Company: High Culture: Weddings & Special Events Inc.

Location: Edmonton and area & further destinations

Website: http://web.mac.com/high.culture/

Blog: High Culture Blog

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I have always been a planner. The source of inspiration to plan weddings and special events came to me at a very young age. For as long as I can remember, I have always been inspired by Preston Bailey and Colin Cowie and when I was younger, I absolutely loved to watch Giada de Laurentiis television program Behind the Bash. I grew up in the hospitality industry – my father a Food & Beverage Director and my mother a pastry chef (former). From there, I worked part time at events for my dad and in grade ten, I was a student in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme where I completed a personal project about weddings – what they consist of and how to plan one. After I had finished my project which I had been fully consumed by, I felt like I was missing something in my life – wedding planning, so I completed a Wedding & Special Event Planning course directed by Milena Santoro, a former wedding & special events coordinator from Vancouver. It was an absolutely incredible experience. After I received my certificate from completing the course, I slowly began to gain clients (while still a high school student!).

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
I do it all – I plan other functions as well but weddings are what I choose to specialize in. In regards to weddings, I do full coordinating, day of management, and design. I enjoy working on events both locally as well as other destinations. I love to travel – I have a passport that is always ready to be used!

What is your favourite part of a wedding?
This is a tough one – I have a lot of favourites! When I complete full coordination, I absolutely love going through the planning process ensuring that a couples vision will be executed as well as being able to see everything unfold on the day of! I find it so gratifying to see my clients wowed and to go beyond their expectations. A few favourites: the beginning of the ceremony, the first kiss, speeches (I love listening to sentimental and heartfelt speeches)… I LOVE knowing that I have been a part of one of the most significant days of a couples lives.

Do you have a favourite style/theme of wedding?
I adore classy and elegant weddings. Candlelight and flowers are two of my favourite items in the area of decor. I also love it when a wedding is unique to the couple – when a couple adds their own personal touch(es) to their wedding, it feels more real, more them.

What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Preston Bailey
Edmonton Wedding Photographers – there are so many gorgeous images to view!
Wedding Obsession

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to travel! I am constantly intrigued by trends and traditions within each culture and I think that traveling is the perfect way to gain cultural knowledge. Cooking & baking (I am a total foodie), painting & decorating, and reading are also some of my favourite pastimes.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Well, I think that the advice can be shared between the couple – your wedding day is a stepping stone to spending the rest of your lives together and I think that this process is really the precursor to what you can expect from your life together. Enjoy the moment!