Linda and Chris Carnegie Institution for Science DC Wedding

Photo by Margaret Wroblewski

Yes, we worked another Carnegie Institution for Science wedding. And yes, I loved it just as much as I always do! This really is one of our favorite venues and Linda and Chris’s wedding was no exception. They got married in late August this past summer, and it was such a lovely day! They didn’t want to see each other prior to the ceremony, so they had some family photos done separately and then we made sure we hid Linda (and her stunning-as-all-get-out dress) away in the upstairs library. After a beautiful ceremony officiated by a friend, they took some more photos outdoors (the weather was great!) while guests enjoyed the cocktail hour and photo booth inside. After a delicious meal by Main Event Catering, some toasts and the cake cutting, we got to my favorite part: a surprise Linda had arranged (with my help) for her groom after their first dance. She had Old Line Garrison - an awesome organization that brilliantly brings together Star Wars costume enthusiasts with charity - surprise Chris with stormtroopers crashing the dance floor! Old Line Garrison was so wonderful to work with - they’re an entirely volunteer-based organization that will show up to events and weddings as Star Wars characters out of their sheer love of dressing up, and for a donation to a charity. SUCH a cool idea - and Chris LOVED it (as you’ll see from the photos, by Margaret Wroblewski, below.

Some other favorite details include the glow sticks they handed out for an end of the night photo (which always makes the dance party more fun!), and the fact that they actually rented fake flowers for their centerpieces (from Wedding Flowers for Rent). I NEVER would have known - the flowers were really exceptionally lovely and it was a cost-efficient option I’d never seen done before and was frankly surprised at how beautiful they looked!

Congrats again to you both!

Linda and Chris’s Vendors:

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Venue: The Carnegie Institution for Science

Caterer: Main Event Catering

Photographer: Margaret Wroblewski

DJ/Photobooth/Uplighting: DJ Dan Goldman

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Hair/Make-up: Les Bourgeois Artistry

Personal florals: Flor de Casa Designs

Centerpieces: Rented! Wedding Flowers for Rent

Abby and Scott's Carnegie Institution for Science Wedding

Photo by Sam Hurd

I really love December weddings. And I especially love December weddings at Carnegie Institution for Science, a venue so gorgeous, you don’t care if it’s cold outside! Abby and Scott got married this past December. After a first-look and some photos both at the hotel and the venue, they signed the ketubah and then were off to get married. They opted for an in-the-round ceremony which beautifully highlights the Carnegie’s rotunda. After cocktails they had a lovely dinner by Design Cuisine - I adored all of Abby’s choices for linens and design. She brought in some great green colors that accented the season, but also didn’t go to far into the wintery route and brought in some lovely blues as well! Enjoy these romantic and stunning photos by Sam Hurd, and enjoy dreaming of that cozy, cold weather that will be here before we know it!

Abby and Scott’s Vendors:

Venue: Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC

Coordinator: Katie Wannen, The Plannery

Caterer: Design Cuisine

Photographer: Sam Hurd

Music: DJ Mark Maskell

Florist: Highway to Hill

Make-up: Alison Harper & Co

Caitlin and Michael's Dumbarton House, Washington, DC wedding

Photo by Love Life Images

I must begin by acknowledging what an incredible job Love Life Images did with this joyous wedding between Caitlin and Michael. This may be my all time favorite shoot. Elisha Maria has such a magic eye and is so much fun to work with! Of course all of her subjects were simply beautiful to capture - and I do mean all…the stunning bride, dapper groom, doting parents, gorgeous St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, and charming Dumbarton House.  

Being a boutique wedding planning and coordination company, we get our fair share of beloved offbeat couples that plan rad, offbeat weddings. #loveoffbeat! That said, when a super classic, traditional wedding comes my way it always makes for a very special treat. The major highlights of this event included Caitlin's gown and lace trimmed veil, the vintage car, and personalized wax sealed notes for each guest!

