Photography courtesy of Dennis Kwan
What is your best advice for engaged couples?
Celebrate! Then, it is a good idea to speak with both families to determine times of the year and dates that work for everyone for the wedding. And then it is important for couples to sit down (just the two of them) and create a list of what is most important to them and what they want their wedding to look and feel like. This is also a good time to talk about the budget and who will be contributing towards the wedding budget and establishing a good budget. Then, it is a great time to hire your wedding planner!!!
What is something you constantly strive for and what makes your business stand out?
I constantly strive for creating events that are beautiful and meaningful for my couples and their families and friends. We curate each event by taking the time to get to know our couples and their styles, wishes and dreams and then create a plan for that to come to life. We do this by hiring professional wedding vendors, creating a custom style board and mood-board and constantly looking for ways to bring out their personalities in their events. I also am known for creating good and realistic timelines!
Photography courtesy of Anna Wu
What new trends do you see for weddings? What would you like to be the new trend for weddings?
Lighting is in! Often couples are incorporating as much lighting as they are florals at their wedding to really create that perfect ambiance. And color is coming back! Color in bridesmaids’ dresses and colorful florals and design! We even see wedding invitations being a bit more casual with a RSVP card that is not mailed back but guests are directed to go online to RSVP.
Seated dinners are so popular right now, with live musical or dance performances during dinner. Also, stylized photo booths and backdrops and step-and-repeats with photos being edited and shared on-site at the wedding so guests can quickly share with friends and on social media. And not just backdrops for the photos but stylized and designed “sets” that incorporate the theme or color palette of the wedding.
What is the most gratifying part of your business?
I think the most gratifying part of my business is on the wedding day and seeing my couple’s so happy with the outcome of their wedding day. When the months of planning come to life on the wedding weekend and the couple is fully present on their most special wedding day! That is such a special feeling to me. I also love seeing my couple’s walk into their reception room for the first time and see all the room fully dressed up and looking the best and then all their family and friends enjoying the event they created and dreamed up together.
Photography courtesy of Averyhouse Photography
What are you most passionate about right now?
I believe that life is meant to be celebrated with family and friends
I believe we should always surround ourselves with things we find beautiful and that bring us happiness.
It is about the journey of the wedding planning as much as the destination (the wedding day)!
Ali Phillips
President and Event Producer
Engaging Events by Ali, Inc
773-777-2299
Website www.engagingeventsbyali.com
Email [email protected]
Instagram @aliphillips
Photography by:
