Ellen Dubin is phenomenal…read more We chose her based on a referral from friends who've had her do their various bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings. There were several things that made our wedding planning rather challenging - an April wedding in DC with unpredictable weather, a wedding taking place at a private home requiring everything to be imported to that site, and a bride, a groom, and parents that were in three different locations in two different time zones. Ellen was very flexible and adaptable and cleared her schedule to make the most of the limited time we had with her when all three of us were in town. I think one of the best and most useful things about using Personally Yours was the access that Ellen had to various vendors - three things - the tent, the decor, and the food - were the most important part of this wedding and all three were phenomenal. Our wedding was on somewhat short notice - about 8 months to plan - and she was able to acquire Joel from Occasions and Jeffrey from Fox Ventures and Davis from Sugar Plum Tents. All three were exceptional and made multiple trips to our wedding site to plan and coordinate the event. All three had rave reviews about Ellen and it was clear that the people and vendors she surrounded herself with were all people very familiar with each other and worked well with each other. Ellen was able to provide experience, wisdom, and advice about the way we were trying to shape our wedding. She listened carefully and made significant efforts to understand what we wanted for our wedding. There were certain things she was adamant about that we had never really considered including the flow of the guests, the rhythm and scheduling of the band in conjunction with speeches and meals being served. How to introduce a WOW factor for guests when they stepped into our tent. And she paid close consideration to the theme and atmosphere we wanted to have. We wanted to go for a vintage chic / garden wedding that was intermingled with the natural beauty of the house where we were getting married. She advised us on the position of the tent, the dance floor, ways to accent the natural warmth of the home, and how to make sure everyone was fed and watered without any glitches. Ellen is experienced and has done what I'm sure are hundreds of weddings. Before hiring her we had concerns that since she does bar and bat mitzvahs too, that the wedding wouldn't have the perfect wedding feel- but that was not an issue whatsoever! Our wedding was a dream come true. It was perfect - like a work of art in motion. If wedding planners could be named artists she's a Van Gogh or da Vinci. She works so hard and is brilliant at it too! Ellen listens, executes, is efficient, and gets the job done. She is very much about business and there are some times when she might say some things are less feasible than others. It's not difficult to believe her because for most things she'll bend over backward to execute and have her staff work accomplish. But she is honest and will let you know when she disagrees with a suggestion or would like to tweak something and see if you'd like it better that way. The second place where her brilliance comes in is the day of the wedding and ensuring everything goes smoothly. The order of the ceremony, the flow of guests, collecting gifts, re-bustling my dress as she predicted the bustle would come undone, directing bridesmaids/groomsmen, getting the crowd onto the dance floor, and making sure shuttles are coming and going etc. Things were flawless! We wish we could go back to last weekend and relive it all over again! Thank you Ellen!

Ellen and her team at Personally Yours are absolutely phenomenal! She was the planner for our…read morewedding, and we couldn't be happier with how the event played out. First of all, Ellen was completely dedicated to making sure that the wedding reflected us: our choices, our vibe, our personality. While she has opinions about how to make sure you get the best vendors and the best quality service, she made sure that the event was about us: not about her, not about our parents, but about us. But boy, did she assemble a dream team! Her extensive experience in this industry means that she knows who the best people are, and everyone she chose, from the caterer to the florist to the photographer, were absolutely excellent. I really appreciated how she made a point of figuring out what our vibe was and what we were looking for, and then matched us with a top-quality vendor who could deliver that vibe. We also can't help but mention how organized, thorough, and patient Ellen and her team are. They thought of everything, every little wrinkle and nuance, and they navigated those nuances through a decidedly larger-than-normal planning committee of six people! Not only will Personally Yours deliver an absolutely amazing, personalized event, they'll do it in a way that can make you, your guests, and even your in-laws proud and happy. We can't recommend them strongly enough-: if you want a fantastic event, go with Ellen and her team.

I couldn't recommend Exclusively Entertainment more! They are extremely professional,…read moreaccommodating, personal, and talented! The DJ for our wedding, Maz, executed my vision just perfectly. He was the perfect match for our fusion wedding!

