The Preferred List: A Wedding Vendor Podcast

Episode 12 Choose Presence Over Chaos: Treasured Events and Spruce Weddings and Events

• James • Season 1 • Episode 12

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Who’s actually in charge on your wedding day? If the honest answer is “us” or “our photographer,” this conversation will change your plan for the better. We sit with Taylor, an entrepreneur who runs both a planning company and a rentals brand, to explore how hospitality, budgeting, and smart systems create calm, guest-friendly weddings that still feel like you.

We start with the real difference between venue coordinators and independent planners, then map planning packages to personality and budget: day-of for organized couples who want control without chaos, partial for teams who need early guidance and vendor matchmaking, and full for busy duos who want expert oversight end-to-end. Taylor shares a simple test for value—if it’s not you or your family, who’s orchestrating timelines, wrangling vendors, cueing speeches, and getting you to the aisle on time?

From there, we dig into budget strategy and expectations. Learn why guest count quietly drives your costs, how to fund top priorities like bands, photography, or florals without starving everything else, and why the right coordinator protects your investment by freeing vendors to do their best work. On the rentals side, Taylor explains why renting beats buying: less waste, less storage, and smarter design decisions that consider ceremony flow, cocktail hour transitions, and repurposing decor. Expect practical trend talk too—big yes to repurpose-friendly floral pillars and group entrances; a cautious no to private last dances that stall exits and frustrate guests.

Under the hood, this is a masterclass in proactive planning: timelines that ask the right questions, systems that eliminate guesswork, and a team-first mindset where vendors overcommunicate and collaborate. If you want a wedding day that feels present and unhurried—with design that works in the real world—hit play. If this episode helps you breathe easier, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe for more candid, behind-the-scenes conversations.

Treasured Events

https://www.instagram.com/treasured.events/

https://www.treasured-events.com/

Spruce Weddings and Events:

https://www.spruceweddingsandevents.com/

https://www.instagram.com/spruceweddingsandevents/


SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to the preferred list, a podcast about the people behind the best uh wedding days. I'm James, a wedding filmmaker. I've spent years in the industry working alongside incredible vendors, and this show is all about the real conversations with the ones that make it happen. Whether you're a vendor or a couple, you'll get honest insight, good stories, and maybe a little inspiration along the way. Let's meet today's wedding vendor. Hey Taylor, how's it going?

SPEAKER_03:

Hi, Kane. Great. How are you?

SPEAKER_00:

Great. I'm so glad to have you on. I'm very excited because I know nothing about rentals. Yeah. And then you're telling me as we're setting up that you're also a planner.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So fun. So fun.

SPEAKER_03:

I love it.

SPEAKER_00:

We'll dive into all of that in just a second, but we are here still at the barn at Silverstone. So excited to be here and be filming here. The barn at Silverstone is featured on the world's greatest as the world's greatest wedding venue. Crazy. Here, the breathtaking historic stonework meets elegant, modern design with an inclusive approach that lets couples enjoy a truly low-stress planning experience. And also, Miranda, amazing.

SPEAKER_03:

I love her.

SPEAKER_00:

So good.

SPEAKER_03:

She's fabulous.

SPEAKER_00:

And she has done like hundreds and hundreds of weddings.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So if you're looking for a venue, highly recommend. It's also really close by. So, you know, you can't go wrong.

SPEAKER_02:

Seriously. It's wonderful here.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, okay, so you enlightened me as we're setting up that you do rentals and planning.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_00:

How did all of this start? How did you get into the wedding industry? Give me a little bit of like the origin story.

SPEAKER_02:

Of course. So I kind of always knew that I wanted to be in the wedding industry. I actually went to school at South Carolina for hospitality management. So I always loved hospitality. I always loved the wedding industry specifically. And um after college, I moved to Manhattan. I worked for a catering company there and then assisted a wedding planner on the side. So the the Manhattan weddings are just a different ballgame. Just some crazy budgets and just really impressive talent. So yeah, I was doing that. And then my whole family is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. So I ended up coming back home. I worked at a wedding venue as kind of like a venue coordinator, but I always had the goal of opening my own business as a planner. Um, so I got into planning in 2019. I was also working at a bridal salon that time, like part-time, just to kind of fill the void if needed. And um yeah, I I grew from there. And then I started, I didn't start, I purchased the rental business in 2023.

SPEAKER_00:

So you were a planner through and through, and then the rentals kind of like added in. Oh, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So they're still separate companies. It's spruce weddings events and treasured events, but I mean, we have a lot of shared clientele.

SPEAKER_00:

And then the spruce side of it is your planning.

SPEAKER_02:

Correct.

SPEAKER_00:

And the treasured events is the rentals. Exactly. Yeah. Okay, awesome. So you have been like all over with a hospitality degree too.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So it's like the hospitality is like running through your vein. Like, what did you what did you experience like getting the degree in hospitality and like how has that shaped the way that you plan for your couples and even setting up the the events for the rentals and stuff? Like, how does all of that play into what you do day to day?

SPEAKER_02:

I I love hospitality at its core in terms of like service and just making people feel really comfortable and excited and happy and and like they're having a really good time. I did really well in school growing up, but there wasn't like one subject that like I was like, I'm really great at science or I love math or anything like that. But I always really love talking to people and just making people feel comfortable and getting to know them and that kind of stuff. So that's how I knew I wanted to like enter into the hospitality industry. Um, and then in college, they focus a lot on like hotels and like things like that. And that was never really the goal. But you get a lot of like really great base information. And then with the internships and practicums and different experiences and opportunities you get from being in the hospitality industry or at school, I should say, it just kind of opened the door for a lot of things. So, for example, I worked at the masters um a couple of years, well, three years throughout college. So that golf tournament is just like one of the higher end ones in in the tour. And it's just like they do things differently, you know, it's it's really impressive how they treat their patrons and how things happen there. And so just experiences like that really kind of helped form and shape my view and like how I go about serving my couples. So yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So I would imagine, you know, even just having the degree, even though you're not doing hotel stuff throughout that process, you're learning how to communicate with people, how to take care of people, how to meet people's needs in different ways. And it sounds like even from other work experience, you're kind of doing the same thing. Right. Um, when you're jumping into starting your planning business, what what was kind of the catalyst? Like what was the the path that you had? Because you were doing planning stuff before you started your own thing.

SPEAKER_01:

Yep.

