Get To Know Pretty Plans

Over the past two years, the Pretty Plans team has expanded! Now a team of five, we think it’s time that our couples get to know our planners on a more personal level. The faces behind the emails and meetings are a team of wedding gurus who ensure that your day is exactly as you imagined. So, who are we? We’re introducing a new blog series, “Get To Know Pretty Plans,” where we take you behind-the-scenes and into the lives of our team!

We’re kicking off the series with Emily Scott, Pretty Plans Guest Experience Manager and Wedding Consultant. Emily is everything you’d imagine a Wedding Planner to be; she’s organized, full of creativity, has a personality like sunshine, and is the ultimate cool girl. If she’s helping you plan your wedding, just know that you’re in the best hands. Let’s jump right in!

Get To Know Pretty Plans With Emily Scott

Pretty Plans: Hi Emily! Let’s start with something simple. How long have you been planning weddings and how did you get into events?

Emily Scott: Growing up, large family dinners were a common occurrence in my household. Some of my earliest memories are of obsessing over candle placement on tables and where people would be seated. My classmates were primarily focused on what gifts they might get at their birthday parties, whereas I was more concerned about what the menu would be at mine. Fortunately, what started as a somewhat peculiar obsession for a young child has blossomed into a rewarding and successful career. Working in events was a total no brainer for me, but the move to focusing on weddings was a bit of kismet. I planned my first wedding in 2013; At the time, I was working as an events coordinator mainly doing gala fundraisers for nonprofits, and a vendor I regularly worked with asked if I would help with his wedding. I fell in love with it instantly, and just over a year later transitioned my career to focus on weddings full time.

PP: That must have been an exciting transition! Tell us about your role with Pretty Plans.

ES: I'm a Wedding Consultant and Guest Experience Manager. This means that not only do I work directly with some of our lovely wedding couples on planning their big day, from design to vendor sourcing and leading right up to the coordination on site, but I also consult on guest experiences for couples working with the rest of our team. This includes things like finding the perfect band, creating custom gift options, and anything in between that creates an elevated experience for the wedding guests!

PP: Since you’ve been in events for almost a decade, can you tell us what you love most about wedding planning?

ES: I love getting to know my couples and pulling out the little details that are "totally them" and finding ways to integrate them into their wedding day. Just like every couple is unique, so should be every wedding. Finding those little touches that people have never seen before, but are perfect for them - that's what I love.

PP: We love that! What's your top tip for newly engaged couples?

ES: After you've had a chance to celebrate (champagne first - always!), it's important to sit down with your partner to talk about what each of your priorities are. This can really help to establish your first steps in the wedding planning process. For example, if you have a photographer that you absolutely adore and can't imagine your wedding without, knowing their availability will help to direct any wedding date inquiries with venues. It's also a good idea to have some of the tougher conversations, usually revolving around budget and guest list, right off the top as well. Couples sometimes have a tendency to avoid this because they want to stay in that fresh engagement bliss as long as possible, but if you're not on the same page it usually comes back to haunt you at some point or another.

PP: We agree that champagne comes first! You are a big music lover – can you tell us your top three first dance songs?

ES: Ohhhh this is hard, especially because I think the best songs are the ones that feel really personal to the couple, either because they're tied to a memory or the lyrics really speak to them. Some that I love though are “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke, “I Was Born to Love You” by Ray LaMontagne, and “You're All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.

PP: What about your top three processional songs?

ES: The same sentiment applies here. I think the best songs are going to be personal to the couple, but some of my favourites are “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds, “Nobody” by LEISURE ft. GoldLink, and “Into the Wild” by Lewis Watson.

PP: Here comes a hard question. Can you tell us about your favourite wedding from last year and why it was your favourite?

ES: This is a tough question because there are so many fantastic ones to choose from! I think I'd have to say an Italian al fresco inspired wedding that took place in the groom's parents backyard. The couple had such a keen eye for design, and it really came through in all the little details from incorporating lemons into their table scape, to the vintage inspired glassware. The florist we used also did an incredible job of amplifying the already gorgeous setting by creating very natural and whimsical arrangements to compliment the landscaping. There was something magical about the intimate dinner, set-up under the stars and surrounded by their families. More than anything, it just really resonated that it felt like the perfect wedding for them.

PP: That sounds incredible! It’s so important that the wedding feels unique to each couple, and it sounds like they accomplished that. Do you have a favourite Guest Experience that you've helped a couple plan?

ES: I love creating guest experience elements that also double as decor. Last summer we created a dried flower and seed bar for guests to create their own "confetti" for when the couple recessed back up the aisle. We set up a gorgeous wood harvest table on the beach near the ceremony set-up, used matte black ceramic bowls, and asked each guest to create a mixture to represent their wishes for the couple's marriage by including signs about what each option symbolized (i.e. white heather lavender for protection, jasmine for amiability, etc.) Not only did the table set-up look gorgeous, but it engaged the guests in the ceremony in a really sentimental way.

PP: Planning a wedding is no easy feat. What do you think is the most important thing to look for when choosing a Wedding Planner?

ES: I think the most important thing is finding someone who you really connect with. Wedding planning can be stressful at times, so it's important for you to feel comfortable with your Planner, including feeling confident that they really understand your needs and vision.

PP: Absolutely. Having an open line of communication with your Planner is so important. Now for some post-wedding fun, what destination is on the top of your honeymoon list right now?

ES: I am really into pasta and wine, so I would love to eat and drink my way around Italy. I’ve heard amazing things about a hotel called Le Sirenuse in Positano. The hotel even has its own boat that you can take out in the evening to see the famous Amalfi coastline. After that, I’d like to head to Croatia for a bit of sailing and seafood!

We hope you enjoyed the first interview in our “Get to Know Pretty Plans” series! Keep an eye out for our post next month, where we’re chatting with Pretty Plans Social Media Manager, Nicole Gregory.

XO,

The Pretty Plans Team

Photo 1, 2, and 5 : Kathryn Lane | Photo 3: Ash Buck Photography | Photo 4: Rebecca Wood Photography