The Flourish Foundry Podcast

011: AI Tools vs. the Power of Personal Connection with Ari Hodges

• Abigail Johansson | Women Entrepreneurship Advocate • Episode 11

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0:00 | 46:08

In a world where automation and AI tools are everywhere (yes, even in wedding planning!), there’s still nothing quite like the human touch—and that’s exactly what today’s guest, Ariana Hodges of West Coast Creatives SLC, brings to the table.


Ari is a wedding planner, designer, and all-around creative force who’s known for turning bold, unconventional ideas into effortlessly beautiful events. With a background in graphic design and a passion for helping couples stay grounded during the wedding whirlwind, she knows how to balance logistics with heart—and creativity with calm.


In this episode, we chat about:

  1. The real work wedding planners do behind the scenes (spoiler: it’s not all color palettes and checklists!)
  2. Trendy vs. timeless details—and how to make your wedding stand the test of time
  3. Why human connection will always matter more than automation in a celebration built on love
  4. Navigating family dynamics, stress, and curveballs during wedding season
  5. How to design a celebration that reflects your story, not someone else’s Pinterest board


We also explore what it looks like to protect the personal, meaningful aspects of business and creativity in an age of instant answers, digital shortcuts, and AI-generated everything.


Whether you're planning a wedding, building a creative business, or just craving a reminder that heart-centered work still matters—this one’s for you.


Connect with Ari

Instagram | Website (designed by me!)

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Music: "Great podcast intro (both short and long version included)" by Lundstroem. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

SPEAKER_01

I just love that you still talk to your brides and your clients and like build a relationship with them because I think that is almost a lost art. Like that is customer service in in person and online. That is like slowly dying and is the one thing that's gonna differentiate you in the future. Well, welcome to the Flourish Foundry Podcast. I'm so excited to be having this conversation with you today. At the time that we're recording this, my wedding is three weeks away. So could it be more perfectly timed?

SPEAKER_02

Yes, no, I'm so excited that we're finally able to make time to do this in the midst of your wedding.

SPEAKER_01

I know, so exciting, so exciting. Our paths have crossed in so many weird ways. Yeah. So it's just fun to sit down and have a conversation with you. So go ahead and tell us a little bit about who you are, West Coast Creatives, what you do, how you got started, all those things.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, for sure. So um I'm Ari. I'm the owner of West Coast Creatives, um, a wedding planning business. I also own a couple other businesses, Wicked West Provisions, which is a bartending business. And then recently um I've off-branched a DJ service from my wedding business called Midnight Social, which is so fun.

SPEAKER_00

I love the names.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, which is my husband and my brother-in-law, who have been musicians for over 20 years. Um, they love what I do at weddings. And, you know, with me recently getting married in the last three years, I think just they love weddings now too, and see how fun it is. So they kind of wanted to tag along, and I'm like, okay, great. Like I have the audience for it. I have my clients, so like let's do it. And it's a lot easier when I can help them curate that experience for my couples.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's so cool. Yeah. So how did you start building your audience? How did you because you became a wedding planner after you were a bride, right?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so a little before-ish, kind of. Um, so me and my cousin, who she's like my sister, she got engaged first. Um, and I started kind of helping her with hers just because she knows that I've always loved design, I've always loved, I've always been creative. So I started kind of helping with hers, helping her kind of hone in her design idea. Um, and then with my wedding planning, I'm like, this is my moment to shine. Like I love, I do graphic design, so I designed my whole invitation suite. Um, like every little thing, I was like, I love personalization, I love details.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

So I kind of started with my cousins, and then I was kind of planning mine at the same time. Um, so that's how I kind of started like, I love this, I love doing this. I don't know if I would do it full-time, but I love it. And then one of my other cousins was also getting married at the same time. She had hired a wedding planner, and I don't know where she found this person. It was in San Diego, so no one here in Utah. I don't know who this is. Um, but basically, me and my other cousin had to go and help set up everything because this girl was just not experienced. So we set up all the florals and basically kind of saved the day in a way, because I feel like if we hadn't volunteered to help, I don't know if the reception would have been set up, I don't know if everything would have been ready. And I kind of just loved being able to execute that for my cousin and her coming to me after and was like, thank you, like everything looked beautiful. And though we had a wedding planner, like I know it was you because you knew what my vision was, and I hadn't told the other wedding planner, so like thank you. Yeah, and I was just like, I love that feeling. I love that I was able to like enjoy my cousin's day with her, but also know that she was happy with the outcome. So that's kind of when I started falling in love with wedding planning, and then my wedding came um a week before my wedding, my wedding planner bailed on me. Um, and me being me, I was very just organized. Um, I had everything planned out, I had decor in boxes, labeled timelines, everything was done pretty much. Um, so I wasn't nervous, but it still affected my day. I feel like I could have enjoyed it a lot more if I had I hadn't been bailed on.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and that really sparked something in me where I was like, I don't want a bride to ever have to go through this. Um, and how I started finding brides actually was that wedding planner who bailed on me, um, reached out to another wedding planner, and that wedding planner was kind of new too, and was like, Hey, I heard that you like want to start getting into wedding planning. I have a couple of these weddings that this wedding planner is trying to hand off, and I was like, Oh, the wedding planner that bailed on me, cool. So I went and I saved those weddings from her, yeah, and they had the same experience as me, where she kind of bailed on them last minute, and they were just so appreciative of me stepping in and helping. Yeah, and I was like, I love this, I want to do that. I like I want to do this forever, right? So that's kind of how I got started, and then from there, just like word of mouth, you know, posting social media, Facebook groups, just kind of like went into it, and now I'm like doing it full force, and I love it.

