we did the damn thing...

About four months ago, a simple conversation about Christmas plans with Taylor’s family set a few things in motion. With Taylor’s sister, Katie, and her wife, Allison expecting their first child around the holidays, the obvious solution was to bring everyone together in DC, where they reside. Around the same time, Taylor and Madison were deep in the throes of planning a large extravagant wedding—which, as anyone who has done it knows, can quickly become a full-time emotional sport. One night while making dinner (the birthplace of many good ideas), a thought popped up: what if we didn’t do the big wedding at all? What if, with everyone already together, we just… got married? A quick call to Kimmer, Madison’s mom, and she was instantly in. With both families cheering us on, a tiny idea started to grow legs. What began as a simple courthouse elopement and a meal turned into something much more magical—an intimate ceremony at a beautiful restaurant, surrounded by our immediate family who traveled from seven different states, followed by a fancy dinner, plenty of cake, and a lot of love. If you’re reading this, please know it’s because you matter deeply to us. You would have absolutely been there had we gone forward with our original big-wedding plan. We’re so grateful for the love, laughter, and friendship you bring into our lives. We’re soaking up newlywed life and can’t wait to celebrate with you soon—this party isn’t over yet

We began the day tucked into the Ida McKinley Suite at the most elegant hotel we have ever experienced—a quiet, drizzly morning before everything unfolded. We splurged on room service while lingering in bed, followed by a whirlwind of glam courtesy of an exceptional team. Taylor wore clip-in hair extensions and false eyelashes for the first time, while Madison opted for sparkling rhinestone bobby pins and a classic smokey eye. Our mothers, along with Taylor’s Grammy, gathered to help us into our dresses, fastening necklaces and offering the kind of steady hands and loving glances that only family can provide. Madison’s ‘something borrowed’ was a beautiful string of pearls from each Mom. Taylor wore her father’s watch and a pearl ring gifted to her mother by her Granddaddy. Once all dolled up, our extraordinary photographer, Priscilla, arrived and guided us through the city with creativity and care. As we moved through Union Station, the National Gallery of Art, and the Chinatown and Farragut Metro stations collecting precious moments, we were met with cheers, smiles, and spontaneous oohs and aahs from passersby. Taylor’s brother Daniel served as our official canine concierge, expertly wrangling Olive and Mason while keeping them engaged (and camera-ready). Their participation would not have been possible without him! Meanwhile, our families gathered at Dauphine’s, an elegant Creole and Cajun restaurant in DC’s Midtown Center. Nestled around the Fountain Garden with hot toddies in hand, Taylor’s sister-in-law, Allison, led a ring-warming ceremony, inviting each guest to bless our wedding bands with their hopes and well wishes. Allison then officiated our ceremony leading us through a deeply personal exchange in front of a Spanish tile fountain adorned with lush floral arrangements provided by Taylor’s Aunt Si. As we shared our first kiss, the sound of Stand by Me filled the air—played by Crush Funk, a beloved DC brass band known for its New Orleans style. Through a cloud of bubbles, we made our way inside, greeting each guest with a hug and a personalized friendship bracelet in true T. Swift fashion. After a brief cocktail hour featuring more seafood and deviled eggs than anyone could imagine, the band led us upstairs to the mezzanine. Madison surprised everyone with a quick change into a chic ivory suit before dinner was served. The four-course meal included house-made breads, gumbo, fiocchetti inspired by a favorite dish from GianMarco’s in Birmingham, and guests’ choice of entrées. In true New Orleans fashion, dessert featured a king cake—fève included—alongside a classic two-tier wedding cake by the fabulous DMV Cakes, topped with playful miniatures of Olive and Mason. We ended the evening with deeply moving and heartfelt speeches from Taylor’s sister, Katie, as well as Madison’s mom and Aunt Aimee. It is impossible to fully capture in words how perfectly the day unfolded. We have been spoiled with glimpses of a few photographs already, but the rest are yet to come. We cannot wait to share more of a day that exceeded every dream we had. STAY TUNED!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6s5VPGnIbhCK6cVrPCV0CD?si=TlfN4D4bSeCQRdqU9qn3Qg (you might have to copy and paste into a browser, Zola doesn't like hyperlinks)