Vendor Spotlight: Loveleigh Blooms

Let’s face it – we couldn’t be who we are, without our fabulous vendors. Over the years we’ve met so many wonderful individuals in the wedding industry. We decided to reach out to some of our vendors from the past and present, and ask them what fuels their business and what they're all about! So, sit down and relax with us as we sit down with our vendors to discuss what is at the heart of their business. We are so excited about this week’s vendor:

Loveleigh Blooms

People are the number one reason I’m in the business of wedding flowers; I love to connect with my couples, vendors, and everybody I meet in between. Working with Loveleigh Blooms should feel like working with a friend. I want my couples to feel like they can ask me any question and know that I will help them nail down a solution or idea. I’m committed to creating a low-stress experience while creating the wedding floral vision of your dreams.

Photo by TMInspired

 We’re dying to know – what made you dive into the world of weddings?
Honestly? ONE WEDDING. I had a friend ask if I would help with her friend's wedding florals...she suggested I make an Instagram so that the couple could "see my style". Let me tell ya, what happened next was insane. My IG was created at the end of January, 2021. I bought grocery store flowers, made arrangements and posted photo after photo of these arrangements just to have content to post. Friends started asking if I was going to sell Valentine's bouquets and by February 14th, I had 50 orders. I then did Mother's day bouquets with 80 orders that year and decided that I could really pursue this passion. The actual wedding that I started this business for was in August of 2021. I finished the year with 9 weddings and then went on to book 49 in 2022. I cannot thank the industry enough for welcoming me with open arms. I truly feel at home in the wedding world and love that I have niched down into wedding florals. I still do daily bouquets from time to time, and Valentine's + Mother's Day orders, but weddings have my heart.

Tell us about how you started your business?
Like mentioned above, it was that first wedding request that really got the ball rolling. I had a full time job doing marketing for a commercial real estate company and in 2021 with those 9 weddings, used most of my vacation time to prep for them. I got to a point in 2022 when I realized that I would need to commit to quitting that corporate job, or start saying no to weddings as it wouldn't have been possible to take on all of the inquiries that were coming in. I took the scary leap in June or 2022 and haven't looked back. I am so thankful for all of the support I've had making the decision to take Loveleigh Blooms full time, making flower dreams come true year round.

Photo by TMInspired

What's the secret sauce behind bringing that touch of elegance to your projects?
I think about what I would like when I get my photos taken. And it's always changing too, which is fun. I add things here and there, like notes or checking in on people to let them know I care. I love making people feel seen and heard, so having consultations beforehand to help get to know each other is really fun as well.

Any wild, funny, or heartwarming tales from your wedding adventures?
I had one wedding at The Kelley Farm (LOVE that venue) that sticks out to me the most! I had built a relationship with the bride bonding over Love is Blind and she honestly felt like a friend! I was reminding her how to hold her bouquet before she walked down the aisle, and next thing you know it is just us in the bridal cottage before she walked down the aisle with her father! She looked at me and said "It is really time, huh?!?" We took a selfie together to remember the moment and then she went on her way to get married. This sticks out to me the most because I usually leave the venue before the ceremony. At this specific wedding I was staying to help move florals to the reception after the ceremony and it was fun to see the wedding and listen to the couple's vows.

Photo by Gina Paulson

Advice you want to give couples about the wedding planning process?
HIRE A PLANNER or at least a day of coordinator. There are so many stressors on wedding day and planning a wedding, having your designated teammate to help you through the process is priceless. Also, remember that you don't have to do all the trends, and on the opposite end, don't work so hard to make your day "unique" that it doesn't feel like you and your partner. Prioritize what is important to both of you and the rest will fall into place.

Photo by Gina Paulson

What trends do you hope to see or want to see in 2024?
I am most excited about colorful wedding palettes! With freedom when it comes to a broad palette, I as your florist am able to fully use my creativity and bring it all together beautifully

Spill the tea – what's the next big thing in weddings that has you buzzing with excitement?
I am super excited about florals lining the aisles. They can add such an element of luxury and also be reused after the ceremony around the reception. 

We love working with you, why do you love working with us?
Elegant Affairs is so great to work! The positivity and joy that both Lori and Tiphany embody is not only important for a stressful planning process, but SO important for the energy on the actual wedding day. These gals take the stress out of planning and truly have your best interest in mine. With so many years under their belts, they know everyone in the industry and will 100% help you have the best wedding day you could have fathomed.

If you'd like to work together, please check out my website and fill out the inquiry form at loveleighblooms.com!