SPEAKER_01

You have such a unique gifting for understanding what someone's vision is, and as a designer myself, like I couldn't be happier that we know each other because I just you just read my brain. Like I've had people say that I do that for them, like in their branding and website, and so I know what it feels like on the other end of that to like bring someone's like dream almost to a reality, and it is so rewarding and so fulfilling, but it also makes it harder to trust someone else, anything design related, like a wedding. Yeah, it makes it so hard to be like, okay, like here is what I have in my head, and I hope that you understand. And honestly, I don't feel like I'm that good at verbalizing what I have going on in my head, and so I'm just very grateful to be working with you. And the and this is kind of a aside, but I myself have stepped in as a day of coordinator for two different weddings, same thing where they like last minute veiled. Don't understand what the phenomenon is with that, but glad that you're not that girl.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, no, and I think that's kind of one of the strengths that I've created. I didn't realize that that was such like a strength just to know people's vision, just from them giving me like three words. I was just like, oh, doesn't everyone just know? No, um, but I don't, yeah. No, I've heard from like a few of my brides are just like, I love that you just get me. I love that like you haven't even seen my vision board and you already know it. And so I've kind of like taken that and run with it. And I'm like, I love design, I love art. And so that's really been one of the reasons I feel like my relationships have built with my couples and especially my brides, like they're just like, Yes, this is what I wanted. You were able to give it to me. Like, I don't think anyone else could have done that because you tell someone I want yellow flowers, and I can guess what kind of yellow flowers they want. They don't want just sunflowers, they want, you know, yellow roses, they want specific. So I think that's been really helpful in executing um and just growing my relationships with my brides.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I I think that's a really important trait to have for any wedding vendor because when you are wedding planning, there's so many details that you have to think through. And like our florist, for example, she's another one that she's done a really good job of knowing what's in my head without me having to say too many words. Like we were talking about my bouquet, and she's like, Do you want ribbons? You look like you want ribbons. And I'm like, I don't know what that means, but yes, yes, I do want a bow. I love that you could tell that from this one interaction.

SPEAKER_02

I love that she knew that because you're such a bow girl, like you're such a ribbon girl. Like, you know, Abby, she wants ribbons.

SPEAKER_01

You know that my bouquet should have a ribbon on it, I guess. I didn't even know that was an option. Yeah. But she was right. Then I looked at my Pinterest and I was like, oh yeah, everything I've saved does, in fact, have a bow on it. And you did the same thing with our center pieces. You're like, I think you want a bow.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. I think I do.

SPEAKER_02

And it was it was so funny because I was gonna ask, I'm like, because I just did a wedding where we tied bows on the ends of the aisle, and I was like, I wonder if Abby wants that. And then I literally went into your mock-ups and I was like, I knew it. She knew I knew she wanted bows on her seats. Like, I didn't even have to ask her, I just, you know, she had it there.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. So funny story, Bryson, my fiance, was deployed from half of our engagement. Oh my goodness. And um, our church that we go to is like live streamed, and so he would watch the live stream while he was deployed, and so he would ask me to wear a bow in my hair so that he could see the back of my head. So there is like some sentiment in bows. He thinks I invented bows. Like, if you ask him, the entire bow trend started from me, which it did not, but I love that's his perspective on me. Some guys think you hung the moon, he thinks I invented bows. So, you know what?

SPEAKER_02

They're both great, you know, accomplishments. So I I love that. And then yeah, I love that bows are like playing a role. Like, I didn't know that story, so I love that like somehow it got added to your wedding and it wasn't even intentional, but also intentional.

