Get to Know Your Wedding Planner
A Q+A FEATURE
Wedding planner feature for Emma Victoria Photos, but chose to share here as well for all the juicy nuggets!
Tell us about yourself! How would you describe the services you offer, and what inspired you?
Hey babes, I’m Bri!
I was born and raised in Sask. My bf and I just purchased our first home together in Regina. Dog in tow, we’ve been renovating the heck out of it to make it ours. We love to travel, and visit a new destination every year (hello Philippines - 2024). I also teach piano lessons to 6 cute kiddos, love morning walks with my dog, with a hot cup of coffee in hand, and can guarantee I’m at the lake when I’m not doing a wedding. Pinot Grigio is my flavour, and I frequently treat myself to pedi’s, massages, and hot yoga, because who doesn’t self-care?
One of my high school jobs was working in a bridal store. I started off with cleaning, ironing and packing linens and decor for events. Shortly after I was fortunate enough to help brides find their perfect dress. From there, I stepped into the decoration/coordination side of weddings and events. I loved weddings so much that I became certified with WPIC (Wedding Planner’s Institute of Canada).
I launched Ele & Co. with a cup of coffee in my hand, sitting on the hallway floor with my dog. I didn’t have a plan, (nevermind a freaking website or packages or pricing). I made a social post and it took off like rapid fire (thanks to my ever-supportive besties and family <3). I panicked as the likes, shares and follows started to flow because I didn’t have a plan, but step by step, I’m doing what I love and I haven’t looked back.
I offer a variety of services because I believe that each couple, wedding and shared needs are unique. My most popular package is Event Management. This package is built to provide the support you need planning your wedding, leading up to your wedding day, and on your wedding day so that you and your family can enjoy the day, sip mimosas, catch up with fam and old friends, and trust that every little detail you’ve planned is in the hands of a professional. I also offer Full Planning, On-Site Styling/Tear Down, Design, Planning Consults and RSVP Management.
What is the difference between full planning and day of coordination?
Think of it like this. With full planning, your wedding planner is the project manager. With coordination, you’re the project manager. While you both work together throughout the process, who is leading the planning, booking, payments, etc?
Just going to sneak this in here, and sorry to say, but typical views of “day-of coordination” are impossible. I’ve called my “day-of coordination” package, Event Management. You have access to my encyclopedia wedding brain from the moment we book, and then I come in 12 weeks out to help finalize, build your timeline with you, connect with all of your vendors, and learn about your wedding so that I can step in and successfully execute your vision on wedding day. Planners and coordinators simply cannot do this if we don’t have the knowledge of your wedding day before it.
How far in advance do you need to book? Can a bride reach out after she has already begun planning, or do you need to be there right from the beginning?
The time required to book is truly dependent on the service you’re inquiring about and availability of each vendor. Couples are currently booking their vendors 1.5 years out now. If you book later on, or if you try to plan your wedding quickly, you just run the risk of your dream vendor already being booked for your date. If you know your date and know who you want to book, don’t wait on it.
If a bride is looking for Event Management or On-Site Styling services, I do not need to be there from the beginning, however, my Event Management package offers virtual guidance, so it could be helpful to have a professional by your side early on to ask alllll of your questions to.
What do you foresee as trends for 2024 weddings?
Oh so many. I hope to see more of these:
Mirror welcome signs for guest photo opp
On-the-day content creation
Audio guestbooks OR no guestbook at all
Couples attending their own cocktail hour - my fave
What is something you've been seeing at weddings that you love, and that you hope to see more of!?
Specific order for intros and toasts: intro of bridesmaids, toast to the bride, intro of groomsmen, toast to the groom. It breaks it up so nicely and focuses on you with your besties, and your guy with his.
Setting aside alone time for you and your partner during the day
Both parents escorting down the aisle
Fur babies involved (even just in your photos)
Putting others’ opinions aside and staying true to your vision of your wedding
Your best tip for a bride trying to design their perfect wedding day!
I have a planning tip, and a tip from your new wedding bestie.
Pinterest is awesome, but it can be so overwhelming. The best way to make decisions and save some money is to pick the 3 things that are most important to you and your partner. By picking these out right at the beginning of your planning process,, you’ll not only save yourself stress from trying to bring it all together, but you’ll know where your priorities are when it comes to spending or cutting back budget-wise.
And my best piece of advice/reminder. This is your wedding. There are tons of trends, ideas, TikToks, Pinterest boards, and family/friend/coworker/freakin strangers’ opinions out there. I repeat, this is YOUR wedding. So please just do whatever the f you want.
How do we get in contact with you?
If you’re interested in connecting, I would encourage you to reach out through the Contact Form. I’m as excited as you are to potentially work together, and so I promise to be in touch within 24 hours.
You can also follow along for wedding tips, behind the scenes, and more real talk, on my Instagram, @eleandco_weddings.