Loveleigh Blooms - Contact: Leigh@loveleighblooms.com + Follow IG: @loveleighblooms

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Let’s Talk Wedding Costs and Budgeting

How did you tackle creating a budget for your wedding day? There are many different ways to approach budgeting and creating a financial plan for your wedding day. But, the bottom line in creating a budget is knowing where to start and with what to start with. As you plan your wedding, finances can create an added stress between you, your partner, and your family. As wedding coordinators and planners, we want to decrease that stress and one of the ways we do so is by sitting down with our clients and creating a manageable budget that is safe for our couples.

So, let’s talk about what line items to include in your overall wedding budget and how to stay within your budget! 

The first step to discuss is to figure out where your wedding budget will come from and how you will fund your wedding. In the past, it was a historical tradition that the bride’s family would fund the wedding budget. But, in modern times, many couples choose to ask both families or strictly use their own finances to create their budget. We think that it is important to remember that yes – your wedding day can be your Pinterest dream wedding, but you need to be realistic in what you can achieve. We never want to see our couples disappointed in what their wedding budget can offer, because there are ways to create your dream wedding on a budget. Sit down with your partner and discuss what you can financially afford. What do you have in savings now and what are you able to contribute each month to the wedding fund? Do you feel comfortable talking to your parents to discuss if there is a want to contribute to the wedding budget? These are the foundational questions when starting to build your wedding budget. Do not create a budget, without crunching the numbers of what you can actually afford. We never want to see our couples in a hard spot, or with added stress due to money. We also, never want to see their families’ financial status compromised due to supporting a dream money. So be realistic about setting the “number” for your wedding and whatever you decide, stick to it. Don’t plan the “what ifs” and think about what you can accomplish. 

Once you have your set number, there are some main pillars that will create your budget. We highly recommend hiring a wedding planner as the first portion of your budget, to help you navigate sticking to your budget. First, your wedding budget will determine the amount of people that can attend your wedding. We love our family and friends, but when it comes down to it, each person attending your wedding day is going to be an added cost on your wallet. Sit down with your partner and either choose a set number of guests and collaborate on who to invite, or pre-write your wedding guest list and tailor your guest amount from there. We highly suggest you set your budget and final number first, before even talking about wedding guests. You don’t want to do the opposite, because you may end up piling up debt due to your wedding day. 

Now, the bulk of your wedding budget will go towards the following: your venue, catering, photography, and if needed rentals. When locating and finding a venue, it is important to read the fine lines on what your venue includes. Does it just include the physical space? Will you need to bring rentals in, like tables and chairs for the ceremony and reception? This can be the largest part of your budget, so determining and finding a venue that fits your needs and budget is crucial. Once you’ve located your venue, before signing, be sure to ask if there are rules on preferred vendors. Many wedding venues will work with preferred vendors or a preferred vendor for catering. Catering can often be a budget breaker, so before signing the contract for the venue, reach out and/or research the preferred vendors for catering and determine what their prices are like. You definitely don’t want to book a venue that requires you to use a caterer outside of your budget. Once you’ve booked your venue and your caterer, go ahead and book your photographer. These items will be the largest part of your budget. When you create your budget, set most of your money to fund these areas. 

The smaller areas of your budget will be spread out throughout the year and not require substantial money upfront. You’ll want to create lines in your budget for decor, attire, transportation, and paper products. Decor can be broken down into a vendor for florists, centerpieces, reception, and ceremony area. Don’t be afraid to create and find decor that can be repurposed throughout the wedding sites. There are a lot of affordable options for creating and finding decor in all budgets. Don’t box yourself in and don’t take on too many DIY projects. Because, sometimes those DIY projects that we think will be a money and a time saver, actually end up costing more. 

As you plan your wedding budget, start at the foundation. Create your number with your partner and/or families and stick to it. If you need to adjust your budget throughout, do so, but do not spend above your means. You don’t want your wedding to be a financial burden for yourself, your partner, or your families. After setting lines for the major portions of wedding planning (venue, catering, rentals, and photography) , discuss what other factors are important and how much money you want to set aside for each. This can include florals, wedding attire, transportation, and your DJ. But, through all the planning, know that if you are stuck in the process anyway, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Wedding planners and coordinators can be a part of your wedding planning budget and we highly recommend hiring either a full-time planner or a wedding day coordinator to ease the stress and ensure that your event goes perfectly. At Elegant Affairs, we do offer a free consultation and we’d love to meet with you to discuss how we can help and if our services fit into your budget. So, if you’re newly engaged, reach out to us today! We’d love to help you plan your special day and budget away! Congratulations to all of our new couples – we can’t wait to see what 2024 has to offer you!

