Let’s face it… planning the perfect wedding proposal is no easy task! There is a lot of pressure to plan a moment that will always be remembered. Many men today are seeking the help of a proposal planner to put all of their ideas in place. I love this idea! Who wouldn’t want the help of a wedding professional to make sure all of the details are just right?
Photo Credit: Jennifer Davis Photography
Recently we got in touch with Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner from Brilliant Event Planning, who is an expert at helping to plan the perfect proposal. When it comes to planning this once in a lifetime moment, Sarah says the most important factor is personalization. Read more from Sarah below…
Photo Credit: Ziatko Batistich
What inspired you to start your business?
The idea of planning dream marriage proposals came to me when I heard that a friend-of-a-friend proposed to with a ring at the bottom of a fried chicken bucket. His heart was in the right place because he was trying to incorporate her favorite food, but it dawned on me that there had to be a better way. From there, I started designing elaborate engagements and became known as The Proposal Planner.
What options for customization do you offer?
Each proposal is unique to the couple, so the possibilities for customization are endless! I tailor every proposal to reflect their unique love story so each one is different and the only limits are as far as the imagination can take you.
If you could give one tip to couples who are planning a proposal, what would it be?
Document it! This is one of the most memorable moments and you should get caught up in the emotion, which many times means that you won’t remember the details – what you said, what she said, how it all happened. Having photos or video of your engagement allows you to re-live it, and share with friends and family! If you can’t afford to hire someone, ask a friend to help with his or her camera or iphone.
What is something that most people don’t know about your biz/you?
I don’t think most people know that I am recently engaged myself – my fiance surprised me with a very romantic trip to Jamaica, and proposed over a picnic on the beach of a private island. It was absolutely perfect for us as a couple!
What is your one must-have item/product/tool to have on-hand when you’re working?
A schedule for the entire event, including the contact numbers of everyone involved. It’s the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly!
If you had to choose one word to describe yourself/your business what would it be?
Brilliant!
5 Things that make you happy?
Travelling the world
Giant slices of pizza
Salsa dancing
Green Bay Packers (where I was born & raised 
My Brilliant clients!
Photo Credit: Sofia Negron
Photo Credit: Blue Daisy
Photo Credit: Pap the Question
Jump over to Brilliant Event Planning to learn more about Sarah’s proposal and wedding planning services!
Vendors We Heart: Urban Poppy
Urban Poppy is a wonderful southern floral design boutique dedicated to providing couples with the ultimate floral designs for their wedding day. Anissa, owner of Urban Poppy, works with couples to create floral decor that is completely customized for their event. From soft and sweet to bright and bold, Anissa does it all, giving each wedding its own touch of beauty!
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
What inspired you to start your business?
Although I grew up in NYC, our backyard was full of flowers. As a little girl and with each new season, my mom would walk around with me and would name the little shoots and buds that eagerly pushed up out of the soil. Many of these flowers would be cut for enjoyment indoors and to give as nosegays to our teachers: snowdrops and crocuses, violets and daffodils, wild roses and peonies, and scores of others.
I’ve always had little arrangements when I was little or from wildflowers picked alongside a country road during my college days in Ohio. Although most of my work was in baking, coffee shop tables would be graced with a little arrangement.
As it goes with many folks introduced to the wedding business, my first bridal flowers were for a close friend’s wedding. She and her guests sincerely loved them. After I sold my cafe and decided to hang up my flour-covered apron, I had a long conversation with my parents whilst figuring out my next venture. What have I always loved since I was a child I asked. My father said that was easy: flowers. Although I found myself traveling and living abroad the next few years as a guide and teacher, I held on to that idea.
Several years later, returning to the States with my own wedding to plan, I designed the flowers; I was my second client. Our wedding was recently featured in the Knot Georgia magazine and January of 2011 marked the official beginning of Urban Poppy.
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
What options for customization do you offer?
Every bride is unique, therefore, so is every arrangement and bouquet. I explain to brides that I am a wedding floral designer, not a florist. This difference, I believe, allows me to place my full attention on each bride and design around her individual style. So I guess it would be fitting to say that all of Urban Poppy’s flowers are custom.
If you could give one tip to couples who are planning a wedding, what would it be?
A general tip would be try not to change your style and color palette every month. In other words, once you have chosen your look, whether it be modern, romantic or vintage (just a few examples) and the color palette, make sure they are a reflection of you and try to stick with them. There are so many gorgeous ideas and photos out there; like regular candy, too much eye candy can make you feel a little overwhelmed as well. This allows your vendors the time they need to truly capture your look and create a cohesive vision.
Another strong word of advice for any out of town destination bride is to invest in a reputable wedding planner, whether it be year of, month of or day of. They only seem like an unnecessary expense until the bride is running around in her Vera Wang sweating in 100 degree heat trying to arrange chairs and guests and figure out where the band is and are they really in the right historic square? Excellent planners are worth their weight in gold. This day was meant for you, the bride, to enjoy, not to have a nervous breakdown.
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
What is something that most people don’t know about your biz/you?
My background is in graphic design. As a designer, I’m not just thinking of whether the flowers are the right colors; I’m thinking of the dress, the cake, the bride’s personality, the color of the table linens and the season. Designing is creative problem solving. I love creating unique and wonderful florals for my brides. I could create the most beautiful arrangement, but if it’s not what my bride was imagining and wanting, I’ve failed as a designer.
What is your one must-have item/product/tool to have on-hand when you’re working?
My clippers and some good tunes.
If you had to choose one word (or phrase) to describe yourself/your business what would it be?
that’s about it, lol). I love being able to create beautiful work in a gorgeous environment. Sometimes the arrangements really shock me when they are finished with how lovely they are. I give all the credit to the flowers 
Beauty (not, myself; I’m cute
5 Things that make you happy?
…
Aside from flowers, of course
A good book in a sunny spot with my cat.
The sunrise and watching baby squirrels wake up and play in the tree outside my sunroom while I’m drinking a yummy cup of coffee.
Traveling and living abroad with my gypsy husband.
Playing soccer with the boys and stealing the ball from under their noses.
The smell of the sea and the distant sound of a ship coming to port. It is the sound of a promised adventure.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A reminder to brides to enjoy their whole wedding weekend. Many of us women really do have a hard time delegating and relinquishing control. Especially if you are a DIY bride, plan well and delegate tasks early to folks you trust. Work with vendors you trust and like and that really take the time to help you and explain things.
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy
Photo Credit: Urban Poppy