If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far in 2020, its to expect the unexpected and to embrace joy where we find it. Luckily for us, and for a ton of our couples, Lauren of Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details Rentals has been an absolute angel in guiding everyone through it all.
This wedding coordinator queen gave us some insight on what couples are doing to still celebrate love during a pandemic, how to deal with planning a wedding/elopement in the face of uncertainty, and what to expect in the future of weddings!
Alicia Lucia Photography: Long before 2020 and all of its challenges, how did Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details Rentals come to be?
Just Lovely: I got started with events in 2012, when I worked as a catering manager for a small hotel. I had a series of similar roles in the industry until early 2015, when I started Just Lovely and took on my first wedding that summer. It’s crazy to think that 2020 would’ve been/is my 6th season as an independent wedding planner & coordinator. Near the end of 2016 an industry colleague asked me if I wanted to take over Darling Details, and I have been working to grow our rental collection since then. I’ve loved being a part of so many special days, sometimes for both Just Lovely & Darling Details, and sometimes for just one or the other.
ALP: With the major shifts of 2020, what are more and more weddings starting to look like?
JL: Every wedding is different, and the needs of each couple reflects that. None of us wanted this to happen, and it’s just terrible for everyone. I am so grateful that most of our clients have decided to postpone, but I also get why some couldn’t. A lot of couples have decided to elope this year and have a party later on when they feel it’s safe. Some have decided to downsize significantly and have very intimate ceremonies and go to dinner after. The best decision right now is the one that feels most comfortable to the couple.
ALP: How is Just Lovely changing and pivoting during this time?
JL: My biggest goal in all of this has been to show up for our affected clients, providing advice and basically just guiding them through this challenging situation and showing them that they aren’t alone. We’ve helped them move dates and also transition to elopements. This is new territory for all of us and I am grateful to be in a position where I can guide my couples on the best options for them.
ALP: How should/can couples plan a wedding during a pandemic?
JL: My advice is to trust your feelings. Planning right now is a challenge due to uncertainty, so if you’re starting to feel stressed or anxious about your date (and if gatherings will be allowed then) start to consider a backup plan and discuss options with your vendors. Also, the wedding industry has taken such a hit, so try to be patient with your vendors. Most of us are in this industry because it’s where our hearts are, and our lives have been turned upside down. Any grace that we’re shown is appreciated even more right now.
ALP: How do you think this is going to change the industry?
JL: With only smaller celebrations being allowed, many couples have had to transition to more intimate gatherings than they would’ve originally considered. I think that this shift has started to show couples that, truly, all that’s needed to get married is a couple of witnesses and an officiant. Everything else should be fun, so hopefully this will alleviate some of the pressure to plan in the future, and help guide couples to plan events that are meaningful to them.
ALP: What has been the hardest part of this pandemic for your business? And, conversely, what has been the most rewarding part for Just Lovely?
JL: The hardest part has been our hearts breaking for our couples whose plans changed overnight; they had to make some really tough decisions, but at the end of the day I think they all did what was best for them and their guests. The second hardest part has been losing the majority of our income for the year, for both businesses, while expenses did not change.
The most rewarding part has been seeing the value of what a planner does, and how much we can truly help the couples we work with. Also, forcing myself to consider different sources of revenue and opportunities will make the businesses stronger in the long run.
ALP: What are your goals for Just Lovely past this pandemic and into the future?
JL: My goal past the pandemic is to continue to show up for our couples. I have been thinking a lot about how I can provide more resources and more value, and have been working on new processes and content to be able to do that. In the future, I would also love to get into planning more corporate events as well!
ALP: Finally what do you miss the most about big weddings? And what do you love the most about little weddings?
JL: I love weddings of all sizes! What I miss most about weddings in general is seeing the love and friendship that surrounds a couple on their wedding day - that’s what is most important. I feel like there has been this pressure to live up to this standard of weddings that was exhausting for everyone. I hope that at the end of this we all just remember that weddings are celebrations, and they’re meant to be fun and filled with love.
Featured Weddings + Styled Shoots by Just Lovely Weddings
David + Lauren at La Fonda on the Plaza
Whimsical Wedding Inspo in Albuquerque, NM
Ashwin + Lauren, a Catholic-Hindu Wedding In Santa Fe
Desert Romance Styled Elopement at Los Poblanos
Intimate Desert Compass Wedding in Old Town Albuquerque (coming soon to the blog)
Tyler + Cassie, a La Posada Wedding
Geoff + Jocelyn, a Hacienda Doña Andrea Wedding
Michael + Lucia, a Los Poblanos Wedding
Drew + Lauren, a La Mesita Ranch Wedding
Michael + Caitlin, an Old Town Wedding
Tyler + Jordan, a La Fonda on the Plaza Wedding
Shane + Megan, a Backyard Albuquerque Wedding
Weddings by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