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Vendor Spotlight: Port Gamble

Let’s face it – we couldn’t be who we are, without our fabulous vendors. Over the years we’ve met so many wonderful individuals in the wedding industry. We decided to reach out to some of our vendors from the past and present, and ask them what fuels their business and what they're all about! So, sit down and relax with us as we sit down with our vendors to discuss what is at the heart of their business. We are so excited about this week’s vendor:

Port Gamble Weddings & Events

The Port Gamble Weddings office has been established for over 20 years! However, our team is made up of individuals who have all chosen the world of weddings because we feel like we can make a difference in someone's experience and make their special day that much more 

Our company is Port Gamble Weddings and Events and we have been an event venue in the industry for over 20 years. We offer two great venues for your wedding or special event that can accommodate 150-185 guests. St. Pau's Church is our historic 1800's church with waterfront views and classic northeastern charm. Our second venue, the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion is located on the Hood Canal with waterfront views that truly encompass what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Our team is made up of passionate wedding professionals who are here to help you throughout your planning process, walk you through the space prior to your event, create your custom floorplans for your reception, and much more memorable.

We’re dying to know – what made you dive into the world of weddings?
The Port Gamble team says…
“After planning my own wedding and working with such an amazing group of wedding vendors (who honestly have become family at this point) I decided that I wanted to be able to do for other couple's what they did for me. Working with people on one of the most exciting and special events of their life, making them run smoothly, and seeing the happiness that they experience is why I work in the wedding industry!” - Elizabeth

Kristen-
“I've always been drawn to the magic of weddings & how special they can be for each person. I had my start with catering and bartending and had fun seeing guests and the newlyweds have a beautiful experience. It truly is magical and I look forward to every opportunity to see new visions with every couple.” - Kristen

“I was never the girl who played "wedding", or imagined what my wedding would be. However, when I was in college friends and family started getting married. They reached out because of my organizational skills, crafting ability, and vocals. Once I began helping to plan, decorate, and organize weddings...I couldn't stop. There is so much joy and personality that goes into creating a couple's wedding day; I can't help but love being a part of it all.”- Amber

Tell us about how you started your business.
In the early 2000s, we had a team who worked in Port Gamble take a look around and think that the beauty of the town could be an amazingly unique backdrop for someone's special day. A couple of years later in 2002, our historic St. Paul's Church became the home to only a few weddings. Fast forward 21 years later, and Port Gamble is now hosting almost 100 weddings each year in St. Paul's Church or overlooking the water at the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion. Our wedding team is incredibly honored to be part of this historical town and contribute to it's unique history.

Our company is Port Gamble Weddings and Events and we have been an event venue in the industry for over 20 years. We offer two great venues for your wedding or special event that can accommodate 150-185 guests. St. Paul's Church is our historic 1800's church with waterfront views and classic northeastern charm. Our second venue, the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion is located on the Hood Canal with waterfront views that truly encompass what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Our team is made up of passionate wedding professionals who are here to help you throughout your planning process, walk you through the space prior to your event, create your custom floor plans for your reception and much more!

What's the secret sauce behind bringing that touch of elegance to your projects?
Port Gamble Weddings’ secret sauce is definitely our team! As a venue, your building will sell because it's beautiful, fits someone's budget, or can accommodate a certain guest count, but it's the people behind the scenes that really make the magic happen. We have a group of venue coordinators who are very enthusiastic about ensuring our client's experience is beautiful and memorable. When you have a team behind your with that kind of love for their job, you can't lose!

Advice you want to give couples about the wedding planning process?
The best advice I think couples can have is to hire vendors that you can put your trust in and get along with. Although magical, wedding days can also be extremely long and stressful for some. If you have a team of vendors who you can trust to solve problems that may arise, make a couple of day of decisions for you, etc. it will make all the difference in how you remember your wedding day.

What trends do you hope to see or want to see in 2024?
The one big thing that we have noticed is that couple's seem to prioritize their guests overall experience at their wedding. We have seen couples focus more on what they can do for their guests to have a unique experience at their wedding. We have seen things from interactive guests books to couple's hiring artists to draw their guests pictures during the reception. We would really love to see this trend continue throughout 2024, so we can see even more awesome ideas from our couples!

Spill the tea – what's the next big thing in weddings that has you buzzing with excitement?
We just love seeing all of our couples think outside the box and try new things. However, we have loved seeing our couple's use their grandparents as ring bearers & flower girls! It's just too sweet. If this is the next big thing in weddings, we are so ready for it!

We love working with you, why do you love working with Elegant Affairs?
We love working with Elegant Affairs because when they are part of any event, you know that everything is going to go off without a hitch! The their team is always so passionate about making every couple's wedding experience so special and perfect. Couples can head into wedding day knowing that the Elegant Affairs team is going to bring their wedding visions to reality.

Reach out to us today!
Port Gamble Weddings & Events
Portgambleweddings@raydient.com
360.297.8074

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.