Exclusive Interview with Loli Events, Experts in Personalized Wedding Experiences

Loli Events, established in 2009, is a distinguished NY wedding planning team comprising Rachel and Carly in New York, and Beryl in France. Their entry into the world of wedding planning was marked by enthusiasm and a rapid ascension to expertise. "Like most planners, our story isn't really a "slow burn" - we just jumped right in and hit the ground running. With planning, you have to be well educated on a number of topics so we can properly guide our couples to make educated decisions with each vendor along the way," Rachel vividly describes their spirited start.

Rachel's move from Texas to New York City was a significant leap, motivated by her aspirations in event planning. Her first project is a fond memory: "The first wedding I ever planned was up in the Cloisters in the fall. Moving to New York from Texas, my biggest inspiration was my desire to live in this city. Then I found my way into events from there and the rest continued to fall into place as I put in the work," she reminisces, highlighting the early days of her career that were filled with learning and growth.

The Philosophy Behind Loli Events

The team at Loli Events prides itself on its unique approach to wedding planning, focusing on customizing each event to reflect the couple's personality. “The people I meet along the way. Seeing how happy our couples are after each wedding just sends me that extra boost of energy into the next one & so on,” is what drives Rachel to keep going.

Their philosophy is clear: "Loli Events is for the couple who wants to throw the rulebook out of the window but in a tasteful way. We aren't reinventing the wheel so drastically that in 10 years the wedding will feel so themed and trendy it becomes dated, but we're just finding ways to breathe life and customization back into a process that can start to feel cookie-cutter if you're not careful! Our events are fun and approachable and our team is the same. We're going to have your backs but we're going to handle stress with grace and I think that combo is really important." This innovative approach ensures that their weddings are not just distinctive but also timeless.

Personalized Services and Insights

In New York, Rachel and Carly offer a wide range of services, adapting to the needs of each couple. They specialize in full planning but also offer partial planning and coordination. “Beryl is based in France but plans our weddings throughout Europe and she follows the same approach,” they add.

Their personal experiences as brides have further enhanced their perspective: "We didn't become planners as a result of our own weddings but we did both plan our own. After years in the shoes of a planner, being a bride was really a huge learning experience and we do have a few big takeaways that made us even better planners afterwards," they share.

“This is an ongoing process,” they start when asked about their approach to working with clients. “Sometimes couples come to us with a very clear vision of the day or weekend, sometimes they're unsure and overwhelmed by options. It's all about evaluating where our baseline is and which direction to go from there. Once we have a vision, venue, date, we can start asking even more detailed questions from there to help pair them with the best florist, music group, photographer, rentals etc.”

Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Diversity, and Dreaming Big

Loli Events, while adept at handling weddings at popular venues like The Rainbow Room, Bowery Hotel, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and The Foundry, also finds joy in exploring less frequented locations. "Each year about 50-60% of our weddings are at less frequent venues and we enjoy that change as well!" Rachel points out, highlighting their adaptability and enthusiasm for new experiences.

In terms of challenges, weather has been a significant factor recently. "The biggest challenge this year specifically has been weather!!" Rachel admits. However, their adaptability ensures that these hurdles are smoothly navigated. In retrospect, the pandemic posed a substantial challenge, reshaping the wedding industry's landscape. "We are going into 2024 and the conversation around how it has affected the wedding world in 2020 and the years to follow is still happening," they reflect on the ongoing impact of these extraordinary times.

For couples amid wedding planning, Loli Events offers a simple yet profound reminder: "Just remember why you are doing all of this which is to marry the person you love! Have fun with it from there." This advice emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in the true purpose of the celebration amidst the flurry of planning.