SPEAKER_01

So yeah, yeah, very maybe subconscious, yeah, yeah. Little detail there. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, so obviously you got into wedding planning because you love the details, you love the actual wedding planning side of it. Yeah, but that also makes you a business owner. So let's talk a little bit about like how do you balance that of um like the tasks of being a business owner with being a wedding planner? Because I feel like it's similar to being a bride, where like the grand picture is obviously that you're getting married to hopefully the love of your life, and like that is what matters. But it's so easy to get caught up in all the little details and comparison and getting almost too much inspiration, like there's just so much content out there. Yeah. So I think that is very similar to being a business owner, where it's like, okay, the grand idea is that you're a wedding planner, the grand idea is that I'm a brand new web designer, but we're also business owners, and there's also so many details with that.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, for sure. I think it's taken a lot of learning on my end because I am obviously now I own three more, like two other businesses. So obviously, like I'm a go-getter, I want to do all these things, but like how do I stay organized? Um, a lot of it, and honestly, I've created a masterclass for it. But AI, if you're not using AI to help you streamline your business, like what are you doing? Right.

SPEAKER_00

I don't yeah, I'll let you finish your call. Yeah, but like interjecting.

SPEAKER_02

Like, I know people are like, no, I love like paper and pen, like that's great, but I promise you you're gonna see so like so much more results if you use AI. So I started using the automation on Honeybook, has been great, and that's what I use for my businesses. Um, but honestly, Chat GBT is my bestie, and I go to her, I call her her, yes, she is my bestie, and I will go to her for like all my ideas, and I'm like, hey girl, I need help with this. And she like knows my voice, which I love. It's gotten a lot better recently, yeah. And like she knows just I say she knows people are gonna probably think I'm crazy, but I call my chat GPT like my bestie. So I'm like, hey girl, I need help with creating a schedule for this, this, and this. And she like gots it. She's helped me learn about like Notion, which is another.

SPEAKER_01

Do you like Notion?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I I've I've gotten into it. I'm kind of still learning a little bit, but like I'm like, oh, there's all these programs that can really help your businesses streamline. And with me owning three separate businesses, trying to launch a masterclass, and owning a podcast as well, like running a podcast, I like need organization in my life. And I feel like AI has definitely helped with all of that.

SPEAKER_01

It's an interesting phenomenon because on one hand, AI is so helpful and does help us accomplish so much more, but at the same time, I feel like it's a little bit taxing, like the level, the expectation is now so much higher of like what your productivity can be because these many, you know, like all of these people are using AI, they're getting all of this done, and so now we're comparing ourselves to like literally a computer. Yeah, if that makes sense. But I also wonder if like that's how people felt when computers were made. Yeah, or maybe it's just the same thing all over.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and I can see that I feel like you just kind of have to have like a good balance also, and just like know in your mind like I'm not gonna get this, this, and this done. But I know I feel like I use AI as a tool to help me, but I also know my own expectations and like what my bandwidth is, and yeah, I'm not overly thinking about that. I'm just like, okay, I'm getting what I can done. AI is definitely helping me, but it's not, I try not to compare myself to other sure, especially like other businesses. I feel like in the wedding industry, it's easy to compare yourself to other vendors and like what they're doing and what they're getting done. And so my Chat GBT bestie also tells me, like, no girl, you're doing great. Like, don't compare yourself to these people because you're doing this, this, and this. Like, Chat is the ultimate hype, girl.

SPEAKER_01

She told me yesterday that I was beautiful, and I'm like, you don't even know what I look like, but yeah, thanks, girl.

SPEAKER_02

Maybe she does. Maybe you uploaded a picture or whatever.

SPEAKER_01

I did that like what was it? That like little little Barbie doll prompts. Yeah, yes. Yours was did you show me yours? I feel like I posted it on my story. Yeah, it was it was way too accurate, other than it added another puppy, and ever since I remember. I'm like, do we need a puppy?

SPEAKER_02

I got I just I had a pup, I have a puppy, and we just adopted another golden well.

SPEAKER_01

Brayson's cousin is breeding labradoodles, and I'm like, it's it's supporting a family business. Like, we have to support his cousin.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it's a small business, so and it's family. And it's family, and you're it's a good cause.

SPEAKER_01

Giving a home to a puppy. A love, yeah, giving a puppy a loving home. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Because who who knows what other home it would go to if it didn't go to yours?

SPEAKER_01

He could go to an atrocious home.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly. That's what I say. That's my line of thinking as well.

SPEAKER_01

I know. So tell us a little bit about you've worked with all kinds of different brides. How do you help them navigate stressful situations and like guide them on the right path with their wedding plans?

