Mitchell and Scott's St. Regis Hotel, Washington, DC Wedding

Mitchell and Scott hosted their stunning wedding at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. Set on a perfect fall day, the backdrop of the White House added an extra layer of prestige to this already regal event.The overall vibe of the day was sleek, timeless, and full of romance! The venue, with its rich history and stunning architecture, needed little decoration — it truly spoke for itself. But hold…did someone say sabrage? Of course, the couple had to honor St. Regis’s signature sabrage ceremony, popping champagne in style and making sure the celebration started with a bang (literally)!

One of the highlights of working with Mitchell and Scott was their intentional decision to work with vendors from the LGBTQ+ community. They took so much pride in supporting diversity, and you could feel that love and inclusivity woven into every detail of the day. The vendors, all true professionals, made this wedding a joy to be a part of, ensuring everything ran smoothly with love and dedication from start to finish.

And let’s talk about the fun details! Louis the Corgi ice cubes? Check. Signature drink named after said Corgi? Absolutely! Plus, Scott’s adorable Corgi cufflinks…it was clear that their cherished dog was with us that night. From sentimental table numbers with personal photos to a jaw-dropping photo backdrop and foam glow sticks that got everyone on their feet, every detail was both sophisticated and playful. It was the perfect balance of elegance and fun, with a few surprises to keep everyone smiling.

I’m so honored to have been part of Mitchell and Scott’s incredible day. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness, love, and plenty more memorable moments ahead! Enjoy these wonderful photos by Shawnee Custalow Studios!

Mitchell and Scott’s Vendors:

Coordination: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: St. Regis Hotel, Washington DC

DJ and Lighting: DJ Tezrah

Photography: Shawnee Custalow Studios

Ceremony and Cocktail music: Lucy Black Entertainment

Florist: Flowers at 38

Custom Ice Cubes: The Ice Queen

Alex and Sam's St. Francis Hall, Washington, DC Wedding

Moody, a little vintage, unforgettable.  Alex and Sam are the vibe of the year for me; that IT couple. And let me tell you something about St. Francis Hall, it never disappoints in terms of beauty and old world charm. 

Alex and Sam were so amazing to work with. Laidback, cheerful, and most notably fun AF. The atmosphere that they planned and created was one that filled the space with warmth and pure joy. I am confident that friends and family, and more importantly Alex and Sam will fondly reminisce on this magical evening for many years to come.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to Fred, Father of the Bride.  His perpetual humor and gentleness, and love for his ladies (Bride and MOB) will be something I cherish forever! I love my very own dad, but I also love me some Fred #bestdadever. Love the photo Leigh Anne captured of me and Fred!

Enjoy!

Venue: @stfrancishall
Photographer: @leighannebraderphotography
Second Photographer: @vivsantini_photography
Planning: @theplannery
Florist: @petalsedgedc
DJ: @didebbiebulles @bialeksmusic
Catering: @ridgewellsdc
Hair + Makeup: @bridalbysarahkhanartistry
Gown: @savannahmillerbridal @carinesbridal
Veil: @kamperett
Suit: @brooksbrothers

Winona and Matt's Lyon Park Community Center, Arlington VA Wedding

Photo by Darcy Troutman Photography

Winona and Matt had their wedding this past May at Lyon Park Community Center in Arlington, VA. Winona is larger than life! She beamed from head to toe the entire wedding day.  She is a bride who knew what she wanted and exactly how to make it happen! Matt is a groom who knew what his wife-to-be wanted and exactly how to make it happen! ;) Together, they planned an amazing day full of warmth and amusement for themselves and loved ones.

The slight rain and chill in the air could not put a damper on this special day. It was such a pleasure to help execute their vision. It was special to see how they incorporated their family and friends in many aspects of their wedding including the ceremony officiant, ushers, floral designers, and twinkle light stringers.  It was a sweet, sweet day, but also a little spicy thanks to the delicious Indian cuisine on the menu prepared by Spice Kraft. Enjoy this glimpse at their day with beautiful photos by Darcy Troutman Photography!

Winona and Matt’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Lyon Park Community Center

Catering: Spice Kraft

DJ: Perpetual Sound, Craig Wood

Photography: Darcy Troutman Photography

Lisa and Wren's Riverside on the Potomac, Leesburg VA Wedding

Photo by Eric Einstein Photography

Lisa and Wren got married on a beautiful June day this past year, at the magical Riverside on the Potomac in Leesburg, VA. One of our favorite venues, the weather definitely worked for them and resulted in a stunning day!

