Donovan-Groves Events Reviews
Reviews
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
-
![Claire]()
Claire Sent on 12/22/2025Simply the best!
When I first started to plan my wedding, I remember feeling like all the joy of my engagement was getting whisked away by the stress of wedding planning...until I met Adam. I distinctly remember our first phone call because I started the call extremely anxious and ended the call feeling like everything was going to be okay and that I was in good hands. Adam is so talented at his job - he listens your requests and makes them into a reality while still sticking to a budget...which honestly is just like magic and I truly don't know how he does it. He also prioritizes you as the bride and makes sure that you are not feeling overwhelmed or stressed and makes wedding planning FUN! Then, on the actual wedding day Adam did it all - from making sure everything stayed on time (and as a type A girlie, this was very important to me) to making sure my husband and I got something to eat and some time to ourselves immediately after our ceremony (which was one of the sweetest moments of the day) to steaming my dress and re-doing my hair for me at the end of the night (bc of all the dancing, of course), he truly was a master of all trades. It was a gift to be able to be the guest of honor at my wedding instead of the hostess as I knew Adam had everything covered. Adam truly is amazing and any bride would be lucky to have him as their wedding planner! Would give him 10 out of 5 stars if I could! :) -
-
![Paula]()
Paula Sent on 05/27/2025A Wedding Dreammaker: Beyond Our Wildest Hopes!
A Wedding Planner Like No Other – Adam Is Truly Extraordinary
From the moment our daughter dreamed of a destination wedding at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, we knew it would take someone truly exceptional to bring her vision to life. We interviewed several destination wedding planners and then we found the perfect one. Enter Adam—the most compassionate, comprehensive, and creative planner we could have ever hoped for.
Our daughter had a very specific dream: to share her love of The Greenbrier with her guests in a way that made them feel welcomed, appreciated, and utterly enchanted. Adam listened—really listened—to her ideas with thoughtfulness and care from day one. He took the time to understand not just what she wanted, but why it mattered to her. Her mood boards, her plans, her heart—he absorbed it all and turned it into something beyond magical.
Every detail was handled with precision and grace. Adam was “on it” every step of the way—anticipating needs, solving problems before they appeared, and ensuring that the entire weekend unfolded seamlessly. And when the groom was unexpectedly deployed during the planning process, Adam showed a depth of empathy and support that meant the world to all of us. He helped our daughter make important decisions with confidence and calm, walking beside her every step of the way.
The wedding weekend itself was full of moving parts—dinners, activities, transportation, logistics—and Adam handled everything with absolute professionalism and a steady hand. His attention to detail is remarkable, but he’s also kind, flexible, and unflappable when things shift (as they always do). He runs a tight ship, yes—but somehow with warmth, humor, and humanity. Our wedding party adored him. We all did.
Thanks to Adam, our family was able to be fully present for every moment of that magical weekend—no stress, no scrambling, just pure joy. We will be forever grateful for his talent, his heart, and his extraordinary work. If you are considering a destination wedding, run—don’t walk—to Adam. He is the best in the business, and we can’t imagine having done it without him. -
-
Mayra Sent on 06/28/2024
Wedding Planning Made Perfect with Brittany!
We chose Donovan-Groves Events for their wedding planning services, with the addition of two services to our bundle, and were connected with Brittany S. She was well versed and experienced as she helped us plan our day at the Market at Grelen for our October (2023) wedding. My husband and I could not have gotten luckier working with Brittany. Brittany's attentiveness, consistent and reliable communication, and excitement helped ease all of our nerves. Guided by the checklists curated by DGE, we were able to set clear goals and monitor our progress on all things wedding related. We felt like we were in the best hands with DGE, and more specifically, Brittany! We felt our excitement was shared throughout our big day as we all smiled at how everything that we had planned for months had all come to be in the ceremony and reception space. We are so grateful to Brittany and DGE for their impeccable service and helping our day feel like "us." -
-
![Eesha]()
Eesha Sent on 10/04/2023The best! Excellent
The DGE Team is excellent. We were lucky to work with Kelsey as our wedding planner through DGE, and she made our wedding perfect. We had multiple events over a few days, and everything was seamless. No detail was too small--everything was organized to perfection. Kelsey is so sweet and bubbly as well. Such a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend DGE to everyone!! -
![Darshna]()
Darshna Sent on 10/02/2023Multi-day multi-event and multi-venue Indian wedding with 200 guests- Kelsey was our wedding planner
Kelsey was on top of everything. Towards the end she worked the entire weekend for us. She kept track of all our requests and minor details. She worked with multiple vendors on our behalf and took all responsibilities. She always kept a calm demeanor and has the best smile. It was a pleasure to work with her. She always put our needs first and made even unreasonable things we asked happen. She is truly the best. I cannot say enough about her. Her patience and attention to details is fantastic. If you have Kelsey your event will definitely be flawless and beautiful. She is very perceptive, flexible and caring. Thanks Kelsey!! -
