Welcome to the place where my heart and soul reside! This is where I come to write about and showcase ALL things that make a mark on me – things that are chic, beautiful, inspiring, and totally unique in the Luxury Wedding and Event Planning industries! This is also the place to find inspiration and tips from our Creative Partners. Often, the wedding and fashion worlds intertwine. So occasionally, I’ll include my favorite fashion finds, trends, and current obsessions. My desire is to give you a peek into a world that has always fascinated me and continues to excite me! Welcome to The Bridal Circle blog.
Wedding Planning Expertise ~ Introducing Amy Zaroff Events + Design
Amy Zaroff is the Lead Planner and Event Producer behind the amazing wedding planning and event design firm, Amy Zaroff Events + Design in Minnesota. In Amy’s world, every single day is a reason unto itself for celebration of some kind with those you love around you. Which is exactly why her luxury lifestyle company focuses on creating events that are an extension of home – creating a sense of vibrancy, energy and comfort. We wanted to better understand Amy’s perspective on what she does as a wedding planner and event producer, as well as what a bride and groom can expect when working with such a talented team of professionals.
{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}: WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF WEDDINGS? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE WEDDING PLANNING AS A CAREER?
{AMY ZAROFF}: My love of event planning came after years as a television producer and restaurant owner. The combination of the two skill sets truly lent themselves to the world of event production. In 2004, I was asked by the owner of a 30 year old invitation, stationery and gift shop if I was interested in purchasing her business. While I never planned to go in to retail, the opportunity to have all things party under one roof was something I could not pass up. We began primarily with bar/bat mitzvahs and birthday celebrations and then expanded to weddings both locally and nationally.
WHAT SKILLS OR PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES DO YOU BELIEVE HAVE LED TO YOUR SUCCESS, BOTH AS A WEDDING PLANNER AND AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I believe my ability to be transparent and honest in all aspects of my personal and professional life are the two main things that have allowed me to be a successful entrepreneur. I love people. The interpersonal connection I make with the people I meet is what drives me in everything I do both personally and professionally. As a people person, I am intrigued by other’s stories and what has brought them to where they are at this moment in time. I like to think on my feet and I love a challenge! I have a “think big” mentality and always want to expand my expertise in all aspects of design, planning and production.
WHAT SPECIFIC SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Amy Zaroff Events + Design offers event design and wedding planning services locally, nationally and internationally.
HOW DOES STATIONERY AND WEDDING INVITATION DESIGN FIGURE INTO THE WHOLE AMY ZAROFF MIX?
The company I purchased in 2004 was an invitation, stationery and gift shop. As such, we have always offered invitations to our clients. Our event clients can expect one -of-a-kind wedding paper suites that truly exude their personality and style.
WHAT ARE THE ABC’S OF “UNPARALLELED SERVICE” ACCORDING TO AMY ZAROFF?
I believe that unparalleled service means understanding the client at a deeper level. We get to know our clients personally through an interview process at the start so we can understand who they are as people and as a couple. We want the entire experience to be a reflection of who they are. Authenticity, transparency and honesty are the three main things that my company strives to deliver to every client we serve.
SOME WEDDING PLANNERS HIGHLIGHT THEIR DESTINATION SERVICES, ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO BRIDES PLANNING THEIR WEDDINGS ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD? OR ARE YOU PERFECTLY HAPPY SPECIALIZING IN YOUR OWN REGION?
We are available to plan weddings anywhere our clients are planning to say “I Do.”
WHAT’S THE BEST COMPLIMENT A CLIENT HAS EVER GIVEN YOU?
A mother-of-the-bride sent me a note saying: “You put your hearts and souls into it all and we could feel it.”
AFTER MANY SUCCESSFUL YEARS AS A WEDDING PLANNER, WHAT DO YOU STILL LOVE ABOUT WEDDINGS?
I love the lasting friendships we make with our brides and grooms, and celebrating their future milestones beyond just the wedding day.
HANDS DOWN, WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT LOGISTICAL ELEMENT INVOLVED IN A WEDDING?
