Hi newly engaged couples! It’s time yet again for the second installation of my new blog series “Vendors I Love” featuring some of my favorite wedding vendors in Austin, Texas. Every single one of them is already highlighted on my website, but I thought it would be nice to share some more in-depth information with you here. I hope this helps you in your search for the perfect vendors for your Austin wedding! Thank you to the amazingly talented Becky Navarro of Pearl Events for taking the time to answer all my questions. This Q&A features all photos from real Pearl Events weddings!

By the way, this is Becky. You can tell brides love her by this big squeeze! And look how organized she is – with clipboard in hand! :)

Q: How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
A: Since 2006.  I started at Vintage Villas as an assistant to the wedding planners and quickly moved up.  I then made my move to Whole Foods downtown to work in their Lamar Culinary Center as a Social Event Planner for the catering department.  In 2010 I had my daughter Pearl and started Pearl Events!

Q: How do you decide which event planner on your staff is the best match for a newly engaged couple?
A: We get a lot of direct refferals to each planner.  After that I try to pair them up with planners that work at that venue often, work with their vendors, etc.

Q: What kind of new trends are you seeing for modern weddings, in terms of decor, details, etc.?
A: BIG BIG florals to create impact.  Branding the wedding with the couples logo on everything we can slap a logo on!  Cool lighting is in and sets the mood.  Just think about it, who wants to dance on a bright dance floor.  We all feel more confident with a cocktail and dark lighting to bring the moves to the dance floor.

Q: What kinds of things help inspire your creativity when event designs for a new wedding couple? Do you have any go-to online resources
A: 95% of clients that come to us have a pinterest page we can review at our initial meeting to get an idea of their design aesthetic.  With that being said, Pinterest can be awesome for people or a hot mess.  A bride may pin a modern floral display next to a burlap runner with baby’s breath – those don’t jive together.  We work with them to make sure their wedding is cohesive, and that their budget goes to items that have impact and are meaningful to them.  We don’t want the wedding to be a #pinterestfail or look like a Hobby Lobby pop-up shop.  There is a fine line here friends… Fine, fine line.

Q: Are there trends that you wish would die sooner than later?
A: Burlap and mason jars… or did I already hint at that above?  Don’t confuse this with “vintage” I am ok with “vintage” when it’s done right.

Q: What kind of options do you offer for couples in terms of the least services to the most services?
A: We have couples that want to consult us for in office help with their timeline and we charge for by the hour and they don’t have us planning their wedding.  We go from there to full service.  We also offer “day of/month of” planning.

Q: Are there any surprising or unexpected services that you offer?
A: I was once asked to apply lotion to a brides legs… and I did it!  Full service here people, FULL SERVICE.

Q: What are some of the possible wedding pitfalls or problems that having a planner helps alleviate?
A: Perhaps put lotion on your legs before you put on your wedding dress?  If not, I got you girl!  Other things, we help with include securing legit vendors and getting real about the dreaded word – BUDGET.

Q: What’s the most creative way you’ve solved a wedding day problem (of any kind)?
A: Every weekend we solve problems… but guess what? Our clients don’t know about them.  That’s why they hire us!

Q: Is there a question that you wish wedding couples would ask you before booking, but never do?
A: No one ever asks me why the company is called Pearl Events.  I just figured people would ask that more often.

Q: What do you think is the most important advice/tip from you to share with a couple on their wedding day?
A: Enjoy the big day, chill out, and we got your back!