We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grace Shults. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grace below.
Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
In the wedding and event industry, I think there is a general line of thought that “bigger is better”. There is a pressure to “go all out” for the biggest and bestest day of your life. At Love & Lilacs, I founded my coordination company to empower engaged couples to instead plan the day they want, instead of the day they may feel pressured to create. In this way, I do not believe that “bigger is better”.
Before starting Love & Lilacs, I grew up hearing the story of my parents wedding – an event that was, for all intents and purposes, hijacked from them. What was supposed to be an intimate autumn ceremony and gathering in Sonoma, California, morphed into an elaborate summer series of events in Denver, Colorado, beginning with a Catholic mass and ending with both the bride and groom needing a stiff drink. Between the cacophony of family input, the stabbing of boutonnière pins, and a car covered in shaving cream, my parents felt that the extravagancy of their wedding day had little to do with them and what they wanted for themselves and their future, and everything to do with the production of the wedding. I was blessed that because my parents experienced that, they had fervently expressed to me that when I got married, to create the day that my husband and I wanted, without feeling pressured by family or friends, or even modern trends. And so we did! Our day was everything we wanted it to be, and after loving every minute of planning it myself, I recognized that people I loved needed that kind of help and advocacy as well! And thus Love & Lilacs was born.
After 5 years of coordinating and planning weddings, I have found that there will always be pressure, whether spoken or unspoken. Partners and parents and extended family always have expectations, and you will feel like it is your responsibility to meet those expectations, and make the day the biggest and best it can be for them. However, at Love & Lilacs, we want to re-write the script: Your wedding day is not about the programs or the seating charts or the flowers or even the dress. Your wedding day is about you and your partner and more importantly the marriage you are committing to. So as an event coordinator, I am here to bring all those details you have envisioned to life, but more importantly, be an advocate for you to make big (or small) decisions, organize details, adhere to a budget (should you have one), and ultimately design the day of your dreams, no matter how extravagant or intimate. After all, the wedding is a day, but the marriage is a lifetime. And there is just as much beauty in the little things – that goes for life, marriage, and weddings!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello! I’m Grace Shults, the founder and lead coordinator of Love & Lilacs, a wedding planning and coordination service based in Little Rock, Arkansas. My journey into the wedding industry began in 2014 in Paso Robles, California, where I worked with Open Range Catering. This experience sparked my passion for weddings, leading me to expand my skills as a “second shooter” with Ashley Blake Photography. These roles provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in wedding planning and execution.
At Love & Lilacs, our mission is to bring your unique wedding vision to life. We offer a range of packages tailored to different needs and budgets:
– The DIY Package: Ideal for couples who have planned most aspects of their wedding but seek professional assistance to ensure everything runs smoothly on the big day.
– The Visionary Package: Designed for those who have a clear vision but need help refining details and coordinating with vendors to execute their plan flawlessly.
– The Works Package: A comprehensive service covering every detail from vendor selection to timeline creation, allowing you to enjoy your engagement without stress.
What sets Love & Lilacs apart is our dedication to personalized service. We understand that every couple is unique, and we strive to reflect that individuality in each wedding we coordinate. Our extensive network of trusted vendors ensures that you receive top-quality services tailored to your preferences.
We take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to making your wedding day as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Whether you’re a hands-on planner or prefer to entrust the details to professionals, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re planning your wedding in Arkansas or California and are looking for a coordinator who values your vision and works diligently to bring it to life, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s create a memorable and stress-free wedding experience together.
Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at (805) 712-5233 to discuss how we can assist with your special day.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my life came when I made the decision not to attend law school, even after being accepted. For years, I had envisioned a future in law — it felt like a secure, respected path. But as the reality of the cost and debt began to sink in, I had to take a hard look at what I truly wanted, not just what I thought I *should* want.
At the same time, I was gaining more hands-on experience in the wedding industry — first in catering, then photography, and eventually in planning and coordination. I realized how much joy I found in connecting with people, bringing structure to creative visions, and supporting couples through one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. It clicked for me that the core skills that would have made me a great attorney — communication, problem-solving, meticulous organization — could also be used to build a career that was deeply fulfilling in a very different way.
Choosing not to go to law school wasn’t just about avoiding debt (though that was a big factor); it was about leaning into a passion I hadn’t initially seen as a “real” career. That pivot led me to start Love & Lilacs — and I’ve never looked back. Now, I get to support couples in bringing their wedding dreams to life, and I do it with heart, precision, and a genuine love for the work. It was a scary leap at the time, but it’s one I’m incredibly proud of.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that faster is always better — that success meant diving in headfirst and doing everything now. I have a naturally go-getter personality and a strong independent streak, so in the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey, I believed that if I wasn’t constantly pushing, producing, and growing at full speed, I was somehow falling behind.
Before launching Love & Lilacs, I ran a business doing payroll for adjustment groups. I jumped into it with a lot of drive but not enough structure or strategic planning. I thought that saying “yes” to every opportunity and figuring things out as I went was the key to momentum. But over time, I realized that rushing growth and overexerting myself came at a cost — to both my mental health and the sustainability of the business itself.
That experience taught me the importance of patience and discernment. I had to unlearn the belief that I had to do it all and do it fast. Now, with Love & Lilacs, I’m much more intentional about how I grow, the clients I work with, and the projects I take on. I’ve learned to build systems that support both the business and my well-being, to trust the process, and to value quality over speed.
It’s still a work in progress — that inner go-getter never fully goes away — but I’ve found so much more fulfillment (and success) by slowing down, being selective, and growing with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loveandlilacsweddings.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: @loveandlilacsweddings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561356466215
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-shults-0008461b5/
Image Credits
Eli Murray Photography