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How do you tell the story of a wedding you weren’t invited to, one held in what may be America’s most public yet exclusive place to say “I do?”
You get creative. You’re standing in front of the White House in the freezing cold Saturday morning with all other media excluded, using binoculars to see Naomi Biden’s wedding dress. (Long sleeves, high neckline, lace! Which, when the close-up photos materialized, turned out to be Ralph Lauren.) Comb social media for details that friends, wedding guests, hired help. Wait for guests to leave the secure perimeter and politely walk them through all the details. Follow the bride’s beautician on Instagram.
On Saturday, President Biden’s granddaughter Naomi Biden, 28, married Peter Neal, 25, the 19th White House wedding and the first for a member of the presidential family held on the grounds since the Clinton era. The newlyweds shared their vows in front of about 250 guests outdoors (brother) with the south portico as an impressive photographic backdrop. The ceremony was followed by an intimate luncheon in the State Dining Room and, later that evening, a dessert reception and dance for several hundred other friends. To answer the question immediately raised by critics: “Who paid for all this?” — the answer is the Biden family, not taxpayers, according to the first lady’s spokeswoman.
The groom’s family hosted a rehearsal dinner Friday evening at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. Naomi wore a pleated tulle cape covered in lace flowers for the rehearsal, then changed into a tailored jacket, according to designer Danielle Frankel.
The next morning, through their telephoto lenses and binoculars, the media could see green and white floral garlands adorning the south portico, and—hmm, let’s squint a little more—are two officiants ? Three bridesmaids? Does the president make his entrance?
Yes, yes, and yes, according to an account of the weekend’s events from guests who spoke to The Washington Post, along with a preview of the print program.
Security was tight, with a heavy police presence in both Lafayette Square and the Ellipse, which were cordoned off with yellow tape and metal barricades. Guests were required to undergo a background check and be tested for the coronavirus. It was clear but chilly — 39 degrees — and guests, who had to check their cell phones at the door, were given hand warmers and white scarves for the 11 a.m. ceremony.
First, President Biden escorted the groom’s two grandmothers, each using a cane, then turned, trotted back down the aisle and back down the aisle with First Lady Jill Biden. Then came the bridal party: Naomi’s sister Finnegan, 22, she was maid of honor, and the groom’s brother, Robert, was best man. The bridesmaids, who wore matching blazers for warmth, included Naomi’s other sister Maisy, 21, and his new sister-in-law, Katherine “Betsy” Neal.
Naomi made her entrance from the Diplomatic Room of the White House in a ball gown with lace sleeves and a high neckline that channeled actress Grace Kelly’s famous wedding dress. Her spectacular lace lace veil trailed several meters back. The groom, in a navy three-piece suit, also Ralph Lauren, wore a floral brooch as a boutonniere. The first lady wore a blue green silk chiffon dress and wool crepe with matching belt coat by designer Reem Acra, who also wore it to the most recent Kennedy Center Honors and Barack Obama’s 2009 presidential inauguration.
The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father, Hunter Biden, and her mother, Kathleen Buhle, to the tune of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve. Although the president did not speak at the ceremony, Ashley Blazer Biden, Naomi’s aunt and the president’s daughter, read “God Is Love” from the New Testament. Another part of the ceremony included a reading of “I Carry Your Heart With Me” by ee Cummings. The groom’s father, William C. Neal, sang “Ubi Caritas” with an ensemble of DC singers
The couple wrote their own vows, which were officiated by a Catholic bishop and a Presbyterian minister. “They reminisced about their experience with each other and what led them to today,” said Linzi Lane, a friend of the Neal family. “It was well done. … I don’t think there was a dry eye.”
Lane said a bee landed on Naomi’s dress during the ceremony, and Peter tenderly removed it.
Vivaldi played as the bride returned to the White House for lunch. He could be seen raising his triumphant bouquet. Later, she and Peter had a photo shoot, kissing on the balcony of the state floor. A small army of official wedding photographers included Corbin Gurkin, who photographed the wedding of Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas and was voted one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by “Bazaar Bride.” A small army of not official wedding photographers included a drone that flew over the Ellipse to capture aerial photographs.
The programs were recorded with an intertwined N and P and included a thank you note from the couple: “Thank you for being by our side today. We are grateful to be surrounded by the people we love. Naomi and Peter”.
After lunch, the president and his daughter Ashley attended Mass Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown. An attendee says the congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to the president, who turned 80 on Sunday. (The first lady hosted a brunch in her honor.)
Onward to the evening! Guests who didn’t make the cut earlier still had the chance to celebrate the couple at a larger but still exclusive evening reception. Attendees reported that the guest list was full of friends of the couple from Sidwell Friends, George Washington University, Penn and Columbia, but few Washington dignitaries. (Names in bold at the morning ceremony included former Sen. Chris Dodd, former Sen. Ted Kaufman, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his wife, Evan Ryan, who is a White House Cabinet Secretary.)
Don’t give us cabinet members, give us the details!
well The Dress: Naomi changed into a strapless ivory gown with a plunging neckline, a tiny train and embellished buttons down the back, a guest reports. She wore her engagement ring and wedding band over a pair of tulle gloves and the same Tiffany pearl and diamond earrings she wore to the ceremony. Women’s Wear Daily reported that the evening gown was designed by Alexandra O’Neill for Markarian, the label the first lady wore on Inauguration Day.
The cake: Seven levels and completely white fondant. Individual slices in boxes were given out to attendees as party favors. The flavor was “lemon,” says the guest.
The music: Two bands, who played a mix of old romantics and pop music, including songs by Amy Winehouse and Beyoncé. In addition to the traditional first dance and parent dances, the bride danced with her grandfather, the president, whom she calls “Pops.”
“He never stopped whispering in her ear,” reported one guest. “It was probably one of my favorite moments of the whole night.”
The party spread throughout the White House, with multiple spaces for drinking and dancing. The white and green floral motif of the early hours of the day was carried over to the decoration of the night, along with lots of candle light. The festivities were orchestrated by Bryan Rafanelli, one of the nation’s top wedding planners, who planned Chelsea Clinton’s Rhinebeck, NY wedding, as well as other White House holiday events and state dinners.
Peter offered a toast. Maisy wore a striped dress. The first lady wore an icy blue knee-length dress embellished with sequins. Baby Beau, the bride’s 2-year-old half-brother, was wearing a tiny tuxedo and reportedly had a little meltdown at the end of the night, past his bedtime, a guest speculated . The president stayed late to mingle with the guests.
Peter and Naomi, both lawyers, met on a date arranged by a mutual friend in 2018 and have been living on the third floor of the White House. “These two fell in love after two days,” a friend, Asha-Kai Grant, wrote on Instagram last year.
The bride’s grandparents released a statement Saturday. “It’s been a joy to watch Naomi grow up, discover who she is and make such an incredible life for herself,” said the president and first lady. “Now, we are filled with pride to see her choose Peter as her husband and are honored to welcome him into our family. We wish them days filled with laughter and a love that grows deeper with each passing year. happens”.
Rafanelli, the event planner, posted several photos on his Instagram account. Other than that, the official channels have remained silent, allowing the newlyweds a chance to enjoy their day. Most friends did the same. But binoculars were not needed to see that the pair were facing each other.
“Naomi was dancing from start to finish,” said a friend of the groom. “They were so in love and so happy.”
Jura Koncius contributed to this report.
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