Form and function coming together. If the design isn’t functional, you have nothing but a pretty picture. It’s the experience that people remember, so an incredibly detailed event order that anyone could pick up and understand (if need be) is an absolute must on the wedding day.
WEDDING PLANNERS ARE HARD WORKING! HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR ENERGY AND STAY INSPIRED? WHAT JUICES YOU UP?
Old school rap keeps me plugging away. (And the inspiration comes from travel, dining in great restaurants and keeping current on fashion trends and the world of design.)
IN REALITY, WEDDINGS TAKE A VILLAGE TO PRODUCE. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR TALENTED TEAM OF PLANNERS AND ARTISTS WHO WORK WITH YOU AT AMY ZAROFF EVENTS + DESIGN? AND HOW YOU STAFF ON-SITE EVENT MANAGEMENT?
Our team is made up of many talented producers and designers including the following:
Allie Markman is our Director of Client Services. She is the first person clients speak with when inquiring with us about planning their event. Allie also coordinates the printed pieces attached to an event including the save the dates, invitations, programs, place cards, cocktail napkins and thank you notes. On a wedding day, Allie can be found with the bride to ensure that they are relaxed and can enjoy all of the details, as well as all of their family and friends. Following the ceremony, she joins the team at the reception and assists with the execution of the day.
Allison Anderson and Beth Rubin-Gabor are our Event Producers. They spend their days making lists and checking them twice. They seek out the best creative partners for their clients and ensure that the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted. While the role is innately a logistician, they are creative thinkers and master orchestrators. As a result, form and function go hand in hand when an event is executed.
Matthew Myhrum is our Event Designer. His role is to take the ideas I have conceptualized and turn them into functional, three dimensional works of art that can be brought to life by our creative partners.
On wedding days, one team member is assigned to the bride and her bridal party for the hours leading up to the ceremony, two are on hand at the ceremony site and two team members are at the reception space with our creative partners to ensure all of the plans are coming to life flawlessly.
WHAT DO YOU CAUTION YOUR CLIENTS ABOUT THE MOST?
Your guest list drives your budget. If you want 500 people at your wedding, you have to be willing to pay for 500.
AS A PROFESSIONAL EVENT PLANNER, HOW DO YOU ENTERTAIN AT HOME?
I entertain casually at home as I believe the best dinner parties are always the ones where you start in the kitchen with friends enjoying cocktails and appetizers, then end up at the dinner table telling stories for hours and laughing over great wine and delicious home-cooked food.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANY PERSON FOR LUNCH, FAMOUS OR NOT, WHO WOULD IT BE, WHERE WOULD YOU MEET AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?
My paternal grandfather. I never met him as he passed away in his early 40s, but he gave me my father and he made my grandmother very happy for many years before he died. I would order whatever he was having.
WHAT IS YOUR CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT, MIRACLE-WORKING MUST-HAVE, SECRET WEAPON IN YOUR WEDDING DAY EMERGENCY KIT?
Hollywood Fashion Tape and a steamer.
WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE THING COUPLES NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING THEIR WEDDING PLANNER?
The main thing any couple should consider when hiring a wedding planner is if their styles are aligned with their planner’s and if they enjoy spending time together.
While designers and planners may tell you we can be all things to all people, we cannot. Each of us have a professional style that can be easily identified in all we do. If those things match the experience you are after, you are in good hands.
AFTER A WEEKEND ON YOUR FEET, WHAT WOULD WE MOST LIKELY FIND YOU DOING ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON?
Getting a pedicure and spending time with my husband and two sons.
WHAT ARE THREE WEBSITES, BLOGS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU READ EVERY DAY?
www.thinksplendid.com, www.sethgodin.com, and The New York Times
SOMEDAY, I PLAN TO ________________________________
Travel the world.
YOU’VE JUST RELAUNCHED YOUR WEBSITE WITH A FABULOUS NEW BRANDING CONCEPT, BUT WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMY ZAROFF? WHERE DO YOU SEE THE COMPANY GOING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
We have a lot of exciting plans in the works. You will have to stay tuned to find out! For more information on our services, please reach out to us! 952.941.3371
{Amy Zaroff’s headshot provided by Matt Blum Photography}
