fall wedding

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 Modern Frames Photography

SGP_RachelAndrew_TheDay198-1024x682.jpg
Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

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 DeNueva Photography

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

Photo by Shandi Wallace

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 Charles Archambault

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

Laura and Brendon's Gramercy Mansion Baltimore, MD Wedding

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

Photo by Modern Frames Photography

One of the things that's nice about The Plannery being a team is that, when one person books a wedding and then realizes that “Oops, I'm about to have a baby, this is probably bad timing!”, another planner can pick it up and run with it! :) That was the case when Rebecca took over this wedding from Tarra, whose wife was expecting.  But it was clearly kismet, because as soon as Rebecca met Laura and Brendon, there was an instant connection.  The three got along like a house on fire!  This couple was so sweet, Rebecca couldn't help but be charmed by their love for each other (and for their dog Otis!)  Then, when she first visited their GORGEOUS venue, Gramercy Mansion in Greenspring Valley in Baltimore County, she fell in love with the venue too!  Whether the ceremony was inside the beautiful mansion, built in 1902, or outside in the stunning gardens, she knew it would be stunning...but, of course, everyone REALLY wanted the ceremony to be held outside! 

The day of the wedding, this was literally a last minute decision.  It was raining on and off all day, and no less than 5 weather apps were consulted on various phones to try and figure out if it would stop in time.  Chairs were set up, blankets were laid out to ward off the chill, but still, as the ceremony got closer and closer, a decision had to be made.  To complicate things, we had a string duo, neither of whom could play their EXTREMELY expensive instruments in any sort of precipitation!!!  Rebecca consulted with the couple, and, of course, they asked her advice.  She crossed her fingers and took the leap...let's do it outside.  Literally in the MINUTES before the ceremony, the rain cleared, and not only did it stay clear through the ceremony (THANK GOD!) but they were able to do the cocktail hour in the beautiful gardens as well.  There is NOT a bad spot on this property, so guests were able to wander around looking at the gardens, which were still lush through the end of October, and play with Ring Bearer Otis the dog (until he went home for a much earned rest).

Other favorite details from this wedding include Laura’s dad making a sweet toast and pulling out hair ribbons she had loved when she was a little girl (!), their hot apple cider bar in the library, where guests took turns stoking the fire (such a lovely fall touch!), and the fact that this couple was brought to us by PAST clients of ours, who also attended the wedding! Melissa and Tashia have been favorites of ours ever since their wedding back in 2014 - Since then, Tashia has launched her own dog walking and pet care business, Platinum Pets, and she was the one who helped keep Otis occupied during the ceremony!

All in all, this is one of our very favorite fall weddings - so enjoy the lovely photos by Modern Frames Photography, and congrats again to Laura and Brendon!

Laura and Brendon’s Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Rebecca O’Donnell, The Plannery

Venue: Gramercy Mansion

Caterer: Linwoods Catering

Photographer: Modern Frames Photography

Ceremony Music: String Poets

Reception Music: AJ Productions

Draping: Event Dynamics

Cake: Whipped Weddings

Make-up: Ariel Lewis, Airbrush by Ariel

Officiant: Shannon Rice, Royal Ink Weddings


Claire and Mike's Mount Vernon Inn, VA Wedding

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

Photo by Casey Crowe Taylor

Claire and Mike’s wedding took place on a breezy, cool day in early November. So many elements of their special day were truly timeless. Casey Crowe Taylor absolutely outdid herself with documenting every moment for them. So blown away! I acknowledge that my blogs are getting redundant regarding praising the photography.  Very grateful to have worked with some of the best photographers in the game this past year. 

Following their early afternoon ceremony at Catholic University in DC, we all crossed the Potomac River later that evening to their reception at Mount Vernon Inn. Claire and Mike’s ride being the most fashionable of all in a blue 1962 Cadillac provided by Camelot Classic Car.  

