reserved for artifacts, there is an entire rooftop space with windows overlooking downtown DC that makes for the perfect wedding venue!

^{PHOTO: Sydney Darwin Photography}

^{PHOTO: Lauren Dieckhaus Photography}

A CEREMONY WITH A VIEW

For the bridal party, the dress code was set to formal to amp up the extravagance factor. The bride wore a stunning mermaid gown with off-the-shoulder lace accents from Grace and Ivory Co. and the bridesmaids wore mix-and-match champagne dresses from BHLDN. Four One Oh Salon kept the bride’s makeup fresh and natural and her hair was pulled back in a perfectly placed french twist with a pearl pin detail. The groom and his groomsmen wore matching black suits and black and gray neckties. The groom’s long locks were pulled back into a sleek man bun. Held on the top floor of the museum, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of the rooftop terrace and city skyline, the ceremony began just before sunset. Guests were seated in gold Chiavari chairs and the couple exchanged vows under an oversized floral arch that was bursting with white blooms!

^{PHOTO: Sydney Darwin Photography}

^{PHOTO: Lauren Dieckhaus Photography}

A FEAST FOR THE EYES

Guests then made their way to the reception where fun photo booths and live entertainment awaited them. The tables were set with gold beaded glass chargers, gold and black tapered candles, and a mix of clear and smoked glass wine glasses. Each table featured a different set of gold chairs that added a little extra opulence. The floral arrangements on the tables were kept to a white and green color palette and ranged from tall and modern and short and sprawling to an entire floral canopy that ran the length of one table. Guests feasted on macarons and a selection of fine cheeses. When the party started to wind down, guests met the happy couple outside of the museum for a touching sparkler send-off.