Carol and Greg's Winter Woodend Sanctuary MD Wedding

Photo by Stephen Bobb Photography

This wedding was one of our favorites from last year. Though it was pre-COVID, I’m excited to share it now because it was a small, intimate winter wedding - something folks who are dealing with the new COVID restrictions may be considering this year - so hopefully this can give you some fun inspiration! Carol and Greg had a beautiful wedding at Woodend Sanctuary. Because it was winter, Woodend’s usual tent was down, so they had a short ceremony with some guests standing and some seated, in the main room, followed by cocktails and dinner indoors as well. Tarra had to get creative with the flow and floorplan, but it worked out well and everyone had a blast.

I adore that they embraced the holiday season with red pops of color (including the stunning bride’s lips!), and additional green and white accents. It was a meeting of two cultures, his (Southern) and hers (Korean) which they honored in various ways including culinary touches from Main Event. Enjoy these beautiful shots from Stephen Bobb Photography and embrace the chilly air heading our way. Congrats again to Carol and Greg!

Carol and Greg’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Woodend Sanctuary

Photographer: Stephen Bobb

Caterer: Main Event Catering

Music: Double Entertainment, DJ Elon

Florist: Park Florist

Cake: Alexandria Pastry Shop

Hair/Make-up: Shanel Salon

Monica and Jason's Woodend Sanctuary wedding

Photo by George Street Photo

Monica and Jason were married on the perfect summer/fall cusp day at the ever beautiful Woodend Sanctuary.  I really loved that Monica rocked her long, luxurious locks in a completely down-do by Styled by Anna Fazio. All of her bridesmaids sported half-up/half-down dos to round things out and they all happened to be brunettes…talk about complimentary looks!  

Although I was not present in the room, I know that Monica and Jason had the most special and intimate ceremonial Ketubah signing before their wedding. The actual Ketubah was spectacular with a vibrant blue circular design. It was displayed at the wedding ceremony alongside the equally spectacular chuppah designed by Growing Wild Floral.

Before their Ketubah signing the couple shared another intimate moment with their first look.  I usually am busy and/or want to give couples privacy during this time, but I couldn’t resist sneaking a peak on this one. It was so moving to watch Monica in her stunning dress walk along a picturesque path and reach out to touch Jason. His reaction was so freaking priceless and captured perfectly by Kyle Bergner with George Street Photo.

I would be remiss not to mention the guest appearance by their fur baby, Hunter.  Monica and Jason gave lots of thought about how much they wanted Hunter at the wedding, but realized how it would be logistically difficult and settled on an epic cardboard cut-out of him instead! A happy and hilarious compromise that made for a fun addition to their DIY photo guestbook station.   

This wedding had all the best elements. Wonderful couple, simplicity, class, and joy. Congrats to Monica and Jason!

Monica and Jason's Vendors:

Coordination: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Woodend Sanctuary

Catering: Corcoran Catering

DJ: DJ Evan Reitmeyer

Photography and Videography: George Street Photo

Florist: Growing Wild Floral

Hair: Styled by Anna Fazio

Make-up: Real Doll Makeup

Rebecca and Dave // Woodend Sanctuary, MD Wedding // MD wedding coordinator

As some of you may have seen via Instagram, our beloved Tarra recently had a bit of a medical scare. Thankfully, she is healthy and well now, but this wedding came right in the midst of some of her health issues. We like to keep it real here, so more details below from Tarra on this magical yet difficult wedding - and yet another example of how wonderful our clients are (and how dedicated our incredible Tarra is)! Big thanks as always to Sarah Gormley for the stunning photos. She is one of my most favorite photogs and humans!

Rebecca and Dave, what can I say? They were simply too much fun. Another ideal kick-ass couple that The Plannery was fortunate enough to work with. Rebecca flat out oozes kindness and is the ultimate kindred spirit.  Dave is the epitome of calm and cool.  They are an unflappable force to be reckoned with.    

Their wedding at Woodend Sanctuary was so special - Dave and his family built the chuppah themselves. Their ceremony, led by a family friend, was very comical - and they danced together halfway through the 7 circles! Add in the beautiful photos by Sarah Gormley and you get some real life magic.

Many of our couples are laid-back, which WE LOVE, but these guys definitely take the cake - and this took some weight off my shoulders, which I ended up needing that day. To know me is to know that I would never put my own needs on the table on someone else’s wedding day unless it was super serious! Doesn’t matter if I am starvin’ like Marvin or have a raging headache.  It turns out I had something pretty serious going on with my leg during their wedding. I powered through of course, but did actually find myself in the hospital the very next day!  I tell this story for two reasons. First, to let everyone know that my unexpected surgery went well and I am totally fine now!! Doing 100% better and feeling very fortunate that the issue was found and treated.  The second reason, is to point out how incredible it is to work with such compassionate people every day.   As a planner/coordinator, I get to work closely with so many couples and in that, you develop a very special and meaningful relationship - albeit short-lived at times.

