Today we’d like to introduce you to Violet Wu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a bit of a hopeless romantic, so from a young age I’ve been drawn to the beauty and meaning behind weddings. I see marriage as such an important milestone, and being trusted to play a role in that moment is something I truly value and never take for granted.
Becoming a wedding and event planner was actually my dream early on. Like many people, my career path took a few different turns before I found my way back to it. Looking back, I’m grateful for that journey because it helped me develop strong skills in organization, attention to detail, and building meaningful relationships with clients.
My path into the industry began after attending a wedding in California that left a lasting impression on me. It inspired me to start a photo booth business with the goal of bringing that same level of joy and experience to others. As the business grew, I naturally became more involved in design and coordination. Over time, clients began to trust me with not just one element of their event, but the overall planning and execution.
That’s when I realized I had stepped into the role I had always envisioned for myself. What started as a photo booth business evolved into a full-service event planning and design company, NexGen Events & Design.
What I find most rewarding is taking a couple’s vision and bringing it to life in a way that feels seamless, thoughtful, and personal. I’m naturally creative, but I also bring a strong sense of structure and organization to every event. I’m very intentional about creating an experience that not only looks beautiful but also feels effortless for my clients.
A couple of years ago, I had to unfortunately take some time away from my business to recover from a few brain aneurysm procedure/surgeries. That experience gave me a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, and it reinforced how much I value the work I do. After fully dedicating time to my recovery, I’ve returned with a deeper appreciation for both my clients and the opportunity to be part of such meaningful moments in their lives and of course the appreciation for life in general and the lives of my family and friends.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I believe that’s true for any business owner—especially when it’s your first. Building something from the ground up comes with its share of ups and downs, and a lot of learning along the way.
Early on, one of my biggest challenges was establishing credibility as I transitioned from running a photo booth business into full-service event planning. I had to earn my clients’ trust in a new capacity, which meant consistently delivering high-quality work and being very intentional with every detail.
Another challenge was more personal. I naturally tend to be a people pleaser, so learning that you can’t make everyone happy all the time was an important area of growth for me. Over time, I’ve learned how to set clear expectations, communicate more confidently, and focus on delivering the best possible experience without overextending myself.
I’ve also learned that not everything is within your control, and giving yourself grace in those moments is important. For example, I once had a Halloween event where, while unloading my equipment, someone took two bags of my props worth several hundred dollars. I didn’t have enough time to fully replace everything before the event, and although I did my best to adapt, it was a difficult experience. The worse feeling is to disappoint my clients, but the best you can do is to apologize and to do what you can. That situation taught me the importance of preparation, contingency planning, and staying composed under pressure.
There was also a period where I had to step away from my business to focus on my health. It was a challenging time and made me reflect on my path, but ultimately it reinforced how much I love what I do. Returning to my work, I’ve come back with a stronger sense of purpose, balance, and appreciation for both my clients and the experiences I get to be part of.
Overall, while the journey hasn’t been without challenges, each experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It’s made me more resilient, more intentional in how I run my business, and better equipped to serve my clients at a high level.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of weddings, including many beautiful cultural and ethnic celebrations. Each one has given me a deeper appreciation for the traditions, details, and meaningful moments that make every wedding unique.
One of the things that truly sets my business apart is our photo booth experience. Instead of a traditional booth, we create a photo shoot–style setup that allows couples and their guests to capture large group photos with friends and family. It’s designed to feel fun, interactive, and elevated—giving guests a memorable experience while creating photos that couples will treasure for years to come.
What I love most about what I do is the relationships I build with my clients. So often, those relationships grow into genuine friendships, and it’s incredibly rewarding to have new clients come through referrals from past couples. Over time, it’s created a network that feels more like a community of family and friends—something that lasts well beyond the wedding day.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is watching my parents dance together at weddings—the way they laughed and the love in their eyes always stood out to me. Even now, seeing newly married couples, their parents, and other loved ones share those same moments on the dance floor feels incredibly special. It’s like everything comes full circle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.NexGenEventsandDesign.com
- Instagram: @nexgeneventsanddesign
- Facebook: @nexgeneventsanddesignandphotobooth
