Echo Event & Design

•Ratings include Zola and Google reviews

Service levels: Full-service planning

Team size: 1 – 3

Offer from vendor

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About Echo Event & Design

Echo Event & Design

I'm Mary, the planner and heart behind Echo Event & Design. I work with couples who want a wedding that feels genuinely like them: not a template, not a trend, but a celebration that reflects who they truly are and what matters to them most. My approach is rooted in what I call permission over pressure: my job is to make sure you feel joy during this process, not anxiety, so you can be fully present for every moment of your own wedding day.

What sets me apart is something most planners can't offer: I spent eight years as Events Director at a major DMV arts venue, overseeing 250+ events a year. I know how venues think, where weddings go sideways, and exactly what to do about it. I bring that inside knowledge to every wedding I plan. I specialize in multicultural celebrations, multi-ceremony days, and intimate microweddings: weddings with a clear vision behind them. Whether you're planning for 40 people or 240, if you care about the details, I'd love to talk.

In three words: Calm, Creative, Resourceful

Services by planning level

Full-service planning

Pricing starts at $5,000

Partial planning

Pricing starts at $4,000

Day-of coordination / wedding management

Pricing starts at $1,750

Event design

Pricing starts at $3,500

Elopement / microwedding

Pricing starts at $1,500

A la carte

Pricing starts at $500

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

11 reviews

  • MK

    Marley K.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 5

    Amazing

    My now-husband and I had the privilege of working with Mary Liniger, owner of Echo Event & Design, to plan our wedding. After we became engaged, we found ourselves going through an incredibly difficult time with family health issues and other circumstances in our lives. We quickly realized that we simply were not in a place to take on everything that came with planning a wedding, even a very small one. Mary stepped in and guided us through absolutely everything. From the beginning, she was incredibly empathetic, thoughtful, patient, and helpful. She gave us the space we needed to handle what was happening in our lives while taking the time to truly understand us and our vision for the wedding. Her compassion and willingness to have calls whenever we needed them made such a difference. She got to know us in the ways that mattered, which allowed her to ask the right questions and, at times, make decisions for us when we simply did not have the capacity to make them ourselves. And somehow, she always made the right ones. Mary was also incredibly respectful of our budget. She stayed within it throughout the entire planning process, and whenever we had concerns about cost, she found alternatives that were just as wonderful, if not better. She kept us informed about every detail, what needed to be purchased, and when it needed to be done. She even allowed us to have items delivered to her home so that she could bring them to the venue herself. On our wedding day, Mary was there to decorate, welcome guests as they arrived, coordinate everything behind the scenes, and make sure every single detail was exactly as it should be. Because of her, we were able to simply be present and enjoy our wedding. We truly could not have asked for anyone better. In all honesty, saying goodbye to Mary after the wedding was much harder than I expected. I realized that this person who had been such a kind, steady, and supportive presence during such an important and emotional time in our lives was someone I probably would not get to see regularly anymore. That alone says so much about who Mary is, not only as a wedding planner, but as a person. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Mary is incredibly lucky. We will always be grateful that she was the person who helped us through this experience and made our wedding everything we hoped it would be.

    Mary Liniger•Oct 6, 2026

    Marley, you are such a gem! Thank you for this beautiful, heartfelt review. I've read it more than once. It was an honor to walk alongside you through such a heavy season. Planning a wedding while carrying everything else in your lives is no small thing, and the trust you gave me to make decisions when you had other priorities meant the world. I never took it lightly. And I loved our weekly strategy calls - and we'll come up with a reason to stay in touch! Watching you two be fully present on your wedding day was exactly what I hoped for. That was the whole point, the reason for what I do. And I'll admit, saying goodbye was harder for me too. You and Marc are a joy, and I'm so grateful I got to be part of your story. Wishing you a lifetime of steady, peaceful, happy days together. Many thanks, Mary

  • LS

    Louis S.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Jul 20, 2026

    The Peace of Mind Every Couple Needs

    Our experience with Mary Liniger was nothing short of exceptional. She served as our coordinator, advisor, problem solver, and, most importantly, a calming presence throughout the entire wedding planning process. From my perspective, Mary's guidance made an incredible difference—especially for my wife. She helped us navigate every stage of planning, from making difficult decisions to executing every detail of our wedding day. Whenever my wife felt overwhelmed by the pressure of planning or anxious about whether everything would come together, Mary was always just a phone call or email away. More often than not, after speaking with Mary, my wife's worries would disappear. Mary has a remarkable ability to reassure and instill confidence. She consistently reminded us that our wedding day would be beautiful and encouraged my wife to let go of the stress, assuring her that she would handle the details. That peace of mind was invaluable, and it allowed us to focus on enjoying one of the most important days of our lives. Mary's professionalism, kindness, patience, and genuine care were evident throughout the entire process. She didn't simply coordinate our wedding—she gave us confidence, peace of mind, and the freedom to truly enjoy the experience. We are incredibly grateful for everything she did and wholeheartedly recommend her to any couple looking for someone who will go above and beyond to make their wedding day unforgettable.

    Mary Liniger•Jul 21, 2026

    Louis, this is the second time you've made me tear up! The first was watching you walk down the aisle and seeing all the love from your friends and family and feeing the energy in the room. Thank you for this. It means the world to read. Getting to be that steady presence for you and your wife through the whole process, and especially on the day, was a genuine privilege. She trusted me with her worries and let me carry the details, and that trust is exactly what made everything come together the way it did. Wishing you both a lifetime of the same ease and joy you felt on your wedding day. It was an honor to be part of it.

  • BS

    Briana S.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Jul 19, 2026

    Best Coordinator Ever!!

