RHOP Candiace and Chris Opulent DC Wedding
Miss United States turned Real Housewife, Candiace Dillard’s wedding dripped with opulence. Candiace and Chris were so intentional with all of their wedding choices, including their amazing wedding planner Strawberry Milk Events.
RHOP fans may recognize these images from People and BRIDES.
Like any engagement journey, it all started with the dress. Candiace being a former pageant queen and a self-proclaimed girly girl, going to a bridal salon wasn’t an option for her. Instead, Candiace reached out to bridal designer Karen Sabag Couture for a custom bridal dress that fits every detailed request. Her custom wedding dress took 8 months to create. To add drama to Candiace’s corseted ball gown was 70 yards of imprinted pearl cream silk organza, 80 yards of hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, and the pièce de résistance was two French bows at the shoulders.
When it came to location, Andrew Mellon Auditorium was the obvious choice - the lofty ceilings, marble accents, and gilded details were the perfect amount of elevated glam. To add to the built-in glam that the Mellon provides, the couple went with a modern gold arch for their ceremony, that was draped in lush greenery and soft white blooms. Candiace’s walk down the aisle was framed with mercury-inspired edging with white roses in gold boxes while the chandelier above were framed with white rosebuds.
Candiace walked down the aisle to John Legend’s “You and I (Nobody in the World)”. Candiace started the walk on her own, then joined her father, followed by her step-father, and finally, her mother joined them to give Candiace away. Candiace and Chris exchanged vows they wrote themselves, keeping it heartfelt, witty, and touch 90’s with R&B hit references.
Their dinner reception carried the glam vibes with long dinner tables set beneath gilded arches that matched their ceremony arch. Crisp white linens topped with gold mirrored runners adorned the table tops, with soft white blooms and candlelight bringing in the romance.
Candiace and Chris continued to dance to John Legend, sharing their first dance to “I Love, You Love”. When it was time for more dancing and cutting their cake, Candiace changed into a second custom gown by Karen Sabag Couture - this time a gilded shorter number, that allowed her to move throughout the entire night.
Looking back on their wedding day, Candiace said “It’s important to remember that this is your day with your partner, and no one else’s. It can get hectic at the end, so do your best to remember why you’re doing it all: to celebrate your love for each other!”
Wedding planning + design Strawberry Milk Events | Custom decor Social Supply Events | Venue Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium | Bride’s dresses and veil Karen Sabag Couture | Hair Stephanie Harris, | Makeup Melissa Mangrum | Floral design Edge Floral Event Designers | Paper The Dandelion Patch, | Catering Spilled Milk Catering | Cake Buttercream Bakeshop