The couple had a ton of performing artists friends (as Lisa herself is also in the performing arts), which resulted in personal, musical touches throughout the day including friends playing for the ceremony (and leading a recessional parade of sorts that felt New Orleans-esque), and as you’ll see - an EPIC first dance!

Personal touches continued with the florals being DIY’d, a relative conducting the ceremony, and many other close family and friends having been assigned very specific roles to include people near and dear to them as much as possible. 

Last, but certainly not least, Lisa’s brother was photographer! We adore the photos that follow - be sure to check them out and start getting excited for summer with these images by Eric Einstein Photography. Although he’s based in Denver, he travels all the time - so definitely check out his amazing work.

Coordinator: Tarra with The Plannery

Venue: Riverside on the Potomac

Catering/Rentals: Brittany Flohr, Simply Fresh

DJ/Uplighting: Mark Maskell, Restless Promotions

Photography: Eric Einstein Photography and Video

Hair/Makeup: Ana B, MAB Artistry

Ashley and Graeson's The Winslow Baltimore Wedding

I was so thrilled when Ashley and Graeson booked, not just because they were one of the SWEETEST couples, but also because their ideas sounded awesome!  It took us a long time to narrow down a venue, but once we decided on The Winslow, Ashley's amazing design brain kicked into action.  She had such creative ideas, and it was a struggle just to narrow them down and fit them all in!  However, our awesome partners all came together for one of my wildest weddings ever!

The day started at the beautiful Royal Sonesta in Baltimore for hair and makeup.  The room had a STUNNING view of the Harbor, not to mention gorgeous locations both in and outside for photos!  Luckily, Ashley and Graeson chose to do a first look and all family photos before the wedding, which is my absolute FAVORITE, because it gives them time to enjoy their cocktail hour!  (Plus, if any photos get missed, we can do them during cocktail hour, but don't have to spend the whole hour on pictures!)

After Family photos, the couple and their wedding party headed over to The Winslow for even more amazing photos.  There was SO much for us to set up there, I was glad to have the assistance of a few of our awesome assistants!  We had disco balls from Something Vintage, a neon sign, a super fun voicemail guestbook from Fetephone (which I had never used before and LOVED), lots of fun signage, adorable escort cards made by the bride, Viewfinders with pictures of the couple, melted disco ball sculptures made by the bride and, my favorite, a "Guess Who" game for guests to play, where all of the faces were Queens from RuPaul's Drag Race!  (Good thing our photographer, the always awesome Cassidy DuHon, is an expert in photographing drag queens!)

The ceremony was held in the old train shed at The Winslow.  Luckily, we had Event Dynamics to provide draping, so the view wasn't of a train yard!  After the ceremony, guests were welcomed into cocktail hour with delicious hors d'oeuvres from Linwoods Catering (seriously -- SO many guests told us how delicious the food was!).  Guests got to marvel at all of the personal touches the couple put into the cocktail hour, but the real showstopper was once they moved into the ballroom, with the STUNNING balloon arrangement from Partistry Events on the ceiling!  This was set off by the amazing linens, china, glassware and lounge furniture that Ashley picked out from BBJ, Gala Cloths, and Something Vintage.  I absolutely LOVED all of her choices, they were so beautiful!!  And, of course, they were all decorated with stunning arrangements from Wander and Whimsy.

After dinner, DJ Kelton Higgins (one of my absolute favorites) started the 70's funk dance party and kept the dance floor packed all night long.  Also packed all night was the photobooth from MiHi Entertainment (supplemented by disco crabs, unicorn heads, and tiny hands provided by the couple!)  Kelton actually said it was one of the best dance parties he had ever had, that's how fun these guests were!  The couple had probably my all time favorite outfit change halfway through the dance party -- I don't know who could possibly have expected this!

The night ended, as so many nights in Baltimore do, with Old "Bae" seasoning and a karaoke after party.  