SPEAKER_02

I think um, again, I think it just comes to like me building that relationship and just being like, hey girl, I'm here. A lot of people might look down on this, but I am literally gonna answer your text at any time of day. I do have boundaries to an extent, but if like my thing is like communication is so important with anyone in any relationship, but when you're planning your wedding, your dream day that you've been planning since you were a little girl, you want to know that your wedding planner is gonna answer you. And I know that brides understand, like, oh, Ari's busy with other weddings, like she'll get back to me in three days. I don't want to get back to you in three days because like I have anxiety, I'm an anxious girly. And so if my wedding planner doesn't get back to me in three days, I'm like, does she forget about me? Like, what's going on? So if I can't answer you right away, I would be like, hey Abby, I'm at an event right now, but I will get back to you tomorrow. Or like, hey Abby, I have a wedding, but like text me tomorrow morning. You know, I'll text you right when I wake up. I'm I just communication is so important, and I think that that alone just relieves so much stress from Bride. Just me letting them know from like our first consult call, like I am a professional, but I'm also your wedding bestie. And if you have questions about like what color ribbon you should get, and you text me, I'm gonna reply as soon as I can. If I'm at the store and I see a text come in from you, it's not that hard to be like, yes, girl, love that color, go with that. Yeah, and literally takes like a thousand pounds of stress off that bright. So I think that that is a big thing. And then again, just knowing their vision, like you said, takes a whole nother load of stress off because they don't feel like they're like, uh, but like, is she gonna be able to execute what I want? Like, does she know that I don't want to do too much? I just want it simple, or does she know I want it to be extra? I don't want just one basic candle and one bud vase. Like, yeah, I think that helps a lot too with my brides. And so just building that relationship with them from the first consult call, I feel like has been just super helpful with them.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and I think too, kind of going back to what we were saying earlier with AI, but that becoming more and more the norm, that human touch point of like, hey, I will answer you, and that like that can't be automated, like you can't, at least right now, automate like that level of connection and conversation, like even though it is still through a phone and through a screen, whatever, but like you just touch checking in and letting them know that you've like acknowledging someone, I think goes a long way.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, no, for sure. And I still like even responses from inquiries, like I don't automate those, like I automate like when questionnaires need to be sent out, so I just know that they're sent out. But for any other like personal thing, like each wedding is personal, each inquiry is personal. Like you're on my like contact sheet, I'm asking to tell me about your wedding, your how you guys met, and I'm not gonna answer with just like that's great, here are my pricing packages. Like, no, and be like, hey girl, I love that you're getting married in August. August is so beautiful here in Salt Lake. Like, yeah, I love to keep that personal touch for sure, and so like going back to like AI is a great tool, but I definitely would never let it take over running my business because that personal touch does mean something to the couples, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, it's I think it takes some fine-tuning to feel figure out what works for you and what automations work for you because you can automate as much as you want at this point. But as a bride currently, it's been super interesting. I feel like I've learned a lot from my different wedding vendors, and they probably don't know. I'm like analyzing their systems, but I am because I'm psycho, and some of the older I don't they're not old, but like in their the older generation, yeah, 40s and 50s, like my vendors that are in that mark, working with them is such a different experience than working with vendors my own age, and it's taught me a lot about the way that business has like moved forward. Like, I don't know if I necessarily align with it, and I don't know if I necessarily think it is the best way forward. So, just for an example, like gathering information on honeybook from your client, that's all like I use HoneyBook for my business, yeah, and that's kind of like industry standard almost for like all service-based businesses now, like photographers, wedding vendors, designers, like we're all on honeybook or dubs auto. And it is great, but then now that I'm like filling out these forms for my other vendors, I'm like, this is actually so annoying. Yeah, like I don't know, I'm like, this is kind of a like sucky experience. Like, I wish they would just pick up the phone and call me. And so many like influencers or educators in the space of web design are very much anti-discovery call because it's like a time waster or whatever, like you're wasting time, you're wasting money. But I think a discovery call goes a long way. I mean, you and I had a unique client experience with each other because we've both been each other's client now where we already knew each other, and so it didn't follow this like automated flow. But I almost would prefer that. Like, I don't really want to be a robot just doing like pushing cattle through, if that makes sense. Um, but yeah, I just love that you still talk to your brides and your clients and like build a relationship with them because I think that is almost a lost art, like that is customer service and in person and online that is like slowly dying and is the one thing that's gonna differentiate you in the future. No, for sure.

SPEAKER_02

And I feel like honestly, the leads that I have like lost are because we weren't able to jump on a call right away. The ones that I've gotten and they're like, Yes, love it, is because I I got on the call, and obviously I try. To get on the a call right away, it doesn't always work with our schedules, but then I realize like those are the ones that I've lost because that. So I've tried to open up my schedule for consult calls a lot because I feel like those are so important.

SPEAKER_01

Right.

