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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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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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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Aileen and Tyrone // Lyon Park Community Center Wedding // VA wedding coordinator

Tarra's back with yet another kick-ass wedding - and this one has a bride in a blue dress which basically makes my whole day, week and month! It also has to be noted that looking through these photos, the smiles on Aileen and Tyrone's faces are absolutely infectious. I found myself grinning from ear to ear at practically every photo. What an amazingly beautiful, happy couple! Take it away, Tarra!

Aileen and Tyrone are a perfect example of why I love working in the wedding industry - and they are also yet another example of how we as planners become so personal and so close with our clients.   A professional relationship sure, but oftentimes with a friendship/family flare.  I felt like Aileen and I went wayyyyyy back.  I felt like I was part of Tyrone’s family. And I felt like I’ve known their daughter Maya since birth.  In fact, this awesome familial connection lead me to recommend the incredible DJ Premonition, who played at my very own wedding.  I just knew he would be a great match and would rock the place!

This wedding took place at a beautifully maintained park community center in the heart of a residential neighborhood in Arlington.   Aileen was full of no fuss, all fun, and great décor ideas including mason jars with twinkle lights and fresh cut flowers.   Bistro lights were strung around the main room to make the space pop.  My favorite part of all was the dessert spread, filled with freshly baked pies and cookies. All of these tasty treats were made with love by Aileen and Tyrone’s friends and family.  Farm to Feast Catering did such an amazing job with arranging the dessert buffet and of course dinner was amazing as well.  Tyrone’s mother contributed some special items to the menu, Jamaican patties and curry goat…YUM!

And of course this blog post would not be complete without a mention of that badass blue lace wedding dress.  Aileen KILLED IT! So fun and so offbeat…speaking of which, her dress may have been stylishly offbeat, but her actual dancing skills were so on point! I totally think Aileen invented the running man (like, seriously).  From jumping the broom to getting down low on the dance floor, I must say I think Aileen and Tyrone and their little Maya, too, had the time of their lives. Congrats again to you all!

Aileen and Tyrone's Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Catering: Farm to Feast

DJ: DJ Premonition

Photographer: Linda Wang Photography

Flowers: Wollam Gardens Flower Farm

Venue: Lyon Park Community Center

Ceremony Musician: Mason Arts Productions

Officiant: Family Friend

Makeup : DIY

Hair: PR at Partners Shirlington

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Jackie and Aaron // The Farm at Broad Run wedding, Broad Run, VA // VA wedding planner

Jackie and Aaron came to me initially for venue help, but eventually we also worked together on nailing down their major vendors and month-of coordination. They were awesome. They wanted a very unique wedding and had very specific ideas about what they wanted. Helping that vision come to fruition was really fulfilling and especially seeing in-person how perfectly “them” their wedding was, and how much their friends and family embraced their day.

Jackie and Aaron got married at the Farm at Broad Run on a beautiful, unseasonably warm day in September. Their unique wedding timeline included a pre-ceremony sing-a-long “hang” which they staged in a nearby field. We rented a platform so that they’d be a bit more visable, and the caterer, A La Carte, had a welcome station with prosecco and beverages as well as some snacks. Their rabbi led the session and though I had my doubts, it was a huge hit with their guests.

Guests then proceeded to another field closer to the pavilion and tent where they held their outdoor ceremony. One of their friends serenaded them down the aisle. It was beautiful and magic. Cocktail hour followed in the pavilion - though the nearby field had also been set up with some lawn games, including a full mini-golf course (the only thing Aaron said he HAD to have) and a game of touch football also popped up. I loved that Aaron let himself enjoy the day fully and didn't give a damn about getting his suit dirty (though he did have a change of shirt, for the record).

A lovely buffet meal and some toasts under the beautiful tent followed. They then proceeded to dance their butts off under the pavilion. The dancing included a freaking adorable choreographed first dance, and an epic hora that extended out beyond the pavilion!

Later in the day they had their cake cutting (and some smashing!!), as well as s’mores by the fire.

Big, big shout out has to go out to Mike Bell from MyDeejay who provided sound and music for all aspects of this sprawling wedding. A very tough task due to all the different locations and the fact that it was an outdoor venue.

Wishing Jackie and Aaron a huge congrats - they were such an awesome couple to work with from beginning to end!

Jackie and Aaron's Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: The Farm at Broad Run

Caterer: A La Carte

Photographer: Ralph Alswang

Videographer: Craig Schattner

DJ: Mike Bell, MyDeejay

Florist: Oviedo Florist

Mini Golf: Wow Entertainment

Photobooth: Photo In a Box

Heather and Tyler // King Family Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA // VA wedding planner

Heather and Tyler were referred to me by a great friend who also happens to be a talented designer and created Heather and Tyler's invites (check her and her design partner out at alfie cooper). I worked as Month-Of Coordinator for Heather and Tyler and loved every minute. Not just because Tyler is an excellent chef, so our meetings were filled with bonus restaurant recommendations as well as home-made (delicious) snacks. No, these guys were just cool and fun and fab.

Plus, they gave me the chance to do my first Charlottesville wedding. They celebrated at King Family Vineyards, after a ceremony at Holy Comforter Catholic Church. King Family is stunning. Not only does it have gorgeous grounds, but it’s set up perfectly for a wedding - with excellent back-up options should the weather not cooperate (something a planner always appreciates). What really made my day was their caterer, Harvest Moon - one of the best, most well organized bunch I’ve worked with, in addition to making incredibly tasty food. This was the best vendor meal of the season by far!

This wedding was one of my favorites because it was a great mixture of down-home earthiness and beauty. Gorgeous bride with funky shoes, handsome groom in sneakers, an elegant family-style meal, delicious pie buffet with pies from Cakes by Rachel, and a fire-pit with late-night hot dogs and tater tots (tater tots!!!).

I’m going to let these beautiful pictures speak for themselves in a moment. But first a quick word on my favorite detail for this wedding. They had fresh fruits and vegetables as escort cards. Each piece was pinned with a guest’s name, and then guests were asked to bring the fruit and veggies to the table and create their own centerpiece (using beautiful wooden bowls). Love it! Love them. Enjoy!

P.s. I lied. My other favorite detail is that they hired someone to do close-up magic for the cocktail hour. We had him dress in a suit so he'd somewhat blend into the crowd and asked him to mingle among guests and do magic. It was really awesome. And the guy blended so well I thought he was late and called to find out where he was!

Heather and Tyler's Vendors:

Event Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Ceremony Venue: Holy Comforter

Reception Venue: King Family Vineyards

Caterer: Harvest Moon

Florist: Sugar Magnolias

DJ: Derek Tobler

Photographer: Robinson Imagery

Make-up and Hair: NB Makeup

Magic: Philip and Henry