So I might be just a TEEEENY bit biased on this one! I mean, I’ve known this gal for like my whole life! Well technically 17 or so years-but who’s counting!? We go way back, she was actually one of my BESTESTEST friends in junior high thru high school and here we are all these years later and I’m actually going to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in July! Did you hear that??? A BRIDESMAID…as in, I won’t be “working”?! I’ll be “AT” at wedding and NOT “working”?!! 🙂 But not to worry, she’ll be in good hands with Erica!!
Anyway….back to the point of this post. Nicole is my dear friend (so I can totally vouch for her) but she also just so happens to be a wedding and event planner. Since one of my new features on the blog will be to high light one vendor per week in the wedding and/or photography industry, first up is Nicki Ann Events! Not only is she busy planning everyone else’s wedding but as I mentioned above she is also planning her very own wedding simultaneously. What that means……as she’s looking for good deals, inspiration or ideas…she’s passing them along to you on her blog. She know’s what it’s like to be behind the camera, I’ve already shot some of her engagement photos and we’ll be doing some promo shots for her website very soon! AND she LOVE LOVE LOVE’s shoes! This girl has a shoe collection like no one’s bid-nes!!
I asked her a few questions, here’s what she had to say….sit back and get to know her!
What made you decide that being a wedding planner was for you??
I have always had a fascination with planning events. It started when I was in high school as the student council president planning the Homecoming parade. It was difficult because I didn’t have many contacts as a teenager, but I still loved every second. When I started to get “old” and all my friends were getting married, I was always involved in the planning. I have always been a creative person with the ability to make something out of nothing and a very organized person with an addiction to crossing off to-do lists. It doesn’t hurt that I really like people and love that I can be a part of one of the happiest times in their lives.
What do you do when you are not planning weddings?
I am always planning weddings… in my head. Seriously, it is a little scary. No, in all honesty, I really enjoy spending time at home with Joe (my fiance’) and our fur baby, Mia. My life is crazy – in a good way. When I have down time, we like to watch movies and relax. Joe is addicted to Blu-rays, so we have plenty of movies to watch. Last summer, I started running and really enjoy that in my “free” time. I also really enjoy window shopping for designer shoes online. I like shoes. A lot. I think my collection is upwards of 80 pairs. Do you think they have a Shoes Anonymous? I might need it some day. Heck, I might need it now.
How did you decide on the company/business name, what was the inspiration behind it?
Well I have a very good friend (I’ll give you one guess – she has her own photography business and her first name starts with J), who told me when you are choosing a business name, you should remember that you are selling yourself. Since I am getting married myself in a few months and plan to change my last name, I did not want to use my maiden name in my business name. I also did not want to pre-maturely use my married name. They say it is bad luck to use it before you are actually married. I didn’t want to use the “Events by Nicole” idea because I have seen it done and it’s kind of boring. I wanted something new, funky and that really suited me. That friend started tossing out ideas using variations of my first and middle name and out came “Nicki Ann Events.” It just jumped out at me. So all my credit goes to my photog friend, who has created quite a successful business of her own.
Have you come across any misconceptions associated with hiring a wedding planner??
There are so many people who think hiring a wedding coordinator is only for “rich” people or for those having a platinum wedding. This is definitely not the case. Now if you are looking to hire David Tutera, you might need to be rich. But anyone can hire a coordinator, regardless of budget. It really depends on the fee structure of the planner. Some charge hourly, some charge a flat fee and others charge a percentage of the wedding budget. You just need to find the person who fits with you and your budget.
What makes you different against all the other wedding planners??
I am willing to get down to the nitty-gritty and pull out a paint brush to paint tiny bird houses or go to Michael’s last minute to find the perfect ribbon to use for the flower girl’s hair. I like the hands on projects because they allow me to let my creative juices flow. They also help brides stay at or within the budget. I enjoy being a part of every little detail and do not mind a bride calling me in a panic at 2am because the placecards are flat and not tented. I can always come up with a solution.
