Under the soft glow of Washington D.C.’s skyline, Jeff and Brenna celebrated their love in a wedding that felt both deeply personal and effortlessly refined. Their wedding weekend was a perfect mix of intimacy and celebration, featuring a rooftop ceremony, a festive welcome dinner with a tattoo artist, and a lively 5K run through D.C.’s monuments. The festivities culminated in a heartfelt reception at The REACH, where guests enjoyed a family-style feast, a surprise wedding video screening, and a night of high-energy live music that kept everyone on the dance floor. Every detail, from the sculptural floral installations that included radishes, kelp, and moss to the bride's bold wedding wardrobe, tied perfectly together with the modern venues and lush green decor. Complete with sentimental touch and meaningful touches, Jeff and Brenna's modern wedding was vision of pure authenticity and connection.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Brenna: We met about 16 years ago… The day itself wasn’t all that memorable since we were undergrads at Penn State University. Maybe a tailgate, a birthday “pregame,” 4/20, or another made-up holiday like State Patty’s Day brought us together—a friend-of-a-friend situation. After college, we didn’t keep in touch, though I admittedly checked his defunct Facebook page every now and then, wondering what he was up to, knowing we lived close enough to consider reconnecting. Fast forward to COVID times, when we matched on Raya. I consider our first date, 13 (this will be a recurring theme) years after our initial introduction, the day we truly met. It was intense! The most vivid memory burned in my brain is me nervously pacing in circles around him, declaring how uncomfortable I was with how comfortable I felt. That turn of phrase made its way into my vows, and it still holds true today.
Jeff: I was a junior, and she was a freshman in college. I had a crush on Brenna, but she always had a boyfriend. We exchanged a few pleasantries, and as we later discovered, even phone numbers, but nothing more than that. Fast forward to December 2021—our first “real” meeting. Despite being strangers, there was a familiarity, thanks to our shared experiences and memories. The connection was instant and all-consuming. A swell of certainty. After that first date, I knew I didn’t want to go another day without seeing Brenna.
The Proposal
Brenna: The two of us, plus our dog Willie, set out on a ten-day East Coast RV excursion from our home to Portland, Maine, in August 2023. It was day eight, August 13—most notably, Jeff’s birthday. I assumed this was the adventure’s most momentous occasion, clueless about what he had up his sleeve—or, in this case, hidden in a sock. We intended to start his special day with a scenic bike ride along the Vineyard Sound shoreline—Jeff’s sole celebratory request and his happy place on Cape Cod. The weather was nasty, but he was determined. I wanted to be a good sport but couldn’t hide my frustration that reality wasn’t matching expectations…
Jeff: The proposal did not go as planned. The idea was to ride bikes into Woods Hole (MA), but Mother Nature had other plans. A stormy night and continued rain forced me to pivot. In the middle of a downpour, and in the middle of my parents’ driveway, I got down on one knee and told Brenna, “Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s with YOU that I want to forever pivot.”
The Engagement Ring
Brenna: Jeff designed it all discreetly and deliberately. I’m not big into jewelry and would have been paralyzed if someone asked me to describe what ring(s) I’d want to wear for the rest of my life. But I’m in love with his amalgamation of an art-deco-ish diamond display, surrounded by nontraditional, chunky, curvy bands. It’s somehow casual yet commanding, with great finger coverage.
Jeff: I worked with a local jeweler to design an antique Asscher-cut diamond, hand-fabricated into a custom brushed 18k bezel setting. It was constructed to be sandwiched within a stack after our big day.
Our Wedding
The Vision
It feels impossible to fully, concisely, and eloquently express such a manifestation. So many big and small touches intentionally and seamlessly stitched our sequence of events together. We love that it can’t be retold effectively—at least not by us. It’s as if those tender moments exist only in that fleeting space, never to belong anywhere else. But we strived to make every element feel uniquely ours. We gravitated toward a simplistic, surreal style, with a desire for everything to flow effortlessly, giving way to a serene, intimate, and, above all, genuine feel.
