Lilly's Garden Wedding at Meridian House in Washington DC

Lilly and Cody's May 2025 wedding was a beautiful celebration set in the historic gardens of Meridian House in Washington DC. The day began at Lyle DC Hotel in Dupont Circle, where Lilly spent a calm and intentional morning getting ready with her family. It was an honor to be a part of such a meaningful and beautifully curated garden wedding in Washington DC.

-Hi there! I'm Olivia and I help brides feel like their best self in the most comfortable way. My hair and makeup style is natural, authentic, and inspired by soft glam. I'm located in Baltimore and Connecticut, and serve the East Coast from Virginia to Massachusetts.

The Bridal Beauty Vision

During our discovery call, Lilly shared that she loved the idea of an Audrey Hepburn-inspired makeup look. Something classic, polished, and with defined eyeliner. As we talked more about her features and overall style, we decided to take a slightly softer approach to her features that would feel more balanced and natural.

After our phone call, she came to our preview with detailed notes about her preferences and skin and hair type. She is one of the most organized brides ever. See below for her hand-drawn notes! :)

Instead of a heavy liner, we focused on delicate definition that enhanced her eyes and complemented her features. Her hair vision stayed the same from the beginning though. We went for a sleek blowout look with soft volume and bouncy ends.

Below are some photos from her bridal preview!

Lilly's Slow Wedding Morning

Lilly approached her wedding morning with the same thoughtfulness she brought to the rest of her planning. While I began setting up in her suite at Lyle DC and started hair and makeup for her mom, Lilly took a quiet walk through the Dupont neighborhood with her fiance, Cody. It was one of those perfect spring mornings where the air was so fresh and you could hear birds chirping in the streets.

By the time she returned, the room was calm and felt so settled as she got ready alongside her mom and sister. There were tears shed, laughter, and a quiet but steady presence among them.

Her hair was styled in a centered part with a. sleek blowout and soft, moveable waves that gave it natural volume and bounce. The styling allowed for flexibility throughout the day so she could easily tuck it behind her ears or have it fall softly around her face. For makeup, we went for a satin skin finish that felt radiant but not too glowy.

The Ceremony + Reception

Meridian House is one of my favorite venues in Washington DC! I love the library mixed with timeless, French architecture and garden greenery vibes.

Lilly and Cody exchanged vows in the garden and then moved into the historic library for an intimate dinner party reception. Their design carried a whimsical yet earthy feel and complemented Lilly's effortless style beautifully.

I am so honored to have been a part of Lilly's wedding morning. I love how intentional she was about every detail on her wedding day, from her morning walk with Cody, to the calm moments spent with her family. It was truly a grounded, joyful, and wholesome day and I'm so happy to have been a part of her Meridian House wedding.

If you're a Washington DC bride and looking for a hair and makeup artist for your garden- and French- inspired wedding, I'd love to connect and chat about your beauty vision! Click here to inquire and learn more.

You can also check out my recent blog post to read about Michelle, another city bride who got married at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington DC and booked my Wedding Weekend Package!

Vendor Team:

Planning: Erin Cleveland Events

Photography: Fair Foxes Photography

Videography: Films By Madeleine

Venue: Meridian House

Getting Ready Location: Lyle DC

Bride's Gown: Luna D'Miel

Florals: Dear Flower

Catering: Well Dunn Catering

DJ: DJ Maskell

Hair and Makeup: Olivia Lo Makeup