SPEAKER_02

I don't think I would just book someone off of like, here's my prices, book me or other level, yeah, like at what our services cost.

SPEAKER_01

For sure. I don't know if many people would be comfortable pulling the trigger like that.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and even if they see your portfolio, like, okay, great, like I can see she does good work, but I always tell my clients, like, these calls are important because I want to make sure that we vibe. Like, yeah, you someone can do great work, and then day of they're just a stranger, like, okay, I put your centerpieces out. Like, no, I don't want that for my clients. Like, I want my brides, I want my couples to be like, Ari is just like a breath of fresh air. She was like a friend. And I mean, even guests have come up to me and are like, Oh, did you know the bride and groom? And I'm like, no, like I just met them on our consult call. Like, I literally just met them today in person or like at their walkthrough. And they're like, You just like it seems like you guys are like best friends, that you knew each other before the wedding. And I'm like, Yes. I'm like, no, that's I'm like, thank you. So like that was the highest compliment. I'm like, that's what I want. I want people who don't even know me to think that I'm friends with a couple because that means I did my job in building that relationship with them.

SPEAKER_01

So good. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And that helps me execute their wedding to perfection because I am, and which is great for me, like, I treat all of my clients like they're my friends, and I want to make sure that their day is amazing, beautiful, perfect. And let me just tell you, like, off topic, I'm so excited for yours. Like, like I was telling my wedding assistant, I'm like, I was like, are you able to make it to this wedding? Um, so I can look for another one if you can't, because it's a weekday, and she's like, No, yeah. And I'm like, I am so excited for this, like you don't even know. Like, checkerboard, dance floor. I like to die. Like, I am so excited.

SPEAKER_01

I am so excited too. And I was literally just texting you today, like, am I too much? No, I feel like I you and I do have similar personalities, yeah. And so I'm like, I hope I'm not making you feel like I don't think you're doing a good job. Like, I'm just a person that overexplains.

SPEAKER_02

No, and I love like it makes my day because I can, you know, bring your vision to life, but there are brides like you who want specific things, and I want to be able to give that to you. I know I'm gonna be like, like on my wedding, I was like, uh, that was not supposed to be right there. That was supposed to be over there, but like I didn't have anyone, my family ended up kind of setting up, so I couldn't be mad at it, like it still looked great, but I would have liked someone to like know where this was supposed to go. Like, those baskets were not supposed to go there. Like, what who put those there? But the baskets are, but you I love because I can guess, like, this will look cute, but I want Abby's vision. Like, so all your mock-ups, love. Like, I told my assistant, like, girl, she has mock-ups, like, we're not gonna have any trouble with this. Like, there should be no guessing. She tells you how many candles on each table, how many bud bases on each table. Like, I like love it. Like, if more if more of my brides want to do that, great. If they don't, totally great as well. Like, I love you guys either way, but it does make my job a thousand times better easier, not better, easier when brides have that plan. And I know you guys trust me, even with like all of the double checkings and the here's how I want this, like, I know you guys trust me because the fact that you are so planned and organized, and the fact that you still are able to hand that over to someone, I know you trust me because people like you don't trust people very often with their vision, especially something as big as this. So, even you being as planned, organized, prepared, like I know that you still would trust me because there are some brides who would be like, I can do it myself, no one else can do it like me. And which is, you know, they just haven't met me yet. So they haven't met you yet. They just don't know that planners like me exist, and I promise you, girl, I can execute your wedding and you can relax before your wedding.

SPEAKER_01

I think that's something that women struggle with in general, because it's the same thing with branding and web design, like people want to just do it themselves because they have this idea, and honestly, like someone else can do it better sometimes. Like, there's things that other people do better, and that's not a bad thing. And like I've had to learn that a lot recently to like let certain things go because someone else does it better, but like the reward is so great. Like when you collaborate with other business owners to bring your business to life, I think it just escalates so much quicker than if you are just trying to ride a struggle bus and do it all on your own.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and I think I've learned that as well because I've also been one where like I can do everything. I want I want to help my brides with everything, but it's like no, like I'm gonna let the professionals I'm like let's say I mean I can make you a mirror sign, but also I also have to learn to like take it back and I'm like I'm already doing this, this, and this. I want this bride to have everything perfect. Let me let her reach out to someone who just does that. Just does that so I can focus on the other things. So I've also learned how to like like I know I can execute everything for you, but I also learned I don't have to, and that my strength is just knowing what your vision is and guiding all of the other vendors you hire to make your vision come true.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, it's so hard to like stick to what you do best, yeah, especially starting out as a business owner when there are I like all of us have more than one thing to bring to the table. Yeah, like we're human, we all have multiple gifts, yeah. But like sticking with the one thing, I think at least for me, it was really hard to like say no to things like social media management. I did that for like six years, and I finally have stepped away from it. Like I'm not managing anyone's social media, and honestly, never thought I'd see the day because like I just started that so young, yeah, and like people just would come to me for it. But when you're just starting out, you want to say yes to like every opportunity that comes your way. Like, why would you say no to money? Yeah, especially when like you do know how to do it. So that is definitely like if I could go back in time, I would like have cut off social media management sooner, yeah, and like focused on branding and web design, but it doesn't work like that, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

