Wedding Vendor Feature: Lasting Impressions Weddings & Events
Sarah Trotter’s work as a wedding consultant and planner caught my eye, and I had to learn more about her. In this interview she talks about how Charcoal and Slate are her favorite hot wedding colors and how a video photo booth is an up and coming element.
Talk about how you got into wedding planning and why?
I was marketing manager and event planner for a company in California right out of college. I loved it, I got thrown into managing and planning a lot of different kinds of events including weddings and rehearsal dinners. I loved my job, however I was from Minnesota and really wanted to get back to this area. I soon accepted a position with a local wine distributor and moved back to MN. I decided I missed planning events and mainly weddings, so I started Lasting Impressions. It soon grew from a “part-time job” to my full time career… and I love it!!
What do you see as most brides’ biggest misconception about wedding planners?
That you have to have a huge budget to have a wedding planner. The average couple I work with has a $18,000-$25,000 budget. Wedding Planners can save you more money than we cost. This is what I do everyday, I know a lot of tricks and tips to save you a lot of money and stress!
What is your favorite wedding day trend lately?
I love all of the personalization that is happening in weddings right now. I think that is what really sets a wedding apart. It does not take a lot of money, it just takes a little creativity. Coordination of Menu Cards, Place cards, Table numbers that match your invitations. Doing Gift Bags for your hotel guests that have some of your favorite snacks. Offering Late night food that was a favorite of yours when you were a child. Doing a candy bar in your wedding colors or theme. These are all ways you can easily “personalize” your wedding.
DIY brides have become huge in the wedding industry. You see a lot of brides with a lot of homemade, crazy ideas. What is your opinion on DIY on your wedding day?
I love DIY brides. I think it is a great way to really personalize your wedding. I see a lot of brides who start to DIY and then realize they have taken on too much. That is one area where the DIY can be bad. I also tell my brides who want to DIY, make sure you are not paying more for something just to DIY. A lot of brides will decide they want to do their invites themselves to save money and then end up finding it costs a lot more.
If a bride wants to implement some DIY items into her day to help personalize her event for you, what would you suggest a bride doing?
I would suggest she focuses on a few items. Place cards, Menu Cards and Table Numbers are a good area. Making the ring bearer pillow or Flower girl basket is a great idea. Just make sure if you want to sew table clothes, create all of the invites, Do your own centerpieces, etc. That you give yourself plenty of time and really evaluate if it is going to cost more thank it is worth!
What do you feel is the most important element that a bride should incorporate into her wedding day?
A bride should be true to herself. At the end of the day this wedding is about you and your fiance, the only regrets you will have is if you comprimise on things that are important to you!
What advice would you give to the bride and groom so they can enjoy their wedding day the most?
Have a wedding planner! Even if you just have a Day of Coordinator, make sure you have someone to take care of all of the details so you can actually relax and enjoy this day you have worked so hard to plan. Having a Day of Coordinator means that you, your mom, your best friend get to enjoy the day. They don’t have to decorate the wedding venue the morning of your wedding, they don’t have to answer a million questions on the day of the wedding, they don’t have to call the shuttle that is late, they don’t have to worry about how the gifts are geting home. Those are all things that are done for you!!
What beauty tips do you have for brides, regarding hair and makeup?
Make sure that you have a trial run and that you feel good about it. If there is something you don’t like. Tell your stylists, they will not be offended… everyone wants you to be happy!!
What are some favorite color schemes lately for weddings?
I love GREY and it is the new color this year. A dark Slate or Charcoal looks so great with a purple, white, light pink, fushia, etc.
What wedding themes strike you as fresh?
Videobooths or the new “un-photobooths” those are really fun. I still love Lounge furniture and cool lighting as well!!
Be sure to check out Sarah’s blog and her website!!
