Mount Vernon

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Private Home, DALLAS

Although Ellen and Conor originally intended to get married about a year after their engagement at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in April 2019, the pandemic ended up stretching their engagement to just shy of two years. The wedding date wasn’t the only thing that shifted—the location and guest count did too.

The first iteration of the Boston-based duo’s big day was slated for September 2020 in Washington, D.C. with 200 guests in attendance. But it became clear that a new plan was necessary. A new date was decided for April 2021, the guest count shrunk to 60, and Ellen’s parents’ backyard in Dallas, Texas, became the new setting. The location allowed for more flexibility in planning, but was also meaningful, as her parents had tied the knot at a backyard wedding as well.

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Photography Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography
Featured on Martha Stewart Weddings and on Carats & Cake

“In our hunt for a wedding planner, we were truly looking for a creative thought partner — someone who wouldn't just help us bring our vision to reality, but someone who would listen, ask answerable questions, and dream alongside us to build something that we couldn't have even imagined from the start. The Grit & Grace team's creative competence and unwavering enthusiasm was critical as we planned multiple iterations of our wedding amidst a global pandemic. During our two years together, Laura consistently went above and beyond expectation—making her not only the creative spirit behind this vision, but also a dear friend who gave us the gift of an experience and memory we will cherish forever." -Ellen & Conor