Every wedding is beautiful in its own way, but when we see weddings that have so many fun details and pops of creativity, that’s when we get the most excited. Whitney Hamilton and Patrick (Pat) McCarthy’s wedding was filled with their fun ideas–from the cute pajamas the bridesmaids wore while getting ready to the sparkly pink tablecloths at cocktail hour to the amazing cereal bar where guests could grab and fill a bowl for some late-night snacking. Every moment of the beautiful day at Oxon Hill Manor was captured by Astrid Photography in the photos below.
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For Whitney, it was a regular day at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bookstore on the National Mall, where she worked. But when a U.S. Park Police officer walked through the door, looking to kill some time during his break, a slow day at work turned much more interesting. The officer noticed Whitney reading, and using it as an excuse to start up a conversation, he asked her about her book–then asked her to dinner.
For their date, they returned to where they’d first met: the National Mall. They spent the first part of the evening ice skating at the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art before heading to Il Porto in Old Town Alexandria for a romantic meal. They’d dated for two years when Pat brought Whitney back to Il Porto on a rainy October evening, and after dinner followed a walk along the river–and then a ring.
For their wedding at Oxon Hill Manor, they brought out the color pink with flowy bridesmaid dresses, sequin-covered linens, and strawberry margaritas as their signature cocktail. Guests were welcomed to munch on bowls of cereal from the breakfast bar, along with the three-tier strawberry cake filled with lemon curd and raspberries.
At the end of the night, when all of the sugary treats had been eaten and the last dance was over, Whitney and Pat sent their guests home with another playful dessert: funfetti sugar cookies the bride and groom had baked themselves.
VENDORS
Ceremony Venue: St. Columba Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Oxon Hill Manor | Photographer: Astrid Photography | Bride’s Gown: Amy Kuschel, Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Groom’s Tux: Vera Wang Black | Event Coordinator: Anne Kelley of Atrendy Wedding | Music: Van Petty, MyDeejay | Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design | Caterers: Spilled Milk Catering | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo, Nordstrom | Videography: Ryan Geldermann | Hair and Makeup Artist: Modern Bridal Studio | Cake: Fluffy Thoughts | Linens: La Tavola | Invitations and Stationary: Minted
Looking for a caterer to bring your fun food ideas to life? These local catering companies are some of the best in the business.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
