A Classic Garden-Themed Wedding at St. Francis Hall in Washington, DC

Marina Aiken (24 and a restaurant owner) and Kosta Dionisopoulos (28 and a wholesale produce company owner and a restaurant owner) took inspiration from their historic reception venue for a garden-themed celebration and incorporated lots of florals, gold details and Greek culture.

“The colors and the summer-garden-style theme enhanced the beauty and character of St. Francis Hall perfectly,” Marina says. Tables were clad in cream-colored linens and topped with romantic tealights, vintage gold flatware and bottles of Greek olive oil. A mix of high and low centerpieces featured peach Juliet garden roses, cafe au lait dahlias, pink roses and greenery.

Marina wore an ivory ball gown with a chapel-length train, while her bridesmaids wore all white, a tradition passed down from her grandmother’s village in Sparta, Greece. Marina’s koumbara donned an embellished gown.

An alfresco-market-themed cocktail hour nodded to the couple’s careers, and included a spread of fresh fruits, vegetables, dried meats, imported cheeses and honeys all sourced by Kosta. To end on a sweet note, the couple served a four-tier strawberry cake with champagne buttercream decorated with metallic gold.

Marina and Kosta took their first spin on the dance floor to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.”