Given that Irene Jefferson and Jacob (Jake) Sherman are about as DC as a couple can be–he’s a reporter with Politico, she’s an attorney–it should be no surprise that their celebration was classically DC as well: ivory and green florals, ballroom setting, and some jaw-dropping decor elements. An abundance of florals filled the ceremony and reception space, and it was all captured on camera by Morgan Lynn Photography.
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Irene and Jake’s love story is exactly what you’d imagine a Washington love story to be: she’s an attorney, he’s a reporter, and their mutual friend group brought them together. They’d both lived in New York, but Irene moved to DC to work on Hillary Clinton’s 2007 campaign, while Jake was returning to Washington after completing journalism school in New York. Their first date was dinner at BLT Steak’s bar, an experience they’ve repeated for special occasions since.
Irene went on to law school, and throughout the year they dated, Jake told her he planned to wait until 2017 to propose. But when Irene was studying for finals in the spring of 2014, Jake surprised her a few years early with a cake that read “Happy New Year 2017” and a proposal in their apartment.
Their stunning February wedding at The Ritz-Carlton transformed the ballroom into a floral paradise. Petals lined the aisle, ivory and green florals canvased the chuppah, and arrangements surrounded the room. Custom gold mercury glass walls surrounded the ceremony, giving it a chic, modern feel.
At the reception, Irene surprised Jake with a groom’s cake decorated with Grateful Dead bears, while the wedding cake was adorned with the same topper used on Irene’s great grandparents’ cake and many family members’ since. At the end of night, after the giant dance party reception had come to a close, Irene and Jake departed, a Mediterranean honeymoon planned in the months to follow.
VENDORS
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton | Photographer: Morgan Lynn Photography | Event Planner and Designer: Jodi Moraru of Evoke | Bride’s Gown: Lela Rose, Hitched | Groom’s Tux: Ermenegildo Zegna, Mitchells | Hair Dresser: Amanda Styles and Darcy Eaves of Studio 3 | Bride’s Makeup Artist: Carl Ray | Bridal Party’s Makeup Artist: Abigail de Casanova | Florist: Edge Floral Event Designers | Lighting: Frost Lighting | Caterers: The Ritz-Carlton | Videographer: Mark Morarie Films | Music/Entertainment: Millennium, Kol Chayim Orchestra, and DJ White of J White Productions | Invitations: Toni Footer of The Write Image | Printing: Creative Parties | Calligraphy: Meant To Be Calligraphy | Photo Booth: Social Print Co.
Need an outstanding florist of your own? Here are 36 of the area’s best florists.
Correction: Irene and Jake’s honeymoon took place months following the wedding, not immediately after, as was previously stated.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
