Introducing Lissa of Lissa Marie Weddings and Events (DMV Wedding Planner)

I absolutely believe in the mantra “community over competition”. Without other wedding vendors adopting this philosophy, my business would never exist. The support of like-minded wedding professionals and photographers is what helped launch my business this year. I want to give back!

Every week, I am going to be highlighting a local wedding vendor and professional. I’ve interviewed a number of local vendors about their business and what they love most about serving couples.

Choosing the right vendors can be the make or break of your wedding day. My hope is to provide you and your fiancé with a resource that helps you build your wedding day dream team!

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I’m delighted to introduce you to Lissa Marie, owner of Lissa Marie Weddings and Events (DMV wedding planner).

Lissa is such a sweet person! I enjoyed chatting with her over e-mail, and I would just love to work with her one day! Her portfolio shows such a wonderful eye for detail and an appreciation of beauty.

I’m excited to introduce you to her, so let’s jump right in!!

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Start by introducing yourself! Tell us your name, business name, what you do, where you’re located, and who you serve!

I’m Lissa and I am the lead planner of Lissa Marie Weddings and Events. My event planning business plans and coordinates weddings and parties for clients in the DMV and southern PA areas. We also provide planning and coordination services to a few destination weddings per year.

How long have you been in business?

I’ve been a wedding coordinator for a few years and have recently added customized planning services for my clients.

What is one piece of advice you would offer a newly engaged couple as they plan their wedding?

Hmm…that’s a tough question because there is so much to consider when planning a wedding. I think the best advice I would give is to remember that it is YOUR wedding and not to let expectations from friends or family come between what you and your fiancé want.

Do you want a llama to walk down the aisle with you? Go for it! Do you want a kid-free wedding? I’m not letting Aunt Bernice stop you! Do you want a food truck for your reception instead of a sit-down dinner? I am dying to coordinate (or attend!) your food truck wedding!

What drew you to start a business in this industry / service?

I think I have always had a love of planning and entertaining. When I was a kid, I would plan my own birthday parties, including very detailed schedules of events that my friends never quite played along with. I loved choosing the invitations, decorations, cake, and games. As I got older, I would help my mom plan birthday parties and anniversary parties for our friends and family. And then in college, I planned events for various clubs and organizations. I even planned concerts for artists like Paramore and Breaking Benjamin!

 Sometimes I feel like Katherine Heigl in the movie “27 Dresses”. I’m not at 27 quite yet, but I have about 10 bridesmaids dresses in my closet from being the right-hand gal to friends and family over the years. Having grown up in a big Italian family, I was used to entertaining and planning. I soon realized that I could make a living planning events for other people. I helped a few friends plan their weddings right after college and fell in LOVE with the romance, creativity, and logistics of planning. 

Describe your services… what do you offer brides/grooms?

We offer customized packages for each couple that include day-of coordination in addition to partial planning services. Day-of coordinator services includes a review of vendor duties, assistance with the timeline, a meeting for a walkthrough of the venue, and I serve as their point of contact so clients are able to focus on getting ready for their big day. As part of any package, my team and I make ourselves available to consult on other wedding-related items on their lists such as bridesmaids dresses, table decor, general wedding-related venting, etc.  In addition to day-of coordinator duties, we also offer partial planning services where we walk you through the planning process from the beginning by offering services such as vendor scouting, assistance with overall design, and accommodation planning, in addition to the day-of coordinator services.

What is one unique thing about your business that is different from your competitors?

I think one unique part of my business is that I treat each client as if they were my best friend. I’m friends with many of my former clients. We still meet up when I’m not busy with a wedding for a current client. I think they appreciate that I am open and honest with them about the wedding industry and try to get the best deals to save them money wherever I can.

I can also understand firsthand how stressful wedding planning can be and how lonely it can get sometimes. So I make myself available for brides to vent about their bridal party, parents, or just the stress of planning.

Tell us about one of your favorite projects you’ve done as a vendor!

I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite, because I love each wedding for how beautiful and unique they are. I can say that one of my favorite side projects has been a Harry Potter-inspired styled shoot that I worked on a few weeks ago.

If you were planning a wedding, what is one thing you would make sure to discuss with a vendor like you and why?

I had the unique experience of being a wedding planner, but also planning my own wedding this past June. Being on the ‘other side’ of planning as the client was a very unique experience that I believe helps me work with my current clients. I truly understand the amount of pressure they put themselves under. And I can offer some helpful advice during the planning process.

Share one goal you have for your business right now.

My goal is to coordinate more destination weddings in 2020 and 2021!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Whether you are recently engaged or ready to walk down the aisle, remember to breathe. Wedding planning can be a crazy rollercoaster of emotions, but you have so many professionals that can help you make all of your wedding dreams come true! 

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Thanks for all your answers, Lissa!!

I was super impressed by Lissa from the beginning. One of the things that really stood out to me about this DMV wedding planner was how she very carefully credits the photographers at her weddings. As a wedding photographer myself, I appreciate that!! It’s easy to take claim of a wedding as yours when you’re a vendor. But it’s so important to remember that the wedding is the couple’s! And you were just one piece in the team they assembled. Team work makes the dream work!

Also, she has a great blog page with some helpful tips for planning your own wedding! If you’re engaged, definitely check her out! You can visit her website, follow her Instagram, or “like” her on Facebook!

And if you need a DMV wedding planner and wedding photographer, and you think Lissa and I should definitely work together soon…. (hint, hint!) contact me to chat about how we can make that happen and make your dream day a reality!!