Rachel and Andrew // Josephine Butler Parks Center, Washington, DC Wedding/ DC Wedding Coordinator

Full disclosure - this wedding happened a long time ago. But I just got my hands on the stunning photos, and I simply HAD to share. So close your eyes and pretend for a moment that we're not in the depths of winter, but instead on the cusp of fall - and then open your eyes and sink into these beautiful photos by Sarah Gormley (which features one of my very favorite first-look shots of a groom EVER).

I was coordinator for Rachel and Andrew's October wedding. They were such a wonderful couple - so easy-going and fun and in love! In addition to their modern, fall colors (guys, those bridesmaid dresses are my FAVORITE - not to mention the lovely florals by Eight Tree Street), they also incorporated DC-related items including a Metro theme for their table numbers, menus, escort cards, and even bottles of wine they had guests sign for various anniversaries (love this) - and their Fluffy Thoughts cake was adorned with DC monuments. They had a slightly non-traditional menu with different themed stations/buffets rather than a plated dinner. And then they part-ayed the night away (as you shall see).

Very belated congrats to the wonderful Rachel and Andrew!

Rachel and Andrew's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: Josephine Butler Parks Center

Photographer: Sarah Gormley

Caterer: Spilled Milk

DJ: Derek Romanoff from Bialek's Music

Ceremony Music: Palm Strings Trio

Uplighting and Photobooth: Bialek's

Florist: Eight Tree Street

Hair/Make-up: Modern Bridal Studio

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Oscar and Blaine // Mexican Cultural Institute Wedding, Washington, DC // DC wedding coordinator

The Plannery's fab coordinator, Tarra, brings you this blog post about Oscar and Blaine's wedding at the Mexican Cultural Institute. I was so bummed I was unavailable for this one, but was very glad Tarra was able to assist these wonderful men. Take it away, Tarra!

Blaine + Oscar = Bloscar! This is the one case where I would say merging the couples’ names together was sheer genius. In many ways, Blaine and Oscar are complete opposites…Oscar love to dance, Blaine does not.  Blaine is very (self-admittedly) Type A, Oscar is not…but Bloscar truly had a personality of his own! Evidenced by a wedding full of details representing both Blaine and Oscar’s personalities and backgrounds.

On the one hand, this special day represented your traditional style wedding (tuxedos, bowties, a formal Episcopal service, etc.)  On the other hand, this wedding gave off a modern, laid-back yet sophisticated vibe - and of course it was extremely FUN!  I think this blend is exactly what Bloscar was going for.  The perfect Greek and Mexican amalgamation. Notable examples include the beautiful Greek crowning tradition performed at the ceremony, and the reception held at the Mexican Cultural Institute featuring a kick ass mariachi band! Even the menu created by Spilled Milk was inspired by Greek and Mexican cultures.  The best part was the Mario Bros photo booth theme!!! Granted, the Mario Bros are Italian, but still somehow it fit in like a glove!

The final thing I will mention about this fantastic wedding was the crazy déjà vu experience I had.  Same-sex marriage + Impeding Hurricane Joaquin = Tarra wondering how the heck she was in this boat again! What are the chances I would experience this two times, in two different roles…first as a bride, then as a wedding coordinator?   Never fear, Bloscar was in excellent hands if I do say so myself!  And it truly my pleasure working with them - Congrats again, Oscar and Blaine!

Oscar and Blaine's Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra, The Plannery

Venue: Mexican Cultural Institute

Catering: Spilled Milk

Photography: Khalid Naji-Allah

DJ: Khelan Bhatia

Lighting: Protech

Photobooth: Snapshot Moments

Cake: Touche Touchet Bakery

Food Truck: DC Slices

Alyssa and Ali // Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Vienna, VA wedding // VA wedding planner

I thought it would be a nice break from the freaking freezing weather we've been having to take a look back a balmy outdoor wedding. I did partial planning for Alyssa and Ali - helping them nail down their major vendors and then stepping back in to coordinate their day. They got married outdoors on a fairly steamy, but beautiful, September day (does anyone remember hot, sweaty weather?). Cocktails and reception followed, along with some wonderful toasts, food, cupcakes and dancing!

Alyssa and Ali were awesome - first of all, can we talk about how I love a bride in glasses? It's ridiculous that I have to say that, but I love that Alyssa wanted to look like her beautiful self on her wedding day. Alyssa was also a DIY master. She did all of her own flowers - which is no joke. And they were stunning. She also DIY'd an entire candy bar which was a huge hit and so much fun! She did a Mr. vs. Mrs. bar with all of his and her favorite candy. Big thanks to Bonnie Sen for capturing this day so well, and congrats again to Alyssa and Ali!! Now enjoy these lovely photos and daydream about sunshine and flowers!

Alyssa and Ali's Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Catering: Great Blue Heron

Photographer: Bonnie Sen

DJ: Rusty from DJ DMAC and Associates

Cupcakes: SophistiCAKE

Flowers: The bride!