Exceptional - that's the word that comes to mind when we think of Exclusively Entertainment. From…read morestart to finish, Iman and his team did absolutely everything they could do to make the wedding planning process seamless and our wedding day exactly how we imagined. We were planning our wedding during the pandemic and things were constantly uncertain as to whether or not the wedding would be able go to on. Iman and DJ Kia had routine calls with us to check-in and offer advice. We knew we could trust their opinions and flexility during the uncertain times. On the day of the wedding, DJ Kia was so involved with every aspect of the ceremony and reception. He knew exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to make our wedding day an unforgettable experience. He literally orchestrated our ceremony processional and was making sure everything was running smoothly. Everyone felt at ease walking down the aisle because DJ Kia was there to send them off. We were lucky enough to have Iman MC our wedding, and believe us when we tell you he knows how to put on a show. The dance floor comes alive with Iman on stage and everyone was out of their seats and dancing the entire night. Our cocktail hour ended up going over schedule, which pushed back our reception. It was no worry though, because Iman was there to quickly restructure the timeline and ensure everything ran smoothly. Even with unexpected issues, we felt completely at ease knowing he had us covered. He is such a genuine person who truly cares about his client's happiness. We also used Night Owls for our video production and working with them was a truly pleasant experience. They captured every aspect of the wedding beautifully. In just a few short weeks, we had our trailer and wedding video created, both of which were edited to our liking. They were extremely patient with us throughout the process and the end result is videos we still can't stop watching! Thank you to Brandon and the team at Night Owls for all of their hard work. We also want to give a special thanks to Wake on the sax, Farzan on the drums, and Cyrus on the cello. These three gentleman made the music come alive and our guests could not stop raving about how talented they were. My wife and I still talk about just how great it was working with Exclusively Entertainment and we would absolutely recommend them for your events!

I am writing to extend our deep appreciation and big kudos to you, James, Joy, and the rest of your…read moreNYX team. Everyone was flabbergasted with the event--how beautiful the space was, the command of the room (and fun) that Joy brought to the table, and the DJ's way of reading the room with the best music that got everyone dancing and enjoying that beautiful dance floor. Please extend my greatest appreciation to the entirety of your team. The moment I met you, I knew you came with a top notch team and that was displayed at every juncture of the timeline within which we worked together.

Howie was everything we could've asked for in an emcee, DJ, hype man, and party starter. Not only…read morewere people begging for his playlist by the end of the night, he made sure to play the song you didn't even know you wanted to hear, right when you wanted to hear it. We went through a lot of changes to our wedding due to COVID, and Howie made sure that knowing we'd have the best DJ for our big day was one fewer thing we'd have to stress about, being flexible and understanding through it all. We could not recommend Howie and NYX highly enough. All of our friends immediately want him to DJ their next event!

Hiring a photographer was one of the most time-intensive and somewhat stressful vendor research we…read moredid for our wedding as we were very choosy about who would do this big job for us- possibly the most important one- with photos that last a lifetime and beyond. After lots of emails with different vendors, we came across Winnie and knew she was the one. We are SO glad we chose her for our very special wedding shots. Winnie is multitalented in her wedding photography- she is extremely organized and timely, straightforward and to the point, sweet and humble, and most importantly, will without a doubt deliver the AMAZING SHOTS! Our wedding morning was a little stressful as we were down a hair artist (one called out sick and our lackluster company did not send a replacement artist) and we were also dealing with unpredictable weather with small spouts of thunderstorms rolling through with potential to wreak havoc on our gorgeous garden venue. Because Winnie had built in lots of buffer time into the timeline as she knows things always happen/take longer than expected, she was able to keep us right. on. schedule. throughout the whole day. I can't imagine what could have happened if we hadn't had an extremely organized photographer to bear with all of the craziness and still get all of the shots that we wanted. Winnie didn't miss a beat- she worked between the short passing storms to get everything we wanted in all of the outdoor spots we wanted and she kept a calm demeanor throughout. I can tell what a master she is in her work with the lighting she kept chasing and directing her team so gracefully throughout the day. She even shuttled us around the venue grounds in air conditioning to avoid the wet grounds after the rain as well as the oppressive humidity. Winnie is the kind of artful photographer that bends her creativity and works flexibly with whatever variables she is given to not only get the job done right, but get it done MASTERFULLY. Putting your trust in her is the best thing you can do- all she needs you to do is pose and smile where and how she tells you to. She was also amazing in directing our friends and family in what to do in the photos as they were hot messes in the humidity and excitement of the day! When we opened our sneak peeks the morning after (!!!), we teared up and kept borderline-screaming about how incredible our photos came out. I am not exaggerating when I say many looked like we could be on the front of a bridal magazine. Winnie combined perfect lighting, gorgeous backdrops, artful framing, and intentional directing of us to create the most stunning photos of us that we will cherish forever. We are beyond thrilled with how ALL of our photos turned out and can't wait to frame many of them. We have already gotten sooooo many compliments from family and friends about how incredible our photos are. Winnie, we can't thank you enough for giving us even MORE than we expected on what could have been a very stressful day! You made our dreams come true. HIRE WINNIE!!!

