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

Ann and Stephen // Clarendon Ballroom, Arlington, VA Wedding // VA Wedding Planner

Ann and Stephen were partial planning clients of mine - I helped them nail down their major vendors, and then returned later in the process to assist with month-of coordination. They were also some of the early test clients for our design services with Kim, and we'll be doing a separate post on that later to highlight how her mood board was brought to life!

Ann and Stephen got married at Clarendon Ballroom, yet another venue I somehow hadn't yet worked with - and was so excited to finally get to do so. They did some first-look photos with one of my favorite photogs, Shandi Wallace, prior to the ceremony (and Ann SLAYED in that lace dress, y'all. Seriously). After their ketubah signing they had their ceremony in the ballroom, and then due to the unfortunately fairly cold and windy day, the cocktail reception in the bar and lobby (rather than the rooftop) while we flipped the ballroom for the reception. The Clarendon staff was awesome to work with, and included some delicious food and a gorgeous wedding cake! Their DJ, Greg Sanchez, rocked the dance floor and their guests were really ready to party! It was a great night celebrating a wonderful couple and working with some fab vendors. Congrats again to Ann and Stephen!

Ann and Stephen's Vendors:

Wedding Planner and Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue, Food and Cake: Clarendon Ballroom

Florist: Blooming Spaces

DJ: Greg Sanchez

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Officiant: Annie Bornstein

Save

Save

Alyssa and Ali // Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Vienna, VA wedding // VA wedding planner

I thought it would be a nice break from the freaking freezing weather we've been having to take a look back a balmy outdoor wedding. I did partial planning for Alyssa and Ali - helping them nail down their major vendors and then stepping back in to coordinate their day. They got married outdoors on a fairly steamy, but beautiful, September day (does anyone remember hot, sweaty weather?). Cocktails and reception followed, along with some wonderful toasts, food, cupcakes and dancing!

Alyssa and Ali were awesome - first of all, can we talk about how I love a bride in glasses? It's ridiculous that I have to say that, but I love that Alyssa wanted to look like her beautiful self on her wedding day. Alyssa was also a DIY master. She did all of her own flowers - which is no joke. And they were stunning. She also DIY'd an entire candy bar which was a huge hit and so much fun! She did a Mr. vs. Mrs. bar with all of his and her favorite candy. Big thanks to Bonnie Sen for capturing this day so well, and congrats again to Alyssa and Ali!! Now enjoy these lovely photos and daydream about sunshine and flowers!

Alyssa and Ali's Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Catering: Great Blue Heron

Photographer: Bonnie Sen

DJ: Rusty from DJ DMAC and Associates

Cupcakes: SophistiCAKE

Flowers: The bride!