1. Real Weddings

A Whimsical Bicycle-Themed Wedding at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, DC

A whimsical rooftop reception in Washington, DC, created the perfect wedding celebration for Brittany Byrd (30 and an economist) and Mark Kalenak (47

A whimsical rooftop reception in Washington, DC, created the perfect wedding celebration for Brittany Byrd (30 and an economist) and Mark Kalenak (47 and an IT contractor). Mark proposed to Brittany during a bicycling date night, so bicycles became a theme throughout their wedding planning. "The wedding day designs included a tandem bicycle as a nod to our proposal story," Brittany says. "With all the details, we wanted it to feel classy and elegant, but also relaxed and approachable." Mark and Brittany's palette was navy, coral and sage. Coral-toned flower arrangements included roses, dahlias, succulents, dusty miler and eucalyptus were elegantly created by Sweet Root Village. Brittany wore a Paloma Blanca lace applique wedding dress with Mark in a navy suit with a coral spray rose boutonniere. After a traditional ceremony at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, guests were invited to Charlie Palmer Steak for a rooftop reception. The event details were beautifully executed by event planner Type A Society. We loved their final bicycle touch too. True to the couple's theme, their "Just married" sign rested on a floral-covered tandem bicycle. A clever kid-friendly reception trick from Brittany: "We had a number of kids at the reception, so we made boxes of toys and activities for them, including disposable cameras, a scavenger hunt, pipe cleaners, Play-Doh and coloring sheets." See more from the beautiful wedding, all captured by Tori Watson Photography, below.

Brittany wore a fit-and-flare lace empire wedding dress with a V-neckline. We love the beaded appliques on the neckline and skirt and elegant beaded belt.
Brittany's bridal bouquet combined coral-toned flowers, including spray roses, garden roses, dahlias, succulents, dusty miler and eucalyptus.
The groom wore a coral spray rose boutonniere. His cuff was monogramed in navy with his initials.
Bridesmaids wore navy Donna Morgan dresses. Groomsmen wore their own suits. "We wanted the feel to be classy and comfortable," Brittany says. "It was important that everything went well together, but not that it be uniform."
"We wanted the space to be welcoming and fresh, so we chose wreaths for the outside doors," Brittany says.
Traditional Ceremony at Capitol Hill Baptist Church
Bridesmaids wore navy Donna Morgan styles from Nordstrom.
Bridesmaids carried bouquets with a variety of coral-toned flowers, including spray roses, garden roses, dahlias, succulents, dusty miler and eucalyptus.
The white wedding tent was decorated with hanging eucalyptus. Reception tables had lantern and small votive centerpieces with coral-toned flowers and eucalyptus.
Whimsical Wedding Menu With Eucalyptus Leaf
The wedding cake was a four-tier round cake, with a larger second tier and alternating textured and smooth white buttercream. The groom's cake was chocolate cake with milk chocolate ganache and peanut butter buttercream decorated with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. "Mark is from Hershey, Pennsylvania, and loves chocolate and peanut butter," Brittany says.
"For adult guests, we had muslin bags with our tandem bike logo stamped on them," Brittany says. "They were filled with Scottish shortbread cookies."
Mark proposed to Brittany during a bicycling date night, so bicycles became a theme throughout the wedding. "We picked up Capital Bikeshare bikes and cycled down past the Capitol and along the Mall," Brittany says. "We stopped on a bench near the Lincoln Memorial and Mark asked me to marry him."
Tandem Bicycle 'Just Married' Sign