The Wedding Weekend Activities
We kept our welcome drinks casual and had the most fun! We were already married, so Friday night was free of rehearsal dinners or pressure! We opted for a laid-back open bar featuring commemorative weenie pins for all the guests. We also opened up our penthouse suite for a more intimate hang, which included custom flash tattoos from local tattoo artist Bibi Abelle. She offered 13 different designs. We got a matching pair: a 13 of hearts playing card! We were mindful of the fact that just about every guest traveled for the reception, so this was a low-key way for us to say thank you and get cozy.
We wanted a non-traditional way for our friends and family to experience the monuments (and sweat out the previous night), so we charted a course that started at the Kennedy Center, connecting our venue to the city’s memorials via a “fun run.” A dear friend and marathoner put out our custom green “Weinerheads” wayfinding flags in advance of the run, and Jeff ran with a speaker, creating a soundtrack for all.
Our Team of Vendors
We aligned with partners we trusted to showcase their skills, embracing their raw talents and creative direction. The idea was to let artists we love “do their thing,” encouraging them to do what they do best without us interfering in their creativity. There were so many professionals at work, and we are incredibly grateful to every single person who contributed.
The MVPs of our dream team brought our vision to life in ways we never could have imagined. Calen Rose captured the essence of our day with an unmatched vibe—their photos… sheesh! Scrolling through hundreds of evocative images was overwhelming; it took more hours than the entire wedding weekend itself to truly experience and process. For two people who don’t love the spotlight, they made us feel incredibly comfortable, keeping it all easy, breezy, and candid.
Pomona Floral, led by the visionary Sarah, created sculptural arrangements that felt like installations—bold, sometimes bizarre, and completely breathtaking. The radishes. The kelp. The sod. Every conversation with her left us more excited than before, even when pivoting last-minute to include an aquatic arrangement just a week before the ceremony—much to Jeff’s chagrin.
Pure Cane Sugar set the perfect soundtrack, first with an acoustic cocktail hour that felt like a spell cast by witchy fairy godmothers, then with a full-band performance that kept the dance floor packed. This wasn’t just nostalgia for our college glory days—this group still has it! Sentimental Fools understood us from the start, allowing us to stay present and true to ourselves throughout the planning process. And
GEMINI—our go-to for all things natural wine—curated a stunning selection that paired effortlessly with our menu while also surprising us with ice cream cups for Sunday brunch. They truly do it all—shoutout to Anne and Eric!
The Ceremony
Brenna: The only thing I immediately knew I wanted/needed for our wedding was to create enough space around and between the ceremony and reception, allowing room for emotions to naturally unfold. And for both to be outdoors. We opted for a very intimate vow exchange, sharing this moment with just 13 family members on Friday the 13th. Jeff and I chose to enter this new chapter together, walking down “the aisle” side by side, to “Sweet Symphony” by Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton. I attribute this as a key factor in my unusually calm demeanor at our rooftop “altar” and throughout the celebration. My dear sister killed it as our officiant. She should probably have her own blog/feature, based on how poetically she shaped the service. Her warmth and comfort grounded us. Jeff and I wrote our own vows, and it was as if time suspended as we stood there offering our intentions to one another.
Jeff: Despite being the smallest event in terms of “to-do’s,” our “I do’s” held the biggest importance to us. ‘Communal’ was the main attribute we were going for. Each guest received a handwritten letter from both of us upon entering the ceremony space. We also integrated a "warming of the rings" aspect into the ceremony, where our wedding bands were passed around as each person offered a marriage manifestation related to a pre-designated word we felt that family member embodied. Once Mr. & Mrs., we shared a meal so good it gets brought up every time we reconvene—shout-out to pork and lychee salad.
