Q&A with Lisa Bracco of LB Events
Recently I sat down with a client who was interested in getting to know me and about the event planning business. While going through her questions I asked if I could record as I thought this was a great opportunity to use the interview as a way for you all to get to know me too.
Q: How did you get into the event planning industry?
A: I have been planning events my whole life. From choosing the theme of my birthday parties as a child to planning semi formals for my sorority, I have always just had a passion for making an event special and memorable for people. I don’t think there was ever a point where I thought, Yup i’m finally in the business of event planning, but I am happy to be a part of this industry doing something I love and being a part of people’s big life moments.
I guess if I had to pinpoint an actual time I felt like a professional at planning events, I would say when I was promoted to Special Event’s Coordinator at the IT company I worked at. As the company’s event planner I was able to choose the venues for monthly events for employees, come up with the decor, theme, entertainment, and more. I met with vendors, went over menus with chefs and caterers, and created some really amazing parties for my colleagues, all 400 of them.
One of my first large scaled formal events for them was at Ellis Island, which was not only magically beautiful on its own, but full of history and architecturally unbelievable to look at. Going to meetings there prior to the event to get the logistics and timelines down was one of my favorite things to do, because I got to visit this amazing place and work with their awesome team. I guess setting up that event and being there to greet guests and see their faces upon arrival was when I really felt like “Yes, I did a good job and now I am a REAL event planner.”
Q: What was one of your favorite events to plan?
A: I am not necessarily sure if this would be considered an event, but I recently planned my best friend, Marissa’s bachlorette party in Scottsdale, Arizona and had the best time pulling all the little details together for it. Her theme was tropical flamingos and I took that and ran with it. I created custom Itineraries for the 10 girls who attended along with shirts, cups, and decor for the home we rented for the weekend. So much of my time and energy went into planning her weekend and making sure it was perfect for her. I loved every second of it and I really loved how much she appreciated it and enjoyed herself. As for what we did in Scottsdale, that will never be disclosed :)
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Meeting new people and being able to use my creativity to make their events special and unique. Even if it’s just a day of coordination, just being able to keep my clients at ease on what could be a very stressful day for them is what makes it all worth it for me. Planning and Coordinating is my creative outlet and I am lucky enough that I have had great clients that let me run free with it.
Q: What do you like least about your job?
A: How exhausted I feel the day after an event! When I was 23 and just starting out I was able to get up the next day, hang out with my friends, go to brunch and go about my normal life. Now I need a relaxing day on the couch catching up on my shows in order to feel normal again.
Q: Why should I hire an event planner for my wedding when my venue already has a coordinator?
A: Oh I love this question!
Well, when you hire a wedding planner he/she is there to work with you and assist you with the planning of your wedding. We make sure all the details are taken care of on your day so you can just enjoy yourself and not worry about what’s going on behind the scenes. A coordinator at the venue is there to ensure the staff is scheduled, the vendors have insurance, and assist with anything venue related. A wedding planner is there for you and makes sure you are taken care of. The event coordinator is there for the venue and will put the venue’s needs and wants first before yours.
When you hire an event planner you get someone who will be there with you during the planning process to help make decisions, take care of all the little details, create a budge, work on the design and feel of the wedding as well as take care of any last minute or unexpected things on your wedding day. Believe me, it’s well worth it to hire an event planner.. even if it’s just day of to help with bringing the whole event together.
Q: How do you ensure you are up to date with industry trends? and What is your favorite trend at the moment?
A: Instagram is my best friend. I am always on there looking at my fellow event industry colleague’s posts! I think that’s one of the best ways to really know what is going on as we are constantly pushing out content of the latest and greatest things we are all doing.
Some of my favorite trends at the moment are custom neon lights for ceremonies and reception areas and custom bridal leather jackets.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a bride planning her wedding, what would it be?
A: Other than to relax and enjoy this time in their life? I would say the best piece of advice would be to hire me. Not only will I help create the wedding of your dreams, I will also become your friend, confidante and partner in planning. I love to get to know my clients and truly enjoy spending time with them. This is a special time in their lives and they should be able to enjoy every moment of it without stress and I can help make that happen for them.
If you have any questions you would like to ask me, please feel free to contact me at Hello@lisabracco.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Photography by: Cheyenne Cohen // Venue: South House