Bella Giornata Events & Design LLC

with planning, finding a tent last minute, florals and logistics. My florals were magnificent, the tent came together, as did everything else. She also fought for me as the bride and did it with class and professionalism. She was my voice so that I did not have to be and allowed me to focus on getting married rather than the details. It was my perfect day and I can't thank Christina enough for stepping in. She saved the day.

of contact and very responsive to my messages throughout the entire process. She is very familiar with the venue we used and decorated it beautifully. Bella G events really made my dream wedding come true.

perfect.

ng ready and knew everything else was getting done. When I walked down the aisle and into my reception it was a nice surprise to see everything for the first time and it looked beautiful!! Thank you so much for making my dreams come to life!!

't sold on needing a planner. I thought it was a frivolous expense. I asked a laundry list of questions and we had a very clear understanding of one another I guess. Our expectations weren't only met they were exceeded. Christina & Meghan were the planners we worked with. They were polite, timely and assisted us with way more than we agreed to. They solved some major last minute problems with hotel & tux's allowing my bride to enjoy her morning. We were not at the location lunch was scheduled to go to but they went out of their way to get it & bring it to us. They gave us great ideas along the way. I think the best part was Christina reminding us there were no wrong or right choices, that it was about us. We keep hearing from friends it was the best wedding they've ever been to. She was spot on referring Phil to DJ and Taste of Elegance to cater. Our limo driver even commented he had never seen a ceremony to reception run so smooth. We cannot thank them enough. I will enjoy my custom signature drink for many years to come and my bride will never stop talking about meeting Sarah Parker.

sure to work with. Her vibrant smile and personable attitude made the overall experience a pleasant one. Having her and the team help coordinate some of the logistics and also problem solving some hiccups (because what wedding goes as planned without at least one thing happening?!), they were able to keep the stress at a manageable level for my parents, the wedding party, and most importantly - the bride. As my sister's coworker referred her to Bella Giornata Events & Design, I too would definitely recommend this group to anyone getting married in the MD/DC/VA area! <3

Great can do attitude and a pleasure to be directed by :) -bridesmaid

reated great excitement for the bride and bridesmaids. She remained on top of all details to ensure the bride was satisfied and was quick to react to any surprises that popped up! We couldn't have pulled off a destination wedding without her!! She was sweet and caring and truly worked to make everyone happy. I would highly recommend her! She added special touches to all that she did and also kept in touch with the mother of the bride so we always knew where to be and how much time we had! Thank you Bella Giornata Events for making our day so special!!!

in charge, there were no worries whatsoever. She had a clear and detailed timeline. It was accurate and answered all of our questions. She made herself available to all of us and responded quickly when needed. Her attention to detail at the wedding and the reception were outstanding. She connected with Courtney and completely understood what she wanted for her special day. The event was natural, organic and filled with a gentle love --exactly what I think of when I think of Courtney and Ryan. Our family and friends will talk about the wedding for years to come. Thank you~

nly our evening incredibly special, but the entire planning experience was easy and worry free. She even invited me to go shoe shopping with Sarah Jessica Parker at MGM. She definitely knows what she's doing from the floral arrangements to the the details like beautifully placed rosemary sprigs on each plate to the amazing signature drink options. She has an excellent team and great recommendations for which vendors to go with. Thank you to Christina and Bella Giornata for making an evening to always remember for us, our family, and friends. We will forever be grateful to Christina and hope to continue our friendship with her as she really is just that awesome!

elivered what I want and within my budget. We did have some talks where she educated me and my husband on what we could really afford and how much our ideas from Pinterest would have really cost us. In the end, even though Christina has access to so much decor, we went with a more simple look for our wedding and we are very happy with our day. Christina served us and not my the wants of our family and friends - who had all of these things that they wanted us to have at our wedding but weren’t paying a cent to have them there. Thanks Christina for all of your help!

e reviews often but in this case I had to. Christina, THANK YOU sooo. much.. I cant express how happy everyone was and you truly made it a night I will never forget!!!!! Regards, Keith Depro

d Christina was unreachable via phone or email. I received an apology email two days later saying that she had the wrong time. Surely if she showed up at a different time and I wasn't there she would've checked in with me. This was true negligence and extremely unprofessional.