The Venue
We chose The REACH at the Kennedy Center, loving the fact that it’s our national cultural center and that their lawn is our go-to picnic spot. The River Pavilion is a special space filled with good energy from amazing community programming, bright natural light, and views of the Potomac River and Roosevelt Island. Oh, and a statue of JFK that we dressed in a number 13 Penn State Football jersey, but we probably shouldn’t out ourselves on that one. When guests arrived, they were greeted with some bubbles to accompany their stroll through winding, meadow-like foliage as they made their way out of the garden and into cocktail hour.
The Reception
Brenna: Saturday evening was stunning. We kicked things off with a cocktail hour on the terrace, featuring an acoustic set, and without us there. True to form, we did it our way and avoided the anxiety of being pulled in 140 different directions as a welcoming committee and center of attention. Jeff and I made sure to eat, because we heard people forget to do that, and hung out in a private space. Just before everyone made their way to their family-style place settings, we screened a video of our ceremony, edited by Jeff himself! It was our way of inviting everyone to share the experience. We relived it while secretly watching them watch our little film from above.
Jeff: Dinner was family-style, again sticking to the theme of community, encouraging people to share and interact, and take their time. Our favorite natural wine shop worked with us to offer bottles that would pair best with our family-style menu. Between courses, and as the sun was setting, guests roamed the garden for some magic-hour pictures. I love this unhurried moment—it made for the best images. After the meal, we uncharacteristically opted for a choreographed couple's first dance to “May I Have This Dance,” mirroring the moves of Francis and the Lights and Chance the Rapper. That kicked off the music portion of the evening, which was an important detail to me. I wanted a live band—nothing against DJs, but experiencing the energy of the performers took the party to the next level!
The Special Touches
We embraced the Pittsburgh tradition of a cookie table, with dozens of baked goods packed into all the aunt’s carry-ons, along with matcha martinis that perfectly paired with the sweets. We were also thrilled by the effort our friends put in—not only traveling here but going bold with their looks, featuring pops of color. We had five custom playlists curated by us, which set the tone for the evening. The groom wore JW Anderson shoes, an homage to his initials, and we had a beautifully spacious yet cozy suite to host the gals getting ready, as well as our houseparty-esque after party. The Mother of the Groom put together darling Welcome Bags, which included funny DC-themed magnets from Naked Decor—we love seeing these on friends and family’s fridges.
Our Favorite Moment
Brenna: On Sunday, Jeff and I found ourselves alternating between tears of joy, laughter, and raw emotion that we hadn’t processed yet. This intense feeling was a favorite, even if it came after the fact. We stumbled upon a live stream of Austin City Limits, and it just so happened that Joy Oladokun performed our song. Cue more tears. But also, there’s really nothing like being with my closest friends, family, and now my husband—dancing, singing, hugging, kissing—and witnessing the people I hold most dear grow even closer, creating their own memories in this space we created—that exceeded all expectations. As did my sister’s and my dance moves to Salt-N-Pepa’s “SHOOP.”
Jeff: It’s hard to pick one singular moment from the wedding to be my favorite, but if I had to, it would be Brenna and me hiding in the rafters, watching all our friends and family view our wedding video. It was an out-of-body experience—watching all your loved ones watch you and your wife get married. It was also the last quiet moment before everything just took off. To have that moment with my wife is something I will always remember and cherish.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
Creating a perfect wardrobe that reflected my personal style was a journey I got lost on a time or two. I knew it needed to convey fashion-forward edge, so I sought out Danielle Frankel for her vertical pleats. While that wasn’t the final direction, her team won me over when I asked them to describe their typical brides. I didn’t know my gown was “the one” in the moment, but when I scrolled through the photo library, I noticed my facial expressions were noticeably different in this understated dress, named RIVER, which just so happened to be the name of our reception venue. I love how the asymmetric scarf drapes, wraps, and falls into a detail at my low back sculpturally—it fit in nicely with the architecture of The Reach (reception campus). I also wish everyone could see the fabrication of the internal bustier’s boning.