    Mary was such an amazing and professional person to work with. We booked her to be our day of coordinator for our wedding. She was honestly an expert in her field, always thinking 5 steps ahead. She was a great person to work with. As someone who planned most of my wedding, Mary came in like we’ve been working together the whole time. It was a very seamless transition having her on my team. She also has so many fun and amazing stories to share! Mary and her assistant Kerla were great! They truly made it so easy for me to just be the Bride at my wedding. Also, book her and Sandra from Ispire Catering and Events for the best duo ever!!

    Mary Liniger•Jul 19, 2026

    Briana, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your big day! It was such a joy getting to work with you and Louis, and I loved seeing your celebration unfold exactly as planned. You made it easy to do my best work. Kerla and I had the best time, and yes, Sandra and Ispire are a dream to build a day with. Wishing you and Louis every happiness ahead!

  • BE

    Bob E.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Apr 15, 2026

    President of High Point Catering and Events

    Working with Mary was a game-changer for our wedding day. Their communication throughout the planning process was prompt and detailed, which gave us confidence every step of the way. The team demonstrated genuine professionalism paired with a warmth that made collaborating with them enjoyable, and their expertise showed in every decision they guided us toward. They managed the logistics seamlessly on the day itself, handling unexpected challenges with a calm approach that kept everything running smoothly. We appreciated how they balanced our vision with their qualified recommendations, resulting in a celebration that felt authentically ours. I'd recommend Echo Event & Design to any couple looking for planners who truly care about bringing their wedding to life.

    Mary Liniger•May 5, 2026

    Bob, thank you so much for your review! It is always a pleasure to work with High Point Catering and Events, and I love working with your amazing team.

  • SO

    Sandra O.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Mar 17, 2026

    Echo Design and Events

    I had a wonderful experience working with Echo Event & Design for my recent wedding. Their communication was clear, on time, and showed a strong understanding of my vision. The quality of their work was truly impressive - they created beautiful, amazing designs with incredible attention to detail. I would highly recommend Echo Event & Design to any couple looking for a wedding planner that delivers exceptional results.

    Mary Liniger•May 5, 2026

    Sandra, thank you so much for your review! It was truly my pleasure.

Preferred vendors of Echo Event & Design

Venue
Friends Meeting of Washington
Rating: 4.9 (20 reviews)
Washington, DC
Quick responder
Caterer
Ispire Catering And Events
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Hyattsville, MD
Starts at $7,000
Quick responder
Photographer
Sokolov Photography
Rating: 5.0 (9 reviews)
Germantown, MD
Starts at $2,600
Band/DJ
Benefactor Events
I specialize in weddings with a clear vision behind them: multicultural celebrations, queer and LGBTQ+ weddings, multi-ceremony days, and intimate microweddings. I work best with couples who can't wait to be married but are busy with careers and real life, who want to ditch the overwhelm and feel supported every step of the way, and who want a celebration that truly reflects who they are rather than what a wedding is supposed to look like. If that sounds like you, we're probably a great fit.
I offer three core services. The Full Vision is full-service planning from concept through execution. The Partnership is partial planning, ideal for couples who have started but want expert guidance to pull it all together. The Final Chapter is essential coordination, stepping in 45 days out to manage vendors, timelines, and your wedding day so you can be completely present. I also offer custom packages for couples whose needs don't fit neatly into a box.
Although my business is fairly new, I have a wealth of experience. I spent eight years as Events Director at a major DMV arts venue, overseeing more than 250 events a year. I know how venues work, how they're staffed, and exactly where weddings go sideways when the logistics aren't airtight. I bring that inside knowledge to every wedding I plan. I'm strong with both design and logistics. My approach is rooted in what I call permission over pressure: my job is to make sure you feel joy during this process, not anxiety.
I keep my roster intentionally small and focused so every client gets my full attention. I'm not a volume business. I'm a trust business. You will always know exactly where things stand and exactly who is handling your wedding.
I'm based in the DMV and primarily serve Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. I have strong relationships with venues and vendors across the region, from Montgomery County and Howard County to the Eastern Shore. Travel within a 50 mile range is included at no charge with my services.
You will work directly with me, Mary Liniger, from our first conversation through your wedding day. I bring in a trusted team of day-of assistants for your event, so you have the proper staffing on the ground when it counts most. You will never be handed off to someone you have not met.
Yes. While weddings are my primary focus, I am happy to assist with rehearsal dinners, welcome events, and related wedding weekend celebrations for my planning clients. I also take on select corporate and social/milestone events. If you have something in mind, let's talk and see if it's a good fit.
That depends on your package. Full planning clients have regular check-ins throughout the entire process and can expect consistent communication from booking through the wedding day. Partial planning clients work closely with me through the design and vendor phases, with increasing touchpoints as the date approaches. Essential coordination clients step into a structured process about 45 days out with a dedicated kickoff meeting, vendor communication, and full day-of coverage. No matter the package, you will always be able to reach me when something comes up.
I do not book multiple weddings in a day. For weekend scheduling, it depends on your package. For essential coordination clients, I may take on two events in a weekend when the schedules allow, and I can give each wedding the full attention it deserves on its day. For partial planning and full planning clients, the entire weekend is yours. When you have invested in a deeper planning relationship with me, I protect that time completely so I arrive on your wedding day fully present and focused on nothing but you.
Absolutely, and this is one of my greatest strengths. I have extensive experience with West African, Indian, South Asian, and Jewish celebrations, as well as multi-ceremony days that blend cultural and Western traditions. I understand the logistics, the cultural protocols, and the importance of getting every detail right across every ceremony.
Yes. I offer a complimentary consultation so we can get to know each other and figure out whether we're a good fit. I believe the planner-couple relationship is everything, and I want you to feel completely confident before we move forward together.

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