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

Alicia and Matt's Modern Longview Gallery Washington DC Wedding

Photo by The Oberports

Enjoy this insanely colorful, modern, stylish DC wedding from Rebecca!

Alicia and Matt's modern wedding at Long View Gallery began by throwing tradition out the window right from the start.  The couple knew they didn't want a "traditional" processional, where the bride is the focus.  They felt that, as partners, both were equally important.  As a result they, along with my help (!) designed a ceremony layout with two angled aisles, meeting in the middle, so that the couple could walk in at the same time, meet in the center, and then proceed to the "altar" (in this case a gorgeous hanging greenery arrangement by florist Sidra Forman) together.  

In addition to the ceremony, food was very important to the couple.  Eric Fleischer Catering helped the couple pull together an AMAZING buffet dinner that featured the couple's favorite foods (Steak for the groom, tons of veggies and pastas for the bride) that not only tasted delicious, but was gorgeous as well.  Later in the evening, the couple decided that, rather than a traditional wedding cake, they would do a junk food buffet.  One side was sweet, with Oreos and Candy, and mini tarts and cheesecakes from the Caterer, then on the Savory Side, Eric Fleischer provided mini pizzas, soft pretzels and bags of various flavored popcorns, while the couple provided Goldfish, Doritos and, as a nod to the groom's Lancaster, PA family, Martin's BBQ Potato Chips!

The bride is one of the coolest people I've ever met, and has an AMAZING sense of style.  So it's no surprise that that was reflected both in her outfits for the night as well as the wedding decor.  The bride wore a simple A Line gown from Sarah Seven for the ceremony and dinner, then changed into a Rebecca Schoneveld jumpsuit for the reception, which she told me she felt like a total badass in :)  DC Rental provided crossback chairs, while Something Vintage provided Classic Farm Tables, Vintage Water Glasses, and an AMAZING bar and lounge furniture for the reception and cocktail hours.  All of it was highlighted by lighting from Bruce Pike Productions and greenery throughout.

Alicia and Matt’s Vendors:

Venue: Longview Gallery

Planner: Rebecca O’Donnell, The Plannery

Photographer: The Oberports

Caterer: Eric Fleischer

Florist: Sidra Forman

Rentals: DC Rental and Something Vintage

DJ: Les the DJ

Lighting: Bruce Pike Productions

What a Wedding Designer Would do Differently for Their Own Wedding

We’re continuing our monthly series of “What We’d Do Differently” for our weddings today with some wise words from Kim, our Event Designer! Read on to learn more about wedding dress shopping, spending time with guests, and one of the most often discussed vendors (in my experience), a wedding videographer!

So many memories come back looking through our wedding pictures—friends and family coming together, the music and dancing… the 100-degree weather while getting our pictures taken! While we couldn’t have planned for the heat, there were a few other things I would have done a little differently looking back:

Hire a Wedding Videographer

Four and a half years later and this is still my biggest regret. It was one of the things we decided to cut after signing a few vendor contracts and getting a better understanding of how much weddings actually cost. I was getting a bit worried about staying in our budget and was overwhelmed looking for other vendors so, I didn’t do much work in researching videographers who might be on the cheaper end or new to the field. I really wish I had. Even a student videographer would have been better than none! It’s the first thing I tell people when they ask if I had any regrets. I love watching other people’s wedding videos and still wish we had one of our own, but our photographs will have to suffice, which is OK because we loved our photographer!

Wedding dress shopping: more of it, and go it alone

I want to preface this by saying I loved my dress and still do. I went to two boutiques with some immediate family members both times and it was not too stressful to have their opinions. Thinking back though, I wish I had gone once more, alone. I think having a third time with just my thoughts and trying some styles I might not have considered before would have been fun. Whenever someone tells me they’re going dress shopping I get so excited for them and think about sneaking back to a salon and pretending I’m getting married again just to try on a few more ;)

Allow More Time To Visit With Wedding Guests

This might be a common one as Katie mentioned the same thing! For some reason we stayed in a back room while cocktail hour happened. Maybe I was worried we’d get off schedule if we went and walked around, who knows, but I think it would have been fine! We didn’t allocate time to do this during dinner either and I feel like we didn’t see half the people we invited. I know the day is crazy but I wish we set aside time for this. Looking back at our reception pictures it would have been nice for the two of us to be in more of them with our guests and not just each other.