SPEAKER_00:

What what what happened there? That you're like, yeah, I want to do my own thing and do it, do it maybe differently.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So venue coordination is very different from like independent coordinators. It's just a different role generally. So a lot of couples will look at it like it's the same role, but it's not. And some I will say that there's some venues that do inside coordination and they do it very well, but they do it in a very specific way.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And so that I even though I wanted to be a planner, I didn't really want to be a venue coordinator, coordinator, excuse me. Um, my first job, it was a venue coordinator, but they almost combined the roles of an independent coordinator and a venue coordinator. Gotcha. And maybe that was my own fault because I wanted to give a specific level of service to my couples. So maybe I was doing more than I my role really should have been doing. But it was just it was a lot for one person because again, it's two separate roles. And so I always wanted to have my own business, number one. I I'm an entrepreneur at heart, um entrepreneur at heart, I should say. But um, yeah, so I kind of wanted to to branch out and do be at other venues too, and not just like be at one venue. Even though I will say it's very nice to like have a home base and like know the venue very well, but you can do that at multiple places and not just one. Um, so it was a mixture between wanting to own my own business and kind of be in control of my own schedule and my own clients and and what I'm doing and how I'm serving them rather than having to follow somebody else's format. And also just really wanting to be more in the independent coordinator space versus the venue coordination space.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, could you because I'm even sitting here thinking, I'm like, I don't know what the difference would be. So like if a couple is like, oh, our venue offers this type of coordination or day of coordinating versus a full-blown planner, could you like break down for couples who are like, I don't even know what's the difference? What's the difference?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. So for the very simple way to put it for venue coordination versus independent coordination, like the venue's main concern is gonna be the venue because that's what that's who they're working for and that's where their paycheck's coming from. Whereas an independent coordinator, your client is the couple. So like your main focus is gonna be the couple, which don't get me wrong, independent coordinators are very respectful, should be very respectful to a venue. And the venue is the client's still their client, you know? So it's like they not to say one's more important than the other, but at the same time, there's just different priorities. And there's a lot of things that a venue coordinator needs to take care of, whether it's the building, the lights, the trash, toilet paper and the bathrooms, like all of those little things. Whereas an independent coordinator, like they want to be focused on like when the bridal party needs to be where and and are they arriving on time? And did the vendors set up where they said they were gonna set up or where we planned to set up and those kind of things. So it's they are different roles. And some venues will have like they'll be really good at putting people in place to cover all of those roles.

SPEAKER_01:

Right.

SPEAKER_02:

But there's a lot of venues that just have one person that do all the weddings, and it's a lot for one person to have all of those details for 60 to 80 plus weddings a year, you know.

SPEAKER_00:

So Yeah, I I feel like there's even just a huge difference in um are you offering like a full service planning as one of the things that people can book with you guys?

SPEAKER_02:

We do, we do day of coordination to full planning.

SPEAKER_00:

All right. So, like what's you know, if couples are kind of trying to pick between the two, is there like, you know, something that's right for for people or like what are they wanting that they're kind of coming to you, trying to decide between the two? It's like what's what's the right fit for couples, depending on like maybe where you're seeing them, you know, starting.

SPEAKER_02:

Right. It it really has a few different factors. So budget is gonna be one of them, just because if you have, say, a 200-person guest count and you have sixty thousand dollars to spend, I'm not gonna tell you to get a full planning package because it's gonna eat up a lot of your budget, and then that's gonna be tough when you're booking other vendors and things like that. But if you I always say I always recommend day of coordination at minimum, especially our package, it's fairly inclusive. Like it starts closer to six months, and we even do an initial consultation on top of that when the couple actually books. So whether that's a year and a half in advance or you know, 11 months in advance, they'll do an initial consultation at first. So we go over a lot of like vendor recommendations and a general timeline, things like that, just to get them started. But then as we get closer to the six month mark, that's when we kind of dive into timeline and things like that. Now it's still day of coordination. So the couples are really like finding their own vendors that they'll we'll give them recommendations, but they're doing the communication, they're booking them, they're coming up with their decor and aesthetic, they're executing everything. And then we're collecting the information and we're making sure that it's happening the way it's supposed to. For full plan.

SPEAKER_00:

So that that's like your that's like your minimum. You're like if you do anything, you're saying get a day of coordinator. Yes. I would assume it's taking, you know, all of the logistics, putting it on one person, and like the benefit is is the couples not worrying about that stuff. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02:

And neither is mom or Aunt Susie or whoever else. Yeah, or even another vendor. Exactly. And and it allows their that's a great point. It allows your vendors, and as a filmmaker, you would know, to be able to do their job and focus on their job and not worrying about, well, where did cousin Mike go? You know, like we need him, that kind of thing. And then it also just allows the couple to be fully present, know that there's someone that's in their corner, that's taking care of everything, that was like everything was overcommunicated to them. They've already spoken with all the vendors, like just knowing that they can relax on their wedding day and they don't have to worry about a family member doing it or a friend doing it. There's a professional that does it every weekend that knew the right questions to ask, and they're gonna execute.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, it's like they do this for a job.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, it's like you.

SPEAKER_00:

You do this for a job. You know all the questions to ask, you're communicating, even just something as simple as like, hey, you're coming Saturday or Friday or Sunday, right? Like you're good, right? You're gonna be there.

SPEAKER_02:

That's when you're coming, right? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, it's just it seems so simple, but also um, you know, that starting point that you have of day of coordination, you're you're just giving your couples a chance to not have to worry about logistics, timelines, vendors. And I love I'm I am a proponent through and through for couples being able to stay more present with each other and with the people that are around them.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Um their wedding day. And it's the it's the one time that all of these people are gonna be together celebrating this one moment where they say I do for life. Like I I want them to be like zoomed in on that. And it seems like at a minimum, the day of coordination is gonna help with that.

SPEAKER_03:

Exactly. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So day of coordination, is there something in between like the full service planning?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, there is okay.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, so there's partial planning.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay.

SPEAKER_02:

And our full planning is like full scale. Like, we help connect you with all the vendors, we're through the booking process. We're exactly partial planning is more support on the front end. So, like breaking down your budget, which is something that couples like they should do, whether it's Yeah, we're gonna need to talk more about that for sure. But um, so we'll break down budget, we'll help booking with like a specific amount of vendors rather than your entire vendor list. We do matchmaking for a specific amount. So we'll walk them through that process for those specific vendors. Um, so it's just a little more upfront, and then we'll send them checklists throughout their planning to make sure they're staying on task for that month and all those things. So it's not full on like we're holding your hand through the entire process, but we're at least giving you a little more support.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, like every once in a while you're checking in. Like, are we on track for this stuff?

SPEAKER_02:

Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Maybe a little bit more, like you said, more front-end support.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, do you think that there's like a a good fit for couples in those three buckets? Like, is there a type of couple that like would thrive with the day of coordination, a type of couple that would thrive with that like partial planning, and a type of couple that's like, no, we need we want the full thing.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. So for day of coordination, anybody that is really excited about, well, first of all, just anybody, but also anyone that's really excited about like the planning process and they want to be really involved, they want to be hands-on, they want to do the research. Like maybe they're super type A. So they're like really organized and all that stuff. Like they're great for day of coordination. Um, partial planning, I'd say if you're excited, but you need help, like you're you're nervous or a little anxious about really diving into the planning process, you have no idea what you're doing, and you have the the budget to kind of bring someone on to give you more help. Um, and then full planning, if you're like, yeah, this is great, but like I'm so busy and I don't really want to do any of this. And like I didn't have a Pinterest board in 2010 with my future wedding on it, you know, that kind of thing. If you're just like, I want to have the wedding and that's it. So that would be more of a full planning.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, no, that gives that gives me a great picture. And hopefully people listening are getting a good picture of like what bucket they might fit in if they're a couple that's planning their wedding. And to like like what you're saying, might depend on budget as well.

