A Modern Fairy-Tale Wedding at a Gilded Age Mansion in Washington, D.C.

Alisha Baylor and Beth Dalmut’s romance began “where most modern-day romances begin,” they laugh. “The internet!” It was a match made in heaven, and their first in-person date on March 3, 2018, sealed the deal.

Four years later, Alisha surprised her impossible-to-surprise partner with a proposal. She faked a dinner reservation so Beth would get dressed up and purposely arrived early to walk around picturesque Washington, D.C. Then, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, she proposed. Beth was surprised—but wouldn’t be outdone. “Alisha deserved her own surprise, so a few weeks later, Beth packed a backpack with a picnic, a slideshow of their best memories, and a ring,” the couple shares. “Beth took Alisha on Billy Goat Trail A, picking the hottest day of the year to rock scramble. We found a secluded spot to watch the 10-minute slideshow and take a much-needed break. At the end, Beth asked Alisha the big question back.” 

As a same-sex couple, the duo prioritized inclusively in all aspects of their big day. When they found the Larz Anderson House right in their hometown, it felt right. “We wanted a venue that reflected a modern fairy-tale vibe, that didn’t require a lot of extra decoration, and that spoke for itself,” the brides say. “Anderson also prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming venue for all couples—that was critical for us! Once we found the Anderson House, we never looked back.” 

They brought on A. Griffin Events to take charge and hone their vision for a “joyful, classic, radiant, enchanting modern fairy-tale” wedding. It all came together on May 27, 2023.

The Invitations

The couple’s Minted invitation suite featured a custom monogram and beautiful floral envelope liner that set the tone for decor, which would encompass “a canvas of neutral hues accented by some sage tones and featuring favorite blooms in hues of pink,” says the couple’s planning team. And speaking of setting the tone, fun welcome bags greeted guests as they got settled in D.C. “We designed welcome cards on Etsy and put them in bags for our guests that included emergency supplies, D.C.-themed shortbread cookies from Uncle Chip’s, various snacks, and La Colombe coffee,” the couple says. 

A Morning Together 

Beth and Alisha did things a little differently the morning of the wedding. “We got ready together, which was incredibly fun,” they say. They saw each other in full hair and makeup but parted ways before getting dressed so their outfits would remain a surprise until the official first look. 

The Gown

“The ‘you know it when you see it’ sentiment is true,” Alisha says. “I went to six different shops, including the Bridal Room twice, before finding the perfect dress.” Then, at last, she put on an ivory Stella York gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline, illusion floral lace and a scalloped train, and just knew. “I kept it simple with accessories and shoes. My bracelet was my ‘something borrowed’ from my mom.” 

A Pretty Bouquet 

Dahlias, peonies, butterfly ranunculus, and hydrangea spilled out from Alisha’s organic bouquet, which also featured little pops of blue tweedia and forget-me-not. It was finished with a handmade silk ribbon and coordinated with Beth’s boutonniere.

A Custom Bridal Tuxedo

“Beth felt more authentic wearing a tux than a wedding dress, but it can be difficult to find one that fits right for such an important occasion,” the couple says. “We found an amazing tailor in New York, Bindle & Keep, that created a custom tux for Beth.” And the duo made daytime dates out of it. “We made a few road trips up to Brooklyn for fittings,” they share. “It was time well spent because we used the four-hour trips to hand-select our reception music.” 

The First Look 

Beth and Alisha met at their venue for a first look at its stunning portico. “It was completely magical to see each other in our full wedding looks,” they say. “Before, we were both nervous but excited. After, we felt relieved and full of joy, knowing that we were ready to get married.” Though they’d traveled together for Beth’s tuxedo fittings, Alisha’s dress was a complete surprise.  

An Elegant Portrait Session 

They explored the historic mansion with their photographer, Danielle Defayette, finding stunning photo ops for portraits. 

The Ceremony Décor

The floral team at Stem & Thistle always works with local and sustainable flower farms to source their beautiful blooms; for Beth and Alisha’s big day, they went one step further, working with women-owned flower farms to curate seasonal blooms in shades of pink. For the ceremony, they created a lush floral arch around the fireplace with clusters of ground florals. “It was stunning—we still get compliments from our guests to this day,” the couple says. 

An Emotional Walk Down the Aisle 

“My dad couldn’t walk me down the aisle—he passed away in 2010—so my mom and I walked together into the ceremony to ‘What a Wonderful World,’ [which was] my parents’ song,” Beth says. 

Personal Vows 

The brides exchanged personal vows. “It was our favorite part of the day,” they say. “The vows brought together sentimentality and light humor.” They selected two readings that “felt true to how we view love and marriage,” they say: “To Love is Not to Possess” by James Kavanaugh and  “All I Know About Love” by Neil Gaiman

A Pet-Themed Cocktail Hour 

Cocktail hour was an ode to the couple’s cats, Benji and Louie: Signature drinks were named after the felines, and their image was printed on cocktail napkins. “Beth doesn’t drink, so we wanted one nonalcoholic option,” the couple says. The Louie was a mint julep spritzer with barrel-aged bourbon; the Benji was a spirit-free ginger basil mimosa with pink grapefruit juice. 

An Alfresco Dinner 

“We wanted an indoor-outdoor venue, and the flow between spaces was important to us,” the couple says of their venue search. Larz Anderson House offered that, with an outdoor courtyard where they could hold an alfresco dinner reception lit by hanging bistro lights. “We love traveling, and the Anderson House felt like a romantic night in Europe with all of our dearest loved ones,” they add. 

On-Theme Entertainment

Upping the European vibe was a string quartet that performed during the ceremony and then moved into the garden to play subtle background music during dinner. 

Thoughtful Décor

Long and round tables were arranged around the reflection pond and topped with textured linens and gilded place settings. Taper candles were housed in small ceramic holders from a local artist, Lindsey Augustine of Ware Clay. “Overhead, strands of lights draped over the tables and pond so as the sun went down, the lighting created an ambient glow for the final dinner course.” 

The Menu

Guests toasted as their meals were served: pan-seared beef tenderloin with olive oil, salmon seasoned with orange juice and balsamic vinegar, charred eggplant with saffron couscous, and risotto-style farro with fresh fava. 

An Audio Guestbook 

Instead of a traditional guestbook, Beth and Alisha opted for an audio version. After the Tone provides weddings with a vintage rotary phone for guests to pick up and leave a message for the newlyweds; after the wedding, the couple gets the whole audio file. “It holds priceless moments and drops you back into the night when you listen,” the brides say.  

A Sparkler Send-Off

Then dancing got underway, and, at the end of the night, guests lined up back in the portico to send the newlyweds off with sparklers—the perfect fairy-tale ending to their romantic wedding day. 

SOURCES

• Photographer: Danielle Defayette Photography  
• Venue: Larz Anderson House 
• Wedding Coordinator: A. Griffin Events
• Videographer: Pretty Films 
• Flowers: Stem & Thistle 
• Invitations: Minted 
• Cocktail Napkins: Rubi & Lib Design Studio 
• Beth’s Attire: Bindle & Keep 
• Alisha’s Attire: Stella York via The Bridal Room
• Hair & Makeup: Conceptual Beauty 
• Rings: Brilliant Earth 
• Wedding Party’s Attire: Azazie 
• Music: Ceremony: Kennedy Quartet | Reception: Dan Goldman Events 
• Catering: Occasions Caterers