When Carri and Damiisa struck up a conversation at the Gryphon in Dupont, Damiisa thought she had a sweet smile and was captivating; Carri says he was charming and persistent. Their first date was a Backyard Band show at Society Restaurant & Lounge, and a few years later the couple went full circle and hired the go-go band as entertainment for their wedding.
The big day was marked by a “moody Secret Garden” theme in dark blue, purple, and green hues. Carri’s favorite element was the floral fountain at the reception; Damisa’s favorite was the ombré floral installation that lined each side of the ceremony aisle, going from purple to blue to green. Their slogan—WELCOME TO DC—was a nod to the couple’s initials as well as the District, with DC-inspired details including an ode to old-fashioned go-go posters on the escort wall and late-night appetizers like half-smokes, fries, chicken wings, and mumbo sauce.
The details
This wedding originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of The Washingtonian.
Editor for fashion and weddings
Amy runs Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Before joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.