SPEAKER_02:

It does, just like any vendor.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, which is totally valid. And um tell me too if you want to jump. I I don't want to not talk about like the the event rental side of things too. But I feel like we've gone down this path. Planning, and I'm just like, I'm like, I'm eating all this, there's so many things.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, but I I feel like you know, couples that are listening or even other vendors might have a better idea of like what these three buckets are. Um are couples reaching out and they they know what they want, or are they reaching out and and like help us figure out what works? Like what's that process look like for you?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So there are some venues around here that require a day of coordination at minimum. Gotcha. Which, in my opinion, is very smart because again, it helps the venue focus on what the venue is doing and and what they can do best.

SPEAKER_00:

I feel like it almost makes them look a little better too.

SPEAKER_02:

It does. And they don't have to do a lot of the work on like questions that they would be getting from their clientele, you know? So it's there's venues that require it. And so if it's a venue that requires it, the couple comes and they're usually like, we want day of coordination. Yeah, because they they needed it.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

So that's a lot. And then you will get the the couples that are like, we're interested in partial and or full, like we we kind of want to understand the difference, that kind of thing. And that's when I talk to them about like what their specific needs are, like if they've booked any vendors yet, what their budget is, what their guest count is, that all that kind of stuff to kind of help them find the right, the right package.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. So you're kind of walking through a little bit of like, let's find the best fit for you. Outside of maybe the ones that are just coming through, like, hey, we need this.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Base service.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. Which, hey, if you I mean, happy that you need the base service because everybody does really.

SPEAKER_00:

So no, and we've worked with a lot of photographers who end up doing some of that job. Not the setup or or all of the communication. The wrangling. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I I know it it's helpful to have someone there in your corner, getting everything running smoothly so you don't have to worry about it. You're not like, what's next? Am I missing something? Where are we supposed to be?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Are we late? Yeah. Are we early?

SPEAKER_02:

It's hard for your photographer or videographer or DJ to like focus on what they're doing if they're like, well, it what time's cake cutting? Or do are speeches happening? Is dad even here? Like that all that stuff, you know? So it's like having somebody to be able to do all that for the vendors and work as a team is just like, it's priceless, honestly. It's really helpful.

SPEAKER_00:

So um, you started the planning business first. Yes. Off the back of doing a little bit of planning under the wing of maybe a venue or someone else. Yeah. Okay. How do you go from that to then picking up treasured events, which is a rental company? I mean, it makes sense, but like how do you how do you kind of meander that way? Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. Um, so like full transparency. My husband and I, so my husband's a small business owner as well.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh, awesome.

SPEAKER_02:

And he is also in the Army National Guard and he was going on a deployment. And before that, he worked for the state in the Department of Environmental Protection. So this is a lot of background. But he did that. He was going on a deployment and he wasn't sure he wanted to go back to the DEP after he got back. And we were like, okay, well, what can we do here to increase our income in the streams that we already have?

SPEAKER_01:

Right.

SPEAKER_02:

And planning's tough because if you only have one person, you can only do so many weddings. And it's hard to do triple headers when your days are 14 hours, you know? So you can only make so much, or you really need to find good people that are that have the same values and and priorities and stuff that you have.

SPEAKER_00:

I will say it is hard to find those people. It is. It's very hard.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, especially because as a business owner, you're really passionate about what you do in your business, but it's hard to find people that share that passion if it's not their own. Yeah, about your business. Exactly. So so it's just tough. And and I will say that I have found some wonderful ladies that I have grown our spruce team now, and they are absolutely amazing. But at the time, it's just like, okay, well, how can I expand this? Like, how can I, how can we make more for our family?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And so we were brainstorming a couple of different ideas because he was going to venture into small business ownership after he got back from his deployment. And so we looked at rental companies and we were like, well, this fits really well with what I already do. And it's something that I have knowledge in and that it would just kind of be a perfect puzzle piece, you know? So I actually cold emailed the previous email or previous owner, excuse me, of treasured events. And I've I worked with her in the past. So like I knew who she was and everything. It wasn't super random. But uh, I just said, hey, like if you're interested in selling, like let us know at any point because I would be interested in purchasing. And for her, she was like, This is actually an answer to prayer. Like I have been looking for somebody, but nobody felt like it was the right fit. And for her, it was like her baby. So she she started it, you know, and she wanted it to go to someone that she trusted. And so yeah, after some like back and forth and whatnot, it happened. And we per or I purchased it, and yeah, so I was fine.

SPEAKER_00:

It's it's funny to me because I feel like maybe funny is not the right word, but I feel like a lot of wedding vendors don't have like the entrepreneurial spirit about it. More so it's like a weekend warrior, just scrape them by, right? And you're over here just buying businesses. Like it's kind of a boss move.

SPEAKER_03:

Well, thank you. I appreciate that. Sometimes I'm like, oh my god, I can't believe it that what did we do?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, yeah. But um I my mom is a business owner, and now like my husband has the same. It's just like running in the family. It is, and it's easier to do it when you have people in your corner that like because to be quite honest, I am very risk adverse, like, which does not match up with business ownership. So, like, but my husband is like he's a risk taker, so we kind of balance each other out, and he gives me like the knowledge. Not I mean, I have the knowledge of the industry, but like he helps a lot with like the business side of things and like explains like why the risk is able to be taken and like like that kind of stuff.

SPEAKER_00:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02:

So it that it's helpful.

SPEAKER_00:

I will say, man, if you have someone in your corner, like it's same thing with me, with my wife, she's like championing all of that. Like, this is a new venture for us, yeah, doing this podcast, and she's like helping me with spreadsheets, messaging vendors, and like it's if you have someone like that, it just changes the whole game.

SPEAKER_03:

It does, it does.

SPEAKER_00:

Because you're going at it and you're like, no, I can do this, like I got this, right?

SPEAKER_02:

And sometimes you need somebody to remind you that you can do it, you know, you know, so um, yeah, it's that's kind of how we we've I I got into the rental side of things, but so on the rental side, um when people are reaching out, are they reaching out and like, hey, do you have a cute couch?

SPEAKER_00:

Or hey, we have this idea, what do you have? Or they're like, Hey, we want this and this and this and this, tables, chairs, all this like like what are they reaching out and asking?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, it's so funny because a lot of our inquiries, you'll have some that they're like, I want this one piece. But then there's also some that are just like, this is my venue, and that's it. Like, and then like they don't know. This is where we're gonna go in. Yeah. So we have a website that you can submit a wish list on it. So that's typically the starting point that we'll tell our couples like it's non-committal. Just go on there, like choose things that you like or that you might be interested in. We'll let you know if it's available and the pricing and everything. And then I hop on a decor call with them. So then I actually like walk them through ceremony, cocktail hour reception. Like these are the things that you need, whether we provide it or you provide it, which is where the planning side comes in to help a lot.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Just because I have the experience of how a wedding runs and like how it runs smoothly and why it runs smoothly. So I can kind of bring that knowledge and experience into the rental side and make suggestions from there.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, because you're not just saying like this is a cute couch. You're saying like the flow of the day, it'll be a nice spot for them to sit. Is it functional?

SPEAKER_02:

Where's grandma gonna sit during this part or whatever? You know, it's a good photo op, that kind of stuff. So yeah, yeah, it's helpful to have the planning side.

SPEAKER_00:

That's really cool. And uh, the website just sounds like a dream for couples. They're like, just I like this, I like that, I like this. And you're like, cool, we have all of that. Yeah, or we have none of that. Right. It costs this much. Like there's just like a transparency there. Yeah, I would assume is pretty helpful for couples that are reaching out.

