We had the amazing opportunity to work with Lindsey and Christian of Bella Dia Events for a wedding this October. It was one of the best experiences we have ever encountered. They not only made sure the bride and groom were 100% taken care of, but did everything they could to make sure all of the vendors were taken care of. We were completely blown away at their attention to detail, not a single thing was missed. They were so much fun to work with, and can’t wait for the next time we get to work together.

 

Here are some photos of the wedding we worked with them on… Enjoy 🙂

 

 

How did you get started in the wedding business?

I WAS WORKING IN HUMAN SERVICES AS A PROJECT DIRECTOR- SOMEHOW RUNNING THE PROGRAMS FOR 25-30 CLIENTS DIDN’T SEEM MUCH DIFFERENT THAN BEING AN EVENT PLANNER. IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, ORGANIZATION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL. I ALWAYS LOVED HOSTESSING AND THROWING PARTIES- WE OFTEN HAVE DINNER PARTIES, FUNDRAISERS AND THEME PARTIES AT OUR HOME. IT WAS MY HUSBAND WHO PICKED UP ON MY NATURAL GIFT FOR ENTERTAINING AND SUGGESTED THAT I START MY OWN BUSINESS. ON MY LAST DAY OF WORK HE PICKED ME UP SO I COULD TURN IN MY COMPANY CAR AND HE PRESENTED ME WITH A DVD COPY OF “THE WEDDING PLANNER”. THE REST IS HISTORY!

 

What do you do when you are not planning weddings?

MY “FREE TIME” IS MOSTLY SPENT WORKING ON MY OTHER PASSION WHICH IS MY FAMILY’S NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION, THE BLUE STAR OF HOPE. B.S.O.H HOSTS TWO  SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS IN THAILAND AND SOUTH AFRICA FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO HELP THEM GET A START IN THE WORLD, EXPOSE THEM TO OTHER CULTURES AND TEACH THEM THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK.  I TRAVEL TO THAILAND AND SOUTH AFRICA RESPECTIVELY EACH YEAR FOR THREE WEEKS AT A TIME WHICH IS TIME CONSUMING NOT TO MENTION THE PREPARATION FOR THE PROGRAMS.

BESIDES THAT I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO NEEDS TO BE ENTERTAINED, WE LOVE TO TRAVEL AND STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

How did you ladies meet each other?

LINDSEY, MY DEAR FRIEND AND BUSINESS PARTNER, WORKS FULL TIME FOR A LAW FIRM. HER FIRM HIRED BELLA DIA TO ASSIST WITH SOME CORPORATE EVENTS AND THROUGH THE PLANNING OF HER EVENTS WE BECAME GREAT FRIENDS. IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT WE NEEDED TO WORK TOGETHER IN SOME CAPACITY. LINDSEY IS SUCH AN ASSET TO THE BUSINESS; SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES EVENT PLANNING, IS WONDERFUL WITH THE CLIENTS AND TOTALLY HAS THE KNACK FOR KEEPING ALL OF THE BALLS IN THE AIR.

How do you approach the wedding day?

FULL SPEED AHEAD! ITS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ARE THERE HEART AND SOUL FOR OUR CLIENTS AS THAT IS THEIR MOST STRESSFUL TIME. WE  TRY TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE VENDORS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CONTACT US SO THAT WE CAN CREATE A “BUBBLE” OF CALM AROUND THE COUPLE. WE ARE , OF COURSE, ALSO IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH THE VENDORS TO MAKE SURE ALL GOES SMOOTHLY AND SEAMLESSLY. BUT MOST OF ALL WE TRY TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF CALM AND PROVIDE LEVITY WHEN NEEDED!

What inspires you?

I AM INSPIRED BY COUNTLESS PEOPLE I MEET IN MY ECLECTIC LIFE WHO SHOW ME WHAT THE BIG PICTURE IS. THOSE WHO ARE SELFLESS, WHO GIVE WHEN THEY HAVE LITTLE TO GIVE, THOSE WHO REMIND ME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE AND TO NEVER TAKE MY LIFE FOR GRANTED. WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING OR SOME WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE- I TRY TO BE MINDFUL OF EVEN LITTLE WAYS THAT I CAN CONTRIBUTE.

How did you come up with the name Bella Dia Events?

THE NAME IS LOOSELY TRANSLATED IN ITALIAN AS “TO GIVE BEAUTY”; IN SPANISH IT MEANS “BEAUTIFUL DAY”. I SPEAK A LITTLE OF BOTH LANGUAGES SO THE NAME WAS VERY OBVIOUS TO ME! THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE EASIEST PART!

What do you think sets you apart from other wedding planners?

UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE HEARD SO MANY TIMES THAT PLANNERS CAN BE A BIT CONTROLLING, BOSSY OR INFLEXIBLE AND WE SET OUT TO BE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. OUR GOAL IS DO WHATEVER IS BEST FOR OUR CLIENT; TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR STYLE AND LIVES SO THEIR EVENT REFLECTS THEIR PERSONALITIES AND PASSIONS. WHILE WE ARE METICULOUS TO A FAULT AND ORGANIZED WE DO WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO BE RELAXED AND ENJOY THE DAY. OUR ROLE IS SO CRUCIAL BECAUSE GUESTS, FAMILY , AND THE COUPLE LOOK TO US TO SET THE TONE OF THE EVENT. IF WE SEEM HARRIED OR STRESSED THAT WILL TRANSLATE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

WE HAVE ALSO DESIGNED OUR BUSINESS MODEL TO CUSTOMIZE THE SERVICES FOR EACH WEDDING. NO COUPLE IS THE SAME, EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS, WISHES, AND VALUES. THUS WE HAVE DESIGNED OUR PACKAGES TO CATER TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS.

What do you wish you could tell brides about wedding planning BEFORE the wedding day?

TO BE PREPARED FOR “WEDDING STICKER SHOCK” (THEY RARELY ARE REALISTIC AS TO HOW MUCH EVERYTHING COSTS THESE DAYS!), TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY THROUGH THE STRESS OF PLANNING AND TO NOT BE AS FOCUSED ON THE WEDDING AS THE MARRIAGE. SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE MINUTIA OF PLANNING THAT THEY LET THIS SPIN THEM OUT AND FORGET THE BIG PICTURE WHICH IS’ YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED TO YOUR SOUL MATE’ !! THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND ALL ELSE WILL FALL INTO PLACE AS IT SHOULD.

What is the biggest piece of advice you could give a bride debating on booking a wedding planner for her wedding?

SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO WORK ON YOUR WEDDING DAY SO WHO DO YOU WANT IT TO BE? YOUR MOTHER, SISTER, BEST FRIEND? IN MY OPINION THEY SHOULD ALL BE THERE FOR THE BRIDE, SUPPORTING HER AND ENJOYING THE DAY WITH HER. NOT OFF ARRANGING FLOWERS, FINDING MISSING GROOMSMEN, CALLING TO SEE IF THE CAKE HAS ARRIVED, SETTING OUR DÉCOR OR LINING UP THE WEDDING PROCESSIONAL! LET SOMEONE ELSE WORK SO YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR DAY!

What do you love about weddings?

THE EXCITEMENT, THE BUZZ IN THE AIR, THE HAPPY ANTICIPATION AND THE AMAZING PEOPLE WE GET TO MEET. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO WORK WITH SO MANY GREAT VENDORS AND TO SPEND TIME WITH SO MANY INTERESTING, FASCINATING  AND FABULOUS CLIENTS. AND THROUGH THE BUSINESS WE HAVE MADE SOME WONDERFUL FRIENDS. I CAN’T EXPLAIN HOW COOL IT IS TO PLAN A WEDDING FOR A COUPLE, CONTINUE THE FRIENDSHIP, HAVE LUNCH WITH THEM ONCE A MONTH, SEE MY BRIDES GET PREGNANT AND HAVE THEIR FIRST BABIES; WE WATCH FAMILIES BEGIN AND ARE OFTEN INVITED INTO THEIR WORLD TO WATCH THEM GROW. IT’S A PRIVILEGE THAT WE DO NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED.

Favorite part of being apart of the wedding industry?

WE ALL HAVE TO MAINTAIN BALANCE IN OUR LIVES. SUMMER WEDDING SEASON IS CRAZY! AND I THINK WE ALL BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER WHEN FALL ROLLS AROUND AND WE CAN RESUME SOME OF THE BALANCE IN OUR LIVES- GET BACK TO THE THINGS THAT KEEP US SANE! FOR ME IT’S MY CHARITY WORK, ENJOYING THE SUN, GOING TO VILLA SPORT, YOGA, READING, GIRLS NIGHTS OUT, RAUCOUS FAMILY DINNERS, TAKING MY CATS ON A HIKE (YES, MY CATS HIKE WITH ME!), MOVIES WITH MY HUBBY. SIMPLE PLEASURES.

What is your favorite memory from a wedding – good, bad or funny?

WOW TAKE YOUR PICK! SOMETIMES THINGS ARE NOT FUNNY IN THE MOMENT BUT ARE DEFINETELY FUNNY AFTER!

ONE OF MY FIRST WEDDINGS, THE BROADMOOR MISPLACED THE WEDDING DRESS IN THE WRONG GUEST ROOM SO IN THE CHAOS OF FINDING THE DRESS THE BRIDE LEFT HER ENGAGEMENT RING NEXT TO THE SINK. BY THE TIME SHE GOT TO THE CHURCH WE WERE 45 MINUTES BEHIND SO I JUMPED IN THE LIMO AND SPED TO THE HOTEL TO GET HER RING. THE WHOLE SCENARIO FELT LIKE A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE EPISODE!  WE HAVE BECOME GOOD FRIENDS AND TO THIS DAY SHE AND I TELL THAT STORY!

