Vendor Highlight | Alyssa Jean Signature Events
ALYSSA JEAN SIGNATURE EVENTS | CONNECTICUT WEDDING PLANNER
Arturo and I have had the pleasure of working with Alyssa Johnson, owner of Alyssa Jean Signature Events, on several occasions, and we absolutely adore her! Each time we’re on the same vendor team as Alyssa, we know our couple’s wedding day is going to be executed flawlessly. I’m always in awe of the designs she creates for her couples because no two events are ever the same. Her attention to detail is top-notch (as it should be with any wedding planner!) ensuring her clients can truly relax and enjoy their wedding day. I’m so excited to finally showcase Alyssa’s talent as you get to know more about her and Alyssa Jean Signature Events in the interview below!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
"My career in hospitality and events began during my freshman year of college. I graduated from UMass Amherst with a major in Hospitality Tourism Management, with a specific focus on event management. I was one of those people that knew what I wanted to do and built my college experience around it. After graduating, I worked in hotels and convention centers to gain experience in catering sales and event operations. I worked my way up to Director of Catering before branching out on my own. I moved to Connecticut in June 2017 and in January 2018, Alyssa Jean Signature Events was born. T he first couple of years were a true hustle as I was new to owning a business and new to the area so I had zero knowledge about the best venues and vendors. As the years have ticked by, I've had the pleasure of working with so many talented professionals (including Shaina & Arturo!) and grown AJSE into a well-known planning business throughout Connecticut.”
What do you love most about being a wedding planner?
"I absolutely love solving puzzles and managing logistics. These two skills were really what pushed me into the event planning world. I thrive in fields that require attention to detail and creating master itineraries (like if you want to go on the most well-planned vacation ever, go with me!). My event planning career began with corporate events but I found that world to be very black and white. While every event is working with a budget, the bottom line is really all that mattered in the corporate world. Weddings let me tap into my creative side a bit more and also let me develop more personal relationships with my clients. Plus, it's a wonderful feeling to know you are playing a part in a day that people will remember for the rest of their lives.”
What should couples know about your process and about working with you?
"You hired me to guide you, so have faith that I will do that! There is really nothing worse than working with a client who tries to plan it their way. Most of my clients are wonderful and trust the process. I understand it can be nerve-wracking to plan such a large-scale event, but if you follow the recommendations of your planner, we ensure you are working with reputable, professional vendors who will go above and beyond to give you an amazing experience and an unforgettable wedding day. The number one thing I ask couples for is timely replies. When I'm proposing vendors, feedback within a few days is super important, otherwise we may lose vendors to other couples. I'm an advocate for over-communication. I want my couple and their vendor team to be aware of all the little details because those are what make up the wedding day. Once the wedding day comes, outside of something catastrophic, we have planned for every scenario and it's going to be great.”
What is your favorite part about working with couples who are planning their wedding day?
"Getting to the wedding day and watching them finally relax and enjoy themselves. My favorite part is the reception reveal when I show them a space that has been transformed into their vision. I've had brides cry at the sight of it, some who give me the biggest hug ever, and others are just speechless while taking it all in. That moment is what makes the months and months of hard work worth it to me. The wedding industry can be draining; we are giving up weekends with our families to give our all to our couples and their families so it's really important we find meaning in our work. While I love getting to know my couples and helping them along the way, truly the best moment for me is when set-up is complete, the ceremony is over, formalities are through and they are tearing up the dance floor. That’s when the feeling truly sinks in that we've pulled off another top-notch event. On the flip side though, it means my time with that particular couple has come to an end which is always bittersweet.”
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"My clients! While I have my own personal style and taste, I'm not creating a wedding for myself, I'm creating one for them. It's really important I understand what they like so I can help craft a design concept and pull it all together with the vendors that will bring that concept to life.”
How early should couples book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"12-18 months in advance for in-season weddings. Off-season clients can book closer to their date as they are not competing with as many couples for venues and vendors (9 months is perfect for off-season). While I do book up to two years out, I often find that to be too long of a planning period. It leaves too much time to change direction which puts extra stress and extra work on both the client and myself. For full-service clients, 12-18 months is the sweet spot so we have enough time to secure great vendors but it's not too long. Full-service clients are our bread and butter and then we do sometimes fill in with partial planning and the very occasional wedding management client.”
What is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a couple for their wedding day?
"Stay authentic to yourselves and have fun. Don't buy into the latest trends if they aren't your thing. Don't take the process too seriously. It's meant to be fun. Yes, it can get stressful but at the end of the day, you're literally planning a party. Try not to sweat the small stuff! When you look back on your wedding day in 5, 10, or 15 years, do you want to remember being mad during your entire reception because it rained? Or do you want to look back and be like ‘You know what? It rained. And we still had the best time ever’."
If you don't already, be sure to follow Alyssa to stay up to date with her latest projects!
Facebook: Alyssa Jean Signature Events
Instagram: @alyssajeanevents
www.alyssajeansignatureevents.com
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Alyssa of Alyssa Jean Signature Events! Will you be working with a wedding planner for your celebration?
