Ask a Pro: Wedding Collectives

Here at Marriage.com we’re seeing a lot of cool and creative ways that wedding vendors are re-strategizing during these tough economic times. We are speaking with Kerri from VOWS, a wedding collective based in Denver Colorado. She has been in the wedding planning business for 12 years and has put together quite a collective of prime wedding vendors in the Denver area. We ask her about specifics, and learn what a “wedding collective” is.

Marriage.com: What exactly is a “wedding collective” and how does it work?

Kerri: A Wedding Collective is a common space that wedding vendors of all types can office, meet with clients, host special events, etc. We share ideas, leads, and the cost of doing business in one amazing space!

Marriage.com: How did you get your wedding collective started?

Kerri: I wanted to bring together four or five top wedding professionals in Colorado into one beautiful chic space. As the idea grew, so did the commercial space we shopped for! Thus, VOWS was born and we are happy to be in our beautiful big space at 1810 Blake Street in Denver, Colorado.

Marriage.com: What are the benefits of using a wedding collective rather than a more traditional approach?

Kerri: Couples who are planning a wedding are often overwhelmed by the choices available to them. By working with vendors in a collective, they can pick and choose form the best in the industry, and have those vendors work together in a collaborative, creative environment to create the most amazing wedding! Also, many of our couples who are planning mountain weddings are from out of state, and have limited time to meet with vendors; a collective offers those couples convenience and selection!

Marriage.com: How do you select who will be included in the collective? How many selected vendors do you currently have?

Kerri: I selected vendors based on my experience with them, their reputations, personality, and I looked for top vendors in each category in their industry. We currently represent 19 vendors, and are expanding VOWS to almost 30 vendors by April.

Marriage.com: How much does the average couple who uses the collective spend on the big day?

Kerri: Our couples have a wide range of budgets from $10,000 to several million dollar events.

Marriage.com: What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve either coordinated or seen in a wedding?

Kerri: Planning an all night wedding at a castle in France — complete with a creperie truck the next morning! It was for 200 guests and was an elaborate and extravagant international affair.

Marriage.com: What are the latest trends for 2010 weddings?

Kerri: The biggest trends we are seeing at VOWS are eco-chic weddings, vintage design and decor, and color, color, color!

Marriage.com: What’s the biggest fiasco you’ve had to deal with and how did it conclude?

Kerri: From wine stains on gowns, gondola shut-downs before the ceremony, and fallen cakes, we’ve handled it all at A Touch of Bliss!

Marriage.com: What’s the best part of what you do?

Kerri: The best part of being a wedding planner is sending a bride down the aisle… fluffing her dress and watching her walk down the aisle toward her future. It is such an honor to be a part of her special day!

Marriage.com: What’s the worst part of what you do?

Kerri: The most challenging part of being a wedding planner is managing budgets and balancing them with wedding dreams… we work hard to deliver everything we can for the couple without busting the bank!