This weekend, with a hurricane raging outside, Craig and Erica got married at Hotel Palomar in Rosslyn, Virginia. They are a very cool couple who we met and made a good connection with last fall when we took part in a bridal showcase at the Palomar. When Craig and Erica told us what kind of music they like, we knew it would be a fun and unusual party!
The Palomar is a boutique hotel with chic decor and a great view of Georgetown and the rest of DC just over the river. On Craig and Erica’s wedding day, Hurricane Irene was moving slowly up the East Coast, delivering pounding rain and powerful wind gusts. If the superstition about rain on your wedding day holds true, Craig and Erica are in for a lifetime of very good luck! Anticipating the weather, the ceremony was held indoors. Tara Melvin and Sandy Yi Davis coordinated everything brilliantly and were a joy to work with. AC Warden did a lovely job officiating the ceremony, which featured string arrangements of pop songs (“Eleanor Rigby”, “American Boy”) and a gorgeous performance of “O Del Mio Dolce Ardor” by Craig’s stepmother Barbara.
Craig and Erica danced for the first time as husband and wife to “You Are Mine” by Mutemath, which was a fresh choice that went over well. The chefs at the Palomar put together a great meal for all the assembled guests, who heard music by Nina Simone and Grant Green mixed with some of the bride and groom’s favorites, like Fujiya and Miyagi, The xx and The Cure. We heard moving and heartfelt toasts from the Maid of Honor, Erica’s sister Summer, and the Best Man, Craig’s cousin Chris.
Erica and her father were all smiles as they danced to Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable”. Craig and his mother followed, to Michael Buble’s “Georgia on My Mind” which drew a happy reaction from the crowd.
It took a few minutes to get the crowd on the floor, but after The Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin'” they warmed up to the Bee Gees and Nu Shooz. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin were big hits in the early dance set as well. Craig and Erica cut their cake to Bob Marley’s “Could This Be Love” which went into “Soul Shakedown Party” (possibly in honor of last week’s earthquake?).
The crowd got back to dancing with Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. The big songs of the night came from The Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Earth, Wind, and Fire (“September”). Daryle mixed in some contemporaries like Taio Cruz by request, as well as LCD Soundsystem and “Mr. Roboto” by Styx.
It was great that everyone was able to brave the elements and come out to honor Craig and Erica, and it is a testament to them that they looked as relaxed as they did through it all!
