Rainy Day Weddings

Photo by Jess Latos Photography

As we start to look ahead towards the Spring, I was thinking about all the spring showers that are ahead of us - and how upset brides and grooms often get thinking about rainy wedding days. But we’ve had plenty. And not only do they always end up as great wedding days - they also make for some beautiful photos and memories! Enjoy some of the photos below if you’re worried about the rain - they may change your mind!

Photo by Breanne Furlong

Photo by DuHon Photography

Photo by Mantas Kubilinskas Photography

Photo by George Street Photo

Photo by Mary Sandoval Photography

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Andrew Morrell Photography

Why we don't make your wedding decisions for you

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad Photography

“She doesn't force her opinion on anyone, but gives amazing, decisive advice when you ask for it.”

- one of our recent clients about our lead planner, Rebecca O’Donnell

We get this feedback a lot from our clients. And this is one of the major factors in figuring out what kind of a wedding planner you’re looking for. Do you want a planner who is going to take the reigns entirely and make decisions for you, or one who will assist you in making wedding decisions? Neither one is better or worse. It’s about what’s right for you.

Here at The Plannery, we won’t make wedding decisions for you. We not only believe it’s YOUR money to spend (therefore your decision), but most importantly, we always want our clients weddings to reflect their values and their priorities - not OURS.

So what do we do if we don’t make wedding decisions? We help make those decisions easier. We listen to you. We help you figure out what your values and priorities are to begin with! We then narrow down your options when it comes to vendors and other wedding planning decisions. Not to mention, we keep it practical in terms of helping you see which decisions are even possible when it comes to your wedding budget.

Some folks are so busy that they actually want someone to make final decisions for them. Some really want to hear what is on-trend and just do whatever that is for their wedding. And again - that’s great if it’s right for you! But we are not those planners. We take our cues from you, listen, help you clarify your vision, desires and priorities, and then make the decision making process easy.

Which one is right for you?

Lion Birthday Party

In the time of COVID, outdoor birthday parties are still a thing (especially for my youngest, who still isn’t eligible for the vaccine). So we had to get creative again this year (and also pray for good weather!). We decided to use the outdoor pavilion at Chinquapin Park in Alexandria, so that in case of bad weather, we still had some cover :)

She’d asked for a lion theme. Not Lion King. Not Lion Guard. Just plain old “Lion.” So I, too, got to be a bit creative! We decided to go for a jungle theme - I got some very fun jungle leaves on Amazon to play with, and bought a variety of colors of items for our outdoor breakfast (bagels and coffee - I think the parents were very happy!). We had yellow, orange, green and pink items and balloons and streamers.

The most fun part was we bought all the kids lion ears to play with at the party and take home. We also did some face painting! I DIY’d a lion cub bean bag toss which ended up working out quiet well for some outdoor activities. And I also DIY’d the lion cub cupcake toppers which were super fun and cute!

So overall - a success I think. Outdoor parties can be tough, but keeping things simple and fun (and keeping in mind back up plans for bad weather!) makes it fairly easy.

I think it was a roaring success ;)

Wedding Transportation

Wedding transportation can seem like one of the more boring and logistical elements of your wedding day, but we’ve had some fun forms of transportation over the years by couples who chose to add a bit of fun! Take a look below for some fun wedding transport options to consider:

Pedicab to your reception

Photo by Stephen Gosling

We loved this couple that chose to have a pedicab bring them from their ceremony over to their reception. It’s a great option in an urban area, especially DC!

Vintage Cars

Photo by Love Life Images

Photo by Bee Too Sweet

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

The style of car can differ, but no matter the style, a vintage car is always a classy and fun way to add a little something to your wedding day. Some of our clients opt for the older, traditional car - while others sometimes opt for the slightly more funky Cadillac!

Wedding Sightseeing Trolley

Photo by Michael O’Snyder

If you’re getting married in DC, you might as well take advantage of it and show your guests a good time! This couple gave their guests a late-night sightseeing monument tour post-reception on a trolley! I adore this idea - and it makes for some great photo ops as well!

Hoof it on Foot

Photo by Edward Underwood

And finally, some folks keep it old school and walk! I’ve had several couples embrace how close their ceremony is to their reception and have a short “parade” of sorts to walk everyone over to the reception. Weather dependent? - yes. But cheap and fun? - definitely!

How to Honor Those Dearly Departed At Your Wedding

Sadly, weddings are often a reminder of those who are not able to attend. As wedding planners, we are often asked about ideas - how can we honor our loved ones? Whether it be a parent, grandparent, or other close family member who has passed, there are many f thoughtful ways to honor ones you’re thinking of and missing on your wedding day.

Save a Seat for Your Loved One

Photo by Photo Lady Love

We’ve had many couples choose to reserve a seat for their loved one, even though they’re not there in person. Some choose to put candles on the chair, signs recognizing who is missing, or as in the wedding above - a flower.

Include Loved Ones In Your Ceremony

Photo by Jessica Latos Photography

The most comment way we’ve had folks include those who have passed is to include them in their ceremony. Often the officiant mentions them and may ask for a moment of silence. Other times their names are included in the ceremony program. But my favorite way was in the wedding above, in which the bride and the groom held a private memorial honoring departed family members prior to the ceremony. With their closest loved ones present, they carefully placed marked roses within their gorgeous DIY chuppah.