SPEAKER_02:

I think it it is, and sometimes it can be overwhelming, which is why I love to hop on a decor call with them because a lot of couples, they just like, and I'm sure in your like your side of the industry too, they just don't know what they don't know. And so it's they don't know how many candles should go on a table. They don't know, like uh just I don't know, the most general things that it's the first time they're doing it. And so I just really love to hop on a conversation and be able to explain why things work or why things don't work, or why they don't need 17 candles on a table and like sex will be fine. And you know, that builds trust with my clientele too, because I want that I want their wedding to look the way they want it to with the budget they have and work in terms of their guests too. Like you're you're a host on your wedding day, you are a host. And even though you should focus on your marriage and your love for your significant other, like you're still hosting a lot of people. You're throwing a big party, yeah. Yeah, and so like you want those people to be comfortable, yeah. And and you want your event to flow well, so it's nice to always like talk to them and explain decor too.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and I I'm I am right with you because we do our discovery calls, and I almost right away, I'm like, even if you don't book with us, I want you to know more about wedding video, I want you to have answers to questions you didn't know you had. Yeah, because same thing with you with the planning and the rentals, like they've never done this before. Exactly. If they might have hired a photographer before, but they've probably never hired a videographer, nor do they maybe know what they want, or maybe they do have an idea, right? But they don't know what the different things are and and why people offer things this way or that way.

SPEAKER_02:

And then they can make a more informed decision with the people that they're interviewing.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and you're positioning yourself as a vendor, as more of the experienced, 100% knowledge-driven person that they can look to and be like, Well, that makes a lot of sense. I think that's a good thing. Exactly. And think about that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, you're building the trust.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, when you're working with people, I I guess you have kind of like two buckets. So you can pick a bucket or talk about both because you have like the rentals and the planning. But when you're working with people, um, I mean, a lot of wedding vendors, it's it's so much like back and forth communication, people, stuff. What do you want people to feel when they're working with you? Like, what do you want them to experience as you're kind of walking alongside this huge day that they're planning?

SPEAKER_02:

I feel like for both, I want my couples to feel supported and heard, but also educated, you know, which we were we were kind of just talking about. Like I really want them to feel like, okay, she's hearing what I want, she's hearing my desires and my priorities, but then she's going to explain how we can make that work in in some capacity or why some things might not work. And then I also just want them to feel like the general sense of hospitality. You know, I want them to feel excited to talk to me and know that I'm excited for them and that they just are this is a really special moment, and that they know that I'm in their corner and I'm cheering them on and we're gonna make it happen in the best way we possibly can, and that they just feel really good about the money they've spent on our service.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I'm I'm hearing like couples are heard and taken care of. And in that, they're experiencing their day better, they're relying on you to walk beside them and have all the answers.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

No, I love that. Is there is there like an approach that you have that you feel like kind of sets you apart or that's different than other vendors in your same sort of category?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. Um we kind of touched on it in the rental aspect of just having the planning background for rentals is just a game changer in my eyes. So there, I mean, there's a lot of rental companies out there and they do a wonderful job, but they don't necessarily have like the full day experience of what happens at a wedding. So, in terms of rentals, I think that's a really uh a different approach in the past. I'd have to agree.

SPEAKER_00:

I'd have to agree. It just in my mind, it just makes sense.

SPEAKER_02:

You knowing so much about a wedding day and how it actually goes, to then be like things can be repurposed, why they can make it, all that kind of stuff, who's gonna do it, that that kind of thing.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, who's gonna move that cute cow?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, exactly. Um, and then in terms of the spruce side, this is a core company value for us, but it it leans into treasured events as well. Just being proactive is so important to me. And it's something that I've really pushed on my other leads as well. Because you if you know what questions to ask, if you get the right information ahead of time, if you explain things ahead of time, if you tell your couples what to tell their families and their wedding party, if you do all that ahead of time, the day itself is gonna go so much smoother. And then you're in control of the events and you're not reacting to what's happening that day. Like we don't wanna be reactive, we wanna be proactive. And so I I'd say in terms of planning, the ex it comes with experience and the experience we have, and we're learning every day. You know, every wedding can teach you something of, okay, well, I should have asked this question from this vendor or whatever. You always learn, but the more experience you have in that, it's like, okay, well, now it's in my timeline of like, who's doing the mics at ceremony? Is prelude starting at this time? Like, did you confirm that with the entertainment? And like, are there any readers? Because the officiant's gonna ask me when I thought they knew, you know? So, like, and that all comes with experience. So at this point, we just know what to ask. And I think that sets us apart from some other companies.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I'd have to agree. And I I just feel like the the almost overcommunicating, like everyone, if everyone's on the same page from day one, like we the whole thing could just run. So if there is a hiccup, we're all on it together. Yeah, as opposed to like, oh, I thought you had that and you don't uh what do we do?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, exactly. They're just being proactive, you know?

SPEAKER_00:

No, I love that. Yeah, so it's such a I mean, it's probably good advice for any vendor, yeah, too. Yeah, um, not just like planning like what you guys are doing. Um, has your business sort of been the same over the years, or is it kind of evolved? I know you have team, a team now, but has it kind of like evolved in any other way over the years?

SPEAKER_02:

I'd say we've honed our skills more uh on the planning side, but the heart of it has remained the same. You know, we really want to serve couples to the best of our ability and just make sure that we're there for not only the couple, but for the vendors as well, and that people just feel really supported. So I think the heart of the company has really stayed the same, but we've learned how to do that better. So some of our offerings might have switched a little bit. Um, in terms of the the rental side of things, the company honestly was really started as a hobby. Like it the previous owner collected pieces for her daughter's wedding. And she was like, hey, like this actually could make some money, and I really enjoy doing it. And so she she started doing it and it just grew and grew and grew. And she so she got more clients and more clients. But as a business owner, I'm sure you understand that like it's hard to then put systems in place. One thing's exactly a snowball now, like we're rolling, you know? And so that's kind of something that we're working on now is putting better systems in place so that it's run more like a business and not so manually. Um, so that's that's something that we're continuing to evolve. I wouldn't say that it's fully evolved, but we're we're working on that.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. How do you how do you manage the systems? Like you're you're putting systems in um like when you got it, not that it wasn't a good business, but it just it was sort of all over the map, it sounds like.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

What's that process look like if you could speak to other vendors who maybe don't have the systems, maybe heard the idea of like systems? Yeah. Like, what does that look like to develop something that works as a business system?

SPEAKER_02:

Right. Um, it's tough. I would say, especially like when you're in it, you know, they we always say, like, oh, there's an on-season and an off-season, which in terms of events there are, but the off-season is just as busy with like booking and meetings and all that kind of stuff. So even though you're not doing weekend events, oh, okay. So instead of working seven days a week, we're working five days a week kind of situation. Um, so it's tough to really prioritize that, but that's something that needs to be done in order, and it's something I struggle with as a business owner myself is that I need to prioritize putting these systems in place because the business isn't gonna grow if I don't.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And that's that's the short of it, I guess, you know, is just prioritizing it and making the time because you're never gonna find the time because there's never extra time, you know.