Let the Train of my Wedding Dress Down!

OK, this sounds silly and so small but I noticed in a few of our pictures that I was carrying my train around. I wish I had let it go and trail behind me as it was meant to. I think I didn’t want it to get dirty (understandable) but looking back I only got to wear the dress once and should have showed it off more. Something to keep in the back of your mind while you’re getting pictures taken!

Of course none of these things ruined the wedding entirely—I loved every minute of that day. It’s easy to say I should have done this or that when looking back but, in the moment it all felt like the right choice. Hopefully my look back with give some perspective to current couples in the midst of planning. Whatever you decide, though, just make sure it makes you happy!

Linda and Chris Carnegie Institution for Science DC Wedding

Photo by Margaret Wroblewski

Yes, we worked another Carnegie Institution for Science wedding. And yes, I loved it just as much as I always do! This really is one of our favorite venues and Linda and Chris’s wedding was no exception. They got married in late August this past summer, and it was such a lovely day! They didn’t want to see each other prior to the ceremony, so they had some family photos done separately and then we made sure we hid Linda (and her stunning-as-all-get-out dress) away in the upstairs library. After a beautiful ceremony officiated by a friend, they took some more photos outdoors (the weather was great!) while guests enjoyed the cocktail hour and photo booth inside. After a delicious meal by Main Event Catering, some toasts and the cake cutting, we got to my favorite part: a surprise Linda had arranged (with my help) for her groom after their first dance. She had Old Line Garrison - an awesome organization that brilliantly brings together Star Wars costume enthusiasts with charity - surprise Chris with stormtroopers crashing the dance floor! Old Line Garrison was so wonderful to work with - they’re an entirely volunteer-based organization that will show up to events and weddings as Star Wars characters out of their sheer love of dressing up, and for a donation to a charity. SUCH a cool idea - and Chris LOVED it (as you’ll see from the photos, by Margaret Wroblewski, below.

Some other favorite details include the glow sticks they handed out for an end of the night photo (which always makes the dance party more fun!), and the fact that they actually rented fake flowers for their centerpieces (from Wedding Flowers for Rent). I NEVER would have known - the flowers were really exceptionally lovely and it was a cost-efficient option I’d never seen done before and was frankly surprised at how beautiful they looked!

Congrats again to you both!

Linda and Chris’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: The Carnegie Institution for Science

Caterer: Main Event Catering

Photographer: Margaret Wroblewski

DJ/Photobooth/Uplighting: DJ Dan Goldman

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Hair/Make-up: Les Bourgeois Artistry

Personal florals: Flor de Casa Designs

Centerpieces: Rented! Wedding Flowers for Rent

Kaylan and Kyle Longview Gallery Washington DC Wedding

Photo by Sloane Dakota Photo

I love nothing more than a couple that knows exactly what they want. Kaylan and Kyle kept true to their visions throughout the planning process. Their style and tastes were interwoven in every single solitary detail - from the bar menu to calligraphy work, to the sprigs of rosemary at each place setting, all thought out so meticulously, and so them. It is no surprise with Kyle being part prominent figure in the DC food and beverage industry that their dinner menu (provided by Spilled Milk) was one of the finest I have seen thus far at a wedding. The main attractions being Pancetta-Wrapped Quail Roulade and a Mustard-Glazed Rockfish, YUM! Cocktails were served out of a specially crafted Jockey Box, CO2 Tank with regulator… ummmm yeah, I had to look that one up! :) And let’s not forget the extremely enormous bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose that Kyle surprised Kaylan with, a 3L Jeroboam to be specific. It was literally bigger than my head. This wedding was the epitome of intimate wining and dining among beloved family and friends- an absolutely incredible night of love and laughter in Washington, DC. Congrats again, Kaylan and Kyle!

Kaylan and Kyle’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Longview Gallery

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Photography: Sloane Dakota Photo

DJ: Kelton Higgins

Florist: Sill Life

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Hair/Make-up: Alison Harper

Abby and Scott's Carnegie Institution for Science Wedding

Photo by Sam Hurd

I really love December weddings. And I especially love December weddings at Carnegie Institution for Science, a venue so gorgeous, you don’t care if it’s cold outside! Abby and Scott got married this past December. After a first-look and some photos both at the hotel and the venue, they signed the ketubah and then were off to get married. They opted for an in-the-round ceremony which beautifully highlights the Carnegie’s rotunda. After cocktails they had a lovely dinner by Design Cuisine - I adored all of Abby’s choices for linens and design. She brought in some great green colors that accented the season, but also didn’t go to far into the wintery route and brought in some lovely blues as well! Enjoy these romantic and stunning photos by Sam Hurd, and enjoy dreaming of that cozy, cold weather that will be here before we know it!

Abby and Scott’s Vendors:

Venue: Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Caterer: Design Cuisine

Photographer: Sam Hurd

Music: DJ Mark Maskell

Florist: Highway to Hill

Make-up: Alison Harper & Co

Unique Wedding Activities

One of our most popular blog posts is the post I did about our family’s annual tradition of hosting our own lip sync battle (yes, seriously). It made me realize a round up of some of our favorite unique wedding activities that we’ve seen The Plannery clients do over the years could be fun and provide some inspiration for those looking to add a little twist to their wedding day. So check out some fun options below and get inspired!

Wedding Professional Performances

Photo by Justin McCallum

Yup - we’ve had some clients really go all out. My favorite was the wedding we recently featured that hired a very famous Beyonce drag performer to surprise their guests after their first dance. It was insane and amazing and so much freaking fun!

Wedding Silent Disco

Photo by Josef Sullivan Photography

Tarra worked a wedding (that will be featured on our blog soon!) where they did a silent disco! I love this idea, especially for any venues that have sound/noise restrictions! Such a fun way to work past those limitations and still have an awesome, unique wedding!

Wedding Flash Mob

Photo by Tell Chronicles

I once got an email from the mother of the bride asking me to help with a surprise - she and a ton of other family members had put together a flash mob to surprise the bride during the reception with a huge dance to celebrate. It was so much fun and the bride loved it - it definitely got the dance party started, too! This obviously takes some rehearsal and planning/prep work, but it’s worth it if you know someone who loves dancing and loves surprises :)

Wedding Lip Sync Battle

I obviously had to include this one. One of our couples did a huge, hilarious lip sync battle at their holud, the night before their wedding. People really ran with it, including ridiculous costumes…

Photos by Ayesha Ahmad Photography

Wedding Performance by a Bride or Groom

Photo by Sarah Gormley

This one is personal for me - my husband surprised me with a song he'd written me at our wedding. But we’ve also had one of our clients who was a musician with the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, surprise her husband with a performance. Whatever your talent is - it’s a fun time to share it with your new partner!

Mascots!

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad

Photo by DuHon Photography

Photo by Edward Underwood

You can’t go wrong with inviting local mascots to the wedding. I’ve had brides invite them to surprise the groom, I’ve had them act as ushers, and I’ve had them simply join the dance party (which even got some local press!). They’re also always a fun photo opp for guests, too!

Fun accessories!

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad Photography

One of my weddings bought these amazing bracelets that were gifted to all guests that lit up, changed colors, and flashed at different times based on the music that was being played. It was super fun and made it feel like a real dance party

Adam and Ryan's Carnegie Institution of Science DC Wedding

Photo by Justin McCallum

Adam and Ryan signed on to work with me back when I was about to have my 2nd baby! I helped them get started - nailed down the venue and some of the major vendors, had my baby (!), then came back to help them out with the rest of their planning. And I’m SO blessed and thankful that they took a chance on a very pregnant woman. This might have been one of my favorite weddings of all time. They were so much fun to work with and I knew that their love and their wedding would be so special. Justin McCallum’s awesome photos capture every moment, big and small. They started the day with some photos around the Carnegie Institution of Science. Then after signing the license with friends and family, they had a beautiful ceremony in the round. One of my favorite details was that they’d ordered two custom gobos - one for during the ceremony (which listed both of their “maiden” names), and one after, pronouncing them, The Hunters :)

After the cocktail hour, their wedding party had some of the most fabulous entrances I’ve ever seen, including their officiant walking in to Like a Prayer, the ring bearer dancing, and of course, Ryan clacking that fan.

Dinner by Main Event Catering was delicious, as was their stunning custom cake (which incorporated their married logo) by Fluffy Thoughts.

