Real Weddings: Camilla and Richard

Camilla and Richard take a romantic stroll at their reception venue, Halcyon House. All photographs by Peter Bang Photography

We wanted our wedding to be romantic but modern in terms of decor, but we really hoped to treat our family and friends to a fun night with great food, drink, and music,” says Camilla, who married Richard on August 20.

The couple first met through mutual friends and shared their first date at La Tasca (“We closed down the restaurant!” says Camilla). Richard staged a romantic proposal by decorating Camilla’s apartment with roses and candles.

“After the proposal, he leaned in to kiss me and my hair caught fire on one of the candles,” says Camilla. “Luckily there was no major damage!”

Nine months later, Richard and Camilla married at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church before 90 guests. The couple’s little flower girl and ring bearer, the niece and nephew of the bride, were the stars of the show.

“At one point after we exchanged vows, my nephew came running out of the pew over to me, all smiles,” says Camilla.

After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Halcyon House in Georgetown.

“We knew we wanted a unique and modern venue with both indoor space for dinner and outdoor space for the cocktail hour,” says Camilla. “The minute I saw pictures of the Halcyon House I fell in love and knew that’s where we had to get married.”

During the outdoor cocktail hour, guests sipped lemonade, nibbled hors d’oeuvres such as mini lobster rolls, and listened to songs performed by the a cappella group Euphonism. In lieu of a traditional guestbook, guests signed left notes on fill-in-the-blank cards that featured such phrases as “In Ten Years Richard and Camilla Will . . . ” or “Always Remember . . . ”

At the reception, the head table featured a 20-foot-long runner of baby’s breath with arrangements of lush florals clustered throughout with votive candles. Guests dined on corn-and-crab risotto, wine-braised beef short ribs, and Maryland crab cakes.

For the couple’s first dance, the bride and groom chose Ingrid Michaelson’s version of the Elvis Presley song “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

“My father passed away a few months before our wedding and this was one of his favorite songs,” says Camilla. “We decided to dance to a more modern version of it.”

Guests danced to a variety of tunes throughout the evening, and enjoyed a variety of sweet treats—a dessert bar featuring mini pies, brownies, cookies, and raspberry bars, as well as a marble wedding cake.

And the fun didn’t stop after the wedding for the couple: “We’re leaving this week for our honeymoon in Fiji and Australia” says Camilla.