Chick Works Magic!

It’s vendor feature day. We try not to be partial but the vendors we work with for the Wedding Preview Event are some of the best there are. We’re not just throwing out some cheesy line that will make headlines, either. Brittany is one of this fall’s featured planners and she has got her shizz together. She’s super creative, thinks outside the box and ALWAYS keeps her clients thoughts, needs and wishes first. It’s really impressive to witness. Anyway, that’s our two cents before we hand it over to her. Take it away, Brittany! (Dude, her answers are classic! It’s worth the read)

Hi there!  My name is Brittany, owner of BB Jean Events, a boutique wedding coordination and design studio.  Our company creates rad weddings and we’re proud of it!

Where does your passion for weddings come from?

I’ve always been a hopeless romantic who thrived on creativity.  I was the kid putting together platters of food and artfully arranging them on the buffet table for New Year’s Eve, or marrying her stuffed animals over and over again all at the tender age of 7.  And then I grew up, got a college degree and pursued a “real job”..in banking.  And I hated it…if there isn’t a worse job for creative folks than being in the banking industry with all of it’s government mandated regulations, I don’t know what it is, but it was a fantastic lesson for me to stop working for money and to start a career that was driven by what I was passionate about.  One thing led to another and badda boom, badda bing BB Jean Events was born almost five years ago and I haven’t looked back since!

What type of weddings/couples do you typically work with?

We work with couples that are laid back and fun with lots of unique ideas!  No two of our weddings are ever the same because no two of our clients are ever the same!  Many of our clients are from out of the area (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) getting married in the Pacific Northwest.  Our weddings usually have some traditional elements with a twist, are approachable, understated-ly elegant, maybe a bit silly and fun, and are always always always a direct reflection of the two awesome people getting hitched that day!

What insider tip do you wish all engaged couples would know?

I know I may seem biased when I say this, but really folks, hire your wedding coordinator first!  Even if you aren’t certain you’re going to use one yet, get a few consultations in to see what they can offer you.  I get many couples that either think they can do it on their own and find out scary close to their Big Day that they need someone on site to make it all come together (because it’s super hard to take photos and set up your ceremony space at the same time people!) or bring us on board after they’ve booked all their vendors . . . many times we can select vendors that would suit their style or their budget or BOTH a lot better.  We’re not here to take away the fun of planning your wedding day, just to make it easier and part of that includes making sure we refer you to the right people.  Our experience can save you hours of google searches, phone calls, consultations and agony and help ensure that your day is picture perfect!

Spill it. Give us more. What have we not asked that we should know about you?

We like to have fun with what we do.  Don’t mind the fancy logo on our letterpress business cards, they’re a subtle front to remind our prospective couples that we’re professional and are fantastic at what we do.  But we’re also silly and down to earth, play well with others (love meeting new vendors!) and adore working with our clients!  So expect to have a good time and oh yeah, your wedding day will be awesome!

What TV show do you NEVER miss an episode of?

I dabble in reality TV but . . .and I can’t believe I’m going to admit this…publicly on the internet… I always watch Jeopardy.  I grew up watching it and playing trivia games, and, well, it makes me feel like my college degree was indeed a worthwhile pursuit.  Every time I get questions right I mentally think “See that fancy PhD’s?!  You just got your buns beaten by a wedding coordinator suckas!!”

What is your favorite drink?

I’m a wine snob that also loves a good, cheap margarita!  I suppose you could say I’m well rounded.

WPE Spotlight: Inkless Bliss

Aaron and Alison - Inkless Bliss

Here we are, less than a week away from the first ever Seattle Wedding Preview Event. We’re finalizing last-minute details and getting things in order to seriously blow you away. As each vendor has come on board, they’ve been asked some questions. We want you to get to know them before you even set foot inside the Seattle Design Center. The night will be one to remember…especially with the quirky, fun and outstanding experts who have helped organize such an amazeballs event!

We can’t think of a more appropriate company (and couple) to feature on the final WPE Spotlight. Meet Aaron and Alison, owners, creators and masterminds behind Inkless Bliss.

1. One quirk of mine is:  Aaron: I like awkward and funny juxtapositions for instance I am 6’7” 235lbs and drive a Vespa and want to learn how to play the ukulele.  Alison: I’m obsessed with knowing what time it is!
2. I don’t know how to: Aaron: Do a cartwheel. I tried one time this past spring while vacationing in Aruba. I’m sure the alcohol didn’t help the situation. Alison: I don’t know how to drive a manual transmission. (saying I don’t know how to drive a stick sounds so dirty!)
3. I collect: Aaron: Design books, not very exciting I know.  Alison: Mind numbing facts about celebrity gossip.
4. I have  tattoos. Aaron: No tattoos, I used to have my ears pierced. I loved rockin that fake Diddy bling. Alison: Zero tattoos, I used to have my nose pierced. I am considering getting it done again.
5. One thing you’ll always find in my purse/wallet is: Aaron: My wallet has a nude woman reading a book in the fold. Stop by, I will show it to you. Alison gave it to me as a birthday present, it looks like her. Alison: My  iTelephone. My mobile life support.
6. I wish I could: Aaron: Make inkless bliss my full time job. One day… Alison: Sing. Sing well.
7. My favorite song of all time is: Alison: Black by Pearl Jam
8. Favorite quote: Aaron: “If you build it, he will come” Alison: “Live and work with integrity and everything else is a piece of cake.” Pat Salvatore
9. I _______ for a living because: Aaron: Design, because it’s my passion (aside from Alison that is)
10. My fear is: Aaron: Sasquatch Alison: I’m not scared
11. I was named after: Aaron: A truck driver. Nice guy, never met him. Alison: The song “Alison” by Elvis Costello 
12. I am a (morning/night) person because: Aaron: I am both. Trying that moderation thing. Kinda sucks when all I want to eat is a pound of French fries. Alison: I am a night person just because. So there.

Aaron: We have not won any awards. I have one individual design awards, but none with inkless bliss yet. Come on, we have only been around for a month. We do have the best-looking invitations and rsvp’s made for email on the market. I can say this in confidence because I have done the research and I like to think I have good taste. There’s just not another business that has our flair for design and current trends that has aligned themselves directly with the wedding industry.

Seattle based company inkless bliss, just launched their much anticipated online wedding invitation site inklessbliss.com As consumers are moving more and more of their experiences online, inkless bliss is filling the niche of high quality, well designed wedding invitations that are completely digital.

Their extraordinarily simple website guides the user to three sections; traditional, modern and theme. Under these sections, you will find professionally designed wedding invitation templates. If the user already has an idea for what their wedding invitation will look like, an inkless bliss designer will create a custom invitation to complete their vision.

What separates this site from the others? inkless bliss is fueled by a love of great design. Well thought out concepts are needed and appreciated in today’s market place. inkless bliss has positioned themselves to meet all the needs of today’s modern bride.

They offer unique, current, and digital invitations for users to view on a variety of mobile devices; iPhone, iPad, PC, etc. In addition to sending invitations, RSVP’s are tracked online from the user’s account allowing for easy management of attendees, and their contact information. The site even offers a printable PDF solution in standard invitation sizes to mail to the not so tech-savvy on the list like grandma and grandpa.

See you at the show!

TICKETS HERE

WPE Spotlight: Paisley Petals

Paula (& Aidan), owner (& cutie pie) of Paisley Petals

1. One quirk of mine: I cannot stand for people to put their bare feet on me. Some members of my family have been known to chase me around my house trying to gross me out with their nasty feet!
2. I don’t know how to: Drive a manual transmission. I have tried to learn several times. And failed. Miserably.
3. I collect: Not much- my 728 sq. ft . 1927 Craftsman house doesn’t allow for many collect ions . Unless you count great products for home organization- I collect a lot of those!
4. I have 0 tattoos. My husband has 2 , and if he has his way, it won’t be long before he has more than enough for both of us .
5. One thing you’ll always find in my purse: Smith’s Rosebud Salve. Best . Lip Balm. Ever !
6. I wish I could: Hire someone to cook and clean for me-especially during wedding season.
7. My favorite song of all time is: Oh, I love so much music. “You Take My Breath Away” By Eva Cassidy is right up there- it ’s the one I walked down the ais le to!
8. Favorite quote: Lots of faves here, too, but currently, it’s “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
9. I am a florist for a living because: are you kidding? I get to make money doing what I love, do it from a home studio so I can be home with my sweet Aidan, AND work with fabulous & unique people to make their weddings reflect who they are? Could there be anything better?
10. My fear is: Sharks. Thankfully, living in the Northwest , it ’s not a fear I have to face very often.
11. I was named after: hmmm….no one in particular that I can think of.
12. I am a night person because: I sleep hardest toward the end of my sleep cycle, so waking up is pretty much torture. It takes me a solid 2 hours to really feel alert!

