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Donovan-Groves Events Reviews

Donovan-Groves Events

Donovan-Groves Events

Charlottesville, VA
5.0 out of 5 rating, 61 reviews
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Reviews

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    Paula Sent on 05/27/2025
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    A 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.
  • Eesha
    Eesha Sent on 10/04/2023
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    The 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 10/02/2023
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    Multi-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!!
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  • Mark
    Mark Sent on 09/01/2023
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    Excellent 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 07/02/2022
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    Worry 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!
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    Kassie Sent on 12/27/2021
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    Amazing 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
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    Jemma Sent on 10/07/2021
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    Adam 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.
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    Bob O. Sent on 08/23/2021
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    Exemplary - 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!
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    Joy M. Sent on 04/27/2021
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    Deep 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.
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    Janie Sent on 01/11/2021
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    Doesn'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 10/17/2020
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    The 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 12/27/2019
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    Adam 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!
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    Jen Sent on 08/27/2019
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    The 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!
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    Lauren Sent on 07/17/2017
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    Adam 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!!

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    Annie Sent on 09/26/2014
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    Adam 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!
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    Courtney Sent on 10/22/2024
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    Really great experience with DGE!

    We had the BEST experience working with Donovan-Groves Events for our wedding. Kelsey was amazing to work with, she's very responsible and reachable and I credit the fact that my wedding went so seamlessly to her and her team. I am so pleased with every single one of my vendors, and Kelsey played a huge role in initially finding reputable vendors to work with and communicating with them. Would absolutely recommend for planning your wedding!
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    Mayra Sent on 06/28/2024
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    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."
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    Mary Sent on 05/09/2024
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    Adam and team are amazing!

    We had a tremendous experience with Adam and his team helping to plan our April 2024 wedding. In total, we worked with Adam for approximately 14 months via DGE’s partial planning services. Even as a “partial” planner, Adam was extremely thorough and an incredible asset helping us to stay within our budget and bringing our design vision to life. He was also such a calming presence on our big day for not only us the couple but our nearest family members. We could not have planned our wedding without Donovan-Groves Events by our side. We heartily recommend their services!

    Mary Beth and Tim - 4/13/24
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    Kym H. Sent on 05/07/2024
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    Adam Donavan-Groves

    Our daughter just got married at the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville Va. She presently lives in Houston. You can imagine the difficulty planning a wedding from so far away. Without Adam, and his precision for details and his incredible experience and energy we would not have had the PERFECT day. Hands down he is the best!!!
    Kym Hedrick
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    Arica Sent on 06/26/2023
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    the BEST person to run your big day

    Kelsey from Donovan Groves was our "day of coordinator" for our Charlottesville wedding in JUN 2023. She was SO MUCH more than a day of planner. She went so above and beyond and I never once felt stressed about planning my wedding or how it would turn out. I KNEW everything would be perfect in Kelseys hands. She was so so so worth it and I would hire her again 100x over
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    Craig Sent on 05/24/2023
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    Amazing Wedding Planner!

    Adam was awesome. We hired him as a month of coordinator in
    December 2022 and to help design our space for our wedding in DC on 5/20/23 and he went above and beyond this title. We started with biweekly phone calls and even met to pick our table designs and do a tasting with the caterer before ramping as the time drew closer. During the rehearsal and day of, Adam really took charge leading our event to go on without a single issue. All along he was great with communication, organization, and prioritization. I would highly recommend his services.
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    Kelli Sent on 10/25/2021
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    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!).
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    Elena Sent on 04/25/2021
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    Best organized wedding ever and beautiful

    Adam was amazing. My niece just had her wedding in Charlottesville VA planned by Adam and ir was spectacular. Even though it was raining, the wedding went without a hitch. I recommend Adam and his company, because he has class. Thank you.
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    Katie Sent on 08/31/2020
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    Adam is on top of it, a joy to work with and flexible!

    I can't say enough amazing things about working with Adam. He is not only an expert in this industry but an absolute joy to work with (in fact, I really looked forward to our meetings). He knows every vendor and will empower you with all the facts to make the right decision for you personally. He also has an incredible eye to make things beautiful.

    I have been particularly struck by his flexibility, ingenuity and empathy throughout this COVID crisis. This has been a difficult for all ,and he has been my advocate and support system every step of the way.

    I highly recommend choosing Adam!
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    Kim Sent on 12/29/2019
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    Dream team!

    Working with with Donovan-Groves (Kelsey specifically) was a dream! I thought planning a wedding from out of state was going to be challenging, but thanks to Kelsey's knowledge and experience with local vendors, it was a breeze! Kelsey kept me organized, made sure I was thinking through details I hadn't even imagined, and was super calming throughout the entire planning process. On the day of our wedding, my husband and I were truly able to relax and enjoy it rather than stressing about things coming together. She made sure everything executed according to plan, and it was the most perfect day!! All of our friends and family commented that it was the most beautiful, fairy tale wedding they had ever attended - thanks to Kelsey!! I would highly recommend Donovan-Groves and Kelsey for trusted wedding planning professionals who know their stuff, can bring your vision to life, and allow you to enjoy your big day!
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