It’s our absolute pleasure to introduce Mary-Frances Hurt, owner and CEO of DFW Events, one of the leading wedding planning firms in the United States. Located in Dallas, Texas, the delightfully bubbly and efficient Mary-Frances and her excellent team of event planners can customize their planning services to fit each client’s individual needs, from destination management to full-scale wedding production. There’s basically nothing this amazing planner can’t do, and do with a smile.  We asked Mary-Frances to tell us a little about herself, her firm, as well as the wonderful world of weddings.

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN EVENT PLANNER?

{MARY-FRANCES HURT}:  I got married in 1996 and wedding planners were not a necessity like they are now.  I was working full-time and needed help with the planning process.  I saw a niche in the marketplace and started my company the day after I came back from my honeymoon.

{TBC}:  WHAT EXPERIENCE CAN A BRIDE EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH DFW EVENTS?

{MFH}:  Each bride is unique and therefore we match our brides with a lead planner that they will mesh with the best.  Our goal is to make the planning process and wedding day a joyous time with as little stress as possible.  We are prepared to take on as much or as little as a bride needs.  Every detail will be perfected and any issues that may arise will be handled with professionalism and swiftness.

{TBC}:  WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 QUESTIONS A BRIDE OR COUPLE, SHOULD ASK DURING HER/THEIR RESEARCH FOR THE PERFECT PLANNER?

{MFH}:  Here are my must questions… 

1. What is your overall scope, pre-planning, week of, day of, etc?
2. What is your style of working?
3. Can you work with our budget?
4. What relationships do you have with your vendors and how well can you negotiate on our behalf?
5. What tools do you have to help articulate our visions?  For example, sketches, floor plans, design boards, mock-ups, etc.

{TBC}:  AS A PLANNER, WHAT’S YOUR BACK UP PLAN FOR AN EVENT WHERE SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

{MFH}:  Stay calm and always stay in control of the crowd, anything can be corrected.  As the planner we have the benefit of removing emotion from the moment, which allows us to defuse situations with as little effect to the day as possible.

{TBC}:  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDINGS?

{MFH}:  Enjoy the planning process and trust the experts you hire to guide you through the process and the event.

{TBC}:  ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO BRIDES OUTSIDE OF TEXAS?

{MFH}:  Of course!  20% of our business is destination. We have worked from coast-to-coast as well as internationally.  We’ve had the pleasure of working in Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Northeast United States as well as the Wine Country in Northern California, and many other locations in between.

{TBC}:  WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU COMING ACROSS WITH BRIDES WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED IN 2013?

{MFH}:  Food Trucks are continuing to make a splash in the event arena, mostly as a late night food option.  However, we have also used them at outdoor events such as rehearsal dinners or welcome parties.  Bachelorette and Bachelor parties are becoming events themselves as well.  We are being hired to plan Bachelorette weekends both stateside and abroad.

{TBC}:  HOW DO YOU SELECT THE EVENT PROFESSIONALS YOU WORK WITH?

{MFH}:  Over the past 17 years, we have built strong relationships with local and national vendors, of which we are very proud.  Of course, we are also always open to meeting new vendors and expanding our network.  When it comes to matching vendors to clients we always look at aesthetic, price point and personality.

{TBC}:  WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATIONAL AND NEW IDEAS?

{MFH}:  My mind clears best and let’s in new concepts when I’m at the gym.  I love to browse through magazines and the Internet on my iPad and let the ideas flow!

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PARTY ELEMENT THAT HAPPENS DURING THE WEDDING?

{MFH}:  Thirty-seconds before a bride walks down the aisle, she stands with her father one last time as just his daughter.  It’s a moment of complete trust and honesty.  I still get goose bumps every time.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING MOVIE, AND WHY?

{MFH}:  Father of the Bride is a classic you just can’t top it.  It is so honest and true to what everyone thinks, but no one says.  In the end, it is the relationship of father and daughter that has everyone with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR MOST UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING MOMENT?

{MFH}:  The most unforgettable and surreal moment was at a beautiful English style garden wedding.  The groom was “missing” and on cue, the guests hear the spinning of a helicopter rotor overhead.  Suddenly, the Mission Impossible theme song comes blaring through hidden speakers.  Enter a stunt man, disguised as our groom, repelling from a helicopter (a la Mission Impossible), into the ceremony.

{TBC}:  WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEWLY ENGAGED BRIDE?

{MFH}:  Planning a wedding is quite an undertaking.  There are lots of parts and pieces that have to come together to make the perfect day and it can be overwhelming.  Remember what the day is about.  The food, the band, the dress are all secondary to the marriage you are about to enter into.  Enjoy the process, include your groom, and stick to the budget!

{TBC}:  WHAT BRIDAL TRENDS CAN BRIDES EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU?

{MFH}:  We strive to customize each event our the clients vision, not what is currently in favor.  Our trend is to bring each of our brides’ vision to reality.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?

{MFH}:  “Your ability to juggle many tasks will take you far.” – Chinese Fortune Cookie

{TBC}:  IF NOT IN YOUR EXISTING PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

{MFH}:  I think I would be a destination concierge.  Traveling around the world, learning about fabulous places and planning amazing events and vacations for the elite.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS IN THE PIPELINE FOR DFW EVENTS?

{MFH}:  Reaching further into the destination market and creating more of a presence in the event industry on a national scale.

{TBC}:  TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT NOBODY WOULD EVER GUESS.

{MFH}:  I love to fish…with my kids and alone.  Being outside in nature is the best stress relief…well, that and yoga!

{TBC}:  WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAVEL?

{MFH}:  England.  I was born there and have always felt a pull to that country.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR ONE FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

{MFH}:  Taking the day off and spending it on a boat with a picnic.

Since 1996, Mary-Frances and her entire talented team at DFW Events has established an outstanding reputation for designing spectacular weddings, parties and social affairs. Share with them your wildest wedding dreams and watch them come to life!