Ski-Themed Winter Wedding in the Heart of Washington D.C.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand on a city sidewalk. Trees and cars line the street, and a tall monument is visible in the background.

Ski-Themed Winter Wedding in the Heart of Washington D.C.

CATEGORIES

March 26, 2025
Words by Ajereen Carbonell
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Nolan

Many couples tend to think of tropical beaches or historic châteaux when considering a destination wedding location. Ski-enthusiasts residing in Colorado, Margot and Vince opted for a destination wedding experience that brought them closer to family in Washington D.C. yet still incorporated winter in the mountains into their overall theme!

A wedding invitation set, a groom in a tux adjusting his watch, and people in matching outfits drinking from a long shared cup. Top left: A bride and another woman adjust the gown near a window. Top right: Abstract doodle artwork. Bottom: Bride descends a spiral staircase with a chandelier overhead.

“We decided we’d bring the mountains to D.C. in our black tie ski-themed winter wedding,” Margot explains.

Margot and Vince made it a mission to find a venue that would simplify the experience for themselves as well as their few traveling guests. In the end, Hotel Washington shone above the rest for its swanky rooftop, grand columns, and centralized location.

A wedding in a decorated indoor venue, a couple kisses near chairs and guests. Outside, the Washington Monument is visible amidst greenery and roads.

Working with Lissa from Lissa Marie Weddings and Events made planning seamless for the couple, especially because of her local expertise and vendor connections. “She was key to ensuring all vendors knew where to be and how to execute their jobs swiftly leading up to the weekend and on the day,” Margot says.

Wedding party in formal attire, posing joyously outside under a "Hotel Washington" awning with bouquets. Below, a group of groomsmen in black suits toast with canned drinks indoors. Elegant event setup featuring a seating chart on a board, guest name tags with winter sports imagery, and a decorated dining area with black chairs, white flowers, and candles.

Margot and Vince worked to add touches of the Colorado lifestyle to the design of their East Coast wedding. The result? Like stepping into a winter wonderland mountain getaway! Details carried the theme throughout the day such as a chairlift vignette at cocktail hour created by Margot’s mother, “lift ticket” table escort cards, mountain-scape cookie favors, and ski props at the photo booth, etc..

A grand chandelier and garland on a staircase, people mingling in formal attire in a hall, and a couple in wedding attire with a bouquet standing outside. A wedding scene featuring a ski-themed reception table setup with candles and decor; below, a bride and groom sit on a bench with ski poles and signs, sharing a kiss.

Despite a few small challenges such as a nephew’s comedic disruption during speeches, a dance floor slip, and a dress malfunction, the couple embraced these moments with humor rather than distress.

Looking back at their special day, Margot says, “As time passes we laugh at these perfectly imperfect moments and reminisce with nothing but gratitude to have these special memories and funny stories to make the day more memorable.”

A split image showing ice cream containers, ski boots, and a wedding ceremony with a seated bride and groom while a woman reads to the audience.