How did you get started in the wedding planning industry, and what inspired you to become a wedding planner? mmm… I started my styling and florist business back in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2006 when I had my first couple, who was our favourite photographer at the time, ask me to be their wedding planner. I was supposed to do their styling, decor and flowers only, but in the end they trusted me to do their wedding planning too.
I remember being sooo nervous, but when I heard how they appreciated my hard work, my effort paid off.
Becoming a wedding planner was my next goal after that wedding. I got my certificate to be a qualified wedding planner and I also studied abroad again in Holland to complete my Masters in floral design.
Behind all of this, there is a personal story as to why I chose to be a wedding planner….It was based on my own experience. When I got married, I didn’t have the privilege of having a perfect wedding planner on my wedding day. (I can honestly say my wedding day wasn’t the best)
There was a lot of disappointment, lack of coordination etc. After that experience I told myself if one day I choose a new career as a wedding planner, I have to deliver the best service I can provide to my couples so no one ever has the same experience as what I did. Your wedding is once-in-a-life time, it’s important to get that vision right. I want to help make that dream come true for others.
What services are included in your collections, what tasks do you perform to help couples?
We have 2 different services:
- Full management services
- Styling and on the day coordination
However I am also a qualified floral designer, so when a couple decides to to go with us, they will get the benefit of having an all-inclusive experience which is a huge benefit (they receive one team that is able to perform many different roles/services without having to pay many different fees and work with multiple service providers).
In regards what tasks, mmmm. When I plan my client’s wedding, I like to take the approach of putting myself in their shoes. I like to think of myself as the bride and ask myself what would I want on my wedding day. I believe if I do this I will deliver something that is different from every other wedding planner or stylist out there because I am flexible.
What advice do you have for couples when choosing a wedding planner?
I always give this advice to my couples. To work well with your wedding planner, you should treat them like your best friend. You need to choose a planner that you trust, have faith in and a good bond with. It’s important that you don’t doubt them because if that happens the experience and journey will be difficult for the both of you.
I believe anything and everything is possible with regards to a wedding, but without trust, I cannot work to the best of my abilities and therefore will not work with couples that don’t trust me. My point is, to make sure your wedding planner is someone you have a connection with that you trust, that will help you bring your wedding dreams and vision to life.
How do you ensure that each wedding you plan reflects the couple’s personal style and vision?
I have my own process and style that starts off with the brainstorming of a design concept. All design concepts are based on an original idea and are drawn with my own hands. To start this process I do have to sit down with my couple to better understand them. Understand their characteristics, what they like, what they don’t like, this takes a bit of time but is so important to the creative process. After getting to know them my creativity juices get flowing and my brain gets filled with so many ideas, these creative ideas keep coming and just won’t stop. I think this is what makes Art de Fleur different. Every presentation includes my own personal hand drawn designs that are always fresh and unique.
Do you have a favourite wedding style or theme that you particularly enjoy working with? My style is whimsical, dreamy & sophisticated. I love creating magic (that’s what my couples always comment aahahah). I believe being elegant, sophisticated and timeless will never date. I wish for my couples to look back at their wedding album photos in 10 or 20 years and feel everything is still timeless.
Do you follow trends and do you incorporate them in a concept if it is a couple’s wishes?
Our style is timeless, elegant, whimsical and dreamy and we generally attract couples that are drawn towards a similar vision. They want a style that will never date.
Don’t get me wrong, I am aware of trends and I love colour but our signature style is one that is more natural, where the colour palette is limited. We can appreciate trends such as the recent one of bright varying colours with a wide range and large colour palette but that isn’t something we typically do. We consider trends but will incorporate a couple’s wishes while staying timeless and true to our natural style.
I believe monochromatic colour palette of varying shades and hues of one colour will continue to be on trend and an airy design will be a hit. I would describe an airy design that is less bold, more natural with a smaller colour palette of 1 – 2 safe colours that will never outdate. I believe the bow trend will be coming to an end soon.
What advice do you typically offer to couples who are just starting the wedding planning process? Be yourself and make this wedding all about you and your partner, regardless of other peoples opinions. You won’t be able to make other people happy and that’s ok. It’s your wedding, not theirs.
What should a couple expect during the initial meeting with you? The initial meeting is only a brief quick brainstorming meeting about what are your expectations and what services we can offer you that are best suited. It’s a meet and greet where we figure out if we are the right fit for one another. So nothing is locked in until we are sure we are a good fit and you like our services. After securing our services after this meeting our client experience journey kicks off and we can chat more.
How far in advance should a couple book with you? I would say 1 year is the best time to book our service, for a shorter time frame at least 6 months in advance.’
