Last month we featured this proposal which was planned by the amazing team at Simply U Events. Today we have an interview with the girl behind it all – Heather Vaughn – as she fills us in on what The Yes Girls are all about! Not only do these fabulous ladies help with the planning of your wedding day … they also help out the guys to plan a perfect and personal proposal as well!
Photo Credit: Melissa Disston Photography
How long have you been in business?
About 2 years. I started Simply U Events and Proposals in November 2008.
What inspired you to start your business?
I dreamed of being a wedding coordinator since high school so starting an event planning company was a goal of mine for years. When I graduated CU Boulder in 2008, I decided to go for it and started Simply U Events, LLC. After hearing some marriage proposal stories and doing some research on marriage proposal resources I realized that men could really benefit from a helpful, female proposal planner; however if I was going to plan their proposal it needed to be completely customized to their relationship. I opposed the idea of just giving my clients a general idea because no couple is alike and what makes proposal stories amazing is thoughtfulness. I was hearing too many stories of guys proposing in uncreative and unromantic ways. According to a survey, 80% of women were disappointment in how they were proposed to. So I started helping gentlemen, head over heels for their girlfriends, create and plan personalized proposals. So not only less stress on guys, but their girlfriends get the “wow” proposal story they dreamed about.
Tell us why you think your business is successful.
There are few companies that have tapped into the proposal industry. That can have it’s advantages but it can also be a challenge as many guys don’t realize a resource like Simply U Proposals is available.
I truly believe what makes our proposal business successful is that we are a team of experienced, female event planners who can relate to other females and each proposal is 100 percent customized to our client and his girlfriend. Guys understand they don’t relate to women like women relate to women, especially when it comes to romance. We are now considered “The Yes Girls” and have assisted over 100 gentlemen with their proposals and so far we’ve only heard, “She Said Yes!”
What makes your business unique?
Every proposal starts with our clients filling out a relationship questionnaire in order to get to know them and get a sense of what his future fiancee loves. We don’t just contract his proposal vendors and plan the details (which is important), we give him a female’s perspective so his idea is unique to his gal. When it comes to planning weddings, we have the same philosophy which is customizing a wedding to the couple.
Is there a particular niche you target?
For the proposal business, men getting ready to pop the question. Specifically ones looking for a creative, original and romantic proposal idea and/or in need of help contracting quality vendors and executing that idea due to lack of resources or time.
What is your company’s philosophy when working with wedding couples?
Our company name “Simply U” says it best. Our hope is that every proposal or wedding is simply you; meaning when couples look back on their special day everything from the planning process to the proposal to the wedding captivated their personality.
How do you help couples customize their weddings?
Whether we’re planning a proposal or a wedding, we start by getting to know the couples personality, likes and dislikes so we can work with their style and budget. It’s about building a healthy relationship so each of our clients planning process and event is enjoyable and catered to them. You can read client’s customized proposal stories on our blog Love, The Yes Girls
At what point in the planning process do you typically work with couples?
We offer different proposal packages (and wedding packages), but our most popular starts from the conception of the idea to coordinating the day of the proposal.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business?
Getting the opportunity to assist guys with their marriage proposals is truly a blessing. We meet extremely amazing couples and listen to these gentlemen explain how much they love their girlfriends … it’s amazing to be apart of such a joyful occasion. I love this job!
Here are some images from a recent proposal the girls helped plan …
Photo Credit: Alexandra Sommerfeldt
Click here to read the whole Yes Girls blog post about the proposal.
Featured Photographers: Rich and Mindi Verdi
As I’ve mentioned before … I love surprise proposal photography! Today we have some photos of Ryan’s proposal to Danielle by today’s Featured Photographers – Rich and Mindy from Photography by Verdi.
Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi
Mindy: “Ryan, the ‘Don Juan’ type of guy that he is, arranged for one of his friends, Carlos, who just happens to play guitar, to act like a pan handler on the bridge, dressed in a hoodie complete with open guitar case full of coins.
The bridge was all lit up as if to do it’s part, as well, in the romance dept. Tourists, cyclists, and families were walking across oblivious to the little scheme Ryan had concocted that was just about to unfold. Rich, camera in hand, spotted the two of them walking towards him silhouetted in the light of the bridge and for a second, hoped that Danielle wouldn’t recognize him lurking in the shadows from the wedding, but he had nothing to fear. Ryan strolled hand in hand with Danielle, nervously heading in the direction of Carlos, who was sitting and playing their song, a tune called “Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop”. Danielle, Rich said, tried to pull Ryan along and pondering all at the same time why Carlos was playing their song! At that minute, Ryan, swept up in emotion, got down on one knee before Danielle and popped open a little tiny red box containing the most gorgeous ring I think anyone has laid eyes on and asked her to marry him.”
Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi
Mindy: “Danielle’s eyes swelled up as tears began to flow down her cheeks. The guitarist kept on playing as crowds of people cheered and clapped. Oblivious to anyone but Ryan, who by now was holding her face in his hands, all the while Rich went on snapping away!
She couldn’t believe her eyes and just kept covering her mouth in sheer amazement at her left hand! It was such a sight to behold, so cute and innocent, the way one dreams a proposal should go. After what must still be a blur to her, Ryan’s family came out of the shadows to hug and congratulate them.”
Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi
Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi
Congratulations Danielle and Ryan!
Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi