All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
Decatur House DC Wedding: A Timeless Celebration in the Heart of Washington, DC
A Decatur House DC wedding offers an unforgettable experience with its rich history, stunning architecture, and prime location right next to the White House. For Andrew and Amy, this was the perfect venue to celebrate their love, combining a charming historical setting with personal touches and fall-inspired elegance. From the crisp autumn weather to the sweet treats they adored, every detail of their wedding was a reflection of their journey together. I’m thrilled to share their beautiful day with you!
Why Andrew and Amy Chose Decatur House for Their Wedding
Choosing a wedding venue can be one of the most important decisions of your planning process, and for Andrew and Amy, Decatur House was a natural choice. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, with views of the White House, the venue is steeped in history and offers a unique charm that perfectly suited their vision. The couple wanted a venue that was both timeless and central, and Decatur House provided just that.
The venue itself is a blend of neoclassical and Georgian architectural styles, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces for a seamless transition from ceremony to reception. The charming courtyard was the perfect backdrop for their fall ceremony, while the beautiful indoor spaces created an intimate setting for their reception. Whether you’re saying your vows beneath the historic archways or dancing the night away inside, Decatur House offers the perfect combination of elegance and location.
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
The Wedding Vibe: Crisp Fall Days and Sweet Treats
It was a beautiful end-of-fall day in DC—my favorite time of year. The weather was perfect: not too hot, the bugs were gone, and the crispness in the air added to the festive mood of the day. The entire atmosphere felt welcoming and intimate, which is exactly what Andrew and Amy wanted for their wedding. There’s something special about DC in the fall—the leaves change, the city feels alive with energy, but there’s a calmness that makes it feel like a perfect backdrop for a wedding.
The vibe of the day was fresh, sweet, and reflective of the couple’s love for one another. Andrew and Amy are both down-to-earth and love having fun, so they worked together to create a celebration that was meaningful, while also including quirky personal touches. One thing that stood out was their shared love for donuts! Not only were donuts incorporated into the reception, but they also had a figurative role in the ceremony and reception. A donut wall, delicious donut flavors, and even a donut-themed guest book, where guests stamped their prints with colorful ink, were a nod to the couple’s shared passion for these sweet treats.
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
Personal Touches and Family Traditions
What really made Andrew and Amy’s wedding special were the personal touches they added throughout the day. For example, the groom’s suit jacket had their wedding date stitched into it—an elegant and heartfelt way to carry that moment with him throughout the day. The color palette leaned into rich, deep fall tones—burgundy, gold, and a soft blush—creating a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance that complemented the crispness of the season.
One of my favorite details from their wedding was the table numbers, which each featured a photo of the couple at the corresponding age. It was a beautiful way to showcase their love story and add a personal, nostalgic touch to each table. The guest book also stood out—it was designed with their fingerprints intertwined into a heart, symbolizing their union and creating a keepsake they would cherish forever.
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
Navigating Historic DC Venues
When planning a wedding at a historic venue like Decatur House, there are many logistics and regulations to navigate. As a venue that holds historical significance, there are rules in place to preserve the integrity of the property. Luckily, as a seasoned planner, I’m well-versed in handling the challenges that come with working in historic venues like these. I was able to guide Andrew and Amy through the process, ensuring that everything—from permits to vendor guidelines—was handled seamlessly. It’s one of the aspects of wedding planning I love the most—making the process as smooth as possible so the couple can focus on enjoying their big day.
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
How Andrew and Amy Found Me and Why They Chose to Work with Me
Andrew and Amy found me through a referral from the groom’s sister, who I had the pleasure of working with on her own wedding. After seeing how smoothly everything went at her wedding, Andrew and Amy decided to reach out to me to plan their big day. It’s always such a compliment when clients choose to work with me because they’ve seen firsthand how I approach each wedding with care and dedication.
As their planner, I was thrilled to be part of their celebration. From managing vendor relationships to making sure everything ran on time, I was there every step of the way to ensure their vision came to life. It was such a joy to help Andrew and Amy make their wedding at Decatur House as special and memorable as possible.
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
Here is what the couple shared about working with us:
My husband and I said SEVERAL times how having Colleen by our side as a Day Of Planner was way beyond worth the money spent. If I have one recommendation for any newly engaged couples, it’s have a day of planner. And if you’re in the DC area… have it be Colleen. From the beginning just getting coffee with us and helping us start the process or planning, to every living detail of the day of… I can’t imagine our big day without her. She was immensely professional. So sweet and caring; yet I knew she’d get done what needed to be done. She’s no pushover! Monthly emails and check ins were lovely and kept us on track. But then the month leading up to the wedding, Colleen took everything off my plate and handled all the logistics and vendors and timelines. So, so valuable. Thank you for everything you did! We’ll both never stop raving about you. 🙂
Planner – O’Neil Events
Venue – Decatur House
Caterer – Main Events Caterer
Photographer – Meghan Rose Photography
Band – Nightsong, Entertainment Exchange
Ceremony and Cocktail Music – Tryos Ensemble
Makeup – Faces by Shawn
Florist – Flowers & Plants Etc.
Tent – Sugarplum Tents
All Photo Credit: Meghan Rose Photography
About O’Neil Events: Your Partner for a Decatur House DC Wedding
At O’Neil Events, we specialize in creating personalized, stress-free weddings in Washington, DC, and New York City. With over 15 years of experience, we’re dedicated to helping couples plan the wedding of their dreams. Whether you’re planning a wedding at Decatur House or another historic DC venue, we offer full-service planning to make your day seamless and unforgettable. We handle all the details—so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating your love.
If you’re planning a wedding at Decatur House DC, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Let’s work together to create a day that’s uniquely yours!
