Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Beise.
Brooke, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I launched the business in Fall of 2020, so I am a year into the business. For almost 12 years, I worked at different wedding venues helping hundreds of couples and their families navigate the planning of room diagrams, food & beverage details, timelines, etc. It goes without saying I have some great stories and I have made friends with the best in the business! There was always an option missing, a way to have a gorgeous celebration without spending the same as a down payment on a home. I am fulfilling that need for a celebration that is a happy medium between an elopement and a full reception without sacrificing any essentials.
Couples have been forced to have more intimate weddings due to recent and ever-changing restrictions. Also, yes the financial benefit of having fewer people and less to manage is appealing. What I am finding mostly, logistics and restrictions aside, is that this pandemic has allowed us all a chance to take a step back and prioritize. We are realizing that we can mold our own wedding celebrations how we like and celebrate with who we like vs. living up to expectations of how things should be done. This pandemic has been heavy for EVERYONE in different ways and couples are allowing themselves the gift of a celebration without the stress of planning.
There is enough going on with us all right now and adding the stress of planning a wedding is simply exhausting. The term “decision fatigue” is accurate and real. Trying to communicate with vendors, research, plan, answer questions, manage family dynamics and all the other things that come along with a wedding is draining and time consuming. Much like any industry, there can be a certain lingo and language in the wedding planning world and it can be stressful to sort through that information.
Using my industry knowledge, I have found a way for couples to have a wonderful celebration without all of that. I think there will always be a place for these more intimate Pop-Up Weddings.
First, couples can go online and book a conversation with me online, choosing to meet in person, over Zoom or on the phone. I want to make sure all expectations are managed and questions answered. After taking care of some business with an agreement and payment, their venue, date and time is secured. Next, I do have an online questionnaire couples fill out for me to get some more information, details and preferences on a few things. The couples arrive the day of the wedding with their closest friends and family!
A Pop-Up Wedding is 1) a 15-minute ceremony 2) one-hour social reception and 3) couples photo session. The rate is ALL-INCLUSIVE starting at $5,000 depending on the venue. Within that, all of the essentials are included!
1) Venue + Styling & Decor
2) officiant (ceremony personalized to the couple)
3) personal floral (bouqet and/or boutonniere for the couple)
4) sweet bite to eat (mini desserts) + champagne toast
5) photo + video
6) customized Spotify playlist
7) ala carte enhancement opportunities
The couples checklist includes taking care of their marriage license, communication with their guests and getting themselves ready and to the venue prior to the ceremony.
It is an all-inclusive package but there are options as well. For example, the couple has choices for desserts and I inquire about preferences on floral and colors. Truly if there is something that is really important to the couple, I want to know and discuss how we can make it work. The most popular enhancement/add-on options include a Maid of Honor floral or Best Man boutonniere, extra time with the photographer for formal family photos, some additional guests, extra time for the reception and beverage service for the guests. As far as decor goes, we try to enhance what the venue has vs. trying to force something different. Because couples share for example the photographer and decor for the day, it is much more manageable financially for me to offer this package.
I have had couples do any number of things after their Pop-Up Wedding from a private dinner nearby, inviting guests to their house, getting on a plane immediately and going on a honeymoon, having an “after party” at a Hotel suite, etc.
The biggest reason that I have had couples book with me is the thought of starting the planning process was just too much, they starting planning and froze because it was too stressful, they thought about going to the courthouse but this was a perfect alternative because they still wanted the walk down the aisle or because their kids asked them to get married. I can’t tell you how many couples tell me “oh, I wish I would have done this!”
I knew I could only feel comfortable taking this on for couples if I had some of the best partners on board from floral, officiant, photo video and dessert (see my prefered partners on my website). I only work with truly polished professionals in the industry.
A Pop-Up Wedding is very specific, but when things have come together it has been pretty magical. There is no greater compliment than a couple that trusts me to put my over 12 years of blood, sweat and tears to work and just allow themselves to experience a Pop-Up Wedding the way it is designed, a stress-free planning time to celebrate LOVE. Also, I want to note there is NO reason you can’t do this to renew your vows as well!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggle is simply educating couples and getting the word out there. The concept is very specific, but when the couple allows themselves to enjoy it that’s when it’s magical!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most proud of the reviews I’ve gotten! The concept is needed. 🙂
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Utilizing the blood, sweat and tears from my wedding experience to be able to handle it all.
Pricing:
- Starting at $5,000 plus optional enhancements
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@PopUpWeddingsMN..com
- Website: https://www.popupweddingsmn.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/PopUpWeddingsMN
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/popupweddingsmn/
Image Credits
Pop-up Weddings
@AlexandraRobynPhoto
@soonastudios