SPEAKER_00:

You just always something you can be doing.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, it always. And so you you gotta prioritize it. And so we're that's something I'm I'm working on actively, you know. I'm not, I'm certainly not perfect at it.

SPEAKER_00:

And so I'm actively trying to it seems like you have some concept though from the planning side. So maybe not starting from nothing, right, but it's still a process and it's a different business. So the systems are gonna be slightly different.

SPEAKER_02:

And it's nice too because really for treasured events, we're trying to put more of like a software in place now. But in order to do that, we have to upload all the measurements, the pictures, the descriptions, that like everything, you know? So it's a it's a lot to get it up and running. But going more on the planning side, like I'm a very type A organized person. So like even though a lot of our current systems or past systems are manual, I'm really organized. So I'm really good at keeping it like together, but it's gonna be so much easier once that like automatic systems.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and if you're not a type A person, get some systems. Yeah, you need them.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, because it's only gonna end up in a bad experience for your client eventually.

SPEAKER_00:

And then Which is the worst outcome.

SPEAKER_02:

Exactly. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

It's the worst outcome. You could have, you know, this thing didn't work super well, or I could have done this a little bit better. But if your couple is feeling it, exactly.

SPEAKER_02:

And that goes for type A people too, you know? Like if you don't put your systems in place, like there's gonna be at some point that the manual didn't work, you know.

SPEAKER_00:

Um is there something that you wish couples knew before hiring you guys or someone like like a planner or a um a rental house?

SPEAKER_02:

I would say honestly, in both terms, like, but especially planning, like we are worth the money, you know, because that's that's something that is kind of hard to convince people because we're not pretty photos, we're not a floral arrangement, you know, you're not taking anything home, not you're not getting like you're not seeing anything really at your wedding. And so it's not, it's almost like transportation, it's not fun money to spend, but it's money you should spend.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and then once you get from point A to point B on time, you're like that.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, I'm glad I did that. Glad I did that, you know? And the number of times we hear after the fact, you're worth your weight in gold, you're the best money we've ever spent. Like we hear it all the time, but it's always after the fact, yeah, which is just tough because a lot of our clients, unless they have siblings and stuff, they're not a repeat client. Yeah. So if I could just bottle that energy and like give it to people that are searching or starting their wedding planning journey, that would be so.

SPEAKER_00:

Because they don't know until they have their wedding day that, oh wow, if I would have had a planner or a day of coordinator or a partial planner, a lot of this stuff wouldn't be coming to my phone for answers.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, and a lot of people that again, they only hopefully do it once. And so, like, your experience is your experience. So, like you either booked a planner and you're gonna have a great experience if it's a reputable planner, or you're gonna not book a planner and your experience is still gonna be your wedding day. So, like, hopefully you still look on that fondly.

SPEAKER_00:

It could be amazing.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, nothing could go wrong, it could have been better. Yeah, like it could have, it could have been more relaxing.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, so yeah, what's the what's the elevator pitch for a couple that's like, do we even need that? Yeah, because we have I will, I'm, I'm with you because photo is a guarantee. Everyone gets a photographer. Yeah, not everyone gets a videographer. Yeah, I wish they would all get a videographer, but they don't all get a videographer. To the point where like some of my photo friends, half their weddings, if not more, there's not a videographer there. I'm like, guys, you don't need to book me, but please get a videographer. Yeah, please. What's the elevator pitch for a couple that's like, do we even need this service? What's in it for us?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. I would say there's a few questions in there for the couple. Like one, who's setting everything up? And if it's your, if it's the venue coordinator, are what are their responsibilities? Get a list of their responsibilities. You know, do you want Aunt Susie to have to worry about setting things up? Who's packing the car at the end of the night? Are you getting off the dance floor and blowing out all your candles and loading them and putting them in a business?

SPEAKER_00:

This is stressing me out. Like I want to plant around.

SPEAKER_02:

It's like it's it's just, and they don't know. You know, they just simply don't know. So I really, and that's a kind of intense elevator pitch. So it would, I would more so say just look, think of your day and think of how you want it to go and how you want it to run and who's in charge of all that? Who's in charge of how it's running? Because your DJ is gonna or your band's gonna be in charge of the music, your photographer is in charge of their pictures, you're in charge of getting married, you know. So who's in charge of making sure that all those people are working together and everybody's where they need to be and when? And if you don't want it to be you, your family, or one of your other vendors taking away from their talents and their priorities, then who is it? That it should be us.

SPEAKER_00:

That's perfect.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you. I came up with it right now.

SPEAKER_00:

No, it's it's a great, it's a great starting point because there might be couples out there that are like, yeah, I want it to be me.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Don't get a planner.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, there you go.

SPEAKER_00:

If you don't want it to be you, get a planner.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, it was pretty straightforward.

SPEAKER_00:

I know there's budget and all that kind of stuff.

SPEAKER_02:

100%.

SPEAKER_00:

But it if you don't want it to be on you, and we've been at I've been at weddings where it's been on the couple, they've been like answering questions all morning, super stressed out. It's like you shouldn't. I'm like, put your phone away.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, someone else will figure it out. Don't worry about it.

SPEAKER_00:

In that point, she needed to answer some questions. But still, still like you're you're stressed out getting your hair done. You should be like enjoying it, hanging out with your girls, like and unfortunately at that point it's too late.

SPEAKER_02:

It is too late, you know.

SPEAKER_00:

But but it's a great starting point though.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Who is gonna handle fill in the blank? Yes, and if you don't want it to be you, then then look into some sort of planning coordination service of some kind.

SPEAKER_02:

And I I would say, kind of backing up to your question on the rental side, of what I hope that couples understand or would know before booking is that it's so much easier to rent for so many reasons. One, it's better for the environment, which is just a plus. It's not easier on your day, but it's better for the environment. Two, you don't have to buy everything and store it somewhere. You don't have to pack it up. Yeah, you don't have to repack it. You don't have to keep it in your basement or your garage where it's just gonna get filled with bugs. And then the person that you're trying to send it to on Facebook Marketplace is just like, what happened here? You know, it's just you don't have to worry about who's setting it up because we're setting it up. You know, if if you don't have a planner, then if you are providing your own decor, somebody has to set it up. So who's doing that? If you rent, the rental company does it, you know? So well, most do, or some do. I shouldn't say all, but um, we do. So it's just renting, it takes so much stress, and you're working with a professional to hone in your aesthetic too. Like you're not having to figure out how many candles you need or where this lounge should go or where how what signage do you need, you know, you're working with a professional that will tell you all of that. And so I I just like it's hard to recreate a Pinterest picture, you know, and a lot of Pinterest pictures aren't necessarily reality, they're staged.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. So it's just for sure. I I have a lot of thoughts on that. Yeah. But it's it's very difficult, I feel like, for couples to take in what other people are putting out there because it could be a styled shoot with all of the best stuff, yeah, the best lighting, the best timing.

SPEAKER_02:

For 25 people, not 180.

SPEAKER_00:

Right. And it's just um take that inspiration, yeah, find someone like Taylor and you can just make it your own and figure out what's actually gonna work, especially the venue, too. I just feel like sometimes I see couples have inspiration, and I'm like, that's like a fancy New York hotel, and we have a place like the Barnett Silverstone.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

It's just different stone and history, yeah, a little bit of outdoors, but they're they're not one's not better or worse, but like take your inspiration for something that looks like where you're actually booking or or want to book.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So I feel like you're probably probably getting a better end product based off of where you started and expectations.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Um I gotta know, are there trends that you're like loving? It I mean, I don't know if 2025 brought them or if 2024 brought them, but like what trends are you like? I can't get enough of this.

