Jessica and Joe's Spy Museum Washington DC wedding

Photo by Kissick Wedding

Enjoy and dream about the warmer weather as we hear from Bella Notte who helped design this fabulous Spy Museum wedding!

Like many couples in recent years, Jessica and Joe were legally married by the time they hosted this celebration, so they knew the focus was going to be having a big party! Originally, Jessica wanted to go very classic with all white, but we pushed her to consider adding some color in. The cocktail hour bar at The Spy Museum is a bold red and we pushed Jessica and Joe to pull that into their wedding design. After considering it, the couple knew red would be fun in the space and we ended up not only using it during cocktail hour but carrying it through throughout the day. We mixed in touches of red and pink with white and accents of black, being careful to maintain the classic and elegant feel that Jessica had wanted from the beginning. At the end of the day, Jessica said the space was more beautiful than she'd imagined it would be.

Since the party was so important to them, we placed the dance floor at one end of the room and opened that wall, flowing into an outdoor lounge with a custom bar, to give guests a place to mix and mingle when breaking from the dance floor.

Having the lounge space was very important to them, so in the world of smart things you can't see but that will keep you sane, Jessica and Joe book a tent to install, should the weather not cooperate on the wedding day. This way they could utilize the lounges no matter what; luckily we had amazing weather and we were able to keep the outdoor space completely open.

Jessica and Joe’s Vendors:

Planner: Rebecca O’Donnell @theplannery

Design: Bella Notte @bellanottedc

Venue: International Spy Museum @spymuseumprivateevents

DJ, Kelton Higgins @kelton.higgins @luvdupdjs  

Flowers: Flowers at 38 @flowersat38

Photographers: Kissick Weddings @kissickweddings

Hair: Bridal Beauty Associates: @bridalbeautyassociatesllc

Makeup: Red Carpet Ready Makeup @redcarpetreadymakeup

Catering: Main Event @maineventcatrs

Lighting: Atmosphere Lighting @atmolighting

Draping and Furniture Fabrication @fabeventsdc

Decor: Paisley and Jade @paisleyandjade

Valet: MJ Valet @mjvalet

Nicole and Clint's Mount Vernon Inn Wedding, Alexandria, VA

Nicole and Clint got married at Mount Vernon Inn, this past July. They were a lovely couple who cared a great deal about being surrounded by loved ones. They focused a lot on special touches and details to make their day extra-special both for themselves and their guests (I love the red, white and blue accents in honor of Mount Vernon!). Enjoy all the big and little components of this wedding, shot beautifully by Chris Ferenzi!

Nicole and Clint’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue/Caterer: Mount Vernon Inn

Photographer: Chris Ferenzi

Music: DJ Jake Ritchie

Florist: Holland Flowers

Cake: Alexandria Pastry and Cafe

Hair/Make-up: Perry Warren

Judy and Dylan's Spy Museum Washington, DC Wedding

Photo by Wilderpines Elopement

In spite of the fact that I didn't meet them in person until the rehearsal, I truly want Judy and Dylan to be my BFF's -- if only they didn't live in Seattle!!!  They are two of the sweetest, kindest, most fun people I have ever met!  

The day before the wedding, weird storms were predicted, so I made the decision to do everything indoors at the Spy Museum (including ceremony in their gorgeous enclosed space on the roof).  The day of the wedding dawns, and everyone starts questioning me "It's gorgeous out, are you sure you want to move it inside?!"  I said "I believe in the Capital Weather Gang...let's stick with indoors"  As always...this is why you hire an experienced planner.  Because by the time the ceremony started, there was quite the wind storm outside.  By the time it ended, the winds were so strong even the Spy Museum's former military, VERY strong looking head of security could BARELY pull the doors open -- that's how strong the wind was!!!  In fact, after we had moved all of the guests downstairs for cocktail hour, the bride and groom were practicing their first dance on the roof when he came to me and said "Um...yeah, let's get them out of here, I've NEVER seen winds this strong and I'm starting to get worried!"

Luckily, everyone was safe and sound and no damage occurred to our beloved Spy Museum :)  

Speaking of their ceremony, did I mention that the flower girl and ring bearer were THE COUPLE'S CATS?!?!?!  In my 15 years as a wedding planner, I can truly say that this was a first for me.  I'm not even a cat person, but these cats were SO GORGEOUS, and were the sweetest!!!  

We were thrilled to work with one of our favorite caterers, Main Event, who knocked it out of the park as usual.  And Lisa Lee Florals, who we worked with for the first time last year at Lauren and Peter's wedding, has officially become one of our go-to gals!

These guests came ready to PARTY and another one of our favorites, DJ Kelton Higgins, delivered on all fronts.  

We can't say how much we love this couple, how much we love our vendor partners and, of course, how much we love working at the Spy Museum (even more now that they kept us from blowing off the roof!!)

