Gretchen and Gary’s wedding at the Magnolia Mansion in Annapolis will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my last wedding of the 2015 season, the couple was the sweetest, and the venue was flawless. I just knew I had to share my love for this beautiful place on my blog for a Feature Friday so that more people would know about it! Tara is the owner of the mansion as well as the wedding coordinator for all weddings there, and she was so fabulous to work with. My favorite part about the mansion is that there is a Getting Ready area for both the bride and groom. It makes it so easy for me, as a photographer, when the bride and groom are at the same location! I can just hop back and forth and make sure everyone is ready to go at the same time! Here’s what she had to say about starting and running her business!

How you would describe your style? What is your favorite type of work to do?
  My personal style is traditional with a modern flair. There is nothing better or more beautiful than the classics, but I love modern and clean lines as well. I believe in mixing those two concepts to create elegance while displaying “current” wedding trends. As a Wedding Coordinator, I have a very open mind to my couples and am there to help create their dream wedding. I have done everything from black tie, to Roaring twenties, to Halloween and garden party weddings. I am there to recreate the brides ideas that are in her mind, not what I think would look best.

What is your favorite part about your work?

I love getting to know my couples and hearing their ideas. Weddings are such a happy occasion and it’s so much fun to plan one of the biggest days of their life. This day is forever etched in their minds and it’s so important to get every detail right for them and to make sure it’s within their budget. My favorite part is definitely when the bride and groom get to see each other for the first time all dressed up. It’s such a special moment that will last forever in their hearts. I just love being one of the very few people who get to see that moment between them.

How do you love to serve your clients?

I do not believe in spending more than a bride and groom need to just because it’s a wedding. I have lists and lists of vendors that I work with that offer discounts to me. I love scoring a deal for them, and seeing their faces light up when they get to include a cool addition that they didn’t think they could afford. I also love the reveal of the decor and lay out of the venue on the day of their wedding. It gives me such pleasure to see them so happy and excited to make their dream day come to life. 

If you had one tip for a bride, what would it be?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, the only person that will know is you! Your guests are there to support and celebrate you! The rest is usually just a bonus for them. If your wedding coordinator is any good and there’s something you MUST have, just know that they can usually make it happen by pulling some strings. Enjoy your day no matter what and let the rest go. That day will pass in the blink of an eye, so take time to look around at all of your loved ones under one roof (that’s so rare), smile, and dance the night away.

Find the Magnolia Mansion online.
Find the Magnolia Mansion on Facebook.