Designing the Perfect Wedding
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After years in the bridal business, Greg Reese, owner of Events by Reese, admits that his eyes always light up when a bride-to-be says she wants her wedding to be: “different,” “glamorous” or “spectacular.”
It’s a request he hears often.
“I can’t help but be excited by a bride’s enthusiasm,” he says, “and, immediately, we begin to discuss her vision for the event.”
Much like an artist contemplating his craft, Reese approaches each wedding with a plan in mind. He first tasks his bridal clients with the creation of a storyboard, a canvas of sorts filled with pictures from magazines and the Internet as well as hand-drawn elements of color chips, fabric swatches and accent décor.
It’s an important step states Reese because, although more than 60 percent of his brides know what they like, his goal is to achieve maximum impact without going overboard.
“The board really helps us to bounce ideas off one another,” says Reese. “And, the more I get to know about the bride, the event and what she is thinking, the more I can help her get what she really wants.”
It’s a philosophy that parallels the growth of his business.
Initially a wedding planner, Reese is now head of .gif)
a thriving design consultancy responsible for assisting brides with all the design elements she desires for her wedding--- from invitations, cakes and centerpieces to flowers, linens and lighting.
It was a natural progression he says since the majority of his brides like the idea of having a trusted resource for every aspect of the affair.
“Usually, one third of a wedding budget goes to décor,” says Reese, “so, it makes sense to offer complete design assistance so the event feels seamless, and truly reflects the bride and groom.”
Of course, it’s his ability to execute the designs that keeps the bridal clients coming.
One recent bride, in search of a dramatic centerpiece for her bridal table, was overjoyed when Reese chose an eight foot fountain brimming with thousands of roses, orchids and hydrangea. Another asked Reese to incorporate massive ice sculptures into each table centerpiece. Still another is planning an event overflowing with vibrant peacock feathers.
“Today, a wedding is not just a wedding,” he notes. “It’s a production in which every detail is well thought-out.”
So, how does a designer find the inspiration to recreate a day over and over again?
“I enjoy working with the couples,” states Reese, “I even find myself, every so often, on the phone with a bride, late at night, swapping ideas.”
Certainly, with each production, Reese has proven that there are always opportunities to do .gif)
things differently, perfectly personalize an affair and awe a crowd. It’s just part of his job.
After planning the elegant reception, which included the eight foot fountain, Reese was contacted by a relative of the bride, enthralled by the affair, who stated she wanted something bigger and even better. Reese planned her March wedding event.