The Wedding Planner
Jennifer Morgan, Catering Sales Manager
Crystal City Marriott, Arlington, Virginia

Interested in a military wedding? We asked Jennifer Morgan, Catering Sales Manager at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Virginia about military weddings at this popular property. Jennifer, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program. Jennifer also plans many military weddings; click here for her tips on planning a military wedding.

What aspects of Crystal City Marriott are most attractive to brides?

Brides consistently rave about our beautiful boutique-style lobby (photo, right) and our majestic spiral staircase, which makes for the "perfect wedding picture." Brides enjoy having their guests enter our exquisite lobby with a rich renaissance-like tone and proceed up the staircase to our elegantly styled ballrooms that have been designed with high ceilings, stunning crystal chandeliers, champagne colored fabric wall coverings, and rich burgundy and gold carpeting that provide the perfect intimate setting for wedding ceremonies.

The bridal suites are romantically decorated specifically with the bride and the groom's wedding night in mind. As our newlyweds open our uniquely crafted French doors the master bedroom reveals our plush king sized bed with duvet covers and can wrap themselves in our soft terry clothed bathrobes as they enjoy chocolate covered strawberries and chilled champagne, as a complimentary amenity.

What are the most popular wedding venues at the property, both for large and small weddings?

Both of our ballrooms are extremely popular venues for our wedding ceremonies because of their sophistication and timeless ambiance. Our grand ballroom, The Potomac is 3,450 square feet of classic elegance and is primarily utilized for larger weddings and receptions. This spacious ballroom is perfect for ceremonies because it allows the bride to make her grand entrance as she gracefully walks down the long aisle to her groom. The Monticello Ballroom is 2,680 square feet and is perfect for smaller weddings to provide an intimate and exclusive setting. Both ballrooms are masterfully designed with crystal chandeliers, plush royal carpeting, and chic champagne walls to accommodate any type of wedding ceremony and vast array of color combinations.

What local elements can a bride add to her wedding to give it a regional atmosphere?

Washington DC is unlike any other city and the Crystal City Marriott is the perfect hotel to experience the power and prestige of the nation's capital from a picturesque vantage point in Crystal City. Because the Crystal City Marriott is considered part of the Washington Metropolitan area, our local elements consist of a vast array of cultural elements and amenities. Just like the Capital of the United States and the diversity it brings to our Nation, we strive to accommodate each and every bride and groom and their own personal traditions. For example, we offer anywhere from Persian weddings, to Military weddings.

Our catering and banquet associates are experts when it comes to accurately decorating and setting up the exact ceremony layouts and designs. We also provide traditional music for any theme the bride and groom desires, from Asian themed weddings to Indian wedding ceremonies.

For brides planning a weekend wedding, what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special interest for their guests?

The Crystal City Marriott is conveniently located two miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the heart of Crystal City; the hotel connects to the Crystal City metro stop , underground shopping center and Pentagon City Mall. The Nation's Capital memorials such as the new World War II Memorial and Smithsonian museums , Georgetown, and Historic Old Town Alexandria, are only a few metro stops or short drive away, all nearby for our guests to make a complete weekend vacation to visit the sights of our Nation's Capital.

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.

Photos courtesy Marriott Crystal City