Sally and Brendan // Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA Wedding // VA Wedding Planner

 

Guys. I sort of don't know where to start with Sally and Brendan. Perhaps they can best be described by the fact that they printed out and framed hilarious quotes from their Match.com courting days and had them on each dining table. Or the fact that they, and everyone else, laughed through their entire ceremony (especially when Brendan said, "I, Charlize Theron, take you, Sally" in reference to Sally's obsession with Ms. Theron). They are effing mad funny. Thus, they were an absolute pleasure to work with. I did partial planning with them and helped them line up some vendors, as well as month of coordination. Also, I miss them. Also, they got me one of the best thank you gifts EVER and knocked my socks off. But I digress...

They got married this past July at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. Sally is stunning, but got a little bridal boost thanks to Alison Harper & Co (dude - her hair... her HAIR). After getting ready they had a great ceremony filled with the most adorable flower children you'll ever see, the aforementioned Charlize Theron reference, and pure joy. Cocktails and photos followed, and then we had a great meal and got down to the dancing (the photos of which will also show you exactly how amazing these two are). Rusty from DJ DMAC kept them on the dance floor, they served donuts from Astro Doughnuts instead of cake (though Sally surprised Brendan with a cheesehead cake from Charm City Cakes... again: rad), and everyone partied all night long. One last shout-out to Emily from LoveBlooms who did beautiful modern arrangements and some stunning modern bouquets as well. And finally, big thanks to Hannah Hudson Photography for the gorgeous photos! Sit back, get ready to laugh and smile, and enjoy: (and congrats again Charlize and Sally!)

Sally and Brendan's Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Caterer: Great Blue Heron Catering

Photographer: Hannah Hudson Photography

DJ: Rusty from DJ DMAC

Florist: Love Blooms

Hair/Make-up: Alison Harper & Co

Donuts: Astro Doughnuts

Groom's Cake: Charm City Cakes

Personal: Thoughts on motherhood and work/life balance

As you all know there have been a lot of changes around here, what with me becoming a mother. Juggling motherhood and my business has been tough - and frankly, at 6 months into this new mommy gig, I’m still figuring it out.

My husband has been awesome, helping along the way as we continue to shift our schedules so that I can help raise Tallulah but also not completely abandon my other “baby” - The Plannery (there have been multiple attempts to find what works best!).

While we continue to work on it, I will say that the addition of Tarra (my awesome new coordinator), has helped immensely. I’m able to send some jobs her way that I no longer have the availability for. I’m hoping to continue to grow my team here at The Plannery so that I can focus on planning and running the business.

Overall though, I think it’s been a great lesson (especially as someone who likes to plan things!) that sometimes things take time. And sometimes they’ll just continue to shift and change and grow and it’s best to roll with it and trust that you as a businesswoman and as a mother and wife will make it work. I don’t believe in the perfect work/life balance. I do think there are days and weeks and months and years where things will ebb and flow and giving in to that has helped me a lot.

So those are my personal ramblings for the day. I just wanted to share that I’m still here (!) and if any other big changes occur in the world of The Plannery, I’ll be sure to let you all know. In the meantime, had to share some of these great lifestyle shoot pics Sarah from This Rad Love took of my awesome family. Feeling really blessed and lucky these days… despite the lack of sleep!

Happy Plannerversary!

The Plannery is officially one year old today! I want to thank the DC area wedding industry for being so bafflingly rad. When I moved here from Brooklyn I had no sense of the DC wedding community, how long it would take me to make connections and get new clients, whether this venture would even work. But I was immediately blown away by how friendly the wedding vendors were (and continue to be). I honestly never thought that within the short span of a year I'd actually FEEL like I was a part of a greater (and awesome) community - so thank you, thank you!

I want to thank the DC area engaged folks for (whew!) proving me right in wanting a wedding planner and coordinator who is down-to-earth and has a sense of humor. I took a big risk in my marketing - but at the end of the day felt it was best to truly be me and I hoped potential clients would see and understand that. It's been so wonderful to get such positive feedback on my website and my services. And I'm so glad I didn't scare too many people away with the fact that I get sh*t done!

I want to thank Maryland for passing their marriage equality laws shortly after I moved here. Having both DC and Maryland support same-sex marriage meant a lot to me personally and professionally - and it means I get to work with fantastic clients who are super-psyched about getting married (and don't take that privilege for granted). Now get your sh*t together, VA.

I want to thank my friends, family, and especially my husband, for being so garsh-darned supportive. Running bios, web design, pricing, and marketing ideas by you all helped make this happen. And I'm incredibly lucky to have a husband who wanted me to really give it my all - really do this 100% to see what was possible and see how The Plannery could grow (not to mention, he came up with the name so he wins).

Long story short, THANK YOU.

The Plannery still has tons of ways it needs to and can grow and expand. I'm really only getting started. But I'm proud of this first year and how far my little Plannery has come. Looking forward to many more years!