A Black-and-White Wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Marylanders Allison and Brandon met in high school. He says he remembers thinking she was smart and driven, even at age 14, and she says she remembers initially finding him annoying—getting her in trouble by talking to her in Spanish class. Eventually, Allison says, he grew on her, and seven years later they shared a first date at Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers in Georgetown, with an evening stroll around the Tidal Basin. Six years after that, Brandon proposed at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg.

For their April wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the couple wanted a timeless, classic feel decorated in black and white, with greenery. Special touches included the piece of Allison’s mother’s wedding dress that was wrapped around the bride’s bouquet, the cocktail napkins that featured a picture of their dog’s face, and Zaffe drummers for the newlywed’s reception entrance, which were a special nod to Brandon’s Lebanese heritage. After dinner—filet mignon, Za’atar spiced salmon, and eggplant parmesan—the couple cut into a candy-bar crunch and raspberry beret wedding cake, which was served in addition to truffle cake pops, Nutella-and-banana shooters, and key lime pie.

In the end, Allison says, the way it all came to life was better than she could have imagined. See the photos of the wedding below.

The Details

Amy Moeller

Fashion & Weddings Editor

Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.