Our Top Mentors You Must connect with In The Wedding & Event Industry
Photo by Lauren Pollard Photography, Florals by Pretty Little Details
I have started multiple businesses and the one thing I always find the hardest is breaking into the industry.
There are the cool kids that you want to like you so bad!
There are the kids that won’t acknowledge you even though you try so hard to be their friends.
And then there are those that give you a chance!
I promised myself this time around in business I wouldn’t get caught up in the competition or try hard to connect with those that don’t give us the time of day.
The reality is, we aren’t going to be for everyone and that is totally OK!
I have to say as our business has come to a strong pause on this quarantine between Poured With Love and my hubbies wine sales, and these times have made us incredibly grateful for those that have supported us since we began.
There were so many mentors that took a chance on us even after a couple of meetings, and we will forever be grateful!
So we thought we would take the time to honor and celebrate them. As businesses reopen and events are back on, we hope that you will consider using one of these amazing vendors as we can’t wait to partner with them again!
Pretty Little Details
Website
Instagram
Where do we start with our obsession with these amazing women Amanda & Whitney? I found them through Instagram stalking and reached out immediately via email.
I was obsessed with their style and already knew I wanted to be their friend! Luckily for me, they were kind enough to agree to go to coffee!
From the minute I started chatting with them, I knew this was going to be an amazing partnership!
Little did I know it would also turn into a friendship with fun wine pairing dinners.
They have given us great advice, reassured us as we have navigated the event space and been so kind to recommend us to their clients.
They have also created gorgeous florals and balloon arches for our events!
If you are looking for event designers that will take your vision and bring it to life, these are your gals! Whitney also started a dish rental company that you must check out Borrow & Bash.
Lindsay Dean Events
Instagram
Website
I am pretty sure it had to be fate that we met this gal! We were at an event for Sweet Cheeks Baking Co, serving up some bubbles and we started to chat.
She had us laughing in less than 3 seconds. I definitely knew I wanted to be her friend! Ironically the plot thickens, it turns out one of my good friends also works with her!!
We stayed in touch after the event and I am so glad we did!!
Lindsay has been a HUGE support for us. She is honest, straightforward, and seriously throws a killer party.
We were fortunate enough to be at her roaring 20’s event and it was literally the most beautifully designed and well-orchestrated event I have ever seen.
She has been so helpful, connecting us to multiple people in the industry and clients.
If you want a wedding planner that is reliable, honest, fun and will make sure your event is smooth and stress-free, she is your gal!!
Cynthia Souza (Garnet & Sapphire)
Instagram
Website
We met Cindy at a wedding industry event. From the moment we started chatting we were so grateful to have connected.
Cindy is so warm and welcoming and just a breath of fresh air!
Ironically as we started chatting, we realized that we were going to be working the same wedding in January! We were so excited to be able to work with her.
If there are 3 words I would use to describe Cindy it would be “Cool, Calm & Collected.”
I remember the wedding in January we worked, I always find myself getting nervous wanting to make everything perfect. At the event, I had a couple of questions for Cindy before we started. She probably had 3-4 people coming up to her at a time, yet when I asked her a question she remained calm, supportive and just so kind.
Now that my friends is pretty rare to find in high-pressure situations!
Cindy has gone above and beyond to continue to support us, connect us and just answer random questions we have. She has been an amazing resource and we have no doubt she is going to be a HUGE asset to your event!!
Refined By Suher
Instagram
Website
Suher was one of our first website inquires. You know when you get an inquiry through the website and you are like, it’s working!! Well, that was from Suher :)
From the moment I started chatting with her, I was so grateful for her honesty and willingness to connect us to other individuals in the industry.
She invited me out to an event the day we connected and the minute I walked in the door she introduced me to 10+ people.
She barely knew me but was willing to take a chance on us and connect us with her friends.
That night I wanted to cry, finally someone who was open to letting us in the circle! It is never easy, but Suher made it so much easier.
I love watching everything Suher is doing for the industry, she not only does wedding planning, but she also puts together amazing events to support industry folks in being successful in their businesses.
She has a knack for bringing people together and I would highly recommend checking out the many workshops and cafe crawls she has!
Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.
Instagram
Website
This is such a fun story! We found Sweet Cheeks 6 years ago when we were getting married. We wanted cupcakes and they had the most beautiful delicious ones!
I’ll never forget Lauren (the beautiful wedding cake designer and stylist) dropping off our cupcakes on our wedding day in stilettos! She was and still is my hero for walking those cupcakes all the way down the broadway pier in heels.
Flash forward 6 years. One of the first events we did we met Elaine, the owner of Sweet Cheeks. She and my hubby hit it off right away talking about wine!
Elaine has been a huge mentor for us!! She has included us in events, connected us with other industry folks and has offered such valuable advice as we navigate this industry.
We are fortunate enough to live in the same neighborhood and always get so excited when we see her on the street!
If you are looking for delicious wedding cake or cupcakes, these are your gals!! We have tried a ton of their cakes and they are amazing!! Make sure to follow them, right now they are doing cupcake making kits and so many other fun takeaways during quarantine.
This meeting was quite random! From my business coaching days, I always find myself ending up and business networking events. It was one of the best ways I used to build my business.
I met Summer at a local networking event and I am so glad I did.
We connected after and I have been able to try a few of her delicious recipes!! Summer does catering and is also a private chef.
What I love most about Summer is how real she is. I always know she is being honest and genuine.
Also, she is so open to trying fun new ideas!
We had so much fun working with her on a wine pairing birthday party dinner. We were able to create the experience together and it was a blast.
If you are looking for an amazing private chef, or chef for your event, she is your gal!
Lauren Pollard Photography
Instagram
I am so grateful for Lauren and all of the beautiful photos she took of our cart! I reached out to her based on a recommendation from a friend.
She was so easy to work with from the beginning. The day of our photoshoot, she made the process so simple and went above and beyond to get us all of the shots that we needed for the launch of our business!
She was so kind and thoughtful and her beautiful style and aesthetic is right up our alley. Light, airy photos!
If you are looking for a photographer that has an amazing style and is easy to work with, she is your gal!
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Well that is a wrap, please note, there are so many other amazing individuals that have supported us in this venture, we just wanted to take the time to highlight those who have gone above and beyond for us!