We found Winnie through Yelp, began browsing her gallery, immediately loved the asthetic and style…read moreof her photos, and were so fortunate that Winnie had an opening in her schedule for us. We could not have asked for a better person, let alone photographer, to help make our wedding complete. From our introductory meeting all the way through to our post-ceremony wedding album creation, Winnie has been exceptionally helpful, pointing out the "little things" that we hadn't been thinking about but always get you later, providing advice to both of us on everything color palettes to flower arrangements, even going so far as to help us bring clarity to the schedule for our wedding day, figuring out how to take advantage of the light and venues, balanced with our wedding ceremony and reception, keeping the whole day running smoothly and efficiently. Winnie is always prepared and always punctual. She comes with ideas, however, also wants to hear from you and tailor each experience to what you want. The experience of being "posed" for photos and trying to act natural in front of the camera can be a bit of an uncomfortable experience for anyone but Winnie makes it very fun and enjoyable. She gets you to laugh and loosen up and she works very creatively with the environment around you to get interesting and different shots that don't look forced or fake. We highly recommend Winnie and look forward to working with her again in the future!

Takisha Edwards and her team at Blu Print 2 Events were the absolute dream team for our wedding…read moreplanning. Her planning suggestions, vendor recommendations, and presence through the entire experience were all we could hope for in planning and carrying out our daughter's wedding. I highly recommend her and her process for any needing to plan a wedding in the future. She was professional, knowledgeable and a delight to work with.

We could not have asked for a better wedding planner. From day one, Takisha was organized, fun,…read morecalm-spirited, and attentive to our needs and details. She listened to our vision, offered professional advice and vendors, and offered guidance for us when we felt or seemed lost. Through it all, she took the stress away from our back. On the wedding day, we were able to relax and enjoy the moments without having to focus on the minor things. We owe so much gratitude to Takisha. If you're considering working with Takisha, do it--you'll be blessed.

Great place to have a wedding. Sunsets are amazing. The barn decor with houseplants and bistro…read morelights very nice Buddy had his ceremony and dinner here. Ceremony area idyllic. A little hot though Barn can get a little stuffy but stepping outside there is a nice breeze Can't beat the rustic farmhouse look though Very romantic

My wife and I were keen on finding a venue that had a vibrant nature and outdoorsy vibe. We were…read moreimmediately charmed when we first saw East Lynn Farms, and met the team behind its operation. The owners Georgia and Peter were incredibly supportive, and gave sage advice throughout our planning process. In addition, Alyson, who handles the emails for the farm, was always incredibly quick to provide responses to our questions, and was a pleasure to communicate with. We visited the venue a couple times throughout 2019 between January and our wedding this past September. It takes some imagination to picture how the grounds would look like on your wedding day, because it transforms so much with each season. However, we thought it was gorgeous and made for a terrific backdrop each time we visited regardless of the season. The farm is between an hour to an hour and a half outside of D.C. so it is a fantastic option for getting a rustic venue space that is still accessible for our friends living in the city and the families flying in to Reagan or Dulles. There is a lot of flexibility for events at East Lynn Farms, which may be a stressor for couples depending on their appetite for DIY versus a turnkey wedding option. The farm includes some decorations and a list of recommended vendors, but we were not restricted to the list as long as the vendors we chose had the appropriate license and insurance. The farm allows you to provide our own beverages for events, and we were able to save quite a bit by sourcing our drinks from Costco rather than ordering through the caterer. My wife and I were initially worried about how hot might be at the tail end of Summer, and we contemplated renting fans or A/C units for the wedding. Thankfully, Georgia advised us that the surrounding mountains provided the area with a cooler ambient temperature and a reasonable breeze that negated the need for that hefty expense. On our wedding day, the weather was perfect! Even at the peak of the afternoon it never got so hot that it was uncomfortable to wear a suit jacket, and at the end of the night it wasn't so cold that one needed a jacket. There's no limit of the amount of praise and recommendations my wife and I would give to East Lynn! We honestly couldn't have imagined a better place to have our wedding!

Tani helped me to plan my wedding that took place on November 11, 2018 in the DC area. She was the…read moremost responsive wedding planner I had reached out to and immediately began helping me plan the day to make it special and memorable. She helped me find vendors and design the wedding based on my preferences. Along the way, she also tried to help me find the lowest, but quality services. I'm very thankful for her help and would recommend her to other brides looking for a right hand in their planning process! Thank you Tani!

I had my first ever professional massage at TC Wellness in October. Brennan made the whole…read moreexperience very comfortable and took the time to ask about problematic areas as well as give tips and suggestions on how to cure the problems in addition to regular massages. The prices here are fantastic as well. I haven't been in for a second massage yet, but plan on making my appointment very soon!

