Vintage Collegiate Wedding

Chris Vinciguerra proposed to Alison Noelker on the same spot of Georgetown University’s campus where they had their first lunch date. As a nod to Alison’s love of history, they married at the house where Dolly Madison sought shelter during the War of 1812—just 10 blocks from Georgetown. “The wedding ended up being a hodgepodge of things we love and bits of our own history,” says Alison.

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• Planner:Ritzy Bee Events; 703/508-7132
• Photographer:Kate Headley; 202/247-1518
• Wedding gown and veil:Paloma Blanca through Jeanette's Bride 'N Tux Boutique; 703/369-1998
• Groom's Suit: Joseph Abboud through Men's Wearhouse
• Groom's Tie:Turnbull & Asser

Paper Moss designed a suite of invitations, and Alison scoured eBay for vintage stamps to use on the invitations.

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Invitations: Paper Moss; 401/632-4426

Alison's father owns a sign company, Westwind Sign, which made these whimsical markers designed by Paper Moss.

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Signage: Design by Paper Moss; 401/632-4426; made by Westwind Sign; 812/523-3139

Found objects—collected from thrift stores—can be a unique way to add style on a budget. A vintage cola crate held the wedding programs.

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Programs: Paper Moss; 401/632-4426

The ceremony took place at the Dumbarton House, the place where Dolly Madison sought shelter during the War of 1812, in the Georgetown neighborhood.

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Ceremony Venue: Dumbarton House; 202/337-2288

The bride chose a jewel-toned bouquet in blue, purple, and magenta. "My bouquet had rosemary and hydrangea for my grandmother Rosemarie and the lace wrap on it was from my great-grandmother Emma's wedding dress," Caroline says.

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Flowers: Holly Chapple Flowers; 703/777-8227

The groomsmen and Chris pose in the streets of Georgetown.

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• Groom's and groomsmen's suits: Joseph Abboud through Men's Wearhouse
• Groom's and groomsmen's ties:Turnbull & Asser

These custom buttoms featured a cherry blossom as an ode to D.C.

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Buttons: Just Buttons; design by Paper Moss; 401/632-4426

The "drinks and dessert" reception was held under a tent at the Dumbarton House.

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  Cakes, catering, and rentals:Design Cuisine; 703/979-9400
• Flowers:Holly Chapple Flowers; 703/777-8227
• Tent: Sugarplum Tent Company; 301/869-2054

Alison used her own 4-H ribbons and scoured eBay for the letters and pennants to display.

An antique suitcase served as a stand for the couple's wedding cake. Vintage stamps Alison had found on eBay were reproduced on the cake.

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Wedding cake: Design Cuisine; 703/979-9400

Champagne topped with blue cotton candy served as the reception's signature drink.

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Catering: Design Cuisine; 703/979-9400

Printed flags, for waving at the couple's exit, were emblazoned with the monogram from the wedding invitations.

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Flags: Paper Moss; 401/632-4426

Alison kept family traditions alive by wearing a special ring that belonged to her grandmother, and Chris wore her grandfather's wedding ring.

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Hair and makeup: Andre Chreky; 202/293-9393

Alison had wanted her guests to wave sparklers at their send-off, but since they were not permitted pennants and ribbons were chosen instead. "As sad as I was not to have sparklers, the exit was perfect and was one that couldn't be duplicated," she says.

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Exit dress: Lela Rose through The Bride Room; 615/297-9899