Photos by DuHon Photography

Ashley and Graeson’s Vendors:

Planner: Rebecca O’Donnell, The Plannery @theplannery

Rentals: Something Vintage @smthingvintage

Linens: BBJ @bbjlatavola

Venue: The Winslow @thewinslowbaltimore

Caterer: Linwoods @linwoodsrestaurant

DJ: Kelton Higgins @kelton.higgins

Photographer: Cassidy DuHon @duhonphotography

Florist: Wander and Whimsy @wanderandwhimsyfloral

Lighting, Draping and Dance Floor: Event Dynamics @eventdynamicsinc

Balloons: Partistry Events @partistryevents

Hair and Makeup: Tasia Mitropolos @tasiamitropoulos

Photo Booth: MiHi Entertainment @mihi_entertainment

How to incorporate different cultures into your wedding

We’ve had lots of experience with couples who come from different backgrounds/cultures and want to honor their differences within their wedding. There are a ton of ways to pay respect to various cultures, backgrounds and religions within a wedding. Below we have some ideas to share:

decor

One of our weddings wanted to subtly acknowledge her South Asian background, so she chose to do so through her decor. Even the smallest of nods - whether it be the flowers you pick, or the vases you use - can give guests a sense of where you come from and what matters to you!

Nisha and Derek, Photo Lady Love

Photo by Jess Latos Photography

food

Food is an excellent (and delicious!) way to pay homage to various cultures and their cuisine! We’ve had couples include Indian food in their appetizers, serve Peking Duck, or share a traditional dessert with guests, all as a way to honor their backgrounds (and let guests savor the flavors of those backgrounds as well!).

Nisha and Derek by Photo Lady Love

costume change

We’ve had several weddings where either the bride, or both the bride and groom changed outfits in order to balance tradition with modernity. Often, they don more traditional garb for a ceremony, but then change into more modern options for the reception - or vice versa! This is a great way to balance looking back at our pasts and looking ahead to the future!

Shandi Wallace

Shandi Wallace

Photo by the Colagrossis

Photo by The Colagrossis

other attire

Sometimes folks opt for a more subtle nod to cultures via cufflinks, boutonnieres, bouquets or other accessories and attire!

Carol and Gregg, Stephen Bobb Photography

additional cultural ceremonies

Additional ceremonies can also be added to a more traditional wedding structure to honor the couple’s backgrounds. Here, the couple chose to do a traditional tea ceremony during the reception - and in another, the Ethiopian groom and his family added some traditional elements to their reception as well!

Latos Photography

Latos Photography

Music

Music is an awesome and beautiful way to honor our backgrounds. It can be easy to add at various moments in the day - whether post ceremony (like this bagpiper!), or during cocktail hour. Music can be quite emotional and I love using it to help guests feel connected to the couple.

Photo by Love Life Images

I hope some of these ideas have been helpful! Enjoy and celebrate your differences and backgrounds - it’s such a fun way to honor those you love and what makes you, you!

Olivia Jacob Photography

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

Groom Style

Here at The Plannery, we don’t want the brides to have all the fun. So today we’re giving the grooms some love and inspiration, taking a look back at some of our favorite, stylish grooms. From bold blues, to romantic velvet, coordinated looks to casual summer attire, classic formal to hilarious, all of these grooms will remind you that folks DO care about the men at weddings, and you should, too!

Grooms should go bold

Photo by Justin McCallum

Two of my favorite clients and men went bold in blue for their wedding in custom made tuxedos. Never be afraid to go for a bold look, nor to spend time and money on a custom look - it’s your big day!!

romantic velvet

Photo by Wildpines Elopements

I adore Dylan’s romantic velvet tux, above. It was a subtle but bold choice (can that paradox exist? I’m saying it can), and especially for a colder, crisper wedding season, this is an awesome and special look for a groom.

3 piece groom

Photo by Margaret Wroblewski

If you don’t want to go full tux, but still want to feel special and put together, a three piece suit is a tailored look that still reads chic.

coordinated grooms

Photo by Susan Hornyak

John and Jonathan opted to coordinate without being too matchy-matchy for their day, and I loved it. It was super stylish while still feeling playful and fun - a great choice for a joyful day!

classic tux

Jess Latos Photography

You can’t go wrong. I have nothing else to say, except: YES.

playful tux

Payton Rainey Photography

But again - don’t be afraid to be playful. I’ve seen lots of subtle colored tuxedos on wedding days that add that dash of special to the classic look. Love it.

Match your vibe with a tie-less look

Debi Parker Photography

Having a super casual wedding? Embrace it and lose the tie! Also, summer weddings are a great time for grooms to go for a lighter colored suit - another choice I always adore.

you can’t resist a man in uniform

Photo by Jen Link

Here in the DMV we have lots of military folks - and I always urge those grooms to wear their uniforms. It’s such a special nod to their work and service, while being a gorgeous and handsome look!

Embrace your humor

Photo by Hannah Hudson

No, I don’t recommend wearing the above to your ceremony. But once the party has started? Feel free to embrace your sense of humor, the love of your team, whatever makes you feel like you!!

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