Toronto-based wedding planner Crystal Adair-Benning, owner of Distinct Occasions, prides herself on channeling her clients’ love stories into the best damn party they, or their guests, have ever been to. EVER. She wants a couple’s style, as individuals and as a couple, to blend beautifully and efficiently with her team’s organizational guidance and design prowess to create a distinctly original celebration everyone will adore. But that authentic party experience has to come from establishing an amazing, trusting relationship with your wedding planner and her team. So, here we are, chatting up Crystal about what she does, how she engages her brides and grooms, what inspires her to design luxury events with her clients and how she pulls all the planning pieces together…

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}:  HEY CRYSTAL, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

{CRYSTAL ADAIR-BENNING}:  I’m an only-child farm girl who moved to the big city for University and never left. I feel like a chameleon and can make myself at home just about anywhere. I studied Public Relations in Toronto and then got my Masters degree in Media in Scotland. I never really envisioned myself as a Wedding Planner truthfully. I always thought I’d work as an adventure tour guide somewhere exotic or teaching University but talk about the world throwing you signs – I kept coming back to events and eventually weddings.  So, as my better half would say, I’m the best of both worlds – a hopeless romantic that’s a little bit city and a little bit country.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF WEDDINGS? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE WEDDING PLANNING AS A CAREER?

The very first moment I watched a groom see his bride for the first time walking down the aisle I was completely hooked – cliché as it is! I had been planning events around the globe long before I found weddings but the celebration, being an integral part in a once-in-a-lifetime moment really just inspired me. I LOVE the ability to get to know my couples and infuse their personality into each and every wedding – it’s what keeps it fresh, new and challenging each and every day. I am in the business of L.O.V.E. and that’s pretty darn amazing!

WHY DID YOU NAME YOUR WEDDING PLANNING BUSINESS “DISTINCT OCCASIONS”? WHAT DOES THE WORD “DISTINCT” MEAN TO YOU?

I named my business ‘Distinct Occasions’ for a couple of reasons but the biggest was that I never felt like I belonged. I was unique, different… distinct. I wanted to plan weddings and events for couples that felt that way too. That wanted to know the rules and then twist them or break them to make them better somehow. Being ‘Distinct’ for me is all about knowing who you are and just being you. It’s about making each and every occasion a once-in-a-lifetime moment that you will never recreate ever again. I love the magic of memories!

IN ADDITION TO WEDDING PLANNER & DESIGNER, YOU ALSO CALL YOURSELF A WEDDING STYLIST, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

When I get close to my couples I can’t help but stylize their weddings and events. It’s my job to not only see the big picture but to make the smaller details match perfectly. By being a Wedding Stylist, I work with you to add style to your event. Together, we incorporate all of the elements (stationery, entertainment, décor, menu) and really work with it to make sure there’s a consistency and vibrancy there. Being a Wedding Stylist isn’t just about coordinating the whole wedding team but about communicating a vision and ensuring the follow through so no detail (big or small) is left to chance!

WHAT SPECIFIC SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?

I am a Wedding Dream Translator.  I work with clients who may have been to all of their friends and families weddings and loved them but want something different. I first start by getting to know my couples. It’s so much easier when you can plan with them in mind! After we’re all cozied and friendly I start working on a plan for them – luscious florals, fabulous décor,  entertainment to keep the party going all night, invitations to get guests excited – we use each element to tell their love story. I work closely with the entire team to build this incredible wedding experience that truly is once-in-a-lifetime and absolutely awesome. Working with me should be fun, exciting and in the end… should take your breathe away.

ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO BRIDES PLANNING THEIR WEDDINGS ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD?

As long as I can get my passport stamped; you can have a wedding with us anywhere around the globe. The more far-flung and unique… the better!

WHAT’S THE FURTHEST FROM HOME YOU’VE WORKED?

With offices around the globe, I guess our Australian office has to be the furthest (technically it’s literally the other side of the world) but we’ve been blessed to work in gorgeous parts of Asia and New Zealand that also earned us crazy air miles!

ARE DESTINATION WEDDINGS EASIER OR HARDER TO PLAN? DOES IT MATTER?