Mount Vernon is a place near and dear to Claire and Mike’s hearts. The place where they had the very first date. As a coordinator, a lot of times we can be spoiled with an easy laid out, straightforward venue. Other times, venues are not as easy or straightforward and require a little more forethought.  We had a great final planning meeting and came up with a great flow for how to best work in a compartmentalized space.  And well if I am being honest, in this case I was still spoiled because the staff at Mount Vernon are total rock stars!  Great food, great company, great band, it is my hope Claire and Mike are beyond happy with how everything turned out on the day they committed to each other in marriage. Congrats to them!


Claire and Mike’s Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Catholic University

Reception Venue and Catering: Mount Vernon Inn

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Photographer: Casey Crowe Taylor

Band: Lucky Pocket (formerly Empty Pocket) from Sam Hill Entertainment

Cake: Swiss Bakery

Hair/Make-up: Modern Bridal Studio

Florist: Thurman & Fig

Guest Transportation: Fleet Transportation

Car for Couple: Camelot Classic Cars

Invitations and Programs: Artisan Matchmaker

Laura and Matt // The Whittemore House, Washington, DC Wedding // DC Wedding Coordinator

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography Laura and Matt were a true joy to work with. I helped coordinate their intimate wedding at The Whittemore House this fall and loved every minute! Unfortunately we had some rain on their day, so they ended up doing their first look in their hotel room, followed by something I adored - they read each other their vows, just the two of them, prior to the ceremony. I really loved that they created this moment for themselves - it was a lovely reminder that a wedding day is about the two people getting married and what they are promising each other.

They decided to have the fireplace at The Whittemore House be the focal point for their ceremony which I loved. After the ceremony, guests went into the front of the house for cocktails while we flipped the ballroom for dinner. Dinner, toasts and dancing followed! (p.s. - THAT DRESS. Ok I'm done now).

Congrats again to Laura and Matt!

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Photo by Amanda Gilley Photography

Laura and Matt's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: Whittemore House

Caterer: Main Event

Photographer: Amanda Gilley

Videographer: Michael Brazda

DJ: Good Note DJ

Florist: Palace Florists

Dessert Buffet: Pie Sisters

Officiant: Emily Cook Therapy

Make-up: Polished Studio

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Rachel and Andrew // Josephine Butler Parks Center, Washington, DC Wedding/ DC Wedding Coordinator

Photo by Sarah Gormley Full disclosure - this wedding happened a long time ago. But I just got my hands on the stunning photos, and I simply HAD to share. So close your eyes and pretend for a moment that we're not in the depths of winter, but instead on the cusp of fall - and then open your eyes and sink into these beautiful photos by Sarah Gormley (which features one of my very favorite first-look shots of a groom EVER).

I was coordinator for Rachel and Andrew's October wedding. They were such a wonderful couple - so easy-going and fun and in love! In addition to their modern, fall colors (guys, those bridesmaid dresses are my FAVORITE - not to mention the lovely florals by Eight Tree Street), they also incorporated DC-related items including a Metro theme for their table numbers, menus, escort cards, and even bottles of wine they had guests sign for various anniversaries (love this) - and their Fluffy Thoughts cake was adorned with DC monuments. They had a slightly non-traditional menu with different themed stations/buffets rather than a plated dinner. And then they part-ayed the night away (as you shall see).

Very belated congrats to the wonderful Rachel and Andrew!

 

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Photo by Sarah Gormley

Rachel and Andrew's Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: Josephine Butler Parks Center

Photographer: Sarah Gormley

Caterer: Spilled Milk

DJ: Derek Romanoff from Bialek's Music

Ceremony Music: Palm Strings Trio

Uplighting and Photobooth: Bialek's

Florist: Eight Tree Street

Hair/Make-up: Modern Bridal Studio

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Julia and Phil // The Inn at West Settlement Wedding, Roxbury, NY // New York Wedding Planner

Photo by De Nueva Photography This wedding was incredibly special to me. I know Julia and Phil from my college days in NYC. Julia and I performed together, both dance and musical theatre, and Phil was our tech guru, making us look and sound our best. They got in touch with me all these years later asking if I’d help them find their venue and solidify their budget, as well as do month-of coordination. Julia and Phil wanted a full-on wedding weekend in the country, so we scoured the NYC region looking for great barns that could offer multiple venues for various events throughout the weekend.