I would like to start off saying I would NEVER recommend or book with Rendezvous by Maria (Mitzie)…read moreReich LLC (also known as Reich World Events Services) business' again. This business has demonstrated a consistent lack of professionalism, honesty, and communication. The issues began when Maria double booked the venue we contracted through her. Instead of contacting me to discuss the error, she sent an email on a Friday evening confirming a different venue she had already booked without my approval. We approved a decoration mockup created by her assistant; however, the day-of execution did not match what was agreed upon. The tablecloths provided were wrinkled and visibly damaged, including holes and mold. Although Maria stated replacements were on the way, the issue was not properly resolved. Additionally, the table runners were the wrong color and there was not enough inventory, resulting in mismatched runners, which was not part of the agreement. Maria was not present for setup, leaving the work to her assistant and others, which contributed to poor coordination. After the event, I communicated my dissatisfaction with both the planning and execution. Maria stated she would provide compensation in writing, which never occurred. Our contract also included a $200 refundable deposit, which she acknowledged would be returned. It has now been nearly three months, with repeated follow-ups and no resolution or refund issued. While personal circumstances were cited as the reason for delays, failure to return a contractual deposit and follow through on written commitments is unacceptable. This business did not meet contractual obligations, and I would strongly advise against booking with this business!

A Golden Celebration to Remember! If I could give Rendezvous…read moremore than five stars, I would do it in a heartbeat. We recently celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg and I was naturally a bit anxious about making such a massive milestone feel special. From the moment we sat down with the Rendezvous team, specifically Mitzi and her daughter-in-law, Abby, all that stress just evaporated. They listened to every detail that I specified and gave me suggestions and other choices to choose from. Right from the start, Mitzi and Abby made me feel comfortable about my decision to hire them. The decorations were beautiful. They managed to strike that perfect balance between "Golden Anniversary" opulence and warm, inviting intimacy. The floral arrangements, all fresh flowers, were spectacularly elegant. The tables were set up as I specified, with gold table cloth, napkins and place settings. They transformed the Holiday Inn ballroom into something that felt both nostalgic and sophisticated. Our guests haven't stopped talking about how beautiful the room looked! Now, let's talk about the food. Prior to our event, Mitzi and Abby invited us to a food tasting event where there were about a dozen dishes that I could choose from. And they delivered! The appetizers were creative and flavorful, and the main courses and desserts were cooked to absolute perfection. As for the service, the Rendezvous servers were well trained, attentive and professional. In conclusion, Rendezvous treated our very special celebration with the respect and care it deserved. They didn't just "cater" a party; they hosted an experience. To the entire team: Thank you for making our golden year shine so brightly. If you are looking for a caterer who actually listens and delivers beyond your expectations, look no further than Rendezvous! ________________________________________

amazing - Mary Catherine is a talented photographer but most importantly works so well with…read morechildren, especially our young children, getting beautiful memorable family photos from reticent toddlers who might not be willing to smile or giggle otherwise! Would (and do) recommend her services!

I'm so happy I found Mary Catherine Photography. I went through various hashtags on Instagram to…read morefind someone who was doing fall minis, and just couldn't have gotten luckier. Not only were the photos fast (you're in and out in 20 minutes) but we got TONS of great shots in a variety of poses. She made the toddler in the family look like a child model and managed to make him smile a genuine smile for every shot he's in. Magic! My husband's sister lost her job due to COVID, so she's temporarily playing nanny to her cousin's toddler. There's so much about the pandemic that isn't great, but having so much family so close by for once is a small silver lining to this whole thing, and we wanted to document it by getting some family shots. Even though it was an overcast, humid day, the pictures all came out great and are cheerfully gloomy, with rich dark green backgrounds and pops of color from our outfits. We had trouble choosing our favorites! She even rolled with the punches when I brought some fans with other cousin's faces on them so they could "be" in the photo we send to Grammy and just acted like that was a fine and normal thing to bring to a shoot :).

We hired Michele for wedding envelope calligraphy, menus, table numbers, escort cards, and digital…read morecalligraphy, and she did a beautiful job across every piece. Her work is elegant, precise, and thoughtfully executed. What truly distinguishes Michele is her white-glove service. She met aggressive deadlines with calm, handled every detail with care, and even hand-delivered finished envelopes directly to our stationer. It was such a pleasure to finally meet her in person when we received our final pieces, and we deeply appreciated her kind, affirming words. My now-husband and I were so impressed by how she meticulously organized and created everything with clear consideration for us as a couple, going above and beyond. We would hire Michele again in a heartbeat and recommend her wholeheartedly.

I cannot recommend Meant to be Calligraphy by enough! Great options at very fair prices for true…read moreartistry. Michele was so lovely to work with, she is very responsive, kind and flexible. My wedding name tags could not have turned out more perfectly and are such a special personalized touch for my wedding.