On Rebecca and Dave’s amazing wedding day at the gorgeous Woodend Sanctuary, I got to experience so much joy with them even though I was in some serious pain.  On their very own wedding day, thanks to our special relationship, I took comfort in knowing that their joy was my joy and my pain was their pain.  And honestly, that is pretty damn awesome.

Venue: Woodend Sanctuary

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Photography: Sarah Gormley Photography

DJ: DJ Evan Reitmeyer

Florist: Sill Life

Hair: Scissors and Comb

Make-up: J H Makeup Artistry

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Hanna and Jamison // Woodend Sanctuary Wedding, Chevy Chase, MD // DC Wedding Coordinator

I had a lot of great weather luck this year (so far...fingers crossed for the rest of the fall!). But no day can compare to Hanna and Jamison's wedding in early June. It's doubtful any DC'ers will remember, but it was a ridiculously gorgeous day - not a cloud in the sky and zero humidity - a rarity in these parts (in fact my wedding last year on this same date was 98 degrees and humid as all get-out).

So. It was perfect that Hanna and Jamison had a morning ceremony followed by an afternoon luncheon reception at Woodend Sanctuary. I've also decided the weather knew Porter Watkins was going to be photographing this wedding. Cause her photography style meshed so well with the venue and the light. Every. single. picture. is stunning. The ceremony under the trees, with gorgeous altar decor by H Bloom was serene and lovely. Guests then moved up to the portico area for cocktails where they also found some DIY flags with their table information, as well as one of Woodend's trees wrapped with personal family photos (big thanks to my assistant that day, the incomparable Crystal who I'm devastated has moved to Boston. BOO. Bostonians: hire Miss Fete now).

In addition to the ceremony decor, the florist also hit it out of the park on the reception decor. Beautiful, natural arrangments and a really stunning runner for the head table. Main Event once again did an amazing job with the luncheon buffet and impeccable service. Because it was a luncheon reception, there wasn't any dancing (mostly - some of their friends may or may not have created their own impromptu dance party). Instead they rented their own sound equipment and played a Spotify playlist throughout the reception while people mingled after dinner out on the lawn, some of them playing bocce or croquet!

Couple of other details I need to mention is the bad ass cake by Room 11, and the great ceremony and cocktail music by Randy Barrett Trio.

On to the ridonkadonk photos - Enjoy! And hop to it, any upcoming DC brides and hire Porter Watkins ASAP! She not only produced these excellent pics but was a total pleasure to work with.

Congrats again Hanna and Jamison!!

Hanna and Jamison's Vendors:

Venue: Woodend Sanctuary

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Photographer: Porter Watkins Photography

Ceremony and Cocktail Musicians: Randy Barrett Trio

Caterer: A Main Event

Cake: Room 11

Florist: H Bloom

Emily and Zach // Woodend Sanctuary Wedding, Chevy Chase, MD // MD Wedding Planner

First of all, I dare anyone to view that picture, above, and not pray for rain on their wedding day. Take in that gorgeous, stunning photo (by the truly talented Amber Wilkie) for a moment and then we can move on.

Ok.

I did partial planning with Emily and Zach - they were most stressed about finding a venue, so I helped them find and secure their venue, gave them some resources for the rest of their planning process along with some vendor recommendations and then reemerged this past February to do month-of coordination. This was the first wedding of my 2014 season and it was amazing. It helped me realize that while I adore and love month-of coordination, I get way more emotional when I'm working with clients I feel like I know because I have watched them go through the whole planning journey. Plus, it didn't hurt that Emily and Zach are basically the best and nicest people you'll meet. So. I got quite teary at this wedding, I'm not gonna lie.

After some prep at their own homes/hotels, both of them finished getting ready separately at Woodend with boutonierre pinning and dress putting-on. Then, they did their first look  (unfortunately inside because of the rain - but with these two? who cares). Also, Emily's dress was to die and she was the hottest.

We moved the ceremony to the tented area due to the rain (which we flipped to reception during the cocktails - big props to Main Event and their staff for getting that done so smoothly and flawlessly). And what a way to start my season. Not only did the ceremony open with the fabulous officiant Maureen Burke saying "Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us togethaah today" (PRINCESS BRIDE REFERENCE WHATTT), but it moved on to a very personal, wonderful service. Teary grooms and dads get me every time.

The chuppah and all flowers were done by Shelly at B Floral Event Design and I loved her arrangements, especially with the bird table numbers Emily and Zach put together. People then ate, drank, gave speeches (which I missed because I may or may not have been out buying more wine. Reason #204,568 that you should have a wedding coordinator. Just saying), and then danced their booties off.

I was so happy for this beautiful couple and wish them all of the best in what will undoubtedly be their wonderful mawwage.

Emily and Zach's Vendors:

Event Planning and Coordination: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Woodend Sanctuary

Photographer: Amber Wilkie

Caterer: Main Event

DJ: Evan Reitmeyer

Officiant: Maureen Burke

Hair/Make-up: Carolyn Berry, Modern Bridal Studio