Emily Kaiser and Matthieu André connected through a shared love of French culture. Matthieu grew up in Normandy, but eventually moved to Washington, DC to get his PhD from George Washington University. Emily also studied at George Washington, graduating with a degree in French Literature. Their beautiful fall wedding at the historic Lincoln Cottage was captured by Beth Caldwell Photography.
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Despite their shared Francophilia, Emily and Matthieu never crossed paths on campus at George Washington. It wasn’t until they connected online through a dating app that they finally met. They arranged a date at Science Club, a nearby bar and restaurant that has since closed. The connection was immediate. Within six months, Emily and Matthieu had moved in together.
To celebrate Emily’s 30th birthday, the couple rented a cabin near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. While they grilled dinner outside,, sipping sparkling white wine (not true Champagne, Emily emphasizes), overlooking a valley in the park, Matthieu proposed. She said yes, and the newly engaged couple spent the rest of the evening stargazing.
Emily and Matthieu wanted their wedding to feel inclusive for all their guests, so Emily read her wedding vows in French while Matthieu read his in English. They wed at the historic President Lincoln’s Cottage in Northwest DC, a second home the Lincoln family used during the summers during the Civil War, garnering the nickname “the cradle of the Emancipation Proclamation.”
The wedding featured beautiful white, blush, and rust-colored flowers framed with silver dollar eucalyptus and seasonal berries. Emily wore a tiered lace long-sleeve dress with a collar for the outdoor ceremony. Afterwards, the couple headed inside for a seated dinner followed by dancing. Guests wrote their best wishes on stamped Jenga blocks, and the table numbers were carried by a menagerie of charming gold animal figurines, including bears, sheep, rhino and lions.
For their honeymoon, Emily and Matthieu headed for Italy, with stops in Milan, Sicily, and Florence. They are also planning on holding a separate celebration in Normandy for Matthieu’s family and friends.
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Photographer: Beth Caldwell Photography | Ceremony & Reception Venue: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Event Coordinator: Stephanie Day Events | Florist: Highway to Hill | Bride’s Gown: Self-Portrait | Bride’s Veil: Agnes Hart via Etsy | Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss | Hair Dresser: Chelsea Horan | Makeup Artist: Amie Decker of Amie Decker Beauty | Caterers & Cake: Corcoran Caterers | Cake Topper: Goose Grease | Transportation: Z-Limo | Ceremony Guitarist: Michael Kolmstetter | Reception DJ: DJ Derek | Invitations: Paperless Post | Jenga Guestbook: Your Wedding Project via Etsy | Gold Animal Place Settings: Klepac & Co via Etsy
Hayley is an Associate Editor at Washingtonian Weddings. Previously she was the the Style Editor at The Local Palate, a Southern food culture magazine based out of Charleston, South Carolina. You can follow her on instagram @wandertaste.
