Event Design in Action

As many of you know we launched an event design branch at The Plannery recently. Ann and Stephen were one of our first test subjects (!), so I thought it would be fun to take a look at how their moodboard from Kim came to life. Ann and Stephen wanted a colorful, modern wedding to fit in with their somewhat unique venue, Clarendon Ballroom. Kim came back to them with some beautiful bold colors in various shades of pink along with a deep blue, and accented by gold and green. As you'll see, Ann's bridesmaids dresses played into the darker pink tone, while her florist brought out the brighter pinks and green accents. We went with the dark blue linens which perfectly matched Kim's design board - as did Stephen's suit! The gold chairs, and gold table numbers were great gold accents - and though we didn't get photos of it, they served sparkling rose to their guests pre ceremony!

Please be sure to ask us about our design services whether you're a coordination or planning client!

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

There are some things you just can't plan...

2017 is turning out to be quite an odd year for The Plannery. It's actually a wonderful lesson in what you can and can't plan. Tarra and I are, if I do say so myself, great planners and coordinators. We'll organize the heck out of your wedding. But sometimes in life, there are things that - try as you might - you just can't plan perfectly. And so it's with great excitement that I share that BOTH Tarra and I are expecting babies this Fall!

Tarra is due in mid October, and I am due in early November. While I'm super thrilled for everyone involved (especially Tarra and her wife cause this is their first - and that is just so darned special), it does mean The Plannery is taking a bit of an unplanned sabbatical this fall! We've had to transfer some of our wedding jobs over to other coordinators in the area (and thank goodness for the wonderful community of DC wedding vendors, you guys), and it means that much like the year I had my first baby, I'll be cutting back a bit on the amount of work and the number of jobs I take on. In addition to the new baby, Tarra is taking on another adventure and moving to the Baltimore area this summer (so reach out to us, you Baltimore couples!).

We'll be ready and eager to get back to work in 2018 for all you in the DMV area - so please don't hesitate to contact us about 2018 weddings!

Big congrats again to Tarra and her wife - and wish me luck as I attempt to wrangle a headstrong toddler and a newborn baby :)

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Ann and Stephen // Clarendon Ballroom, Arlington, VA Wedding // VA Wedding Planner

Ann and Stephen were partial planning clients of mine - I helped them nail down their major vendors, and then returned later in the process to assist with month-of coordination. They were also some of the early test clients for our design services with Kim, and we'll be doing a separate post on that later to highlight how her mood board was brought to life!

Ann and Stephen got married at Clarendon Ballroom, yet another venue I somehow hadn't yet worked with - and was so excited to finally get to do so. They did some first-look photos with one of my favorite photogs, Shandi Wallace, prior to the ceremony (and Ann SLAYED in that lace dress, y'all. Seriously). After their ketubah signing they had their ceremony in the ballroom, and then due to the unfortunately fairly cold and windy day, the cocktail reception in the bar and lobby (rather than the rooftop) while we flipped the ballroom for the reception. The Clarendon staff was awesome to work with, and included some delicious food and a gorgeous wedding cake! Their DJ, Greg Sanchez, rocked the dance floor and their guests were really ready to party! It was a great night celebrating a wonderful couple and working with some fab vendors. Congrats again to Ann and Stephen!

Ann and Stephen's Vendors:

Wedding Planner and Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue, Food and Cake: Clarendon Ballroom

Florist: Blooming Spaces

DJ: Greg Sanchez

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Officiant: Annie Bornstein

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Madeline and Phillip // The Lakehouse, Reston, VA Wedding // VA Wedding Coordinator

We're trying to get back to blogging, so I'm happy to bring you a lovely wedding that Tarra coordinated recently out in Reston, VA. I love small, intimate weddings and this one was truly special. Take it away, Tarra:

I had the pleasure of first meeting Madeline and Phillip along with Madeline's mother, father, and sister. What a beautiful, caring, and diligent family. Everyone was really involved, though nobody more than the bride herself!  They each played their own special role in making the fantastic wedding become reality.  Overall, their wedding was intended to be a warm, intimate gathering with their closest friends and family - a small gathering where Madeline and Phillip could share and absorb love and laughter with each and every one of their guests.  I am happy to say that we accomplished just that!!

Madeline and Phillip included many fun details in their reception that I just loved! Fountain pen ink bottles with flowers were used as small, but mighty centerpieces. The cutest cake toppers ever! The coolest MC ever! And handmade ribbon wands that they created, that totally made a super unique and beautiful (and mess free!) exit to their fancy getaway car. I also very much enjoyed their addition of yummy donuts from Sugar Shack on the dessert station. 