SPEAKER_02:

I love the pillars and columns for ceremony with like big baskets of florals. That is something, and I love it for multiple reasons. One, you can repurpose it because it's pieces, you know, you can easily move them. If it's a big arbor, that's really hard to repurpose. Or if you're cutting florals off of said arbor and you're moving it to your sweetheart table, well, how many stems dropped on our way there, you know? So it's something that's it looks stunning and it's easy to repurpose. So I am loving that trend. That's one of my favorites. I'm also loving group entrances or introductions over pairs.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh my goodness. We don't need the awkward pairs. It's literally the best thing. Yeah. I don't even know. We were at a wedding and they all came in together, and I was like, that was amazing. Who decided that?

SPEAKER_02:

It's so much more fun.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Everyone comes in, it's a big thing. They do a fun, big thing all together. Yes. And then it's like we get right to the couple, they get this big moment, everyone's out on the dance floor. Fantastic. Yep.

SPEAKER_02:

Let's continue that. Yeah, that's a trend I love.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Keep it up.

SPEAKER_00:

So fun. Is there ones that you're like, that can hit the road? Let's not do that anymore. There's maybe there's a hot take in there.

SPEAKER_02:

There is one hot take in there. The other one, this might be a hot take too, honestly. And it's not a trend I want to leave, it's a trend I want to come back, is the tiered wedding cake. I love a tiered wedding cake. I think it's a piece of decor. I think it's beautiful. I like the the tradition behind it of cutting in. And um, I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm a huge sweets person. So the mini desserts or the ice cream car or whatever it is.

SPEAKER_00:

Go find me over at the dessert table as well.

SPEAKER_02:

Right. Like that's I love it all, but I do, I think it's just, I love the the look of it. I think it's really impressive and I think it's fun. And I do, I will say that I think people eat cake at weddings. So most people don't think they do, but I would say that they do.

SPEAKER_00:

I I eat cake at weddings.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, exactly. Same. So that's one I'd like to come back. One that might be a hot take for couples specifically, and I'm sure this came from TikTok, is the private last dance.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh.

SPEAKER_02:

I the reason I don't like it is because it takes forever to actually start it because your guests are just lingering.

SPEAKER_00:

It does.

SPEAKER_02:

Or if you're doing a special exit, so say you're doing a sparkler exit. Well, you had your guests that are rule followers, and once the music cut off, they head out and they get their sparkler. Then you have the guests that are just putting around in the reception space. So the guests that listen have been standing out there for 15 minutes plus before this private dance is even over. And it's just you're a host, you know? And and I get it, it's a moment that you want to have together and you want to be together. Do your sparkler exit and come back in if you're if your reception will allow it. The other thing that that's that's gonna be difficult because your caterers are gonna start cleaning up immediately.

SPEAKER_00:

But if they haven't already, yeah, exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_02:

So I mean it should be pre-communicated, like, hey, just leave the space for a second. Um, and that's something that should be fine. But yeah, it's it that just gets me.

SPEAKER_00:

It's it's tough because it seems like such a sweet moment.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

And obviously, I want every chance for them to be together without the commotion.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes.

SPEAKER_00:

But it is very difficult because you're shooing people out. It feels like half the people don't listen, like you said.

SPEAKER_02:

It's never as private as you want it to be. I would say a great place to do it would be if you do a room reveal and it's before the guests come up and you just like you have your moment then. I always, always, always suggest for couples to take a moment alone after their ceremony as well. Just to breathe and talk to each other and be like, oh my gosh, we just got married, you know, have have a drink, have some more derbs before you had to cocktail hour. So you're actually eating something. You know, I'm definitely a proponent of being with your spouse on your wedding. Yeah, as much as possible. Yes. I am just the private last dance. It's uh it's a hot take, but I'm not a fan.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I, you know, I might agree with that hot take.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you. I will say I'll support it. If they really want it, I'll support it. But yeah, wouldn't recommend.

SPEAKER_00:

It's the logistics, though. It is more than anything else. The moment is fine.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes.

SPEAKER_00:

But love the moment.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes. It makes uh of course, it's romantic.

SPEAKER_00:

I was at one where I was second shooting and the DJ was like, get off the dance boy. Over and over. Get out of the tent. I'm like, you really want to setting the scene. Yeah. Okay, now play a nice play a nice song.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, exactly. The lights are up, the caters are actively clearing things. Like it's just like cool.

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

The one the one caterer person like walked behind the one show, it's like a whole thing.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. And even to get even to get your guests out, like lights have to come up, or else they're like the ambiance is just too good, you know? They don't want to leave. So, like, yeah, it's just they're logistically, it's not stuff.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Where do you see from your planner event rental scope? Where do you see the industry heading? Do you feel like it's going a direction? Do you feel like it's hit somewhere and it's just gonna like chill for a bit? Yeah. Like, where do you see the industry going?

SPEAKER_02:

I kind of hope that it chills for a bit with like the direction it's going because I do feel like we're in a decent spot of like people want to have weddings, you know. I do think that social media has a lot to do with the trends and like what people envision for their wedding.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And because I do we got to like a maximalist area and like the biggest, the best, the most. Like, I want all the florals, I want, I want the band, I want, you know, like we got to a place where it people wanted everything, but then you gotta realize that budgets don't extend that far all the time. But I kind of I hope that it just kind of levels out right now, and it's like people still want to throw that party and celebrate that really special moment and and have the the cool decor and the and the nice things within their budget.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Um I I mean, I'm sure you've noticed too, there's been a lot of weddings that have gone abroad. So I think that's a popular thing right now. I don't know if that's gonna continue or not, but um, yeah, I think social media just has a lot to do with influence.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, it's all the influence.

SPEAKER_02:

100%.

SPEAKER_00:

And it's all the best of all the stuff.

SPEAKER_02:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

It's very difficult to compete.

SPEAKER_02:

It is, especially when you see so many people doing these different things. But just like you said, it's a snapshot, just like any social media platform, you know.

SPEAKER_00:

Which is true for all yeah, all of the highlights.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, life, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Don't compete with the highlights. No, no, if anything, don't compete with the highlights. Um when you're when you're working on the wedding day as a planner, you're like you're the central piece to maybe five, six, seven different vendors, maybe eight.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Like what's that what's that relationship look like? How does it go well? How does it not go well?

