Not only is The Greenbrier a dreamy venue for a wedding, the resort holds a special place in the hearts of the Huntsman family, who visited there throughout Jon Huntsman III’s childhood. So it was only fitting that when it came time for Jon to marry his beautiful bride, Morgan McKenna, they’d plan their wedding on the colorful Greenbrier property. Their beautiful celebration was captured on camera by Abby Jiu Photography.
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Friends of friends from Utah, Morgan and Jon knew of each other, but had not gotten to know each other before a fateful weekend in DC. Morgan was visiting to watch her father cross the finish line of a cross-country bike race. Unsatisfied with Yelp’s recommendations for sushi spots, she texted Jon, then a student at the nearby Naval Academy.
When Jon and a few friends were headed into the city from Annapolis a few nights later, he suggested they all meet up. Morgan snuck out of her parents’ hotel room to join them, and was surprised to discover an appreciation for the military lifestyle that, up until then, had been foreign to her. “I was toast,” the marketing manager says. “Fell so hard, so fast.” Naval pilot Jon proposed two-and-a-half years later.
An occasional family weekend destination for Jon growing up (his father, Jon Huntsman Jr., served in the administrations of five presidents and was a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination), The Greenbrier was the backdrop for the couple’s classically oriented nuptials. Threatening weather moved the garden ceremony indoors, but guests were able to enjoy raspberry mint juleps (the drink is said to have originated at the hotel) on the patio during cocktail hour.
In The Greenbrier’s Cameo ballroom, a dinner of surf and turf, crab cakes, and filet mignon was followed by an assortment of mini French desserts and pastries. The newlyweds swayed to “Aurora” by the Foo Fighters for their first dance, and honeymooned in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico.
VENDORS
Venue: The Greenbrier | Photographer: Abby Jiu Photography | Event Coordinator: Strawberry Milk Events & Styling | Flowers: Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions | Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Hair & Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty | Caterer & Cake: The Greenbrier | Music: String trio and The Source, Élan Artists | Lighting: PSAV | Invitations: Alligator Soup | Wedding Paper Goods: Winifred Paper | Videographer: Caleb Jordan Lee of East West
Need an event planner to bring your wedding vision to life? Here’s a list of the area’s best.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
