August 2005
Elated newlyweds Elisa and Peter O'Keefe
Elisa & Peter: International Cocktail Stations
A June wedding at McLean Gardens Ballroom united Elisa Stafford, a 30-year old youth director, and 30-year old finance director Peter O'Keefe, as husband and wife. The couple met in Hungary, where they both worked as teachers. Referred to BasiKneads Catering by McLean Gardens event site manager Margaret McDermott, O'Keefe was impressed by both "the delicious food and flexibility with pricing and the menu."
Tying the Knot
A radiant bride on a sunny June day
Reverend Jonathan Wemple officiated at the indoor ceremony, which started promptly at 6:30 pm. Illuminated by the soft glow of votive candles and hurricane lamps, a trumpet and violin duet, composed of friends of the bride and groom, serenaded the guests as they took their seats.
The O'Keefes incorporated handfasting into their ceremony, the ancient Celtic ritual of tying the couple's wrists together with an ornate, ceremonial ribbon. Some improvisation was needed when realizing that the ribbon was missing halfway through the ceremony. Reverend Wemple quick-wittedly resolved the problem by binding the two wrists together with his own necktie instead.
Egészségedre!
Celebrating at McLean Gardens Ballroom
After the ceremony, a full bar greeted guests on the sleek marble floors of McLean's elegant foyer. Tuxedoed servers passed tempting hors d'oeuvres including Baked Crab, Brie and Artichoke Crostini, vegetarian Crimini Mushrooms Stuffed with Swiss Cheese, Pecans and Herbs, and tender Indonesian Pork Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce.
A beautiful cake baked by the bride's mother
O'Keefe wanted a menu that "could appeal to as many different types of people as possible, from the exotic to the ordinary." Keeping this vision in mind, BasiKneads events consultant Andrew Crane designed an international menu comprising three stations - a Latin station, an Asian station, and a salad station highlighting fresh, seasonal produce.
A dramatic food buffet with lavish floral arrangements by Carol Bok delighted guests as they re-entered the ballroom for an evening of dinner and dancing. Exquisite Don Castor peach-hued linens picked up colors from the ballroom's silk draperies and historic murals. Two additional cocktail stations, positioned in opposite corners of the ballroom, encouraged guests to socialize throughout the ballroom.
Guests enjoyed a scrumptious wedding cake, baked by the bride's own mother, while viewing a slideshow sharing the couple's most cherished moments. Crowning the evening was an unforgettable toast; instead of traditional champagne, the couple said "cheers" with Hungarian brandy.
The O'Keefes leading a Hungarian brandy toast
A disc jockey from Mark Sonders Productions kept the guests dancing, and Debra Lindsay of Jana Curcio Photography did not miss a beat. "Our photographer was just perfect for us," raves O'Keefe.
The newlyweds celebrated their honeymoon in Hungary and Croatia.
The Menu
Featured Vendors
McLean Gardens Ballroom
Washington, DC
www.mcleangardens.com/ballroom.asp
(202) 966-9781
BasiKneads Catering
Arlington, VA
www.basikneads.com
(703) 807-0005
Jana Curcio Photography
Alexandria, VA
www.janaphoto.com
(202) 905-3839
Mark Sonder Productions
www.marksonderproductions.com
(540) 636-1640
Planning a wedding or other special event at McLean Gardens Ballroom? Contact BasiKneads Catering at info@basikneads.com.
All photographs by Jana Curcio Photography.