Romantic floral details and a soft spring palette breathe life into a classic DC hotel wedding
In full bloom this past April, Michelle and Timmy’s wedding transformed the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel into a lush pastel garden. Designed to reflect a romantic and refined sensibility, the celebration combined the natural beauty of the venue’s outdoor gazebo with dreamy spring flowers in shades of blush, pale pink, lavender, cream and soft blue. The Omni Shoreham’s lush gardens and graceful event spaces made it the perfect backdrop for Michelle and Timmy’s floral-forward celebration.
Tucked into the leafy Woodley Park neighborhood, the Omni Shoreham Hotel is a storied gem among DC wedding venues. With its blend of classic elegance and grand architecture, it offers a stunning variety of event spaces. No space is more iconic than the Omni’s lush garden gazebo and the palatial Empire Ballroom. Originally opened in 1930, the hotel has hosted presidents, inaugural balls, and Hollywood royalty, making it a timeless setting for weddings that want to blend luxury with a sense of Washington history. The mature trees, expansive lawns, and Art Deco interiors offer a rare mix of old-world romance and spacious grandeur, ideal for couples envisioning a wedding that feels both intimate and impressive.
The bride carried a petite French hand-tied bouquet composed of delicate white sweet pea, a soft and ethereal complement to her ornate gown. Bridesmaids held lush bouquets in shades of lilac, champagne, blush, baby blue, and sage, with Juliet garden roses, Quicksand roses, blush ranunculus, blue delphinium, and lavender lilac.
The ceremony, held under the Omni’s garden gazebo, was reimagined as a symmetrical English garden chuppah. Roses, delphinium, hydrangea, lisianthus, and stock in soft pastel hues created an immersive walkway along the aisle. The dome columns and canopy were drenched in lush smilax and roses and more to frame the space. Two vintage stone urns flanked the couple as they recited their vows. Two urns on pedestals mirrored the ceremony scheme, flanking the entrance to the aisle.
As guests proceeded to the cocktail space, a collection of large rattan baskets burst with pastel garden blooms – hydrangea, garden roses, stock and delphinium – framed the escort wall. Petite designs graced cocktail tables, blending seamlessly into the garden-inspired vision.
Inside the grand ballroom, the floral magic continued. Smilax draped the ceiling and climbed columns, enhanced by faux cherry and wisteria strands, completely transforming the space. Long reception tables burst with lush floral runners of hydrangea, roses, stock, lisianthus and delphinium in pastel hues, accented with an array of blush, lavender, and pale blue taper candles. Round tables held low “gardens” brimming with flowers and ringed by pastel tapers in optic glass sleeves. Finally, stately urns were placed on strategic tables, bringing grandeur to the room.
As a finishing touch, the sweetheart table featured a lush meadow of flowers. A sprig of Italian ruscus greeted guests at each placesetting, creating a perfect finish to this pastel dream.
Ceremony & Reception: Omni Shoreham Hotel
Photography: Brigitte Renee Photography
Florist: Petal’s Edge
Cake: Fluffy Thoughts
Hair & Make Up: Beauty & the Bride, Samantha James Salon
Lighting: Epic Events
Music: Cherry Blossom String Quartet & Washington Talent
Rentals: DC Rental
Signage: Signature Designs
Planner: Sara Muchnick Events
