Nathan and Anne’s National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding in Washington DC was one for the books. This one-of-a-kind, self-officiated, floral-free wedding was topped off with late-night hot dogs and a winter storm with impeccable timing. Nathan and Anne’s vision reflected everything that makes this venue a perfect match for couples who do things their own way.
National Museum of Women in the Arts Wedding: A Gallery of Their Own
The day began with first looks and a stroll around the breathtaking NMWA exhibits. Nathan and Anne came together for a private moment before family and wedding party photos. Wedding photographer, Jacqie Q, perfectly captured their whirlwind of emotions as they prepared to say “I do.”
Her lens also highlighted the depth and artistry the museum offered, framing the couple against timeless works of art. The scene was set with grand staircases and family embraces.
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A Unique Ceremony Under the Chuppah
In the stunning 2-story neo-classical Great Hall of the NMWA, loved ones sat in a diamond ceremony layout, awaiting the guests of honor. As the procession began, Nathan and Anne stood at the top of the marble staircases amongst crystal chandeliers, taking each other in. They walked down together to self-officiate under the chuppah arch, officially making this a uniquely personal Jewish wedding, complete with glass breaking and seven blessings. As you can imagine, the room was overcome with emotion, full of happy tears and knowing smiles.
Cocktail Hour on the National Museum of Women in the Arts Mezzanine
After their intimate ceremony, Nathan and Anne led everyone up to the Mezzanine for cocktail hour. Guests admired the museum’s impressive architecture while enjoying appetizers and taking photos.
Though Nathan and Anne chose not to use it, a National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding can host cocktail hour in the 3rd floor gallery as well. As of 2026, the cost for this elevated space is +$3,000, and it comes with some strict rules: no real flames, no red food or drink, and no amplified music.
Whether on the Mezzanine or up in the gallery, cocktail hour at the NMWA sets a tone that’s hard to match, making it a unique and versatile wedding venue. While guests sipped and mingled, the reception space told a story all on its own.
An Eco-Friendly, Floral-Free Vision
When did flowers become a wedding requirement? Nathan and Anne asked themselves the same question and decided to leave them off the list completely. Their floral-free, greenery-free wedding was a conscious, eco-friendly choice rooted in being non-wasteful, and honestly? You wouldn’t have known the difference. The intimate atmosphere they created proved that florals aren’t what makes a wedding feel like a wedding — the people do.
Tables were adorned with candles and thrifted books, and the commitment to sustainability didn’t stop there. Rather than a traditional seating chart board, Nathan and Anne opted for a digital seating chart displayed on a monitor provided by Dan Martin Productions. This choice also came in handy when last-minute seat reassignments were needed during the winter storm. Tables, chairs, and linens were provided by Select Event Group.
What about the bouquet, you ask? A hand-knitted arrangement, lovingly made by a friend. Nathan and Anne had all the ideas — we simply helped make them happen. From Nathan’s chain mail bow tie to his pet portrait cufflinks, every touch told a story.
Nathan and Anne’s vision was guided by a thoughtful budget. Check out our Step-by-Step Guide for building your DC wedding budget.
The Great Hall Reception
In the NMWA Great Hall, guests enjoyed dinner service and more of Nathan and Anne’s personal taste with rounds of trivia written and hosted by MyDeejay’s Brian Jones. This team effort allowed Nathan and Anne to also participate in the fun as they all enjoyed dinner served by the Purple Onion. Tables were decorated with goblet style glassware, tarot card table names, candles, and thrifted books. Together, these details made for a whimsical, one-of-a-kind reception. DJ Brian hinted to guests, “You can’t use the books to find your answers, but you can take them home today as a gift from our couple!”
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Our planning team collected answer sheets and did the scoring while toasts commenced. Emotions were high as videos and photographs of Nathan and Anne through the years played — also the announcement that the trivia winners would be first in line for dessert really got the crowd going too!
Dancing Among Masterpieces
Dessert arrived from Mount Desert Island Ice Cream DC, and trivia winners were announced. Nathan and Anne enjoyed first bites of their perfectly customized desserts (peep Anne’s thoughts on the salted caramel). Then came their first dance together before the floor opened for guests. In true non-traditional Jewish wedding fashion, Nathan and Anne opted for an un-lifted Hora.
Their night on the dance floor was filled with joy with lots of partner dancing, belting wedding classics, hands in the air, and drinks served by Ace Beverage. The night came to a close with a late-night hot dog station and gifted books for guests as an experiential keepsake.
Nothing Could Stop This National Museum of Women in the Arts Wedding
Washington DC winters are notoriously unpredictable, and Nathan and Anne’s wedding weekend was no exception. A major winter storm rolled into the city, causing many out-of-town guests to cancel to avoid being snowed in. Rather than let empty seats dampen the celebration, the Kinfete Weddings & Events team quickly coordinated last-minute local guests to fill the room, while simultaneously managing vendor load-in and load-out timing to keep everything on schedule. Not a single detail slipped. And the snow? It held off just long enough for Nathan and Anne to have the wedding of their dreams before the first flake fell. A literary-romantic, self-officiated, book-gifting, hotdog-ending wedding — and not even a blizzard could touch it.
This is exactly why having the right team in your corner matters. Work with us to ensure your event is a success.
The Vendor Team
Coordination: Kinfete Weddings & Events
Catering — Purple Onion
Photographer — Jacqie Q
DJ — MyDeejay
Screen — Dan Martin Productions
Baker/Desserts — Mount Desert Island Ice Cream DC
Rentals — Select Event Group
Alcohol — Ace Beverage
Hair and Makeup — Updos for I Dos