What’s a favorite wedding planning moment??
I love the couple’s excitement when they find the perfect venue. They can really envision what their wedding day will be like. Once it is booked, you are set on a date and the countdown can begin. It finally becomes real for them.
What do you enjoy about your job??
I love that I am a huge part of one of the happiest days in a couple’s life. The fact that I get to work with the couple to make their vision come to life makes it all worth it. It’s all in the details and I love the details.
What would your dream event be if you had 100% control of everything??
That is a great question. With my own wedding coming up, I automatically think about the things I would want/am having for my own. However, I am just like every other bride and unfortunately have a budget too. So if we are talking without a budget, that changes things! I’d love to host an event on a large rooftop outdoor terrace in a city, I’d have to look outside of Pittsburgh for that one though. I’d have a ton of greenery and flowers, a band and DJ (to please everyone!), colorful lighting to give the outdoors a cozy ambiance, an excessive amount of food and alcohol, beautiful linens and an amazing cake. Oh the things I could do with that!!
What inspires you?
Honestly? You’re going to think I am a dork. Ok, one of my favorite things to do is to go to a craft store, like Pat Catan’s, Michael’s or Joann Fabrics and just walk around. I see certain things and it just hits me – “Oh, I can make that into an awesome centerpiece!” I sometimes just get that feeling that I want to be creative and need a project, but don’t know exactly what I want to do or make. That’s when I go to the craft store. However, this can be detrimental to my bank account because I usually find abotu 10 projects that I want to start.
What websites do you visit most often?
Facebook, Twitter, The Knot, Etsy, Project Wedding, Martha Stewart Weddings (every DIY bride/person has got to love Martha!), and Jen McKen Photography 🙂
What are common mistakes brides make on their wedding day in terms of planning?
Booking a venue that doesn’t match with their theme. If you want a contemporary style to your wedding, you do not want to book a historical building with Italian molding and Renaissance paintings. It is almost impossible to portray that contemporary feel when the basic surroundings do not fit into that mold. I say almost because there really is a lot you can do with lighting and some venues are more flexible with furniture and removing paintings. But to make your vision come to life, you really need the proper venue.
What is your favorite and least favorite wedding trend right now?
My favorite wedding trend right now is wearing colorful shoes. I am sure that comes as no surprise. I love that brides are not sticking to the traditional matchy-matchy shoes and showing some personality. My least favorite would be receiving lines. They are awkward for guests who don’t know most if not all of your bridal party, potentially also the groom/bride and the parents and vice versa. If you MUST do a receiving line, it should be just the bride and groom and you should greet people together so you can introduce each other. Also, keep it quick and simple. You do not want your guests waiting for 30 minutes to get out of the church because Aunt Bitty wants to tell you all about her back pain.
What would you do with 1 Million Dollars?
Wow, a million? Are you giving that away?? Well, first things first, I would buy shoes. Lots and lots of shoes. A good pair of shoes can make any woman feel sexy, beautiful and happy. Then, I would find an old run down farmhouse or mansion or building, gut it and remodel it to be a reception venue that would be close to the city, but also have an outdoor space and will hold a ton of people. That is really hard to find in Pittsburgh! I’d actually probably need more than a million to do all of that, but it would put a good dent in it!
So if they’ve read this far-they must like you! How can people get in touch with you??
I am on Twitter (https://twitter.com/NickiAnnEvents), facebook (Nicki Ann Events) and my email (nickiannevents@gmail.com) constantly. That’s the positive and negative of having a smart phone. I never leave home without my phone and if I do I feel naked. You can also find me on my blog (https://nickiann.wordpress.com) where I like to ramble on about all kinds of wedding ideas.
If you would like to be featured on the blog as a local vendor, please contact me at jenmckenphoto@gmail.com. Please make your subject “Vendor Interviews”. I can’t wait to meet you!