ON A MORE HEARTFELT NOTE, ONE OF OUR MOST SPECIAL, KIND, AMAZING COUPLES MARRIED AT GARDEN OF THE GODS CLUB A FEW YEARS AGO. THE BRIDE HAD LOST HER BROTHER, JOHN, AND THE GROOM HAD LOST HIS FATHER- BOTH OF THEM WERE TEENAGERS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WASN’T A MOMENT DURING THE WEDDING DAY THAT WE DIDN’T FEEL LIKE THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE THERE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES. WE EVEN PLACED SEATS AT THE FAMILY TABLES IN HONOR OF THEM. IT WAS REALLY TOUCHING. THE BRIDE GAVE BIRTH TO HER FIRST BABY IN JANUARY 2011 AND NAMED HIM JOHN.

Where did your favorite wedding take place?

WITHOUT A DOUBT WE LOVE GARDEN OF THE GODS CLUB! IT’S A MAGICAL PLACE AND EVERY WEDDING WE HAVE DONE THERE HAS BEEN UNIQUE AND AMAZING. THE STAFF IS  SO KIND AND IT’S A GREAT PLACE FOR A WEDDING.

What are common mistakes couples make on their wedding day in terms of planning?

UNDERESTIMATING HOW MUCH TIME THEY HAVE ON THE WEDDING DAY! A DETAILED ITINERARY IS A MUST! THE TIME GOES BY SO QUICKLY AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO TAKE LONGER THAN IT SHOULD- BRIDES, BE WARNED!

What is your favorite wedding trend right now?

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH  MANY COUPLES ARE PUTTING THEIR HONEYMOONS ON HOLD UNTIL A BIT AFTER THE WEDDING. I THINK THAT IS SO WISE. THE WEDDING WEEKEND GOES SO FAST, ALMOST A BLUR. ITS NICE TO TAKE A WEEK OR TWO OR EVEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO ENJOY THE MEMORIES AND NEWNESS OF BEING MARRIED. MOST COUPLES WHO GO ON A HONEYMOON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE WEDDING SPEND THE FIRST THREE DAYS SLEEPING BECAUSE THEY ARE SO EXHAUSTED! WHY NOT DO THAT ON YOUR SOFA AT HOME AND GO ON A HONEYMOON WHEN YOU ARE RESTED AND CAN SOAK UP EVERY MOMENT OF THIS FAB VACATION THAT YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR MONTHS (AND PROBABLY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON!)?

What is one thing you could say to all wedding professionals out there?

“YOU MAY BE GOOD AT YOUR CRAFT BUT BE GOOD AT BUSINESS”! WE RUN INTO A LOT OF WEDDING VENDORS WHO ARE GREAT AT THEIR SPECIALTY BUT THEN CANNOT COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH CLIENTS, DON’T HANDLE THE MONEY SIDE EFFICIENTLY, DON’T PROVIDE CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES, ARE LATE TO APPOINTMENTS OR ON THE DAY OF. BE PROFESSIONAL!! THE LAST THING A COUPLE NEEDS IS FOR THEIR VENDORS, WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THEM PEACE OF MIND, TO BE CAUSING THEM EVEN MORE STRESS.

Favorite things to do together outside of planning weddings?

LINDSEY AND I LOVE SUSHI SO WE HAVE  A SUSHI LUNCH AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND WE TRY TO SNEAK AWAY FOR A GIRLS NIGHT OR WEEKEND AS OFTEN AS WE CAN. WE ARE SO LUCKY- AS MUCH AS WE WORK TOGETHER WE STILL COVET OUR “GIRL TIME” TOGETHER AND REALLY ENJOY OUR FRIENDSHIP. AFTER FIVE YEARS THAT’S PRETTY GREAT! AS LINDSEY’S BOYS GET OLDER WE FIND MORE TIME TO HANG OUT BUT THEY ARE IN A VERY “ACTIVE” STAGE RIGHT NOW SO SHE IS PRETTY BUSY TOTING LITTLE ONES TO SOCCER, HOCKEY, ICE SKATING, AND ENDLESS BIRTHDAY PARTIES! SHE’S A TROOPER!

One goal you have for 2012?

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BE DOING MORE WEDDINGS IN DENVER. WE LOVE THE AREA, WE KNOW THE AREA, AND  WE LOVE THE CITY. ITS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME REALLY DIFFERENT EVENTS THAN WE DO IN THE SPRINGS AND IN THE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES. ANY CHANCE WE HAVE TO EXERCISE EVEN MORE CREATIVITY IS A CHALLENGE FOR US AND KEEPS US FRESH AND UP TO DATE.

 

Links…

Website: www.belladiaevents.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bella-Dia-Events/207502932598069

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