-
![Mark]()
Mark Sent on 09/01/2023Excellent service for our wedding
We hired Donovan Groves for month of planning for our wedding and worked with Brittany Sprinkle. Leading up to the wedding, we had monthly check-ins which helped ease some of my anxieties about what needed to be done. My husband and I don't live in Charlottesville and it was so valuable to have someone guide us with vendors. We had one visit a few months prior to the wedding to make some decisions and Brittany facilitated all the meetings with our vendors. On the day of the wedding, Brittany and her assistant were stars. They made sure everything happened seamlessly which allowed my husband and I to enjoy getting married and spend time with our guests. It was truly the perfect day with no drama because of their efforts behind the scenes! She did the table scape for us for dinner, coordinated arrival of vendors, and lended a helping hand with my dress when it started to rain! Overall, I'm so happy that we had Brittany as our wedding planner and would highly recommend her services. -
-
![Kaitlin]()
Kaitlin Sent on 07/02/2022Worry free wedding day
Working with Adam as our month of coordinator for our wedding was one of our best vendor decisions! While I originally thought that we could handle planning on our own and just needed help on the “day of”, I’m so glad we had Adam’s support and guidance throughout the entire process. We had monthly phone calls where he provided suggestions and attended some meetings with our other vendors throughout our planning process. He is a true professional in the industry and we completely trusted him to execute our wedding. Our wedding day ran so smoothly thanks to Adam and his team! -
![Kassie]()
Kassie Sent on 12/27/2021Amazing Planner!
Adam is a talented wedding planner who is amazing at what he does! Vogue even recently named him as one of the best wedding planners in the Southeastern US. We worked with Adam for 2 years as we planned our Pippin Hill Vineyards wedding in May 2021.
Adam has the experience and knowledge to recommend reliable vendors that perfectly fit our vision. He helped us select vendors within our budget, create the overall wedding design, and stay on our timeline. He also kept us calm through the pandemic (we finished booking our vendors at the end of 2019).
There are so many little details that go into a wedding, and Adam was happy to offer advice for both the big and small decisions. He went above and beyond, even building the flower arch himself that I bought for our ceremony. The VA governor miraculously announced the end of event capacity restrictions one week before our wedding, and the DGE team worked around the clock and completely redid our seating chart / reception design at the last minute so we could have the wedding we’d always imagined.
On the day of the wedding, Adam & his team were pros! The zipper on my dress got stuck and my mom/bridesmaids couldn’t get it, but Adam fixed it in 30 seconds. He also made sure we ate our food and tasted our signature cocktails- which we might have missed without him! He kept everything running smoothly so we could enjoy being a bride and groom. Multiple friends even told us that this was the most beautiful and fun wedding they’d ever attended! Thanks for everything Adam!
Photos from Aaron Watson Photography -
-
Kelli Sent on 10/25/2021
They say he's the BEST because he is!
We booked Adam prior to covid for a wedding in 2020. When we had to reschedule he took the reigns and it went smoothly without the loss of one vendor or increase in fees! We regrouped during covid then hit the ground running for our rescheduled event in 9/2021. Adam is a true professional, he listens, he guides, he subtly let's you know when you're making a mistake, he is responsive, he knows his stuff (we took his advice on all vendors except one and that is the only one we were slightly disappointed in). If he tells you something is worth the extra money it probably is, if you feel strongly about something stick to your guns and he will make sure it happens with perfection! We had a 3 day wedding weekend with BIG events. We had a cocktail reception, we took 85 people to a UVA Footgame game with a tailgate party and our wedding! We paid great attention to every detail and he encouraged our vision for every event! I think the greatest compliment we can pay to Adam is that we pulled off 3 flawless days of events and literally floated through our wedding day without worrying or giving a second thought to ANYTHING......he handled it all! I can guarantee if you chose Adam as your wedding planner will NOT regret it!!! (photo's - from our tasting/design meeting to fruition. When the stand to hold our 10'x10' seating chart broke he solved it perfectly. When our granddaughters flowers were falling off he fixed it. When we needed someone to oversee the set up of our party after the football game, it was handled!). -
-
![Jemma]()
Jemma Sent on 10/07/2021Adam is the best of the best!
There are not enough words to describe how thankful and grateful we are that we had Adam planning our entire wedding weekend.
I truly believe that Adam went above and beyond to make our day magical. We dealt with a lot of unknowns (up until weeks, and even days before our wedding) though-out the planning process due to COVID. Adam took what could have been a stressful experience and lead us with so much positivity and grace. He managed to make planning fun and humorous. He pulled off the most amazing April fools joke on my husband that we still laugh about. Adam literally wiped my tears as we made the call to move our outdoor ceremony indoors because of rain, he gave me the space the feel my disappointment, and ensured that ALL of my bridesmaids told me how beautiful the new plan was. These small acts (just a few of many) meant to much my husband and I, and are why we absolutely adore Adam and his team. They are truly the best!