e for her"). It normally took her like two weeks to return a call or multiple emails from my sister. My sister had to do basically everything - I remember thinking what in the hell are you paying this woman to do!? She would have been better off without her because she entrusted her to do things and then they weren't done. She was promised two free nights at a hotel in the contract that they planned to give to her mother in law. They reminded her so many times about it and she did nothing leaving it to the day of her mother in laws arrival on the day before her wedding day with no hotel room!! They ended up having to foot the bill for the hotel and get reimbursed later (who knows if that even happened.) For the rehearsal she sends this very nice woman my sister had never even heard of and she failed to mention would be there and she took iPhone photos of the ceremony and how it should look for the OTHER woman who would be taking her place since she was just too busy to be available for her wedding. She should have known she wouldn't be available and then set up meetings with her replacement so they knew the expectations instead she knew nothing about the wedding at all. Then comes the day of the wedding where absolutely nothing was taken care of. We had to reach out to replacement wedding planner around lunch time to ask about the lunch that was promised at the salon. She told us we would have to take care of it, which we did. We didn't see her until we showed up to the venue (she didn't help with the photographs) which would be excusable if the venue was prepared which it was not. If it were not for the amazing caterer, who knows how it would have gone. She also knew nothing about the wedding and didn't even introduce herself to any of us. She did so very little and was never nearby to ask for help. The bride luckily had a group of people trying to figure everything out while this girl ran around doing who knows what. She never asked if my sister needed anything or if her husband did. My sister kept telling me some of the appeal to this planner was all the great decorations she had and as far as I could tell it was only a glass jar on each table, beautiful but not worth the money they paid. The wedding was great but it truly had nothing to do with this planner and I absolutely hate that my sister and her husband were stressed on their day! If she is too busy to handle her workload she needs to take less weddings on because this was truly inexcusable!

ming together. Thank you

t the last minute. I originally spoke with Christina who was professional, kind and extremely knowledgeable. She had recommendations that I used and loved, such as meeting with my dad before the ceremony. That was such a wonderful idea (which I wouldn't have thought of), and I will treasure those moments for the rest of my life. Thank you, Christina! On the day of the wedding we worked with Meghan. Meghan is the HARDEST working person I have ever known in my life and thought of every single little detail. My parents were anxious for everything to go well and very hands on in the beginning of the day, but Meghan quickly won their full confidence. By early afternoon they were relaxed, having a wonderful time and constantly amazed by Meghan's attention to detail, ability to move people efficiently from one place to another, energetic presence and expertise. She thought of everything! We all felt pampered and really enjoyed the day. My dad gave Meghan a shout out during his speech, explaining that he was a logistics officer in the Marine Corps for 21 years and saying that Meghan would give any drill sergeant a run for their money. She did all of this with absolute grace, kindness and made us all feel great about our choices. My wedding day was the happiest day of my life and I can't thank Meghan enough for being the one to pull it all together so seamlessly. tldr; BOOK THEM! It is so worth it! You will be very, very glad that you did.

planner. After meeting with Christina, it became readily apparent that we could not afford to NOT have a wedding planner. Her relationship with local vendors and knowledge of the industry saved us literally thousands of dollars. As the mother of the bride, I was able to enjoy the day knowing that Christina had everything under control and it was beyond our expectations. She took care of every little detail including ones I had no idea even needed addressing. When the DJ had to back out 2 weeks before the wedding, Christina had another one lined up before I even know about it and he was awesome. From the venue, to the decor, to the caterer and photographer, and even clean up at the end of the evening, I did not have to do a thing. As an added bonus, I feel like I have a new friend as well!

Christina was open, honest, and helpful. She was so good at embracing the bride's vision and helping her make it come to life. She made my job so easy! The planning and wedding itself went so smoothly because of all of her hard work. I would recommend Bella Giornata Events to any and all friends looking for a planner/ coordinator without any second thoughts.

my mom locally. She seamlessly incorporated unique Polish wedding traditions. Because of her talent and dedication, we had a perfect day. Thank you Christina for making my special day an absolute fairy tale! I highly recommend Christina and her team for any bride looking for a magical experience.

the venue coordinators. I can't sing her praises enough. She is the perfect planner to work with for the type of bride I was/am: patient, easy going, trusting, flexible, and creative. She had so many awesome ideas that I would have never thought of, and I brag about her to everyone who asks about various wedding details. I thoroughly enjoyed planning some of the things for my wedding, so hiring her as my partial planner was perfect for us. I couldn't have dreamed of a better wedding, and I owe it all to Bella Giornata! I would highly recommend.

iving us many, creative ideas. Christina had great suggestions for local vendors and we used many of her recommendations. She certainly made the planning process a stress-free time by being easily accessible. Christina came to the rehearsal to ensure all went well. On the wedding day, she was up early decorating the venue while contacting the vendors to make sure all were ready and prepared for the reception. Her perfected timeline ensured that everything ran smoothly. Christina is extremely hard working! On the wedding day, she put in an 11-hour day all with a smile! We received wonderful feedback from family and friends on the beautifully decorated the venue, the delicious the food and the lovely details. We have already recommended Bella Giornata to friends! You will not be disappointed with her services and her kind, creative and relaxed personality.

