Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Dubrovich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I don’t believe in risks. I know that’s counterintuitive to the topic of “taking a risk” but I don’t believe “risks” exist. I believe that your life presents you with opportunities that seemingly come out of nowhere. Opportunities that you may have never thought about but somehow feel right. The religious among us might call it “God’s will.” The pragmatist might call it “a sensible choice.” The mystical might call it “synchronicity.”

What I believe is this–that each life experience, whether unwillingly thrust upon you or clearly chosen, whether perceived as large and important or small and insignificant, whether seen as a problem or blessing, prepares you for the next stage of your life. That demands a belief—my belief– that nothing happens randomly. That when opportunity presents itself, you are ready. There is no risk.

Lisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve loved weddings ever since I was five! Of course, getting to wear my mother’s wedding dress helped spark that love. And designing Barbie and Ken’s wedding ignited my passion, too! But I was a stickler for details even then to create the “perfect wedding.” As a flower girl at my uncle’s wedding my partner, the ring-bearer, wouldn’t walk straight down the aisle. I tugged and pulled at his arm all the way to the altar keeping us centered and picture perfect, much to the amusement of the guests! I think that all of those moments, detailed but playful, led me to plan my daughter’s wedding and to hear her say the best words ever, “Mom, every part of my wedding was perfect!”

I understand what brides, grooms, and their families go through to plan the “perfect” wedding. So, every bride becomes “my daughter.” Every groom becomes “my son.” I take away all the stress, worry, anxiety, and nerves that go with every wedding. My attention to the smallest of details and my years of experience as a certified wedding planner and coordinator make it possible to have a stress-free, sophisticated, yet fun and joyful wedding celebration for every couple.

I try to vary my wedding packages to suit a couple’s needs. They have a choice from my help in fully planning their wedding from their engagement to the altar to simply starting a few months prior to their big day as their “Months of Coordinator.” People always talk about how I love the details and have a very positive energy. One couple even claimed that I’m better than Xanax! But it’s very important for me to create a friendly relationship as well as a working one that continues long after their wedding. I tell my couples that I can’t be their mother, but I want to be their “cool aunt” who they can text and vent to at 3 AM. There’s no wedding too complex or too simple where I can’t become their “person” because that’s what makes the journey to the altar one that’s meaningful, fun, and easy.

I love turning wedding dreams into reality, turning chaos into that straight walk down the aisle, and hearing the words “…every part of my wedding was perfect!”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I see pivoting as a result of natural evolution. What began as a casual wedding planning business with a friend turned into a solo enterprise after seven years.

Initially, the company was based on an immediate need—my friend, a wedding planning professor, was asked by a student to coordinate a wedding. I had just planned my daughter’s wedding at the Stanley Hotel on Halloween which inspired us to start the business. (Don’t think pumpkins! Think sophisticated eeriness ala The Shining’s last picture of Jack Nicholson surrounded by elegant people from the 30s.) Again, opportunity presents itself when life experience makes you ready—no risk involved!

After my friend decided to focus on her own business, we dissolved the company. However, I realized I wasn’t ready to quit. I loved the couples, the shared excitement, the details, and forging new relationships too much to let it go. This led to the creation of Hand2Heart Events.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I have the reputation of being “OG.” While this implies that I’ve been “around for a while” I prefer to think of it as being “authentic, exceptional, or respected” in my field. This reputation wasn’t earned easily or quickly. It came through meticulous attention to detail and, more importantly, a deep understanding of my couples–their desires, fears, and vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hand2heartevents.com
• Instagram: hand2heart_weddings
• Facebook: Hand2Heart Events
• Linkedin: Lisa Dubrovich
• Youtube: @LisaDubrovich190
• Yelp: Hand2Heart Events

Image Credits

Booze Photography – Brenda Clements
Trillium Design – Jacci Farlow
Zara Ashby Photography – Zara Ashby
Sound Originals – Sarah Knowles