Washington has played a special part in the relationship of Andrea Palm, a senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Dan Utech, who works on the White House Domestic Policy Council, from the beginning. The two met when both were working as staffers for then-Senator Hillary Clinton. After several years and numerous dates at their favorite restaurant, Ray’s the Steaks, they got engaged in Paris over the 2012 Memorial Day weekend.
For the wedding that followed five months later, the couple opted for black and white decor and a DC theme, complete with a weekend tour of the White House, city-inspired wedding favors, and a scenic ceremony on the balcony at the National Society of Daughters of the Revolution.
Details:
Photographer: Jodi Miller Photography
Wedding Venue: National Society of Daughters of the Revolution
Event Planner: Karson Butler Events
Bride’s Gown: Paloma Blanca, Love Couture Bridal
Hair: Karen Windsor
Makeup: Carola Myers
Groom’s Tux: Hickey Freeman
Caterer: Design Cuisine
Wedding Cocktail: Both French sparkling wine and rosé as guests entered cocktail hour
Cake: Kendall’s Cakes for the wedding cake, Design Cuisine for the groom’s cake
Wedding Cake Flavors: Red velvet
Florist: Edge Floral Event Design
Wedding Flowers: Orchids, hydrangeas, and roses in shades of white, purple, and green
Music/Entertainment: Sage String Quartet, Joshua Walker Band, and MyDeejay
First Dance Song: “The Nearness of You,” performed live by the Joshua Walker Band
Invitations/Paper Goods/Calligraphy: Minted, Little Bit Heart and Meant To Be Calligraphy
Lighting: Frost Lighting
Transportation: Sunny’s Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation
Favorite Wedding Detail: “Too many to pick a favorite, but our niece and nephew were super as flower girl and ring bearer!”
Biggest Surprise of the Wedding: “How quickly it went, in spite of everyone telling us in advance how quickly it would go.”
Wedding Theme: Classic, Timeless
Where They Currently Live: Capitol Hill