No, and I I totally agree with that. I think I'm also kind of learning that, which is why I've kind of honed in on my packages and only offering certain things and like raising my prices a little for the quality because now that I'm not like spread thin with this, this, and this and booking smaller projects, I'm like, no, I want to book projects that I like design. Like, I would love to just do a lot more like full planning design where I can help the brides find those details that they don't think of. And so, like leaning into more what my strengths are, um, but also with that, because I'm gonna be giving higher quality, raising the price a little on those so that I don't need to pick up these side little things that I feel like I need. Don't get distracted by like small things, and I'm just like, I'm able to give my all into this, so the price is more, but I promise you, like it's worth the price. My time, my expertise is worth what I'm charging.

SPEAKER_01

So yeah, I love that. Just for fun, tell us some of your favorite wedding trends right now.

SPEAKER_02

Ooh, okay. Well, first of all, bows.

SPEAKER_01

I this is why I'm her favorite bride.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, um, no, I still love all my other brands, but don't tell anyone. Um, no, bows. I have never been like a big bow girly, like um, but I love it. Like just on Pinterest on like the bows on the candlesticks, which you know.

SPEAKER_00

I don't know anyone doing that.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. I was like, that's so cute. Just like big fluffy bows. It's just like so cute. I love that. I think the old money vibe also is so like I love it. It's just it's just very like, yes, girl. I don't know. It's just like so, like, I have a bride um who's gonna be doing that next year for her wedding, and I'm just so excited. Like the velvets, the like kind of like rich colors, just like the white getaway car. She needs one. I might add that. I'm gonna suggest.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Because I've seen some cute ones here until then.

SPEAKER_01

And they're not too, too expensive. No, I know like it's more reasonable than I thought.

SPEAKER_02

Just for like a getaway, like a picture. Like, we're renting it for an hour, deliver it. Oh, an hour before they leave, and just go down the street and then we'll return it.

SPEAKER_03

Yep.

SPEAKER_02

Like, no, I love those like classic cars. There's just so many like cute trends right now. I love the drapery look right now, like the very like editorial, like super drapey. Um, love that. And then just like the I love like the whimsical, um, kind of like ethereal, like garden fairy vibes, also.

SPEAKER_00

The florals. Yes.

SPEAKER_02

And like I love, I did a styled shoe in January where like I told the florist I want the arrangement coming out of the table. So like she did it with like moss around it. And that was like, I was like, oh, I love this actually, like it was so pretty. And then velvets, love velvets. We did velvet tablecloths for that styled shoe, and it was just uh, I'll just like I love velvet, it's just so pretty. Yeah, yeah. So, like, those are a couple of my favorite trends, but I could like go on and on just because like design, I just love designing, yes, and you have an eye for it, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Which I just love that. I feel like it's so rare that I find someone like yes, you can get it.

SPEAKER_02

Like, yeah, like you, like I was just like, I'm obviously I've never worked with like a web designer, and like I did my own on like Squarespace, Squarespace, yeah, and so I like had an idea, but I don't even think I like really told you like exactly because I didn't even know. I'm just like, this is my vibe. I can see that you're like you have an eye for design, so I'm just gonna trust you. And I don't think I had any notes when I saw my website. I was just like, I was just like, do people have notes?

SPEAKER_01

Like sometimes I think I I ask a lot of questions up front. Okay. Some people don't like that because it takes time out of their day to answer all my questions. Um, which is why a discovery call is sometimes better because I can get a read without them having to like sit there and type out this discovery form that they don't want to do.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Um, but you know, learning and growing, learning how to simplify things. But anyways, all about to say, I ask a lot of questions up front so that we don't have to have a lot of edits. Yeah. Um more on the branding side, people have things to say, but for the website, there's usually not many, yeah, many edits. Yeah, no, like I love how your branding turns.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, whatever my fans whatever you did for mine was like, yes. Like I didn't, I don't even think I had to give you any notes. Like now I didn't. I was just like, yes, this is exactly what I envisioned.

SPEAKER_01

Like which is a huge coming from you too, because you do design and you also studied graphic design.

