Francesca DiSalvo Follmer founded Pure Luxe Bride in 2009. With over a decade of combined experience, the team at Pure Luxe Bride has designed, planned, and executed over 200 luxury weddings in Charleston, each tailored to the couple’s style and vision. Adopting a synergistic approach to boutique wedding planning, Pure Luxe Bride is a planning duo that collaborates on every event, indulging each client with the benefit of unparalleled service and undivided attention of two wedding professionals. Francesca's eye for detail, client-first attitude, and fast-paced, Northern mentality has propelled Pure Luxe Bride into the forefront of Charleston’s finest and most decorated wedding planning and event design companies. Read on to learn more about Francesca's experience in the weddings and special events industry and her favorite Aisle Planner tools!
What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
I'm a Pennsylvania native and daughter of a restaurateur—my passion for event design and management were cultivated from an early age. I infuse her high-energy, creative personality, and focused management style into distinctive, elevated weddings and events. My eye for detail, client-first attitude, and fast-paced, Northern mentality have propelled Pure Luxe Bride into the forefront of Charleston’s finest and most decorated wedding planning and event design companies.
Why did you start Pure Luxe Bride?
Growing up in the wedding and events industry (in the catering and venue world), I swore up and down I'd never do it! After my own wedding, I realized it was silly for me to not be in an industry that's such a part of me. I'm such a people person and have a passion for design, so I found my fit and founded Pure Luxe Bride. After moving to SC, I launched my part-time business into a full-time career. Being a northern planner in the south has its perks. I'm high energy and used to a fast-paced environment to work. The majority of our clients are from the Northeast and Midwest in larger cities, so they very much love what I bring to the table.
If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?
The stigma about planners! Our career is anything but glamorous and what you see in movies. Aside from long weekends and full days in the office it's a lot of manual labor, sweat, and hustle. It's a 24/7 job with not a whole lot of balance.
How does using Aisle Planner help you deliver the client experience you want to?
Aisle Planner is key for our team to keep everything organized and in one place. We especially love it because the majority of our clients and their families are destination clients who aren't able to meet face to face with us regularly, so it keeps things streamlined for them as well.
What's your favorite Aisle Planner feature?
The budget! (I can't believe I said that!) I remember what life was like before Aisle Planner when I had 10,000 Google Docs keeping track of budgets, payments, etc. This tool for me was a complete game-changer!
If you weren't the Owner of Pure Luxe Bride, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
Life would be different! I'd have weekends off and a normal schedule. I'm honestly not sure how I'd handle that! I'm always on the go, whether it's for PLB or personally. I likely would be in business consulting to help start up or struggling wedding businesses. My passion lies in this industry for sure and I've got quite a bit of knowledge not only in planning, but in food and beverage as well, so I think expanding my consulting to a range of industry pros would be great. On occasion, I do consulting. However, I wish I could do more. Being a full-service planning firm, 90% of my time is dedicated directly to my clients,10% to the behind the scenes business stuff, and the rest in consulting.
What are three things you never show up without on event day?
Always my Bose speaker! I need music and a beat for my set ups. It's such a fast-paced part of the day and you need good music. My apple watch, because it keeps me on track without having to carry a stack of papers around. Getting text alerts for timelines and being able to answer my phone without having it in hand is amazing. And finally, a black jumpsuit! Gone are the days of the black dress. The jumpsuit for me (with pockets) allows me to continue to move even after the set up concludes. Plus, it's chic and super comfortable at the same time. Bonus!
What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner?
Be original. With Pinterest and Instagram at the hands of your clients, stay original by adding personal touches and details for your clients to make their celebrations unique to them, and you. Also, be prepared to hustle 24/7, time is of the essence and it's important to be on your game always.
What’s your trademark in the client or event experience?
Being quick, thorough, and completely transparent with our clients—we're open and honest always!
Is there anything you are particularly excited about working on this year?
We have some incredible weddings in the books for 2020 with some very unique designs that we cannot wait to showcase!
Just for fun
Three things you wouldn't board a plane without?
AirPods, Fuzzy Socks, and a good read!
Dogs or cats?
Three very spoiled pups! Ginger, Paris, and Lucy.
What song do you know every word to?
It's actually a hidden talent, I know the words to so many songs it's ridiculous.
Non-work related hobbies?
I'm a health and fitness junkie! I love my Peloton and my personal training days at the gym. I also love to cook and no matter how busy I get, I always cook dinner every night.
On my days off you can find me…
It usually starts with a training session, moves to lounging at the beach or poolside, then getting a massage and having a wonderful home-cooked dinner.
If you catch me out and about I’m always wearing…
My Apple Watch. It rules my life.
Want to see more from Francesca? Check out her website pureluxebride.com!
Hero photo courtesy Rachel Red Photography
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