They settled on the Inn at West Settlement in Roxbury, NY. I helped coordinate their rehearsal dinner and firepit hang the night before their wedding, their entire wedding day, and their morning-after brunch. It was an exhausting but exhilarating and wonderful weekend. I have to mention that despite all my hard work, none of it would have happened without their awesome family and friends who really pitched in to make this a community event. Plus, Julia and Phil are both my ex-theatre type-A dream clients and were organized beyond belief!

The weather cooperated and the whole weekend was fantastic. Julia and Phil started with a beautiful outdoor ceremony that included live music, some relatives as their officiants, readings from friends, and a handfasting. Their cocktail hour then extended into some wonderful Irish dancing out on the lawn with fabulous live music from a fiddle and pipe player. Family style dinner in the barn followed, along with toasts and a potluck pie station. And then there was the dancing. They hired a stellar band out of Brooklyn, The Blue Vipers, who KILLED it. Julia is a dancer. A legit, working artist - so she and Phil had a lovely choreographed first dance, followed by a crowd that couldn’t keep off the dance floor. The caterer and staff were based out of the downstairs level of the barn and I’m telling you, the stomping and hooting coming from the ceiling above made me think the barn might collapse!

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Photo by De Nueva Photography

Big, big congrats to Jules and Phil and a huge thank you for letting me be a part of your wonderful wedding weekend!

Julia and Phil's Wedding Vendors:

Partial Planning and Coordination: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: The Inn at West Settlement

Caterer: Grounded Catering

Rentals: Events Unlimited

Photographer: De Nueva Photography

Florals: Lily Bruder

Ceremony and Cocktail Musicians: Cleek Schrey and Stuart Jackson

Reception Band: The Blue Vipers

Hair and Make-up: Karen Neblung Hair Studio

 

Brittany and Daniel // Carnegie Institute of Science Wedding, Washington, DC // DC Wedding Coordinator

Photo by Shandi Wallace How hot are Brittany and Dan, you guys? I admit, I'm a bit biased because Brittany may be one of the best curly-girl brides I've ever seen. But dang, yo. It also helps that they're two of the most pleasant, sweetest and fun people - even while planning their wedding from Indianapolis!

Brittany and Dan got married on a Friday this November at Carnegie Institute of Science, a venue I'd been dying to work in (and will hopefully work in again this January if Baby Wannen stays put). They used plum and gold as their primary design inspiration, and wanted a really romantic, candlelit evening. Spilled Milk catered a great family-style meal. Uncloudy Studio, brought in by Brittany at the last minute, KILLED it with the florals (seriously… seriously). And obviously we have to thank and give mad props to Shandi Wallace for these stunning images. I loved this wedding because at first glance it seems fairly traditional - but their super personal ceremony and vows in the round, their small DIY details (those swizzle sticks!), their adorable cutting cake, the glow sticks and sunglasses provided by the mother of the groom, all those details really spoke to Brittany and Dan as a couple.

After getting ready, doing a first look and some portraits, Brittany's Dad officiated a wonderfully personal ceremony in the round. Cocktail hour followed, then the family style dinner, a quick cake cutting, and finally dancing (led by DJ Maskell) and photo booth fun rounded out the evening. Big congrats to this awesome couple!!

 

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

Photo by Shandi Wallace

 

Brittany and Dan's Vendors:

Month-of Coordination: Katie, The Plannery

Venue: Carnegie Institution of Science

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Florist: Uncloudy Studio

DJ: Mark Maskell

Photo booth: Bash Booths