S5E11: Lean into Doing What You Want on Your Wedding Day | Wedding Pro
We're kind of normal-adjacent in the wedding world right now.
It's not 100% back to carefree celebrations, but we're getting there.
And, one of the cool things that has come out of the "pause" is that couples are doing what they really want during their celebrations.
Lean into that! Embrace it! You deserve to be happy and you shouldn't feel obligated to celebrate in a way that doesn't feel like YOU!
For this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Peters of The Stylist Abroad
Your Business
How long have you been in business?
5 years
What areas do you serve?
DC/ MD/ VA/ AL / TN /GA / KY & anywhere you want to take us
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I saw the industry was lacking a way to really elevate and celebrate individual's natural beauty and personality. We make sure everyone not only looks beautiful and also feels beautiful and never feel like they don't fit into the "wedding industry mold".
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
The people we get to interact with. We have the most amazing couples and celebrating their love is so special.
What is something that’s really important to you?
Gender-neutral services & inclusivity of all. When I say inclusivity I mean not only race, religion, hair texture, etc., but also breaking down "gender norms" and the traditional box couples feel forced to fit into and often feel ostracized or "other/alt" if they don't.
What insight would you like to offer about this topic?
I want to offer insight as to how to be more inclusive with little adjustments of current things that could accidentally be hurtful. I want the couple to hear this and know it's OK to have your wedding your way. I want everyone to hear this and know they should be held accountable and we all can demand better. Ignorance or best intentions is no longer an excuse.
What challenges have you had to overcome as a wedding professional?
The logistics of starting a business, growing a team, moving & managing the original team while growing the team in the new location. Lots of logistics crossed with HR, too.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
Do your research to make all the technical stuff easier and more streamlined so you're not wasting time/energy/money and stay true to who you are. You thought there was a reason that the industry needed you so don't lose sight of that in the comparison game.
What's the craziest thing you've seen happen at a wedding or large event?
They had a really rough night out the evening before so the morning of the wedding, they had a friend (I'm assuming medical professional) show up to the hotel room to give IV's.
Your Daily Life
What is daily life like in your household?
Lots of emails, creating content for social media, connecting w/ potential couples/current couples & stylists. Depending on the day possibly "Wedding Revolution Wednesday" on clubhouse, a wedding or prepping for a wedding.
Other usual stuff like dog mom things, cooking, etc.
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Moving to a new location and keeping the business thriving during a pandemic.
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
Network & do styled shoots. I know they say "if you build it they will come" but not if no one knows you exist or understand why they should come to you. So you have to put in the work to sell yourself.
Your Wedding
What, if anything, would you change about your wedding?
We got married in a church per our parents’ request, but I think maybe we wouldn't have. Maybe we would have chosen a different style venue (ceremony/reception) even if it meant going to a bigger city or destination.
How did you choose your wedding vendors?
Found many of them on The Knot. I wanted to make sure they could execute our vision and understood our vibe not just say the right things. Especially because at the time what we wanted was "non-traditional" for the year and geographical location (2011 in OH).
What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?
Take it bit by bit. Don't dally but don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Prioritize and tick things off as they go. Regardless just don't lose sight of what makes you happy and if it's not then maybe don't choose that.
What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?
Besides getting married to him..... that it was OUR wedding ...not my wedding. I truly wanted him to have a say and be a part of it so that we'd look back on it and both love what we chose.
Have something else to share? A funny story? Something crazy that happened?
They accidentally stole the priest’s robes after the ceremony & the priest stopped by the reception to track them down.
Did you participate in any family, cultural, or religious traditions in your wedding?
It was a Catholic wedding but we wanted to slip in our personality and our own tradition so we did a unity sand ceremony instead of a unity candle.
Stay up-to-date with Ashley @TheStylistAbroad.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Inclusivity and diversity is a critical pillar of our business. Along with our instagram check out our weekly room on Clubhouse "Wedding Revolution Wednesday", where we discuss positive changes in the industry, how to foster that change and address things that need to change.
If you service Alabama couples, check out our group. It is a community of inclusive vendors for us to network, brainstorm and for couples to safely find their vendors.
Vendors to note…
Don't forget to follow, rate, and review The Wedding Dish on your preferred podcast platform and follow us on Instagram @theweddingdishpodcast.
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