The stage was set at a simply beautiful lake view venue in Reston.  Though the sun decided not to shine, there was plenty of brightness on this day.  I will never forget Madeline’s infectious smile and laugh. I must say that Phillip is quite a lucky man to get to experience that for a lifetime.  And I think Phillip is a huge source of that smile, so that makes Madeline quite the lucky one herself.  These two were a joy to work with and I am so honored that I was asked to be part of their special day.

Madeline and Philip's Vendors:

Coordinator: The Plannery, Tarra Morgan

Venue: The Lake House Reston

Catering: To Your Taste Catering

Rentals: Paisley and Jade

Photographer: Olivia Jacob

Sound Equipment: JG Entertainment

Get Away Car: Regal Limousine

Dessert: Sugar Shack and Whole Foods

Flowers: DIY!!

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Huma and Sayeed // Meadowlark Botanical Garden Wedding, Vienna, VA // VA Wedding Coordinator

In case you missed it, earlier this week we took a look at Huma and Sayeed's colorful henna party. Today is their beautiful wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. As many south asian weddings are, this was a big wedding - and because it was December (!) using the outdoor area of Meadowlark's beautiful gardens for ceremony and cocktails just wasn't an option. So Huma opted to have people sit at their reception tables for the ceremony, thus eliminating any need to "flip" the space and keeping things simple and fun for her many guests!

After getting ready, Huma and Sayeed did a first look and some portraits around the grounds (please be sure to not miss Huma's ROCKING sneakers, folks), and then walked each other down the aisle, which I adored (and always adore). The ceremony was beautiful (especially in front of the stunning floral arch Sarah Khan Events created!) and we then merged right into cocktails, followed by dinner. I have to give a huge shout-out to Carmen and her staff at C&G Catering. They were amazing to work with and helped run a difficult event (considering the caterer who shall not be named showed up incredibly late with all of the food!). After dinner, Huma and Sayeed kicked off dancing with their first dance - "You're Just Too Good To Be True" into Michael Jackson's "BAD"! LOVED IT. They ended the night by sneaking some shots in at Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights.

Once again, big thanks to Mary Sandoval for these absolutely gorgeous photos. And huge congrats again to the loveliest of couples, Huma and Sayeed!!

Huma and Sayeed's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

Staffing: C&G Catering

Decor/Flowers: Sarah Khan Events

Photographer: Mary Sandoval

DJ: Dynasty AV

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Huma and Sayeed // Henna Party // VA Wedding Coordinator

I've decided to break Huma and Sayeed's wedding into two parts - namely, because I helped them with two events and their are just too many beautiful photos to share! I assisted with both their informal henna party the night before, and their actual wedding ceremony and reception the following day. Huma and Sayeed were such a beautiful couple to work with. Huma is a self-professed Type A - the social organizer of the pair, bustling with energy and silliness. While Sayeed is super relaxed, chill and down to earth. The way they balanced each other throughout the planning and their days of celebration was a lovely thing to behold - a wonderful match that speaks volumes as to how their marriage will be for years to come.

This was a fun one for me because it was "off season" - in mid December which is rare for us wedding planners. The henna party took place at the Crown Plaza at Crystal City and was a mix of traditional vs. non traditional because this really was a fusion of Pakistani and Bangladeshi families and cultures. It was co-ed rather than all-female, but they did partake in several traditional moments (including the tradition of stealing the groom's shoes and him having to pay to get them back!) - and provided delicious south asian food! Sarah Khan Events did the decor for both the henna party and the wedding - it was so colorful and fun! The Mehndi artist was there all night (I even got to sneak in a quick one myself right before she left) and did such a beautiful job.

So enjoy these beautiful shots by Mary Sandoval (who was fabulous to work with) - and tune in next week for Huma and Sayeed's wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens!

Huma and Sayeed's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Crown Plaza National Airport

Photographer: Mary Sandoval Photography

Decor/Floral: Sarah Khan Events

Henna: Henna Harmony

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Rachel and Michael // Riverside on the Potomac Wedding, Leesburg, VA // VA wedding coordinator

Rachel and Michael had a beautiful wedding at Riverside on the Potomac this past November. I must admit, I was a bit nervous at their hopes for an outdoor wedding in November - but they got lucky and we had stunning 60 degree weather that afternoon! Although the cold definitely creeped in once the sun went down, all the dancing, food and merriment kept everyone good and toasty. They started the day with a casual tisch/bedeken followed by the signing of the ketubah. A beautiful ceremony was down by the water - and Rachel hand-made their chuppah! Cocktails were back up in the stables, with dinner, dancing (and ingenious jump roping!) in the barn. We were accompanied throughout the day by the excellent band, Golem. And the evening ended with a stunning view of the super moon! Big thanks to Charlie at Charles Archambault Photography for the photos, and congrats again to Rachel and Michael!

