"Alice in Wonderland" Meets "Saltburn" Summer Wedding at Larz Anderson House in Washington, DC
Robin Mowson (36, a public health immunization specialist) and Michael (Mike) Duenes (35, a United States Space Force acquisitions officer) would’ve never guessed meeting through mutual United States Air Force Academy friends would result in a fairytale wedding. But before they could get to that chapter of their love story, an 18-month long-distance relationship was in store. The space between them meant countless phone calls and FaceTimes, and frequent visits between Dayton, Ohio, and Washington, DC.
Eventually, Mike moved to the DC area to live with Robin. Despite frequent work travel, they made time to see each other whenever possible. “One moment I’ll never forget is meeting between flights at Washington Dulles International Airport to have a drink and spend time together. I was arriving back from South America and Mike was headed out on a work trip, but for an hour we were together at a bar in Concourse C,” says Robin.
This commitment to their relationship made them a stronger couple and ready for the next step. On July 23, 2022, Mike took Robin to afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC, to propose. “When we got off the elevator, he told me our room was right around the corner. As we were walking down the hall, I overheard my mother saying ‘I remember when we got engaged’ through a doorway. My jaw dropped and I immediately started crying while Mike tried to assure me that this was a normal afternoon tea,” Robin says. Mike calmed Robin down as best as he could before walking her to the Club Lounge, where Robin’s parents greeted her. Spoiler: It was not, in fact, a normal tea, but an incredible proposal.
With the unconventional beginnings of Robin and Mike’s relationship, it was no surprise the post-engagement plan followed suit. Since Mike had to relocate to Alabama for 10 months for a master’s program, they eloped in DC on April 7, 2023, and planned to have their big wedding the following year on June 29. Because Mike wouldn’t be able to help plan much, booking a hands-on planner was crucial. They selected Edwin Hernandez of Ida Rose Events and Design. “Having him visit venues and vendors with me, then debriefing over dinner and drinks, was so much fun,” says Robin. With the help of their stellar planner, the couple decided on the Larz Anderson House, a Gilded Age mansion in DC, for their venue. “I fell in love with its art, design and history. The entrance sets the scene for the bon vivant vibe I imagined, and because outdoor space was a must for me, its back patio with sculptures and reflecting pool were the icing on top,” says Robin.
Robin and Mike took the atypical route for the ceremony and kept it intimate. There was no decor, no wedding party and guests were asked to arrive during the cocktail hour. Only nine loved ones were in attendance for the ceremony, and Robin’s uncle officiated. “Holding a private ceremony with just close family and friends allowed us to focus on being present. We wanted to read personal vows to each other without being nervous or self-conscious in front of 100-plus people,” Robin says.
The theme for after the ceremony was—you guessed it—anything but ordinary. Robin described the aesthetic as a “whimsical, modern English garden or Alice in Wonderland meets Saltburn.” The core colors were purple, yellow, green and hot pink. At the entrance to the venue, a large champagne bar and custom newspapers welcomed guests. The headline read, “Celebration of the Year! Robin and Mike Say ‘I Do’ Part Deux.” Once guests walked into the building, a watercolor artist painted portraits of attendees. Guests could also explore the museum, get another drink or eat the tasty passed appetizers.
After the cocktail hour, there were too many highlights to count. Fresh fruit and vegetable arrangements decorated the serpentine tables, which Robin thought was “a perfect example of a design choice that was functional while being exciting.” The outdoor event also had a top-notch caviar service; guests could eat small amounts of it on potato chips or blinis. Waiters held trays that read, “Want a bump?” as a nod to the trendy method for enjoying roe: off the back of one’s hands. The focal point was a lush gin-and-tonic bar adorned with greenery and vibrant blooms. It served the couple’s favorite gins, including Empress and Hendrick’s; garnishes like pink peppercorns and thyme; and monogrammed ice cubes—all served in vintage coupes and teacups.
The reception transitioned indoors for the dancing portion of the night and was nothing short of amazing. A lounge area with a luxe dark purple couch surrounded with both oversized paper flowers and fresh ones anchored the decor and was the perfect space to snap Instagram-worthy photos. The music selection matched the mood: Robin and Mike asked the DJ to play specific songs at certain points of the night to keep themselves present and on schedule. For example, as everyone came into the ballroom after dinner, the servers handed out espresso martinis as the DJ spun “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.
Above all the stunning details throughout the evening, most important to Robin and Mike was taking the time to honor loved ones who died before the wedding. Robin’s brother, Craig, passed away in 2020, and it was paramount to Robin to acknowledge him in a beautiful way. “Edwin and I talked about having Craig’s guitar on display with a photo of him nearby, which felt like a nice memorial without being too melancholic. I wasn’t expecting the gorgeous presentation created for the guitar and the floral accents that made it a really special showcase,” Robin says.