Honor Them Through your Taste Buds

Photo by Shandi Wallace

We’ve seen many couples make thoughtful cuisine choices as a nod to their loved ones. My favorite was the above wedding that featured a Polish cookie table in honor of her Grandmother.

Carry Them With You

Photo by Photo Lady Love

Many brides opt to include small charms or photos within their bouquets as a way to carry their dearly departed with them, and keep them close always. I adore this option - it’s such a meaningful and beautiful way to help folks feel less alone and feel as though their family is with them - always.

Let Photos Do the talking

Photo by Jessica Crews

The most common way is to include photographs of those who have passed as a way to remember and honor them. Lots of folks choose to use wedding photos as a way to honor love through the ages!

Wedding travel inspiration! How to incorporate travel or locations into your wedding day

We previously posted about how to incorporate an extra dose of your love of music into your big day. But what if your and your partners passion is travel? Or what if you really want to share your hometowns with your guests, or get them excited about the location of your wedding? Today we’re talking about how to incorporate a love of travel, or a love of a particular place, into your big day. See below for more inspo!

Serve regional specialties to your guests!

Want to share part of your hometown or a particular place with your guests? Serve them some of that regions special food or treats! We’ve had lots of weddings that included Ohio buckeyes, and also had someone serve “Reception Sticks” - treats from Missouri that were originally created for a wedding!

Photo by Love Life Images

Photo by Amanda Gilley

Put your wedding on the map

There are lots of fun map options when it comes to weddings, and we’ve seen a lot - our favorites are using a map for your guest seating chart, or having guests sign a globe for your guest book!

Photo by Chris Zarconi

Photo by Reinhart Photography

Travel Related Centerpieces

One of my favorite clients drew inspiration from their own travels to all the national parks for their own wedding. They decided to name each table after a national park, and even had the florist create different arrangements to represent each park! Another couple named each table after a metro stop in the area - and had their menus designed as a metro map as well! So creative…

Photo by Chris Zarconi

Wave your flag!

We’ve seen lots of couples incorporate a place’s flag into their wedding in one way or another. Signing a flag or art of a flag is a great idea for your guest book:

Photo by Mathy Shoots People

Make Travel Functional at your Wedding

We’ve had several couples add a little travel-related touch to very functional items: including cocktail napkins, and boxes for programs!

Photo by Rhinehart Photography

Photo by George Street Photo

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

Why we love Fall Weddings

Ok, ok - so pretty much everyone loves Fall weddings. But just in case you needed to know why you should have one - we’ve done a little round up of some of our favorites over the years, and why Fall really is one of the most popular seasons to get married:

The Wedding Colors

Fall gives you a great opportunity to embrace some richer, deeper colors, as well as have a little more fun with your wedding colors. Some of our favorites are below - but I especially adored the couple that chose to use a bold, deep orange for their bridesmaids dresses! So stunning!

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

The Fall Foliage is a perfect backdrop

Pictures are worth a hundred words here, so I’ll let some photos do the talking - but when nature gives you color, you use it and love it!

Photo by DeNueva Photography

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Fall weather is cooler

We here in the DMV know how stinking hot it can be in the summer - and if you’re hoping for an outdoor wedding, well, both you and your guests will appreciate the cooler weather that Fall can bring!

Photo by Charles Archambault

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

Our favorite cake toppers

Overwhelmed with cake topper ideas? No clue why you need one in the first place? Want some cake topper inspiration? Here ya go!! Some of our all time favorite cake toppers over the years. Enjoy! (now I want cake)

A Musical Wedding

Photo by DuHon Photography

We think of music at weddings in the usual ways - ceremony music, having an awesome band for your dance party, what your first dance song will be, etc. But if you’re a couple that really loves music, what are some other ways to incorporate that passion for music into your wedding day?

We’ve had some really creative couples come up with other options - so check them out below and let us know what you think!

A Musical Guestbook

We’ve had two separate couples use records as their guest books! It’s a unique way to share your love of music (or even particular songs and artists), while collecting the names of your guests

Photo by Chris Ferenzi

Photo by Jess Latos Photography

A Nod to your Favorite Concert

Alicia and Matt, one of our awesome, past couples, used concert wrist bands at their wedding!! Such a fun way to keep track of your guests if the venue requires it, while adding a little nod to your concert-going

Photo by The Oberports

Get creative at cocktail hour

We’ve had many clients get a bit more creative at cocktail hour as way to honor either their wedding’s location, their heritage, or other musical aspects. One of our favorite DC weddings had a DC-based funk band meet their guests at the church! Another couple wanted to honor their Irish heritage and had a fiddle and pipe player for their cocktail hour, which even led to some Irish dancing! Whatever direction you go, think outside the musical box for cocktails. It’s a great, more casual time to have a little fun and be more non traditional

Photo by Mathy Shoots People

Photo by DeNueva Photo

Music as Decor

Mariah and Rob used records as decor! They hung records from the ceiling to create a super fun look, all while tipping their hat to their love of music

Photo by Stephen Gosling

Musical Invitations

Angelina and Ron had some of the best wedding invitations I’d seen - they used Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix stamps on their wedding invites!

Photo by Olivia Jacob Photography

Musical Theatre Nerds, Unite!

And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention several of our couples who gave a little shout-out to the musical, Hamilton! One bride wore an A. Ham (if you know, you know) hat when they were announced into the reception. And my other favorite did a spin on the Hamilton Playbill for their ceremony program! Such creative, fun ideas:

Photo by DuHon Photography

Photo by Ayesha Ahmad Photography