Jeff requested a first look and that we keep the dress design a surprise. I found that difficult because we always talk outfits; I even asked him what he envisioned, and he described my dress to a T. Since I wore the dress both days, a second look was necessary for the ceremony family meal to avoid any bucatini stains. I opted for a set by Staud— a beaded vest and crispy dupioni silk wide-leg pleated trousers for an elegant, tailored look. I couldn’t get enough of this structured but breezy pant, perfect for September, and kept them on (for the time being) as we transitioned into Welcome Party attire, rocking incredibly high sage green Vivienne Westwood Olde London croc-effect leather platforms to elongate my legs and avoid compromising the hemline.
I swapped the top for another Danielle Frankel piece: the Clara tulle mock-neck topper with an open back, split wrists, and a tie at the neck to close. There’s some sentimental significance here too—our historic home is called The Clara. My somethings borrowed were worn all weekend: my late mother’s engagement ring, redesigned by me, and my great-grandmother’s wedding band. Some other accessories included Khaite sunglasses, Lelet hair hardware, and earrings from Mara Paris and AGMES. The big hit was the JW Anderson logo sculpted-heel off-white pumps and Dear Frances Cleo block-heel sandals.
The Groom Looks
I originally wanted to commission a Nudie suit for the wedding, aspiring to look like Gram Parsons from The Flying Burrito Brothers. But I decided that might be too “look at me” for my personality. I ended up landing on a custom double-vested suit made by a Baltimore designer, Christopher Schafer Clothier. I wanted the darkest, deepest green you could find—a green so dark it’s almost black. I absolutely love how it turned out. I went for a more relaxed look, sans tie, and completed the fit with a vintage Tiffany’s Jewelry 18K Yellow Gold Ginkgo Leaf lapel pin, a gift from my beautiful bride, said to symbolize longevity and endurance. It also happens to be the tree featured within the Presidential Grove of The Reach, our reception venue. Oh, and the shoes were Ferragamo.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Plan your marriage, not just your wedding. We made a big investment in a couple of styles of couples therapy, wanting to enter this new chapter as our full, authentic selves so that we could be the best partners. We all deserve it!
If you’re a groom and you want to be involved in the planning, PLEASE, JUST DO IT! Jeff’s equal involvement seemed atypical to some in the industry. As the father of the groom perpetually repeated throughout the engagement, “Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy this process.” And as our planner reiterated, just because you have an opinion about your day doesn’t mean you’re a bridezilla (a harmfully reductive term). Stay true to yourselves and your love, and the approach and style will be reflective.
For On The Day
Create a timeline that carves out opportunities to spend quality time with your closest ones—moments to steal away for a breather or check-in with your partner. Also, try to let go of expectations and don’t let tenting snafus take up your brain space. The purple tree pills are a lifesaver if you're drinking. To that end, if you have an important brunch on Sunday, set two alarms…
For Post-Wedding
Take time off work, social media, and from returning texts and phone calls—even if you're not honeymooning immediately (like we didn’t). This is only going to happen once in your life, so if you’re doing it right, savor the moment in the present. We prolonged the magic by getting legally married the following Monday, dressing up for the courthouse, and having a celebratory lunch to keep the wedding energy going.
Vendors
Photography: Calenrose
Wedding Planner: Jessi Rutherford
Venues: Extra Fancy / The Reach at Kennedy Center
Hotel: Lyle Washington D.C.
Bar: Cocktail Curations
Wine: Happy Gemini DC
Florist: Pomona Floral
Stationary: Goods Gang
Music: Pure Cane Sugar
Tattoo Artist: Bibi Abelle Studios
Style
Bridal Dress: Danielle Frankel
Second Bridal Look: Staud
Bridal Shoes: JW Anderson / Vivienne Westwood / Dear Frances
Bridal Jewelry: Mara Paris / Agmes
Bridal Accessories: Khaite / Lelet
Groom: Christopher Schafer
Lapel Pin: Tiffany & Co.
Groom's Shoes: Ferragamo
