Photography courtesy of Pat Furey
Tell us what makes your business different from other wedding companies?
The pandemic caused many business owners to reimagine what’s possible as we planned and re-scheduled countless wedding days. While I definitely don’t want to relive the past few years, I am grateful that the experience caused me to refine The Styled Bride.
In the past, we have offered full service, partial planning, and month-of services to couples. After much thought, I’ve decided to fully lean into my true passion and only offer full service planning. I love the process of getting to know our brides and grooms and taking the time to create a design plan that feels and looks unique to them and to their story. I also love curating a team of wedding professionals to make our vision come to life.
Being involved in every aspect of planning a wedding, from searching for inspiration to finally unveiling the design to the couple on their wedding day (in between logistics!), is valuable for our couples and it’s exciting to me. I’m really looking forward to the months and years to come as I fully unveil this more specialized, bespoke service.
Photography courtesy of Rebecca Yale
You plan weddings throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey, and the suburbs. Do you have a favorite location or venue?
I have planned countless weddings at venues in Philadelphia, like the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and I’m always excited to visit venues along the coast. But, I have to say some of the most memorable weddings my team and I have planned have happened at private homes and estates throughout the area. There’s nothing like a tent filled with romantic drape and glimmering string lights in the spring, summer, or fall. I also love the creativity that’s on display at private properties because we’re able to bring a team onsite to create every detail. Plus, a family home is one of the most meaningful places to host a wedding — there’s already a storyline, and a celebration only makes that richer. These types of weddings require a little extra planning and patience, but they’re always worth it.
What is the most gratifying part of your business?
The wedding industry largely relies on relationships, and I’m so grateful for all of the connections I have built and maintained with couples and also with fellow professionals. The Philadelphia area is vast, but our wedding industry feels much more like a family. Certain groups gravitate toward working together again and again, and it’s wonderful because we’ve already built up a rapport and trust with each other. It’s also so special to plan a wedding for a couple and then have their siblings or friends contact us to work together after the fact. We love seeing our past brides and grooms become wedding party members and guests at other celebrations!
Photography courtesy of Pat Furey
What is your best piece of advice for engaged couples?
Try to make sure your opinion is always voiced and heard. Many family members and friends are well-meaning, but once other voices are invited into the conversation yours can be lost in the shuffle. Your wedding day is your day, and everything that happens and is on display should reflect you, your partner, and your relationship together. Listening to my couples is one of my most important roles as a full-service planner.
How far in advance should couples book your business?
The past few years have changed so much about our world, and the wedding industry is definitely included in that mix. Our calendar is already booked well into 2023, so I have started to recommend that couples get in touch up to two years in advance. And, that’s not just for me! It’s true for so many other wedding professionals, like venues, florists, caterers, and bands, too.
Photography courtesy of Phil Chester
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