s in the area. I don't think I ever saw her sit down. She and her staff regularly checked in with us and our families to make sure that we were ok and having a blast. I couldn't thank her and her assistant enough for all of their hardwork. I still don't think I could ever thank her for everything that she did for me - and I was a needy bride! She got it right and whenever I hear someone has gotten engaged I insist that she is their planner!!! You seriously cannot go wrong with booking her and her team for your wedding!!

your girl!

age wedding come to life. From our very first meeting until end of the reception night, Christina always had a warm smile on her face and a positive response to all that we asked of her. About two weeks prior to the wedding day, we received information that there was a possibility of our venue not being open on the day of the wedding. Through her connections, Christina immediately found two other venues for us to view as back up locations. In the end, we were able to keep our original venue. Christina did a wonderful job ordering everything we needed to make my daughter's dreams come true!

ested in the decorating, I am challenged in that area. Best thing I did was to say, do what you would do if it were your wedding. The decorations, the flowers and the music were all on point! I'm still getting feedback saying what a great time everyone had. I did not do full planning so I did my invites, I did make calls to get permit and alcohol but every question i had was answered. My day of coordinator was very helpful and kept my mother calm. Highly recommend, thank you.

rough. When we finally decided to sit down with our venue she was so late my mother in law had to leave and go back to work. I will say the week of she was very communicative with me. I paid 1900 so that I could utilize the rentals she had talked up like her backdrop of a love lyrics, glittery table numbers, candelabras to put donuts on as parting gifts, and draping, something to keep the cards we received in (it looked so sloppy) etc. etc.... NOTHING was there. I didn't even think I had to bring it back up during our final meeting because, well, I thought she knew because of our previous meetings/talks. The only thing I guess you could say I rented was the vases for the flowers and even then she didn't deliver when it came to my flowers. Two days before the person she gets flowers through's truck broke down and ruined all the greenery I wanted in the garland I had my heart set on. I know that's not her fault but it just added to the stress because THREE DAYS before our wedding she told me she wouldn't be working the reception, she would only be coming to check up for a little bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to keep it cool, I was on the verge of losing it over every other little thing. I feel like I was pushed to the side by her and she thought someone else was more important. This just wasn't what I paid for and I was disappointed. I avoided confrontation after she came up to me at the wedding to "check in" because what could be done? The next day she text me too, and I just couldn't get into all the stuff I had issues with. Again, what does it matter now--- the day is over! Regardless of what wasn't there that I paid for it was an amazing day. My wedding was in September and it still makes me absolutely angry. I really talked her up to everyone before hand because of our conversations of what I thought would be delivered. I will say the woman who did take over what I thought I paid Christina for was great. We always had drinks in our hands and she constantly checked up on us and kept us in the know. It just wasn't what I paid for and meeting someone new and putting our reception in her hands the day of is NOT a good feeling. I just hope whoever does choose her to work with gets her full attention, makes sure she writes down exactly what you want, she delivers and makes you feel more important than she made me feel.

t if Christina wasn't worrying, then there was no reason to worry. When a hurricane came through on our wedding day, it could have been the absolute worst. Instead, our pictures, ceremony, and reception were intimate and delightful. I cannot recommend her enough.

stina pulled strings to give her brides exclusive VIP access to Sarah Jessica Parker's new boutique at the MGM. The ladies were picked up on a stretch limo, given matching t-shirts , catered lunch, exclusive access and first selection of the store before opening, they each had their shoes signed by SJP and their pictures taken. What an amazing treat for these ladies! Christina also generously promoted local wedding venders at the event. She constantly puts herself and her needs second to ensure that her clients have the best experience possible. A true class act!