SPEAKER_02:

Like what's that, what's that kind of we are big overcommunicators. So like in the beginning, I and my team, like we overcommunicate before the wedding day. And then when we're there, we work with a lot of vendors that like we trust, you know, so we know that they're gonna do their job well, but we still over-communicate with them. And I pride our team on being team players. Like, I will work with anybody, you know, and especially if you are good at what you do and you care about what you do and you care about the couple, then like I can work with you. Like, we can be a team player. It's when vendors are a little more selfish in terms of what they offer or they don't think that the they need to a planner there or they need to listen to whatever. Cause there, I mean, there's DJs or bands that'll just like go off kilter and like not like listen to the timeline. It's like, okay, well, mom wasn't in here for that speech that she really wanted to see, or what like we're we're trying to help, we're not trying to be a pain. And so if if the team is open to collaboration and working together and really just being as hospitable as we possibly can and making the event go on without a hitch, then like that's the team that we can really we love to work with. We'll work with anyone though. Yeah, like we'll get it done. We kind of have to with some of those. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So I but that's that's the ideal, is it is yeah, it's it's a great starting point because I've been to some weddings where I'm like, do you wanna be here? Right, yeah. Like, do you care about them? Like right. I was literally I was second shooting photo and uh it this sticks out like a sore thumb. The videographer didn't go out for the sunset session.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay. And I was like, why? You're here.

SPEAKER_00:

You you're just gonna sit on the couch. Right. Like we were all just sitting and and finishing eating. We were done, we had plenty of time to eat. But it's like if you're all starting from a place that we care about the couple, right? We want them the best for them.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, you care about your service.

SPEAKER_00:

And we're believing the best in everyone around us, over-communicating, boom, dream team.

SPEAKER_02:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

It could be anyone, it could be someone you never worked with before or someone you've done 25 weddings with.

SPEAKER_02:

100%. And it's that collaboration, you know, like every vendor is important on that day. Like every no vendor is more important than another vendor. And so it's that's what I just would want to like hammer in is that if we work together and we realize that we're all there for the same purpose and that all of us are important, then we can really collaborate and make something magical happen.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Are there red flags? Because you hire vendors as a planner.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

On the like more full service planning side of things. Are there red flags that you've noticed over the years where you're like, ooh, if a vendor says that, like run the other direction? Is there like maybe some of it's hot takes, maybe it's just like experience, but like like what kind of red flags are there for vendors?

SPEAKER_02:

I would say, especially for couples, it's gonna be hard to spot red flags, you know, especially if you don't know. It goes back to knowing what questions to ask. And I think the main red flag would be if they can't answer your questions or they dodge questions or they kind of tiptoe around what you were asking. Um that to me is would stand out as a okay, well, they're not really sure what their service is, or or they're overpromising, or they're trying not to tell you what they do because something's fishy. Yeah, exactly. So I would say that's why it's great again to have somebody in your corner that knows the network and can recommend the right vendors for you in the area that they trust and that are within your budget, but otherwise it's just knowing what to ask so you can see how it's responded to.

SPEAKER_00:

I always feel like when we get an inquiry from a couple that we just loved, that new inquiry from that vendor or from the couple referral is generally like right in the same ballpark of like ideal couple for us.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

And so you're starting from a place of like having ideal vendors being like, hey, couple, yeah, these are the people that you wanna you wanna work with.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

And I would imagine you're putting together dream teams all the time. Yeah, just because they're trusting you, yeah, for the couple.

SPEAKER_02:

You know, we do work with people, we work with repeople, repeat people all the time, but one dream team for one couple isn't gonna be the same for another couple, and so we have a wider network where we can put together a dream team that it's gonna suit what that couple needs to be.

SPEAKER_00:

It's not just like you're hiring all your friends or something. Exactly. You're like, no, this actually, this photographer is right in line with what you're looking for, experience and product, boom. Yes, exactly. Yeah, um budget. Oh budget. I I know it's like a like taboo. It's a little taboo sometimes, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Like, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

It's tough as a vendor because when couples originally reach out, they're generally wondering how much it costs.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

For me, I'm like, oh, but I want to tell you more about it. Right. Why does it and tell you how much it costs? I don't want to not tell you how much it costs.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

So if you reach out and I'm not like, hey, it costs this much, it's not because I don't want you to know. Right. I just want you to have the context for why we're here in this specific place in the market.

SPEAKER_03:

Right.

SPEAKER_00:

Do you have like advice for couples? Like, how do you manage a budget? Where do you start? Do you just like pick a number that you want to stick to and then fit everything into it, or do you find vendors and and allocate money for the ones that you're super excited about and kind of like on the other ones? Like, where do you where do you go as a starting point?

SPEAKER_02:

Budget's tough, and and it's different for every person, you know, because every couple's situation is different, you know. Some couples are fully self-funding their wedding, some have just one set of parents paying for it, some have both sets of parents chipping in. So it it's really couple dependent, but you really need to sit down and think about what you can actually allocate to everything. And that's like including invitations, that's including your dress and suit or tucks or and like it's including your rehearsal dinner potentially, you know, or maybe one set of parent as traditionally would take that.

SPEAKER_00:

You know, but maybe it's not like you need the big number, exactly the big big number.

SPEAKER_02:

You need that number, and then you need to do your research before booking anybody, you know, because some venues provide catering, some venues don't provide catering. If you have 200 people versus 50 people or like 150 people, the saving and catering alone is just it's a lot. It's thousands, you know? So it's just like, and you can't and as you as a couple, you really want to think about that. You really want to think, okay, well, do I want a ginormous wedding with maybe not as high-end or all of the bells and whistles? Or do I want us a more intimate wedding and do I want it to be a little more decor? Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

Maybe a better photographer, better, better Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

Add the videographer. You know, do you do you want more stations? Do you want to offer beef instead of chicken and fish? You know, like what are your priorities? What do you really want? And then you you really need to break down those numbers and see where you can spend because I I have a couple right now and like I love them. And the number that they gave me, I'm like, that's a healthy number. Well, then I found out that that number also includes the entire weekend and they want an after party, they want a welcome party, they want all this other thing, all these other things. Well, they also want 200 people there. So that budget gets really small really quick.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And and when they came to me, they already had booked a photographer that's one of the pricier photographers. They already committed to this and that, you know. So, and they came to me and they were like, we were between partial and full. And I was very blunt with them and said, your guest count on your budget, I don't think you should do full. You like it's gonna, you can spend that money elsewhere. And I'm taking away my own business, you know, like I could make more money off of this couple, but then they're not getting what they actually want. And so, and it's hard for couples to break that down because they, again, they just don't know what they don't know. So if you have a planner that can break it down for you and be like realistically, this is what things will cost at this tier, at this tier, it's it puts things into perspective and then they know what they can spend where, which or they know how to align their priorities, you know?

SPEAKER_00:

It's expectations.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes.

SPEAKER_00:

If you come into it and you are truthful and honest, because we don't want anyone going into debt over a wedding.

SPEAKER_01:

No.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, if you're truthful and honest about where you're starting, what I'm hearing from you is you're gonna get a clear picture of what can go where.

SPEAKER_03:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

Is there like a bucket that you feel like is let's fill this first? Is it like a like do we just go, what are we spending on our venue? What are we spending on food? Like or is it maybe couples are different?

SPEAKER_02:

There's definitely vendors that we suggest booking first. And there's some there's vendors that like it it's gonna be like it's gonna be a big chunk. Like catering is going to be a big chunk of your budget just because you have to feed your people. And so there's certain there's certain vendors that are going to be larger chunks. And you want to make sure that you're not booking vendors that are going to wipe away 80% of your budget and then all these other vendors you don't have any money for scrounging to find just someone that fits. So it's kind of you kind of almost have to do it in tandem or have someone in your corner that knows what you can spend where, you know, and it like it goes back to priorities too, you know, if if you really really want a band and you don't want a DJ then unfortunately you might not be able to have like a huge floral installation or you might not be able to have the drapery or or the as much as I hate to say it, the videographer. You know, like where are your priorities and how can we allocate because of those priorities?

