AUBREY GARTLAN & EVAN ALLEN
The bride wore the Tess dress from Rita Vinieris.
February 4, 2023
Grand Ballroom, Willard Hotel, Washington, DC
Photographed by Kristen Gardner
THE COUPLE Local 16, a long-gone DC bar, set the stage for an unassuming Saturday night with friends in 2018. At least that’s how Aubrey Gartlan remembers it, as she nudged her friend at the sight of Evan Allen across the bar and said, “That guy is my type.” She boldly introduced herself to him. “We like to say we found love in a hopeless place!” says Aubrey, laughing. “We immediately hit it off, going on our first date the following Thursday.” Their worlds meshed perfectly, and soon the duo became inseparable. During the pandemic, both worked remotely and traveled through the Mountain West until June 2021. On the East Coast, Evan booked a trip to Ashville for Aubrey’s birthday. “Little did I know, he was planning to propose,” she says. “We spent three nights in Asheville, and he popped the question on Saturday morning as we walked around the Biltmore estate.”
Aubrey and Evan emerge from the Willard Hotel, all smiles and ready for a new life as guests wave gold pom-poms
THE PARTY For their big day, the couple chose the grand ballroom at the Willard Hotel. “Making the day easy on our guests was our priority,” says Aubrey. The couple read each other personalized vows during their first look, including an excerpt from A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh: “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you …” The reception, led by a live band, rocked deep into the night. The ivory, gold, and green theme (with orchids, French tulips, and spray roses as centerpieces) complemented the ornate spaces at the Willard and offered a romantic vibe during the winter nuptials.
The gold place settings set the elegant mood of reception, whose theme was ivory, gold and green
“After speeches concluded, we invited everyone onto the dance floor for a big group photo, and the band immediately started playing their first set following dinner, beginning with the song ‘Everybody Dance Now.’ It was the perfect way to get everyone out on the dance floor,” says Aubrey. “Our band brought the energy, but our friends and family brought their dancing shoes!”
The culinary team at the Willard Hotel created a magnificent five-tier cake with Aubrey’s figurine standing triumphantly at the top.
THE HONEYMOON The couple embarked on a trip to Africa, starting in Cape Town, then a safari in the Kalahari Desert and Sabi Sands. They ended the whirlwind honeymoon on Benguerra Island in Mozambique.
The bride notes that the dancing at the winter wedding never stopped, propelled by 76 Degrees West, one of the best live bands in the region
Wedding Planner Molly Radigan, @mjradiganevents.com
Bride’s Dress Rita Vinieris Tess dress; second look, SOLACE London Elina, ritavinieris.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com
Bride’s Ring Ascot Diamonds, ascotdiamonds.coim
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Amie Decker, amiedeckerbeauty.com
Groom’s Tux Suit Supply, suitsupply.com
Groom’s Ring Paul Jacobs, Ascot Diamonds, ascotdiamonds.com
Videographer Shutter and Sound, shutterandsound.com
Music 76 Degrees West, 76degreeswestband.com
Cake Willard Hotel, ihg.com
Invitations and Placecards Artisan 2, artisan2inc.com
Photographer Kristen Gardner, kristengardner.com
Table, Chair and Linens DC Rental, dcrental.com
CHELSEA DIRECTOR & JOSEPH DIPEPPE
Anne Barge dress is from Love Couture, and the groom’s tux is from Suit Supply.
December 31, 2022
Mount Washington Mill Dye House
Photographed by Eli Turner
THE COUPLE No amount of affection garnered in middle school sticks, does it? Don’t say that to Chelsea Director and Joseph DiPeppe, who met in junior high, kept in touch over the years, dated in college, then went their separate ways before reconnecting for love and an exuberant and glam New Year’s Eve wedding. “Kyle picked up the engagement ring only a few hours before he proposed,” says Chelsea. “He couldn’t wait. He surprised me when I arrived home from a horse show with twinkly lights throughout our foyer, and he and the dog were waiting for me.”
The bride changed into a sparkling suit by Nadine Merabi for the New Year’s Eve reception
THE PLANNING The couple loved planning their big day with Danielle Couick of Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events. “I worked for Danielle many years ago as her assistant, so it was very special to have her plan our wedding,” says Chelsea. The couple chose the stunning Mill Dye House—a space they could transform any way they liked—and opted for a moody color scheme with hanging florals and special touches like signature cocktails named after their animals, custom cocktail napkins with meaningful quotes and wine from the couple’s favorite vineyard. “We added a tent outside of the building to have extra cocktail-hour space so guests could flow out of the room for the flip and then enjoy the reveal when they re-entered it,” says Chelsea.
The Mill Dye House was transformed into an elegant, moody space
THE PARTY Of course, a New Year’s Eve wedding calls for a memorable soiree. “The party never stopped, and we danced from the moment the music picked up until we walked out the door,” says Chelsea. “I never thought I would want an outfit change at our wedding, but once we picked New Year’s Eve, I knew I wanted to change into something different to ring in the new year. Only a few people knew I would change, so it was a big secret to keep, but my sparkly suit by Nadine Merabi was a hit.”
The cake by Lindwoods Catering showcased the couple’s beloved pooches
A streamer popped at midnight to ring in the new year and a new life for a couple who never forgot their first spark long ago.
Wedding bliss on display includes the bride’s Badgley Mischka shoes.
Wedding Planner Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, magnoliabluebird.com
Bride’s Dress Anne Barge, Love Couture, annebarge.com, lovecourturebridal.com
Bride’s Veil Love Couture, lovecouturebridal.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com
Bride’s Makeup Glam by Ams, Sydni Muranaka MUA, @glam.by.ams Bride’s Hair Blunt Beauty Bar, bluntbeautybar.com
Bridesmaids Dresses Tori from Revelry, shoprevelry.com
Groom’s Tux Suit Supply, suitsupply.com
Groom’s Ring ManlyBands, manlybands.com
Videographer Paperboys, paperboys.co
Music, Ceremony Speechless Strings, speechlessmusic.com
Music, Reception A-Town A-List, samhillbands.com
Catering Linwoods Catering, linwoods.com
Cake Linwoods Catering, linwoods.com
Photographer Eli Turner, eliturner.com
Photography by: KRISTEN GARDNER; ELI TURNER