I am actively trying to come up with excuse to work with Adam. I need his Type-A energy in my life at all times. I cannot recommend Adam enough! You will be lucky to have him on your team. -
-
![Bob]()
Bob O. Sent on 08/23/2021Exemplary - made the planning and execution fun!
Adam was exceptional throughout the planning of our daughter’s wedding! Patient, fun, kind, professional, experienced! Knows all the vendors and provided expert guidance in selecting and coordinating them! The execution was flawless and worry-free. Wholeheartedly recommended in the highest possible terms! Offers military discount. Select him first! -
-
![Joy]()
Joy M. Sent on 04/27/2021Deep Gratitude from Mother of the Bride
Adam and Donovan-Groves Events is simply amazing! Adam helped my daughter and son-in-law design and execute the most beautiful and magical wedding in spite of COVID restrictions and set backs due to a rain downpour. Adam is an excellent communicator, easily made adjustments as things came up, attended to every last detail, and supported the bride and groom in every way. As the mother of the bride I also felt deeply cared for. I highly recommend Adam Donovan-Groves and his excellent team. -
![Janie]()
Janie Sent on 01/11/2021Doesn't Get Any Better!
It would truly be impossible to overstate how incredible Adam and his team are. I was out of the state for the first few months of the planning process, then finishing up law school during the next 9 months, then studying for the bar basically right up until the big day. Needless to say, I was not the most available, nor was I the most responsive (to put it lightly). Plus, I was basically always stressed and probably a nightmare to deal with. Without Adam, genuinely nothing would have gotten done. He kept us on track, he recommended fantastic vendors (and, by the way, he gets you amazing discounts!), and he was extremely patient with us. I can't make a decision to save my life, so Adam was a godsend when it came to picking out anything from colors/theme to place settings. What stood out most, though, was how much fun it was to get to spend time with him. We always looked forward to getting together with him or hopping on the phone -- with Adam, planning was never a chore. He made our wedding better than we could have ever imagined, and we cannot recommend him enough. Seriously -- stop your search now. If you're reading this, you've found your wedding planner. Adam is, without a doubt, the best! -
![Allison]()
Allison Sent on 10/17/2020The BEST decision you will make for your wedding!
There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am that Adam was part of our day! He helped me plan TWO weddings during COVID. Adam is the calming voice underneath the chaos. He will take care of everything you need and make sure you are happy with every detail. It was pouring rain on our day and he stood outside with us holding an umbrella just so we could get the perfect photo! He will go above and beyond for you. The only sad thing about our wedding being over is that it means no more phone calls with him to check in. Do yourself a favor and hire him, he really is the best! -
![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 12/27/2019Adam micromanages, so you and your type-A mother don't have to!
Adam (Donovan-Groves Events) is the perfect planner.
I am someone who did not have a particular vision of my wedding, but Adam made my vague vision clear and come to life. We had a lengthy wedding planning timeline (2 years), which allowed for us to explore and pick perfect vendors (THE DREAM TEAM), perfect funky details (THE LINENS), and let every calorie come to life (LATE NIGHT FOOD).
While he was there for two years of my life (wow!), he was really there for me on my most important day. He loves hairspray as much as I do, and his team takes care of the other details.
On my wedding day, I got to do things most brides don't: eat, drink, enjoy myself, talk to family and friends, and look around at the magical surroundings. He made sure my husband and I took in the memories and had personal time, while he managed the vendors, speeches, timeline, music, etc. (All vendors love him and gush about him, by the way.)
My only wedding regret is not getting a picture of him with his iPad. Love him and his company! -
-
![Jen]()
Jen Sent on 08/27/2019The best of the best! I can not thank their team enough. He truly made my dreams come true. I loved every moment of working with them!