Judy and Dylan’s vendors:

Venue: Spy Museum @spymuseumprivateevents

Plannery: Rebecca O’Donnell, The Plannery @theplannery

Flowers: Lisa Lee Florals @lisaleeflorals

DJ: Kelton Higgins @luvdupdjs

Caterer: Main Event @maineventcatrs

Photographer: Ashton Campbell with Wilderpines Elopements @wilderpines.co

Rentals: Select Event @selecteventgroup

Emily and Chris's Fathom Gallery Washington DC Wedding

Photo by Barbara O Photography

We love low-key, DC weddings. And this one was a perfect example of how low key can still be both stunning and incredibly special. Emily and Chris got married at Fathom Gallery in early October. Unfortunately it was raining for most of the day, but magically, the rain broke just in time for the tented ceremony!

After their intimate rooftop ceremony, the most special part of the evening was when the groom played live music along with his father!

Food stations, great cocktails, speeches, and the bride changing into a super-cute cocktail dress rounded out this awesome wedding. Check out the photographs by Barbara O Photography.

Emily and Chris’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Fathom Gallery

Caterer: B.Lin

Photographer: Barbara O Photography

Ceremony Music: Quentin Walston’s Trio

Hair/Make-up: Logan 14 Salon

A & J's Spy Museum Washington, DC Wedding

Photo by Lisa Boggs Photography

There's just something about the Spy Museum. Literally every wedding we've done there has had (knock on wood for the future) absolutely PERFECT weather, and A&J's was no exception. The bride and her crew got ready in the absolutely GORGEOUS Van Buren suite (all of their suites are named after First ladies) at the Riggs hotel with Gabby and Martha, one of our favorite Hair and Makeup teams, while the men got ready in the Riggs Suite (which is so huge, the couple used it the next day for an intimate day after brunch with their nearest and dearest).

After the first look, the couple and their families ventured over to the Spy Museum where everyone was absolutely blown away with the gorgeous ceremony set up by Lynnvale Studios (the view doesn't hurt either!). Guests arrived to welcome drinks set out on shelving from Social Supply, and the couples walk down the aisle was made even more special with music by the bride's brother-in-law.

After the ceremony, drinks were passed on the roof as guests were invited downstairs where they gasped in awe at the GORGEOUS furniture, bars and displays from Social Supply, affixed with escort cards and signage from Fig. 2 Design. The bride and groom were able to sneak past the draping to practice their first dance with their band, Free Spirit (who rocked the house all night!).

When guests were welcomed into dinner, the oohs and aahs continued with the amazing lighting and fixtures -- a team up with Social Supply and Frost Lighting, and the gorgeous linens from BBJ La Tavola and napkins from Nuage. The guests could not stop complimenting the delicious food from Mindy's Catering.

Sara Bauleke from Bella Notte designed an absolutely stunning event, and we literally could not have done it without her. From choosing the perfect linens, to designing the lounge seating areas, to sourcing the most perfect design vendors, there aren't enough words to say how perfect she made everything. The cake from Fluffy Thoughts was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen...and I've been around a LOT of cake!

As you can see by the table names, the wedding had a decidedly "Spy" theme -- perfect for the venue! So of course, the night had to end with a cocktail shaker with an attached recipe for a vesper -- aka the "James Bond" martini (shaken not stirred...obvs.). Enjoy these photos from Lisa Boggs Photography!

Vendors:

Bella Notte, Design @bellanottedc

Spy Museum, @spymuseumprivateevents

Mindy's Catering: @mindyscateringdc

Band, Free Spirit

Bowen Films @bowenfilms

Lynnvale Studios @lynnvalestudios

Frost Lighting DC @frostlightingdc

Stationery: Fig. 2 Design @fig2design

Cake, Fluffy Thoughts @fluffythoughtscakes

Hair and Makeup, Gabby and Martha: @gabby_and_martha_

Draping Fabrication Events @fabeventsdc

Décor Social Supply @socialsupplydesign

Hotel: Riggs Hotel

Photographer: Lisa Boggs Photography @lisaboggsphoto

Calligraphy: Laura Hooper @laurahooperdesignhouse

Linens: BBJ La Tavola @bbjlatavola, DC Rental @dceventrentals

Napkins: Nuage @nuagedesignsinc

Glassware: Select Event Rentals

Wedding Cocktails

Photo by Rhinehart Photography

In honor of World Cocktail Day, we’re talking about how to have some fun with your wedding cocktails and cocktail hour!

Shaken or Stirred?

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Cocktails are a fun way to add some small details and a dash of fun. This couple chose to create personalized cocktail stirrers to play into their wedding theme. Whether it’s umbrellas, crazy straws, or monogrammed cocktail napkins, you can add your own twist (get it?) to your cocktails during cocktail hour.

Showcase your favorite spirit

Photo by DeNeuva Photography

A lot of folks personalize things by showcasing and sharing their favorite spirit with their guests. Whether it’s a whiskey bar, a martini bar, tequila tasting, what have you - it’s a great way to make your cocktail hour feel like YOU - and share a little of your favorite thing with your guests.

Share a sip with your new spouse

Photo by Go Kate Shoot

I always encourage couples to have a moment alone after the ceremony. The rest of the day - although fun - will be hectic and often chaotic. So why not grab a drink with your new spouse, relax and enjoy the moment?