I grew up on 5 acres of woods in South King County. My mom, a talented gardener, would let me use flowers out of her yard to make arrangements for my grandmas, starting in about the 4th grade. I worked at a flower shop in high school, but mostly handled shop clean up and deliveries. I watched, though. I asked questions, and soaked up as much as I could. I went off to college in Portland and friends started asking me to do their wedding flowers. I thought, “me? seriously?” But with each wedding, my skills and confidence grew. I spent about 7 years after college working at a couple of different non-profits, picking up weddings here and there. While my work for these agencies was good and meaningful, it wasn’t my passion. In the spring of 2007, I quit my job, took the leap, and went full time with Paisley Petals (named after Paisley, Scotland, where my paternal grandparents were originally from)! It has been the most rewarding, fulfilling experience to make a living doing what I love. Somewhere in there, I fell in love with the most amazing husband a girl could ask for. Eric and I were married in September of 2005, at a venue that is now owned by the woman who owned the flower shop I worked at in high school. In September of 2009, we welcomed our sweet boy Aidan Micah to the world. And yes, I had a wedding that day. And every weekend for 6 weeks after that. Because I am a crazy person. But, I always say, you have to be a special kind of crazy to be in the wedding business. And I love it!

We’re not the only ones who like Paisley Petals!

The Knot Best of Wedding 2011 pick
Wedding Wire Rated 2009 , 2010 , & 2011
Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington 2011 – 4th place out of 192 entries in the Wedding Florist Category.

Paula (& Aidan), owner (& cutie pie) of Paisley Petals

Rebecca Brotman Photography

WPE Spotlight: A Kurant Event

Each week we will spotlight one of the incredibly cool wedding experts who will be a part of the Wedding Preview Event. These aren’t just your average businesses. They are unique and they offer something different from the norm. Each expert has been hand-picked to participate and has completely blown us away by their talents. We’ve decided to ask them questions that we assume won’t come up in a first-meeting.

Meet Megan Keller, Owner & Event Designer | A Kurant Event

1. One quirk of mine is: My true obsession with cheese.
2. I don’t know how to: Whistle
3. I have plenty of tattoos.
4. One thing you’ll always find in my purse is: My phone.
5. I wish I could: Sing.
6. My favorite song of all time is: Guns n Roses “Sweet Child O Mine”
7. My favorite quote: Namaste
8. I plan events for a living because: everyone needs a good excuse for a great party.
9. My fear is: Being late.
10. I was named after: The main character in “Thorn Birds” (ew, I know).
11. I am a night person because: It definitely lends itself to this industry and our line of work. Most events don’t start at 4am, but on occasion they can end that late!

A bit about me and my business:

As a Nevada native, I fell in LOVE with rainy, grey Seattle – so much more refreshing than brown earth and blistering skies (though every year around June I start to question that sentiment). I’ve been living in Seattle for 9 years not counting a 6 month hiatus in Rome, Italy and another 1 year sabbatical in Cleveland, Mississippi. I love cheese, I love wine, and I love beer; luckily, the Northwest is a great place for all three! On the subject of wedding coordination, I feel as though I was born in to the event planning world – the organizing of “fancy tea parties” and “neighborhood costume parades” crowd my earliest memories. In college I was drawn deeper in to the events world through the non-profit fundraising funnel, and upon graduating I was lucky enough to land in a position planning weddings and corporate events at a small boutique firm. From there I moved on to the wild and wooly events world of Microsoft, but my love affair with weddings had already begun. So, finally, two years ago, I started A Kurant Event with the hopes of sharing my somewhat quirky yet always passionate love of weddings and events with likeminded clients in the rainy, but ever green, Seattle.