An Intimate "Desert Glam" Elopement at the Anderson House in Washington, D.C.

Lesley and Jasmine originally planned to have a wedding 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic reminded them that "life is short and we decided to fast forward our commitment to each other. We then decided to have a 'courthouse' elopement but as we got closer to the day we realized that this was going to be a moment that we remember for the rest of our lives. We decided to find a venue to exchange our vows in a private ceremony with just us, followed by a small socially-distanced champagne toast with our close friends in the area," Jasmine says. "Although it was not our original plan, we still had a very magical and memorable day. We were able to write our fairytale in the midst of a pandemic. We chose the shades of deep champagne, rose gold, coral, and grey. We were very adamant on not having a traditional fall color palette. We wanted to incorporate a desert-meets-glam theme for our elopement which is something we did for our engagement. We did incorporate religious traditions as we both identify as Christian and wanted to have prayer and scripture by Pastor Paul Fulton-Woods."

Since the couple plans to have a larger, more traditional wedding in 2022, they decided to "try something different for our elopement. I decided to wear a white crystal kimono gown. Lesley decided that a tailored silver window-pane suit to compliment my dress because it would have a softer look," says Jasmine of the couple's fashion choices. In keeping with their desert-glam theme, pampas grass and dried elements were layered into the décor of the day. Following the couple's intimate vow exchange at the Anderson House, they hosted a "'Best Day Ever Champagne Toast' in the backyard of our home for 20 guests. This included six cocktail tables with lots of space for social distancing; a host of our favorite d'oeuvres; a specialty lavender infused cocktail; and champagne for the toast. The tables had coral floral centerpieces, sanitizer in crystal pump bottles, rustic pencils for guests to write date ideas down, and burlap pouches that held the ideas. We had disposable cameras on each table so guests can give us their behind the scenes pictures. We also provided a sanitation station with masks and touchless sanitizer before the guests entered," says Jasmine of the health and safety measures they made sure to have in place for everyone's well-being. 

When looking back on their intimate Washington, D.C., elopement, Jasmine says that, "Less is more! COVID helped us realize that it's the little things in life that matter. Smaller is better. The night before our elopement, Lesley told me, 'tomorrow is about us and our perfect day, and remember even if things don’t go perfectly it still will be our perfect day.'"