Not every couple wants a traditional wedding. Erin and Josh were clear from the very beginning about what they did want: great food, quality wine, a packed dance floor, and a day that felt genuinely like them. No over-polished tablescapes or fussy details for the sake of them. Just a meaningful, joyful, disco party with the people they love most.
They pulled it off beautifully.
On May 30, 2026, Erin and Josh celebrated their wedding at Auto Shop DC, one of the most distinctive industrial venues in Washington, DC, with a retro disco theme, purple calla lilies, an actual light-up dance floor, and a dog. They came to O’Neil Events because they wanted expert guidance to help them build something that truly reflected their personalities without getting lost in the logistics of doing it themselves.
They got both.
The Aesthetic: Industrial Disco with a Point of View
Josh’s white dinner jacket said everything before the ceremony even started. Paired with a black bow tie, glasses, a mustache, and a purple calla lily boutonniere, it was a look that was confident, distinctive, and completely his own. The venue agreed with him; Auto Shop DC’s exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, brass fixtures, and industrial bones made the perfect canvas for a couple who wanted impact without over-decoration.
The floral design by Open Bud DC leaned fully into the drama of the space. Dark purple calla lilies, cascading amaranthus in deep burgundy and blush, white calla lilies, and tropical foliage created ceremony installations that felt lush and moody against the brick and deep purple draping. The bouquet Erin carried was a dark and striking arrangement that suited a bride confident enough to do her own makeup — and who looked absolutely stunning doing it.
Elis Llinares Photography captured the whole day with an editorial eye that matched the couple’s energy completely.
The Ceremony at Auto Shop, DC
Venue: Auto Shop DC | Washington, DC
Auto Shop DC is one of those venues that requires a couple with a vision. The raw brick, the exposed pipes, the concrete floors, it’s not a space that does the work for you. It is a space that rewards couples who know exactly what they want to do with it.
Purple draping framed the ceremony window in deep, saturated color. String lights crossed the ceiling in warm Edison bulbs. White ceremony columns flanked by moody floral arrangements anchored the altar on either side. Rose petals dotted the aisle. The whole thing felt like a loft party that happened to also be one of the most meaningful ceremonies in the room.
From the moment we booked O’Neil Events, we knew we were in amazing hands. Colleen and her team were incredibly professional, attentive, and caring throughout the entire planning process. They worked efficiently to create an individualized and organized experience for us. Colleen connected with us regularly to ensure we had an effortless planning experience, and our day-of coordinator was simply phenomenal–she brought us appetizers and made sure we had a moment to ourselves when we really needed it. I cannot recommend Colleen and her team at O’Neil Events highly enough!
AmyThe Reception: Exactly as Promised
The reception was what Erin and Josh had been building toward: a real party. Catering by Extra Fancy Catering delivered on the food-forward vision completely; this is a couple who identify as foodies, and the food reflected that. Wine by Ace Beverage kept everything flowing.
The light-up dance floor by Electric Events Rentals was the centerpiece of the reception room, disco balls catching the light above it, the floor glowing beneath it. Liz Bumgarner, who also handled Erin’s hair, served double duty as DJ and kept the dance floor packed from the first song to the last. A crowd of music lovers and foodies who had been promised a disco party got exactly that.
Security was handled by Massive Entertainment Security, ensuring the evening ran smoothly from beginning to end.
Congratulations, Erin and Josh. May your marriage be full of great meals, great music, and many more nights exactly like this one
The Vendor Team
- Planning: O’Neil Events
- Venue: Auto Shop DC | Washington DC
- Photography: Elis Llinares Photography
- Florals: Open Bud DC
- Catering: Extra Fancy Catering
- DJ and Hair: Liz Bumgarner
- Light-Up Dance Floor and Rentals: Electric Events Rentals
- Alcohol: Ace Beverage
- Security: Massive Entertainment Security
About O’Neil Events
Planning a non-traditional or creative wedding in Washington DC?
Colleen has been planning weddings in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and New York City for 15+ years. Whether your vision is black tie at a private club or a retro disco party at an industrial venue, she brings the same level of care, creativity, and calm to every celebration.
Need wedding planning help? Contact Colleen.
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