For couple Cara and Amari, their big day was a work of art. And it required a wedding venue to match. So they chose Long View Gallery, a spacious historic warehouse with 15-foot ceilings and industrial vibes. The walls are lined with contemporary art for a stylish and very cool look. And it’s roomy enough for a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in the same space. While the guests are in the back room for drinks, the staff can flip the ceremony room to get it reception-ready.
But before this celebration even began, Cara, Amari, their families, and the wedding party zipped over to the National Gallery of Art for first looks. Photographer Maggie Morris got plenty of pictures of the happy couple and their favorite people. We love the way the bridesmaids’ pink dresses pop against the stark gray of the staircase! They all look ready for the Barbie premiere (topical reference!).
After the photo shoot, it was time to head to the ceremony site. The music choices for Cara and Amari’s ceremony were 🤌 *chef’s kiss*. The guests were free to look at the art and say their hellos to each other—until the Succession Main Title Theme began. That was their cue to sit down and get ready for serious business. The groom, his parents, and the groomsmen then made their entrance to Die Hard by Kendrick Lamar ft. Blxst and Amanda Reifer. Then the bridesmaids made a separate entrance to XO by Beyoncé. Finally, Cara made her grand entrance to Still By Seinabo Sey.
She looked fabulous in a sleek gown with plunging open back and long train. The sheer opera-length gauntlets added just the right amount of drama! Amari looked wedding-ready in his black tux, but a pair of slick black loafers kept the look super modern.
After the ceremony, the pair beat a happy retreat to (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher by Jackie Wilson. The party moved to the venue’s back room for cocktail hour, where a Maryland’s DJ photo booth awaited. While the guests snapped photos and chatted about how beautiful the ceremony was, the front room was flipped and prepared for dinner and dancing.
The party got off to a steamy start, with the wedding party and the couple all entering to Summer Renaissance by Beyoncé. But things slowed down quickly for Cara and Amari’s first dance to Find Someone Like You by Snoh Aalegra. Then Cara and her dad danced to You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker, followed by Amari and his mom to Mamma Hold My Hand by Aloe Blacc. (Try not to cry at that last one.)
With the industrial setting, uplighting, and bumping music by Maryland’s DJ, this reception had warehouse party vibes. Cara changed into a short feathery dress, and the party raged all night long. Fittingly, the last song was All Night by Beyoncé.
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Published on:
Thursday, July 27, 2023