Adam and his team are INCREDIBLE! From start to finish he went above and beyond. From helping to pick vendors, to food tastings, to picking out rentals, to ensuring the timeline was perfect, and SO much more. I knew with Adam that our day was going to go so smoothly. He is organized and ensures everyone is aware of the plan for the day. He is so much fun to be around on your wedding day. Don't look anymore!! Adam with Donovan-Groves Events an his team truly are the DREAM TEAM! -
Virginia Sent on 02/11/2019
The best of the best
The first thing Adam will tell you is that you could have a budget $100 or $100,000 for your wedding and he is going to give you watch a spectacular event. We had a modest budget by Charlottesville standards, and we actually ended up coming in slightly under budget with an wedding that was over-the-top amazing. He found us amazing vendors, did all of the ‘heavy lifting”, and made the whole process so seamlessly easy. We were his first ‘Warehouse Wedding’ ( The Jefferson theater in downtown Charlottesville ) but you would have thought that’s all he does from the way it all came together. I was completely prepared to be a bundle of nerves on our wedding day, and my partner and I still joke that it was one of the most relaxing days we’ve ever had together. One of my favorite photos from the day is of Adam throwing leaves over my head so that they would drift down and make the perfect fall wedding photo, its just so representative of what he does. We absolutely LOVED our wedding and the only disappointment is that we can’t do it every year:) Adam and his team are so professional, so creative, and just an absolute joy to work with, and they truly delivered exactly what we’d hoped for. -
-
Catherine Sent on 06/11/2018Donovan Groves Events was hands down the best money that we spent during the entire wedding planning process. I would give Adam a 6-star review if I could! My fiancé and I lived a few hours from Charlottesville, and we literally could not have pulled our wedding day off without Adam’s wide network of contacts (for absolutely anything and everything we needed!) or his eye when it came to the design of our event. I cannot say enough great things about Adam, but I think what we appreciated most in him was the flawless coordination and service he provided on our wedding day. Adam took care of absolutely every detail before I even had the time to worry, leaving me to relish the day and the time with my new husband. With DGE, you don’t need to think about anything (from retouching your lipstick to packing everything up in the getaway car at the end of the night) except enjoying your wedding day. Several of my bridesmaids have been in many weddings, and all commented that they’ve never seen such seamless execution and attention to detail on a wedding day. We were within a few weeks of our wedding when we thought our officiant might have to cancel due to a family emergency. We panicked, but Adam (while on vacation in Europe) had a replacement for us lined up for us within 5 minutes. Our officiant ended up making it after all, but we were nonetheless amazed by Adam! As if that isn’t enough, Adam has a heart of gold, a great sense of humor and is a complete blast to be around. Trust me, that’s a huge bonus and added benefit that you definitely appreciate on your wedding day! My husband and I miss Adam and were actually really sad after all of the planning was done. If you want the absolute best and the assurance that your day will go perfectly no matter what...then there truly is no other way to go than Donovan Groves Events!
-
-
Anne Sent on 01/05/2018Adam is the wedding planner extraordinaire! From our first meeting to the day of our wedding, Adam was a dream to work with. I know our wedding would never have been as beautiful, perfect and memorable had anyone else planned it. I had complete trust in Adam to take our ideas and redone & polish them to create the most perfect day of our lives. He is an incredible listener, has amazing creativity & vision, is patient, funny, charming, professional and, in my opinion as well as those of my parents, husband and all of our wedding guests, Adam is simply the best.
-
-
Blair Sent on 01/05/2018Words truly cannot describe how much I love Adam Donovan Groves for everything he did for us. My now husband and I had a two year long engagement, a significant time of which we spent living 1,600 miles away from Charlottesville. Adam made the long distance planning easy. He made the most of the time we had to visit, got as much done as possible before we moved, and took care of everything in between. But his extraordinary organizational skills are not what makes Adam the best wedding planner out there - it's his heart. Adam became so much more than just our wedding planner. He became one of my closest friends and I hope that never changes. In the week leading up to our wedding, just about everything that could go wrong did. Our "get away" car broke down. Our officiant lost his license. My godfather's life was threatened, and my MIL was hospitalized, unable to make the wedding. I promise we're not normally this dramatic of a couple, but that week was definitely an adventure. I would not have made it through that week without Adam. He handled all of it in stride without breaking a sweat, and come the day of our wedding, everything was perfect. Our family was there, Adam got us a car, and the officiant was good to go. He took care of all of it, including me and my husband. When I asked my husband over two years ago if we could choose Adam to be our planner, I asked, "Can we keep him??" It's safe so say that was one of the best decisions we made.
Blair St. Ledger-Olson -
-
![Lauren A. Wolfe]()
Lauren Sent on 07/17/2017Adam was the perfect addition to our Dream Team! His professionalism is unlike any other - prompt with responses, super creative, and not to mention, his wedding planning experience is unmatched. We were confident, secure in the details and excited heading into our wedding weekend. Most importantly, we felt like his #1 priority. Thank you Adam for giving us the peace of mind to just experience every special moment and finally let go of the details. Right before our ceremony, a rain shower showed up. Adam knew we wanted an outdoor ceremony, so he told us not to worry and he gathered his team to wipe down the ceremony seating. Ten minutes later, we walked down the aisle. Plus we even got a rainbow! Dream Team!!
-
![Annie]()
Annie Sent on 09/26/2014Adam was amazing in every aspect of my wedding planning. Every little detail was accounted for and he was a pleasure to work with. I was able to relax and enjoy my big day and I cannot imagine what the process would have been like without him. Would definitely recommend Donovan-Groves Events!
Are you interested?
Are you interested?