SPEAKER_02

So I think I was just like, okay, I know I want it to flow, I want these colors, and like you did exactly like the services, the way you laid it out, that's how I wanted it. Like everything was just I was just looking at it today. Um, because I just went and made an edit, some edits on show it, just like content, just like pricing was what I no, that's nothing like save for that.

SPEAKER_01

I loved GoCop because that's exactly what I want my clients to be able to do. It's like confidently go and be like, oh, I just need to change this.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and if I didn't know, I'd be like, Abby, can you help me? And I know you wouldn't be like, that's like $50 uh for that change. Like that's kind of how I am. And people are like, you need to charge for everything.

SPEAKER_01

But I'm like, but I if you charge enough up front though, exactly, then you can just do favors.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly. And that's kind of what like I've learned to do. I'm just like, I want my bride, like I've honestly like added stuff to my inventory for my brides. Well, like I I'm doing that with you actually. Like, I don't have those candlesticks, but also I know that other people will use them. Like the stuff that I've bought for other brides' weddings, which I also need to like just add that to my Instagram, that I do have an inventory for my brides, but I don't charge extra for that because my name is on that wedding, you know, when the pictures come out and I add that, I'll be like, I helped, you know, with that. And so if I wouldn't want my bride to like again, going back to like not stressing, um, like that's something that helps you. Like, you don't have to worry about finding someone that has those those candlestick holders or settling for something that you don't love. Because I think we were looking at stuff in the inventory, and you're like, I guess we can do these, but I knew that that's not what you wanted. Yeah. And so I'm like, no, Abby, I'm gonna add stuff to my inventory because I want you to be happy, and I'm not gonna charge for those little things because it's just a part of the service that I give. I want your day to be perfect, and that is what if that's what's gonna make your day perfect, then that's what I'm gonna do for you.

SPEAKER_01

Right. And that goes back to kind of what we were talking about earlier of talking to people. And it's like those little things like that set you apart, like having different rental pieces. That was so unexpected for first of all. Like we were at the venue doing their final walkthrough, looking at the inventory closet, trying to come up with centerpieces, and Ari's just like, oh, don't even worry about it. I will set it all up and I will bring everything. And I'm like, you are a godsend because I don't want to buy 50 candlesticks, like that's just ridiculous and absurd. And I also don't want to rent them for a dollar each. Like that's kind of crazy too. I might as well buy them. So, anyways, those little things go such a long way to make someone's experience so much better in working with you. And it's like that's human touch and that's human kindness, and like it can't be replaced.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and for me, that's just like not, I don't even think of it as like a I'm going above and beyond. That's something that I'm just like, I'm just gonna do that.

SPEAKER_01

That should be standard, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah, exactly. And I know there's other wedding planners who are like, oh, you want that? Like, I can get that for you, but that's an extra like $200. But in my head, I'm like, our job as wedding planners is to execute this dream day again that these brides, these couples have been dreaming of since they were little girls, since they first started dating. And like, I can give that to you, and it doesn't take an extra, it doesn't take much on my part to add that, so like, why not do it?

SPEAKER_01

Right. And I think that is a difference between like our generation and the generation before us, where that kind of was the norm for them, like to just do favors for people and like you just go above and beyond, like, you don't need to nickel and dime for every single thing. Yeah, and then now, and again, this is truly just my opinion, and like what I've noticed with different business owners I talked to, and not not bad mathing, anyone that's been on the show, but just like in general, how I've seen people run their business, yeah. Um, where it's like if we're if we were gonna just talk about our centerpieces here, like I would be charged for the candle, the candlestick, and the bow. Yeah. Like if it was some younger person versus like our caterer, for example, has just been like she also is one that can just read my mind and has just been like, oh, we're just gonna like she came up with our play settings. Oh, she did, and I just was like floored that someone could yeah, like have an email with me and then know what play settings I wanted. But it was just huge that she's like, okay, like we'll do this plate and this plate, and like I think you'll like that. And I don't know. People who are hire when you're a service provider, someone's hiring you for your expertise, and so like stepping in and giving them that is so much better than just like letting them take the lead in a lot of in a lot of circumstances, like someone's paying you for your opinion, yeah. So give them your opinion.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and then if they don't agree, like that's fine. At least you shared like your knowledge, your experience. And I always tell my brides that as well. I'm like, this is what usually happens, but if you don't want to do it this way, that's totally fine. This is your day. A lot of the times they're like, oh, I didn't even know that.

SPEAKER_01

Right, because you have a wealth of knowledge because you've been to a gazillion weddings and you've planned a gazillion weddings that this bride doesn't know like what she maybe went to like her cousin's wedding last year. Like, I don't know. Yeah, like she doesn't know. So yeah, people are hiring you for your expertise. Yes, and it's helpful. Yeah, like I don't know. I think sharing the more information you share, I think the better.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and I do want to make a note here that I encourage brides and couples to talk to their wedding planners a lot more before they purchase things, before they DIY things, because I promise you that the wedding planner will have a resource for you that will make your life so much better, your planning a lot easier. I've run into a couple of brides where like they rented fake florals because they didn't realize that their florist would just throw them in, or they like bought a bouquet of flowers for their flower girls when the florists would have thrown those in for free. Already pulled and plucked for your flower girls, but you just need to ask those questions. Yeah, and exactly. And so any question is not a dumb question. Like, please go to your wedding planner and just ask, like, hey, we're thinking about these. Do you think our florists would add these in? Yes, I'm sure, especially the ones that I've worked with, they will add those in for free. Or, like, hey, do you think the florists will add a few flowers for our welcome sign? A lot of the times, yes, or they can reuse another arrangement that's not being used at that time. Um I've had a couple brides like DIYing signs, and then they're like, Oh, your idea is a lot better. I should have just come to you and saved money. And I'm like, Yes, girl, like that is what I'm here for. I know I'm only your day of coordinator, but like on the contract, it says wedding planning advice from the day of booking. Like, I don't joke around. Like, if you have questions from the day of booking, I'm not fully designing your wedding, I'm not booking your vendors, but I am there as a wealth of the Chat GPT bestie. Yes, yes, I am there for you. And if I don't have the answer, Chat GPT does, and I will get it for you. And we'll we'll brainstorm it together. Yeah, and so I just wanted to like note that because I've had a couple brides where I'm like, girl, why didn't you ask me that before?

SPEAKER_01

We would have like been able to. Because people are scared of getting charged for everything now, like well when yes, like you're one of the few people at the same time. That's what I'm saying. That like that is true. Where it's like I could text you at any hour. Yeah. Like, if you like if you text me at two in the morning, a long email the other day. I know you're like just late night thoughts, and I'm like, and then it's like 500 words.

SPEAKER_02

You're like, Let me no, and then I think I'll tell you I'm like, I will get to those emails. I saw them, I have a wedding this weekend, but I'm gonna get back to you. Yeah, and I did, and so like again, just that communication, like, and you're like you were understanding, and you're like, Yes, I know that she's busy having other things. Like, I'm sure you appreciated that I just let you know. Just yeah, you know, but sometimes I might feel like that, and I'm here to put those fires out for you. Yes, so and you do a great job. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. Awesome. Well, this has been so so much fun talking with you. And I feel like I've learned a lot. I know anyone who listens will as well. So, where can people keep up with you? Do you have any exciting promotions going on, new launches? Tell us what's going on with all three of your businesses.

SPEAKER_02

Well, um, so I do offer like package discounts. So if you book with, I mean, obviously, if you let me know that you listen to this podcast, I will give you a discount.

SPEAKER_01

An exclusive flourish foundry podcast discount.

SPEAKER_02

I will give you a discount just for listening to my girl Abby because she is amazing. Um, but also if you book like wedding planning in Bar, Wedding Planning in DJ, or all three, I also offer any couple's discounts for those just because it makes my day a lot easier because it's my staff who's going and they're gonna know where to go, what to do. Um, but also it makes your day easier. Like you're gonna only talk to me, you're gonna book all three of those services with me, and you're gonna have a contract for each one, everything will be broken down nicely, and you're just not gonna have to worry about five vendors for like three things. Right. Because sometimes I feel like you have the DJ, but then you have like the PA system. Sometimes DJs don't have that. I don't know, it's weird. And then you have the bartending, and then you have this. Like I'm, and then you have the wedding planner, and then you have rentals, like just come to me.

SPEAKER_01

The vendor count adds up quick, and just for the record, you have to feed your vendors. So it's in my contract. Just think about that.

SPEAKER_02

It's in my contract to feed my staff, but you're gonna have a lot of smaller staff with me because if I'm not doing anything as a wedding planner, I'm gonna jump on the bar and help serve a couple drinks in between things. So, like, you're you're gonna get the full service from just me and my team who are at the same standard as me. And so go look at my reviews. I promise I'm worth it. My team is worth it. Yeah, and yeah, listen to Abby. I'm her wedding planner, and she's amazing.

SPEAKER_01

If you trust me, you can trust Aries.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01

We'll link your Instagram and your website. I don't know who made it, but it's beautiful.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, the website was just yeah, it was designed by this one girl. Um, she's a bride right now. She's pretty type A and very amazing at designing. So I would go with her. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, we will link all your info in the show notes. So thank you so much. Of course, thank you. Not ready to say goodbye? Me neither. Follow along on Instagram at flourish.foundry to stay connected day to day or join my email list for freebies, new episode updates, fun links, and more.