Signature Cocktail

Photo by Shandi Wallace

This is an oldie but a goodie - most caterers offer to provide signature cocktails at the bar for free. And it’s especially fun to have each couple choose their own to reflect their own favorite!

Jordan and Zachary's Dockmaster Building DC Winter Wedding

Photo by Bee Two Sweet

I love me some winter weddings, especially on the water. This stunning bride and groom were dressed to impress as they cemented their love in classic Jewish tradition at the breathtaking Dockmaster Building, one of the awesome event spaces that the Wharf in DC can provide. One of my favorite touches: The couple incorporated books, old and new, from their personal library…a cornerstone of their relationship - and even incorporated flowers from book pages in the bride’s hair and bouquet!

Congratulations to Jordan and Zachary! Enjoy the spectacular captures from Brittany at Bee Two Sweet Photography 

Jordan and Zachary’s Vendors:

Wedding Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Dockmaster Building

Caterer: Main Event Caterers

Photographer: Bee Two Sweet

Florist: She Loves Me

Cake: Buttercream Bake Shop

Hair/Make-up: TC Beauty

Get Political on your wedding day!

Happy Election Day! I hope you all head out and vote today!

Since DC is such a political town, we’ve seen our fair share of subtle and not-so-subtle nods to politics in the weddings we’ve helped plan and coordinate. So today, in honor of Election Day, we thought we’d round up some of our favorites! Enjoy! and happy voting!!

Wedding Buttons as Favors

We’ve had multiple couples create small favors for their guests in the form of pseudo political buttons!

Photo by Bee Two Sweet Photography

Embrace Your Political Differences

My very favorite guest books were from a couple who came from opposite sides of the aisle. They had Reagan and Obama posters as their guest books and I loved that they didn’t shy away from talking about their differences!

Photo by Sarah Gormley Photography

Stand up for what you believe in

Many of our couples use their wedding as a way to share their political beliefs. From rainbow pins instead of boutonnieres, to protest signs, to statements on their ceremony programs regarding marriage equality - your wedding day can be a time to stand up for what you believe in and share it with friends and family.

Photo by Justin McCallum Photography

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad Photography

Embrace DC!

Yup, you’re getting married in DC - might as well embrace it! Take photos in front of the Capital or other important, political landmarks and make your mark!

Photo by Love Life Images

Photo by Love Life Images

Photo by Michael O’Snyder

Stephanie and Brian's International Spy Museum DC Wedding

Photo by Bee Two Sweet

We’ve been excited about The International Spy Museum for a while now. And I’ve been dying to show you all this gorgeous wedding that Rebecca helped plan! It’s bittersweet to share since we don't know when we can again work at this fabulous venue, but as I’ve mentioned previously, my hope is that these looks back at weddings can bring some smiles to faces.

This was one of the first weddings held on this stunning venue’s rooftop and the day turned out perfectly.  After their ceremony at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and photos around DC, the reception was held open-air and the sun set behind Stephanie and Brian’s families and friends as they gave wedding toasts.  They really embraced the spy-theme (Bond's Aston Martin was in the lobby, after all) and named their tables after James Bond movies, with the head table titled "Diamonds are Forever".  The cocktail hour in the Spy Museum lobby featured a boxwood covered bar and an escort card wall filled with custom calligraphy marble coasters.  And of course the flowers were spectacular and filled the reception space with color and texture. As their send-off, they took inspiration from Crazy Rich Asians and had firefly lights for our guests to wave as we departed.

Enjoy these beautiful photos from Bee Two Sweet!

Stephanie and Brian’s Vendors:

Planner: Rebecca O’Donnell, The Plannery

Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of St. Matthew The Apostle

Reception Venue: International Spy Museum

Photographer: Bee Two Sweet

Caterer: Main Event Catering

Florist: Amaryllis Designs

Hair: Hair by Giselle

Make-up: Shaune Hayes Makeup

DJ and Lighting: Dan Goldman Events

Cake: Sweet Crimes

An Ode To Flower Children and Ring Bearers

Photo by Sarah Gormley

My daughter was recently a ring bearer at a family member’s wedding (more on that later!) - and it got me thinking about flower children and ring bearers. We opted not to have any kids at our wedding, but many do - and goodness gracious are they adorable. Children bring fun, whimsy, tears, laughs, and the unexpected - much like marriage ;) So I thought we’d take a look back at some of our favorite Plannery kids. From bubbles to balloons, a literal parade of babies (to Prince Ali, from Aladdin, obviously) to jumps and winks, enjoy these kiddos and hope they brighten up your day as much as they brightened up ours!

Photo by Jess Latos Photography

Photo by Bonnie Sen

Photo by Tell Chronicles

Photo by Hannah Hudson

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Go Kate Shoot

Photo by jess Latos Photography

Photo by Charles Archambault

Photo by Amanda Gilley

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Photo Lady Love

Photo by Amber Wilkie

Photo by Susan Hornyak

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad

Photo by Mantas Kubilinskas

Photo by Sam Hurd

Photo by Justin McCallum

Photo by Lily B Photography