SPEAKER_00:

I did music before I did this and I wanted a band so bad. I was like oh my gosh this is so cool. Yeah like the vibes. Live music oh my gosh I was like obviously supporting live music was important too in that thought process. And then I looked at the price and I was like well that's what we want to spend for our whole wedding.

SPEAKER_03:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

Which is fine. Everyone can have their own budget. Yes. But to your point we looked at it and we said we'd rather not double our budget.

SPEAKER_03:

Yep.

SPEAKER_00:

And we just made that decision and had a friend DJ for us for free.

SPEAKER_02:

Which is perfect. And that's the most responsible way to go about it too and to keep in line with what you want but also what you can spend. You have to be realistic about it.

SPEAKER_00:

So it seems like list out the priorities what's most exciting for you in terms of a vendor category. Maybe it's a band maybe it's a photographer maybe it's a specific photographer. Exactly and then look at the numbers and see how is this all gonna fit.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

If it's gonna fit awesome if it's not then we need to right if you want this specific photographer then you have to be okay with only offering past hors d'oeuvres or not getting as many florals or like whatever it is if you need that photographer and that's fine if that's what you want to do but just be aware that you have to pull back somewhere potentially or if if you don't more power to you that's great.

SPEAKER_00:

But yeah yeah definitely um is there something that you wish you knew back when you started your original planning business now that you're here.

SPEAKER_02:

So honestly I think that if you go into an industry or a specific business with um it's a passion drive and just like the right reasons. You know if you're going in to really serve and because it's what you love to do and and obviously you want to make money off of it and you want it to be successful. But like you're going in with the right reasons. I think and you're good at what you do you're gonna be fine because if I knew how hard it was I might not have done it. You know like wait a minute what am I doing? I'm like if people are like oh well what would you what do you want to know before you got started I'm like well I'd want to know like how much goes into it but actually maybe I wouldn't want to know that because then who knows if I actually would have done it. So well you wouldn't have known the passion that you have for exactly exactly so it does it 100% takes hard work but if if you're passionate about it and you're driven to do it and you are driven to be good at it then I think that you're you'll be good.

SPEAKER_00:

No I mean that's yeah it it's gonna take work. It is unfortunately sometimes yes takes a lot of work sometimes nonstop um but like you said it's not a bad thing if you're a vendor out there it's not a bad thing to want to make money in your business.

SPEAKER_02:

Not at all.

SPEAKER_00:

And to grow your business to something bigger or charge more or whatever that might be.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes every I mean every industry is like that you know you're you you need to make money to live you need to make money to keep doing it. And so as long as you're not price gouging people and being unfair like you can still charge what you're worth.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah for sure. Is there something that's helped you um in terms of like business growth the most over the years is there like something you do or something you like a mindset that you've had yeah yeah I would say just talking I as a planner I get to be around a lot of vendors which is nice.

SPEAKER_02:

So like being able to just like hear different perspectives and talk to different people is is helpful. But the one if I could recommend a book to anybody in this industry it would be unreasonable hospitality. I don't know if you've read it but it is it is such a good book. It just really kind of brings you back to like what is hospitality and like how can we serve our clients in a way that they're just like almost flabbergasted by how great the experience was they're like wait a minute yeah how wait what exactly like it's it's almost surprising that like they had such a great experience and and I I love that book. I was actually recommended that book by my husband who is not in the hospitality industry.

SPEAKER_00:

Which is hilarious.

SPEAKER_02:

Which it is it's it's a great book for all industries because really it's customer service, you know and customer service is across all industries. So that is an awesome book.

SPEAKER_00:

I mean the book sounds amazing yeah definitely a must read yes would recommend because we're all we're in the hospitality even as a videographer I feel like what I hear more and what I love hearing more from couples is like the experience that they had. Yes. I mean obviously I want to create amazing videos of course yeah but if they had a good time with us on the day I'm like awesome I love the experience um are there other like tools or habits that you have that you know speaking to vendors that help you run your business smoothly um I would say there's a few softwares that I use just to like keep contracting and things like that organized.

SPEAKER_02:

I also very recently started like a calendar that people can log like they I send them a link and they like a time which it sounds like very like amateur to like a lot of vendors I'm sure because they're probably like you just started that but I was recommended that by a couple of other planners that like you're not doing that yet and I'm like no and I don't know why I did it but then I started I'm like oh my gosh this saves on like how many emails of back and forth back and forth I'm just trying to find a time exactly yeah I I love that idea but then my days are just I know that's what I said but you figured it out I you you just like because you can adjust it you know so it and I didn't want to tie myself down like that because my days are different every day but it's it has helped it has helped a lot.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah is there um like a favorite vendor type that as a planner you're like I love this type of vendor like a a category yeah like photographers like I don't know like I don't know if there's a type of vendor you're like oh my gosh I just love when I get a chance to work with I don't I honestly I this is such a boring answer but I really love them all.

SPEAKER_02:

Like I I feel like each vendor really plays a specific role and it's not necessarily about what they do but like how they do it and if they're good at it and if they're a team player. So like it's not no I don't think there's one specific category.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh that's okay I was just curious. If you could swap roles with a vendor that's a good one.

SPEAKER_02:

I would say oh my gosh I have like three answers to this one I would say photographer slash videographer I it's such a talent you know it's an art and it's such a cool thing to know how to do not only for the wedding industry but just like for your life in general like to just be able to pick up a camera and know what to do with it. So that would be awesome. And then also probably a baker for the same reason. Like I think it's cool to just know how to bake and like that's another art of like how to decorate the cakes and all that stuff. And plus both of those vendors typically have a little bit of shorter wedding days than both of my my things but yeah I think either any of those would be a lot of fun I would love to be a DJ.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah and my wife if she hears this she's gonna be like you're silly yeah but I'm like obviously fun I know it'd be so fun to like host that party atmosphere of the night and then like you said you show up when I'm like three and you've done it like 11 and I show up like and I'm usually there for like 12 or 13 hours because we do all day coverage. But I'm like oh man that would be so fun you're just like over there mixing tunes and I don't know.

SPEAKER_02:

I know you're the you're the good time.

SPEAKER_00:

It's literally the good time. Yeah. Um well where can people find your work and follow along with what you're doing with both of your businesses.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah um they both have websites the rental side is treasured events dot com and then the planning side is spruceweddington events.com gotcha and that has all of the information yes couples can contact us right through there I love that.

SPEAKER_00:

Is there anything like coming up that you're excited about or projects that you're working on you're like oh my gosh I'm so pumped for this.

SPEAKER_02:

I would say honestly just like going into the late summer fall season because it's it's about to ramp up again. Can't wait um so that's exciting and then continuing to get our our rental software up and running and have that move in and group in for clients to use I love that Taylor thank you so much for being welcome thank you this is so great I hope that everyone listening if you're a couple or a vendor I mean as a vendor myself I learned a ton from this episode.

SPEAKER_00:

This was so much fun yeah well that's all for this episode um please subscribe uh and and tune in for our next episode we'll catch you next time on the preferred list