didn't show me *one of the bridesmaids* anything and why someone would hire her as a planner. For the actual rehearsal she was the last to show up, pushing all other plans for the bride back and making the bridesmaids late for the next event having to occur. The day of the wedding, the bridesmaids were in a particular room getting ready for the big day, honestly we didn't see Christina until an hour prior to the wedding starting and we had all been there about 4 hours prior. There was no liaison, so the bride was misinformed on info and had to keep running to the reception area to coordinate to make sure all things were intake. Mind you, the brides parents basically did most of the planners job and the planner was no where near when the bride needed her. There was suppose to be a team member of her group to be with us throughout the day, in which she didn't show up until all of us *bridesmaids* walked to the chapel to enter into the wedding. She definitely didn't have any idea what was going on and where we needed to be. Mind you all of this should of been taken cared of and covered during the rehearsal, no, it was not. After the wedding was over, it was picture time, where was Christina? No where to be found, where was any of her team members? No where to be found. Before the reception, we had to wait, so we all went to go sit in the lobby since it was freezing outside, mind you we haven't really eaten earlier that day besides what the hairstylist went to go pick up *in which Christina was suppose to plan for us to have food, didn't happen.* we are siting in the lobby, eating horderves that was barely left and drinks that were suppose to been provided, no, nothing. So, time for the reception, and time to line up to get introduced, where do we go, what do we do when we are on the floor waiting for the new married couple to be introduced, where are our tables? Were questions asked to Christina....she clearly had no idea what was going on. Oh & maybe if having another wedding planned the same day, try having more people on staff so the other bride doesn't have to go through what this bride had to. It was her wedding day and it should of been the best day ever, in which it was but certain things she shouldn't of had to handle, that's why a planner is hired and paid to do the job and to take the stress off of the bride. The planner literally was running around looking like a chicken with her head cut off. Very unprofessional is all I can say, so brides looking for a wedding planner/coordinator, be really careful and read all reviews and ask questions!

ctober, I felt it is only fair to warn other brides. The wedding and the bride was absolutely beautiful! However, the whole wedding day was a mess. There was so many missteps leading up to the day and the actual day of. 1. Lack of presence and being on time. Christina was late to the rehearsal and the last person to arrive the morning of the wedding. Without even letting the bride know that she would be late, or where she was. 2. Not having the correct amount of staff that was promised. Christina was basically MIA the entire wedding day. She did not stay on schedule which resulted in planned pictures not being taken when they should. (The bride almost missed her father daughter first look photo!!) 3. She did not have place cards for some of the bridal party. 4. The bride and her mom bought all of the water glasses for all of the guests (200 guests) and Christina and her "staff" (2 people) never unpacked them or placed them on the tables. Instead, they were pushed aside behind the bar and never used. 200 GLASSES THAT THE BRIDE BOUGHT!!! 5. She forgot to bring the sparklers that were purchased for the send off. Which resulted in the old silk mill giving wedding guests left over sparklers from a previous wedding. (AND AGAIN...THE BRIDE PAID FOR THE SPARKLERS THAT WERE NEVER USED!) 6. She never provided breakfast/lunch for the bridal party while we were getting ready. Food arrangements were previously discussed with the bride. Since no one could find her, one of the hair stylists was kind enough to go pick up our food. (The hair stylist was not affiliated with Christina) 7. SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE THE AMOUNT OF STAFF PROMISED, THE BRIDES PARENTS ENDED UP DOING MOST OF THE BREAKDOWN AND CLEANUP AFTER IT WAS OVER!!! ....and the list seriously goes on and on. I am appalled at how she can call herself a wedding planner. A bride or her family does not deserve to be subject to the amount of stress that they were put through that day. BRIDES BEWARE!

a bad mouthed other weddings, (later I found out mine as well) and the vendors they don't usually work with. My DOC caused me to lose the security deposit because she didn't do her job and take the trash out. She also was a waste of space the whole night as she was flirting with the bartender and not releasing tables to eat, which we had to do ourselves. Rude, unprofessional, will not ever recommend.

ackyard wedding in June, but my father-in-law passed away before we could wed. Instead of further delaying the wedding, we decided to honor his legacy by marrying in October, his birthday month, and moved the venue to a DC rooftop. Planning a DC wedding in 2 months is a near impossible challenge, but it came together absolutely perfectly thanks to Christina's creativity, beautiful vision, and flawless execution. She brought our look to life beyond our imagination — from a custom copper and glass arch for our roof top ceremony to the perfect garlands and small touches that preserved a garden feel. She has an incredible gift for incorporating a couple’s style and personality into each design, creating not just a beautiful atmosphere, but one that is truly unique and magical. The bonus is that Christina is so easy to work with, possessing a positive attitude, staying calm under pressure, and consistently communicating a can-do spirit no matter what the wedding challenge. Engaging Christina as your event designer is the best first-step you can take as you embark on planning your special occasion.

vision. I could not recommend her any more highly!

tions! She not only has amazing vision, but is extremely personable and easy to work with. She has this incredible ability to take an idea and turn it into something spectacular! If you are looking for a planner, look no further! You couldn't possibly leave your special day in better hands!