Rachel and Michael's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Riverside on the Potomac

Caterer: Kosher Kitchen

Photographer: Charles Archambault Photography

Videographer: On Line Suburban Video

Band: Golem

Florist: Affordable Arrangements

Hair/Make-up: Creative Images

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Laura and Matt // The Whittemore House, Washington, DC Wedding // DC Wedding Coordinator

Laura and Matt were a true joy to work with. I helped coordinate their intimate wedding at The Whittemore House this fall and loved every minute! Unfortunately we had some rain on their day, so they ended up doing their first look in their hotel room, followed by something I adored - they read each other their vows, just the two of them, prior to the ceremony. I really loved that they created this moment for themselves - it was a lovely reminder that a wedding day is about the two people getting married and what they are promising each other.

They decided to have the fireplace at The Whittemore House be the focal point for their ceremony which I loved. After the ceremony, guests went into the front of the house for cocktails while we flipped the ballroom for dinner. Dinner, toasts and dancing followed! (p.s. - THAT DRESS. Ok I'm done now).

Congrats again to Laura and Matt!

Laura and Matt's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Whittemore House

Caterer: Main Event

Photographer: Amanda Gilley

Videographer: Michael Brazda

DJ: Good Note DJ

Florist: Palace Florists

Dessert Buffet: Pie Sisters

Officiant: Emily Cook Therapy

Make-up: Polished Studio

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Marie and Brad // George Washington Masonic National Memorial Wedding // Hotel Monaco Alexandria, VA Wedding // VA wedding coordinator

In Marie and Brad's initial inquiry they mentioned that their interfaith wedding was going to reference, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and she planned on walking down the aisle to the theme from The Princess Bride. I was ecstatic.

On their day, after some getting ready photos they did a first look at their ceremony site, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, followed by the ketubah signing. The opening announcement started with "Mawwage... Mawwage is what bwings us togetha...today" (which was not the first wedding I'd done with that opening, which means I'm winning at life). Add in their DIY chuppah, Marie's beautiful veil, a touching tribute candle to a close friend Marie had lost recently, and the gorgeous space and you had a truly lovely ceremony.

Guests were then transported to Hotel Monaco, Alexandria in Old Town. Unfortunately we had a ton of rain, so the courtyard was unavailable for cocktail hour. But we rolled with it and had an awesome reception thanks to the great staff at Hotel Monaco and all the other great vendors. Marie was a DIY queen, putting together her own centerpieces and lots of other fun personal touches. So enjoy these great photos by Andrew Morrell Photography and big congrats again to Marie and Brad!

Marie and Brad's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Ceremony Venue: George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Reception Venue: Hotel Monaco Alexandria

Photographer: Andrew Morrell

DJ: DJ Blitz

Hair/Make-up: Alison Harper and Co

Transportation: DASH

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R & E // Arena Stage, Washington DC Wedding // DC wedding planner

R & E got married this past summer at Arena Stage, a venue I'd been dying to work in for a while now. They're a private couple so we won't be showing any photos of their faces or their guests' faces - but I still had to blog about this one cause it was so special, so much fun, and Jess Latos Photography took some stunning pics! E is Ethiopian, and R is Jewish. They wanted to plan their wedding fairly quickly, so we jumped right in! They incorporated various traditions throughout their day. My favorite was the Ethiopian cuisine  - and the wet naps that were on every table that said "Marriage is Messy"! R was also pregnant - and therefore a glowing, stunning bride. We made it through the hora without any dropping or falling incidents which was my major fear (!), so I considered the evening to be a big success!

This was one of the most beautiful weddings I've done that seamlessly incorporated different traditions - experiencing these cultures merging and celebrating together was really touching and, frankly, brought me to tears at times during the night. So enjoy what photos I'm able to share (and big thanks to Jess Latos Photography for the beautiful images) and join me in wishing R & E a huge congrats on their marriage! I'm also happy to report their new little baby joined their family this fall and is happy and healthy! Congrats again to R & E - much love to you both!

R&E's Vendors:

Planner - Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue - Arena Stage

Caterer - RSVP and Dama Catering

Photographer - Jess Latos Photography

DJ - KC Higgins

Flowers - Whole Foods

Cake - Fluffy Thoughts

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