Though Vesna Harasic-Yaksic and David Van Voorhees still disagree on who said hello first, they both agree “the rest was history!” after they first met at a bar with friends over Memorial Day Weekend. “I remember thinking to myself that he was very handsome, and I was instantly drawn to his energetic and charming personality,” smiles Vesna. “I quickly discovered that he was also born and raised in the DC area, went to a private high school five minutes away from my house, and we had a ton of mutual friends.” 

A few days before Christmas, David proposed to Vesna in her childhood bedroom after a collection of videos and photos of their five years together played before her eyes. “I was already in tears at that point and obviously said yes,” remembers the bride of the memorable moment. As they headed down the stairs, Vesna was surprised once again with an engagement celebration attended both of their families. “Looking back, the proposal was the perfect reflection of the man I married,” she shares. 

Aligning on their vision for their nuptials from the start, Vesna and David worked closely with their wedding planner to bring their dream wedding to life. “With strong ties to the nation’s capital and an obsession with the truffle rolls at Bourbon Steak, we knew there was no place we’d rather say ‘I do!’ than the Four Seasons in Georgetown,” confirms the bride. “We wanted a classic color palette that incorporated gold, white, cream, and champagne tones against a navy backdrop.” 

Guests were invited to the elegant event by way of a wedding invitation designed in the sophisticated color palette, which set the tone for the entire celebration. Friends and family took their seats for the beautiful ceremony in a lovely ballroom highlighting a stunning ceiling treatment of white cherry-blossom branches, emerald green camellia foliage, and suspended candles. The bride – who was absolutely gorgeous in a tulle-sleeved gown and a classic red lip – and groom exchanged vows in front of a gold- mirrored arch adorned with white florals, which also lined the aisle in gilt planter boxes. 

“With strong ties to the nation’s capital... we knew there was no place we’d rather say ‘I do!’”

In striking contrast, the reception incorporated bold navy tones, with guests first finding their seating assignments suspended from a gold-mirrored “tree” comprised of white cherry-blossom branches, fragrant florals, and greenery. Making their way into the ballroom, loved ones found their seats at round and rectangular tables topped with textured ivory linens, gold flatware, and chic plateware showcasing bullion-toned peony designs. Each guest’s place setting featured a stylish menu card with a monogrammed wax seal, which had been showcased prior in the invitation suite. 

Following the sit-down dinner service, friends and family enjoyed slices of the three-tiered wedding cake featuring a golden waterfall design displayed on an acrylic stand that allowed the bride’s veil to be repurposed as a decorative piece draped from the confection. 

After David and Vesna – who had changed into a short feathered dress – cut the cake, they surprised their guests with a “second dance” on the monogrammed dance floor: a choreographed salsa routine to “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias. “It was the most fun we’ve ever had and we absolutely nailed it!” says Vesna, who loved incorporating her Hispanic heritage into the day. “From that moment on, the dancing did not stop!” 

From the memorable ceremony in which the couple shared their own handwritten vows to the elegant dinner reception and the night filled with revelry, Vesna and David agree they would not change a single thing about their nuptials. “The weekend was not only beautiful, but also filled with so much love and joy,” smiles the bride.

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