May 18, 2012

Meet the Intern – introducing Whitney!

When I set out on my search for a Hitched in the Hood intern I found a perfect match in Whitney.  If you all could have read the email she sent me I knew without hesitation we would get along just fine!  Her energy was jumping off the page and I loved that she was a DIY bride and happens to write the real wedding section for the popular DIY Bride site and blog. She’ll be assisting me with all this summer’s weddings and will also be a contributor to the blog.  I’m thrilled to have her on board.
Introducing Whitney…

How can you not love a girl that wears green wedding shoes and purple tulle under that dress!

Hey everyone! I am so excited to be on board with Debbie and Hitched. I’m looking forward to getting more involved with weddings and learning as much as I can.
What calls you to the wedding industry?
All the love. At their core, weddings are about the love between you and your partner and the commitment you’re making to each other. Weddings are emotional by nature, and watching family and friends come together to honor their loved ones as they begin their new life together is beautiful. I’m honored to be a part of that equation.
I’ve found the wedding industry to be full of some of the smartest and most creative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Being able to help bring a couple’s wedding dreams to fruition is what keep me fully engaged in this industry, bouquets in one hand and hot glue gun in the other!

What was your favorite thing about your wedding? Do you have any advice for brides just starting to plan?
How personal it was. My husband and I started from the ground up, writing the entire ceremony ourselves and crafting all the décor elements. We were married outside under a grove of trees, served barbecue from one of our favorite restaurants, and Stephen built a bench that people signed for our guest book. There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t have our stamp all over it, and that is one of the things I dig most about weddings – they can be whatever you want them to be. If you want to get married on your tandem bicycle, do it. If you want the grand ballroom wedding with a 7 course plated dinner – you can rock that like no one’s business. Who cares if you wear flip-flops, heels, or five different dresses on your wedding day? As long as it’s what you want and your betrothed is on board, you can’t go wrong.
And also? Be sure you hire a great photographer – they are worth their weight in gold. Those pictures will last FOREVER, and they need to be spectacular.  I couldn’t agree more on this advice!!

What do you do with your free time?
I spend a lot of time with my husband, dog, and several good books (I’m usually rotating 2 – 3 at any given time). I love going to the farmer’s market on the weekends, hiking, trips to coast, and crafting. I also work at a stationery and gift store, so I get to see people working on different projects every day – it’s incredibly inspiring.

What is your biggest wedding pet peeve?

 People who don’t RSVP. Or even worse, people who RSVP “yes” and end up being no-shows, without any explanation. Just. Rude.

What is you favorite wedding trend right now?
Using the color grey. I realize this has been gaining steam in the past couple of years, but I don’t see it leaving anytime soon and I adore it. It’s such a versatile color, and can fit in with any palette or wedding vibe. Whether you’re going for soft and romantic or bold and daring, grey is a great base to build your day on.

What are three things someone would be surprised to learn about you?
1)    I am terrified of thunder and lightning. Even now, I will hide in bed with the lights off during storms. 

2)    I love anything done well with sparkles. If I could embellish the world in glitter and sequins, I would be so happy.

3)    I hate to drive – I would rather ride my bike everywhere (this may be a by-product of growing up in Portland, but I can’t be sure).

 

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
I spent a week up on San Juan Island last summer, and it was wonderful. My husband and I rented a house and went kayaking on the Pacific, scootering, and wine tasting around the island. There was gorgeous weather, and I even got to meet a camel!

Join me in welcoming Whitney on board the Hitched in the Hood team!