Harder – but I LOVE a good challenge. When going destination there’s much more legwork involved. You can’t always rely on your “team” locally to get you through the curve balls. You really have to do your homework and make sure each and every new team member is exceptional at what they do and can truly share your vision – timezones, language barriers and locale customs included!

WHAT’S THE BEST COMPLEMENT A CLIENT HAS EVER GIVEN YOU?

That I knew them better than they knew themselves. The best compliments are always the ones expressing just how much their vision matched our reality and how we truly made a concept into an experience. I LOVE THAT.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WEDDINGS?

Honestly? What’s NOT to love? I get to design, create and collaborate on couples once-in-a-lifetime moments. Being in the presence of true love; bearing witness to that; there is absolutely nothing quite like it. You can be having the worst day possible and seeing two people in love truly brings it back home.

HANDS DOWN, WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT LOGISTICAL ELEMENT INVOLVED IN A WEDDING?

Event flow! Designing, creating and actually using floor & service plans that allow movement in your space from placement of the bar to ceiling height, chair spacing for food and kitchen access each little detail needs to be precise for the event to run smoothly.

WEDDING PLANNERS ARE HARD WORKING! HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR ENERGY AND STAY INSPIRED?

Put faith in the heart. Let love lead you. It sounds kinda hokey and hippy but when your drained it helps to keep you going. I am a hopeless romantic – witnessing love is part of my personal joy. To keep up energy tho, I invest in myself by having a personal trainer, getting as much rest as I can when I can, and booking time away to explore new places in the world. I travel at least twice a year to places I have never been before to learn, to explore, and to get inspired.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE TOP THREE BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNERS AND WHY?

This is a REALLY tough question to answer as I admire and adore them all but if I had to break it down for me personally…

Sarah Houston – her gowns are custom, classic, with gorgeous attention to a woman’s body.

Valencienne – really a step beyond when it comes to details from hemlines to pockets to lace.

Claire Pettibone – boho, luxurious details, amazing fabrics. Gowns that revel in romanticism.

WHAT DO YOU CAUTION YOUR CLIENTS ABOUT THE MOST?  

Service! Without amazing service you will NOT have an amazing party. I always encourage my clients to increase the ratio of servers to guests. Add door attendants. Include valet service. Even greeters (guest assistants) can make a huge difference in how a guest feels and experiences your event.

AS A PROFESSIONAL EVENT PLANNER, HOW DO YOU ENTERTAIN AT HOME?

Casually with unexpected touches is my favourite way to entertain. My home is very vibrant and alive – mixing raw wood tabletops with eclectic metal details and collectibles from my travels. Every time I celebrate I theme the party/event and have fun with it. When in Australia I hosted a Southern BBQ on the beach. In Toronto I hosted a Thai picnic. I love inspiring people with where I’ve been and what I’m up too but in a loose, non-formal way!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT, BEAUTY PRODUCT?

It’s a toss-up between my Burt’s Bee’s pomegranate lip balm and my Clinique chubby stick in Pudgy Peony!

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND EVERY COUPLE SHOULD DO TO MAKE THEIR WEDDING UNFORGETTABLE?

Enjoy it! If you’re up and having fun, being social, celebrating – so will they! Hosting a wedding means all of your loved ones are there to see you and celebrate with you. Learn to love the spotlight and celebrate with your guests and you’ll have nothing but amazingly-over-the-top memories.

IF YOU COULD PLAN A WEDDING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

New Zealand is my favourite place on earth! I would love to plan a mountaintop wedding with a vineyard/ocean reception. Such an amazing place to be able to literally “have it all”.

AFTER A WEEKEND ON YOUR FEET, WHAT WOULD WE MOST LIKELY FIND YOU DOING ON MONDAY?

Skydiving, bungee jumping, Zorbing, white water rafting, swimming with sharks… adrenaline adventure junkie right here!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 23-YEAR-OLD SELF?

Fall in love endlessly – with your career, with your hobbies, with travel, and especially with your partner. Repeatedly. Daily. Love with all your heart. It’s the secret to true joy.

THANKS SO MUCH CRYSTAL! LOVE YOUR ANSWERS, THEY’RE FRESH AND FUN!

For more information on Crystal Adair-Benning and Distinct Occasions, check out her website!