Tell us what makes your business different from other wedding companies?
First, I don’t know too many wedding planners who are also lawyers! And my law degree sure comes in handy! I can review a vendor contract with education and experience that others don’t have in identifying potential issues before they become problems. I’m trained to navigate adversarial, contentious scenarios, and I do so with confidence, professionalism, humor, and an ability to think on my feet. Beyond that, I’m a mama of four. Maintaining order in chaos is just a “day in the life” for me. I know how to communicate when people are emotional, overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful. It’s a universal human trait to seek out comfort and that which removes negative stressors from our lives. That support and the assurance that our clients are being advocated for every step of the way is what makes Porch & Pearls what it is!
Who inspires you?
My mother is a lioness. She has survived more than I care to list here, and her bravery is the stuff of legend. My mom is the hardest-working, most selfless, absolutely most insistent on excellence (and most stubborn) person I know. Doing anything half-assed has just isn’t an option in her world. What’s that there – a glass ceiling? Watch as she swings a sledgehammer at it! I am my mother’s daughter, and it’s that standard of excellence I bring to any task or challenge.
What is your proudest achievement?
It’s a four-way tie, and their names are Charlie, Coco, Maggie, and Michael. My children are my greatest creation and my jet fuel to continue achieving. They love fiercely. They play with abandon and with enviable imagination. They express gratitude and affection without restraint, and they see a world filled only with possibility, never limitation. I learn from them everyday.
What do you think is essential for any wedding?
Proper priorities, communication, and a support system that has your best interests in mind. A wedding is a one-day celebration; a marriage is for the rest of your life. Prioritize putting as much energy into the latter as the former. Also, make sure you’re communicating with each other, your families, and your vendors exactly how you envision your wedding day unfolding and how you want to remember it. Don’t get “talked into” anything because of someone else’s opinions or wants. If there’s a sensitive potentially controversial situation and you don’t feel comfortable confronting it, your wedding planner is there as your voice and your staunchest advocate.
What would you like to be the new trend for weddings?
Can we please just eliminate the word “trend” from the wedding industry? A wedding isn’t (or shouldn’t be) a competitive sport. Don’t go into it vying to top TiKTok’s trend report! I encourage my clients to practice some introspection. Ask yourselves what makes you special as a couple? What brings meaning to your relationship? What’s your love story? What are your families’ stories? Answer those questions and then we can personalize your wedding so that it looks and feels as exceptional as you are as individuals and as a couple.
What three words describe you or your business best?
Indefatigable. Unshakeable. Authentic. (I would’ve said Marvelous, but Midge Maisel took that one – rightfully so!)
Photography by: Courtesy of (from top): Anastasia Romanova; Philip Gabriel Photography; Emerlin Photo & Films; Deibert Photography; Irina Shostak Photography; Janelle Putrich Photography
