rock paper scissors

Have style, will travel

Meet Amy & Amy of Mimi Wedding Planning in Minneapolis, MN. These two friends from the way back design beautiful, hip weddings that will win over even the stodgiest of grandmothers. I had a chance to meet with them at their studio in beautiful North East Minneapolis to chat with them about the wedding biz. The synergy between them is immediately apparent (finishing each other's sentences and whatnot), as is their affection for their clients. Since they have such a well defined aesthetic, couples that are drawn to their website or space are typically already on the same page.

Each Amy has a background in design (Amy Red in interior design and Amy Blonde in graphic design) and they told me that it wasn't such a huge leap to designing weddings. Amy Blonde mentioned that though she might not have imagined wedding planning as a career earlier on, she thinks that she has found a perfect fit.

But it isn't all fun and games, they both said that they feel that half of their job is hauling things to and fro: "Professional Schleppers". At any rate, they seem to enjoy themselves no matter what the task and no doubt their sense of fun permeate the weddings they design. Even if you aren't in the Minneapolis area, the Amys love to travel for weddings so check them out at http://www.mimi-design.com.

just call me bond, james bond

we're always on the lookout for different ways of letting brides know about the greatness we have to offer.  the other week alissa sent me an email about a bridal show happening in dc that we should think about participating in next year.  well why wait until next year to see if it was up our alley?  deciding to partake in a little "industrial espionage" (where does amy come up with these terms?!  i blame/credit 3am feedings), i signed up right away, and the next thing i knew, i was heading up 29, complete with a faux engagement ring (thanks kathryn) and a not-so-complete engagement story, to see what the bridal show had to offer. 

well, let me just say, you brides have a lot to think about.  we only handle one aspect of your big day, and i can see why wedding planning can get very overwhelming, very quickly.  and why there were so many wedding planners offering their services that day.  momentarily forgetting i wasn't a true bride, i panicked and talked to two about what they could do for me just to calm my nerves.  right off the bat i was bombarded with the two questions i find myself asking brides all of the time:  when are you getting married and what are your colors?  ummmm. well....busted?  no, not really.  claiming a recent engagement, busy schedules, and wanting to enjoy the planning period, i was saved by the bell.  the bell that led us to tea and to hear what two celebrity wedding sages had to say about making "our" big day truly memorable (namely, use your budget wisely and really splurge on the aspects that matter most to you).  i couldn't have said it better myself. 

leaving the bridal show and navigating the streets of dc to get back home (i fared better than anyone thought i would seeing as how there were no tearful phone calls about driving in circles and not being able to find 66), i thought about all i had experienced at the bridal show.  there's certainly a lot to think about when planning a wedding, and hopefully we make it easier for brides at our little shop.  you better believe we are both surprised and happy to hear "wow, that wasn't as painful as i thought it would be".  i have to tell the troops back at rps about all i saw and experienced, but don't you worry, we'll be at a bridal show near you soon.  and we won't be undercover this time.