And then… it was the best part of the night. Adam and Ryan did their first dance to Beyonce’s XO, and then announced the incredible Riley Knoxx. This infamous Beyonce performer surprised the guests with a 20 minute set and kicked off the dance party like no one else. (and BTW, she also appears in Taylor Swift’s new music video!). It was legit one of the best weddings I’ve had the honor of being a part of - I need more Beyonce in my life (who doesn’t??).

Thank you and congrats again to Adam and Ryan for allowing me to help plan and organize this awesome day! And a special shout out to Scorpio Entertainment. They not only kicked ass as DJ but had a ton of other elements to coordinate - like Riley’s performance/lighting/sound, the special logo lighting, etc - and nailed it all.

Adam and Ryan’s Vendors:

Planner: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Carnegie Institution of Science

Caterer: Main Event Caterers

Photographer: Justin McCallum

DJ, Lighting, and Sound: Scorpio Entertainment

Florist: Highway to Hill

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Hair/Make-up: Ebonie Jones

Performance! by Riley Knoxx

Ellie and Nicholas, Longview Gallery, Washington DC Wedding

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Ellie and Nicholas got married at Longview Gallery, one of my favorite non-traditional wedding venues in DC. They were such a unique couple - their wedding hashtag was #acrosstheaisle - a nod to the fact that she’s a Democrat, and he’s a Republican. You can’t get more DC than that!! Their day started with some photos in the area (by the incredible Sarah Gormley). After a beautiful ceremony, they had cocktails in the back gallery while we flipped the ceremony space into the dining room - so they could eat the incredible meal from Well Dunn! Dancing and sweet treats (including mini Jeni’s ice creams…yummm) followed. He is in the military, and they honored that part of him not only by using his sword for the cake cutting, but with their cake toppers (incredible yoga soldier statues! Yoga for her, soldier for him). My most favorite detail, however, was their “guest book” - two posters for guests to sign: one of Reagan, the other of Obama.

Enjoy this awesome DC wedding! And congrats again Ellie and Nicholas!

Ellie and Nicholas’s Vendors:

Venue: Longview Gallery

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Caterer: Well Dunn

Photographer: Sarah Gormley

DJ: DJ Evan Reitmeyer

Florist: Uncloudy Studios

Ceremony Music: Tiffany Rose Violin

Hair/Make-up: Ariel Lewis

Liz and Kyle's Blind Whino Washington, DC Wedding

Photo by Carly Arnwine

Liz and Kyle were married on the most perfect summer day in D.C. in August at The Blind Whino (now CULTURE HOUSE DC), their kickass venue that I swear has a life of its own. While I was busy setting up for their ceremony and reception, this couple along with their fun-loving and ultra-fashionable wedding party, took some absolutely stunning pre-ceremony photos. Can someone please get me a room at the Canopy by Hilton Washington DC aka The Wharf?! What a hotel lobby and what a pier, their first look could not have been cooler. If that wasn’t cool enough, we all know the Blind Whino for offering some of the best photo ops in the city.

My specific favorite elements of this wedding were the dresses, the ceremony florals, live band, and candy bar. Liz’s dress was out of this world - modest, tasteful, and drop dead gorgeous as were her bridesmaids. One I will remember for a long time.

The vast greenery designed by Sill Life really made this ceremony for me. It was so dramatic and so unique. Just breathtaking and perfect for this venue. There were some concerns about the lighting or lack thereof in the space particularly during the ceremony, but I found everything to be quite warming and theatrical in the best way.

The jam band that Kyle found and made sure would play at his wedding was something everyone from this event will remember. They were phenomenal! I believe a DJ was important to others involved, so I especially liked our compromise and plan to have the band play pre-ceremony as guests arrived as well as through cocktail hour making it extremely lively and fun. After dinner, guests returned downstairs for dancing and CANDY! After all of the weddings I’ve done, I am pretty sure this was my very first time setting up a candy bar and I loved every bit of it.

Congrats again to Liz and Kyle!

Liz and Kyle’s vendors

Coordinator: Tarra, The Plannery

Venue: Blind Whino

Catering: BLin

Photographer: Carly Arnwine Photography

DJ: DMV Premier Entertainment

Band: Power Source

Make-up: Amie Decker Beauty

Florist: Sill Life