Donnie Brown is a wedding planner extra- ordinaire based in Dallas, Texas. He has planned celebrity weddings for stars such as LeAnn Rimes and the social elite, but has also become a celebrity in his own right. He has starred on the Style Network's hit show, "Whose Wedding is it Anyway," for many seasons and is known for his calm and charming approach to wedding plann- ing. A true professional, Brown lives up to his role by taking the stress out of every one of his clients' weddings and shouldering much of the responsibilty to ensure a bride can relax on her special day. His book, Donnie Brown Weddings: From the Couture to the Cake, has become some- what of a wedding planning bible for many brides-to-be and is chocked full of beautiful imagery and great tips for virtually any style of wedding.
Can you describe what services Donnie Brown Weddings and Events offer to engaged couples?
Donnie Brown Weddings and Events is a full ser- vice event planning and coordination firm. We offer everything from month-of service to limi- ted planning services to full planning and turn-key as well. For those clients who can’t find the right fit in the pre-fxed offerings, we can create an ala carte package with only those items need- ed. Additionally, we offer full service floral and décor services with rental items such as luxury
linens, custom lighting, tabletop acessories, favors, chairs and other decorative elements.
What is your personal favorite style of weddings? Why?
We love all types of weddings. My personal favorite are those where we can really think outside the box and include elements that are not typical. For instance, we love our signature chocolate menu cards. We love extreme light- ing details with computer controlled effects. We love contemporary décor with unusual ele- ments that really sets it apart from other wed- dings of the same style or theme. Most impor- tantly, we like to take the couples theme, color- ations or feeling and expand on it to create something that is beyond their expectations.
What do you consider to be the #1 wedding planning faux pas?
Hiring a wedding planner that doesn’t know what they are doing or only do this part-time.
Clients need a planner that is 100% devoted to the weddings they are creating. Part-time doesn’t cut it. A client needs to know they can reach the planner at a moment’s notice. Also, when you say full service, it should be “full service!” Many planners think full service is helping the client for about 50 - 100 hours leading up to the wedding event. Our Divine package which is our full service package lends between 300 – 500 hours leading up to the wedding. Our Sublime Package which is our turn-key plan averages from 500 – 1500 man hours. Clients that want to hire a planner are expecting this kind of dedication to the event. Anything less gives us all a bad name.
Can you give us the top style and decor trends for 2014?
Simple, one flower type floral designs are in. Monochromatic colorations are hot right now. Lighting is critical. Those days with bright, sunny wedding receptions are not in vogue these days. Your lighting package is the lipstick of your event. Full place settings with an array of crystal for each liquid component being offered is important as well are chargers and a full series of flatware. Set that table, baby. Make them sweat when they sit down!
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