The other touching part about this wedding was the role of Caitlin's dad. Dr. Amborski fully embraced the notion of his little girl getting married - he took wedding planning to a whole new level! At times I was taking notes from him ;-) No stone was left unturned and his number one objective, which was without a doubt accomplished, was to make Caitlin and Michael's day as beautiful, perfect, and memorable as ever. 

Congratulations to Dr. & Mrs. Taylor!

Coordinator: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Mother of God

Reception Venue: Dumbarton House

Catering: Main Event Caterers

Photographer: Love Life Images

DJ: Entertainment Exchange

Hair/Make-up: Alison Harper and Co

Florist: Growing Wild Floral

Eline and Brandon's Carnegie Institute of Science, Washington DC Wedding

Photo by Duhon Photography

I've been straight-up terrible about blogging lately but both Tarra and I now have spirited, fun babies instead of headache, exhaustion inducing newborns so we're both doing our best to get back to it! Plus, we're finally getting in some of the gorgeous photos from the weddings we've been working on lately. So here's Tarra to take it away about Eline and Brandon's awesome Carnegie Institute wedding!

What can I say? The Plannery loves Carnegie! There is something about that rotunda that makes for the most quaint, timeless, and remarkable ceremony - and sick dance floor!  Eline's mother recognized how cool the rotunda was too and gifted her daughter and new son-in law a handmade quilt depicting the rotunda floor. In addition to the quilt there were a few other small details that made this wedding special. There was that really awesome engraved pocket watch (that I actually wish was for me because I've always wanted one!). There was also the first look between Eline and her father as well as Brandon and his mother - so stinking sweet.  More and more this is becoming my favorite little moment next to the father/daughter dance which I am a huge sucker for mainly because I have major regret for not doing one with my loving dad. And then there was the stroopwafels, that's right stroopwafels given as wedding favors. A Netherlands delight! And finally there was the fabulous evening weather that we had that allowed the infamous rotunda doors to be open while everyone partied the night away. 

Eline and Brandon made this wedding so effortless to coordinate with their organization, transparency, and happy go lucky demeanor.  Big shout out to Duhon Photography for his creativity in making cool people and a cool venue even cooler than ever! 

Eline and Brandon's Vendors:

Coordination: Tarra Morgan, The Plannery

Venue: Carnegie Institution of Science

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Photographer: Duhon Photography

DJ: Bialek's Music

Hair/Make-up: Modern Bridal Studio

Florist: UV Flowers

Jen and Steve // Carnegie Instute of Science, Washington, DC Wedding // DC Wedding Coordinator

Jen and Steve toured Carnegie Institute of Science last fall when I was running around coordinating and setting up Brittany and Dan's wedding. They briefly met me and later reached out to see if I'd help them! Jen and Steve got married at the Carnegie Institute of Science on Friday, October 30th. This awesome couple also did a killer job of adding some Halloween touches while still keeping things classy. Jack-o-lanterns were in the fireplace, her bouquet was a STUNNING dark, gothic, feather masterpiece created by Uncloudy Studio, they were introduced to "Thriller," and the place cards had a little extra bite to them (as you'll see). Also, Jen's dad MADE the cake topper and it was amazing! After a first look and some beautiful photos (by the awesome Shandi Wallace), they took full advantage of the venue by doing the ceremony in the round. Cocktails, dinner and dancing followed. The evening ended with a delicious cookie table in honor of Jen's grandmother. It was such a fun party - Jen and Steve were some of the most friendly, hilarious, wonderful couples I've worked with (and Steve can dance his a$$ off which is my very favorite type of groom). So enjoy this spooky stunner of a wedding!

Jen and Steve's Vendors:

Venue: Carnegie Institute of Science

Coordinator: Katie, The Plannery

Caterer: Spilled Milk

Photographer: Shandi Wallace

Floral: Uncloudy Studio

DJ: Dave Grimm from Bialek's Music

Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Palm Strings Trio

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

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!!

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