Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Flaxman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in the wedding industry right now is the rise of wedding content creators—and honestly, I love it. While it’s still a fairly new addition to the vendor lineup, I believe it’s here to stay for a while. Why? Because it provides couples something they’ve never really had before: instant gratification. Instead of waiting weeks or even months for the full video or gallery, they get behind-the-scenes footage, vertical clips, and raw moments within 24 hours—ready to relive and share almost instantly.
Of course, like with any trend, there’s been some skepticism. At first, even I wondered how this would mesh with the flow of the day, especially when there’s already a full photo and video team on-site. But at a few recent weddings where content creators were brought in, it actually went surprisingly smoothly. Everyone—from the videographer to the content creator—was respectful of each other’s space and worked together like true professionals. I’ve heard of tension in the industry, especially around competition, but I personally view this as an addition, not a replacement for traditional videography.
In fact, we’re now seeing some videographers expand their services to include content creation, which keeps everything under one roof. But at the core, this trend is all about giving couples those emotional, real-time glimpses of their day. It taps into what’s meaningful to today’s generation—social media-ready, short-form content that’s heartfelt, aesthetic, and immediate.
For my clients, this trend makes so much sense. It fits how they celebrate, share, and engage. It’s not just about documentation anymore—it’s about connection and memory-making, in the moment.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Champagne Dreams + Co. was founded by myself, Sara Flaxman, and Carly Dahan, as co-owners and creative partners. Our story began in an extended learning course at the University of La Verne that focused on wedding planning and design—a turning point for both of us. Carly had just left a 13-year career in the banking industry, seeking a more fulfilling and creative path, and I had recently planned my own wedding, where I completely fell in love with the world of design and logistics. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality and service industry, I was ready to channel that passion into something more personal and impactful.
From our very first meeting, it was clear we had a synergistic connection, especially when it came to weddings. Carly went on to train under our course instructor—who owns a prominent company in Southern California—and further expanded her expertise through mentorships with some of the most respected planners in the industry. Meanwhile, I immersed myself in the world of luxury weddings through internships, eventually landing a coveted position with the one and only Kevin Lee, celebrity planner to the stars. (Fun fact: Kevin offered me the job in the middle of Quentin Tarantino’s wedding!) That experience exposed me to a world of high-profile events and truly elevated my perspective on what’s possible.
Eventually, I joined Carly at the firm she was working with, and it was there that our friendship evolved into a dynamic professional partnership. We quickly discovered that our strengths beautifully complemented each other—Carly’s precision and calm leadership paired perfectly with my creative direction and big-picture vision. Vendors began recognizing our chemistry, often commenting on the energy we brought as a team. That’s when we knew: we were meant to build something together.
Champagne Dreams + Co. was born from that shared vision. Today, we are a full-service planning and design company that specializes in high-touch, immersive, and emotionally-driven celebrations for couples. Our events are never just about aesthetics—they’re about evoking feeling, creating connection, and honoring our clients’ stories through intentional design and elevated logistics.
What sets us apart is our ability to strike a balance between creative expression and operational excellence. We serve clients throughout Southern California (and beyond!), and we’ve become known for our unwavering work ethic, editorial-meets-emotive design style, and our ability to bring timeless visions to life with style, substance, and intention.
At the heart of Champagne Dreams + Co. is a love for people and storytelling. We are honored every time a couple invites us into one of the most meaningful seasons of their lives, and we never take that trust for granted.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the early days of Champagne Dreams + Co., resilience wasn’t a buzzword—it was a necessity. Carly and I both pivoted into this industry from very different careers, diving headfirst into a fast-paced world without the safety net of years of connections or a well-known brand. We started from the ground up, often working weddings for free or in assistant roles just to gain exposure, learn the ropes, and build real relationships. I’ll never forget one wedding where almost everything that could go wrong, did—from major vendor miscommunications to sudden weather changes. Instead of folding, we leaned into our training, instincts, and each other. We problem-solved in real time, kept our couple blissfully unaware of the chaos, and walked away exhausted but proud. That experience reminded me: calm under pressure isn’t just a skill, it’s a service. And our clients deserve professionals who can thrive in the tension between beauty and unpredictability. That mindset is something we’ve carried into every wedding since.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A big lesson I had to unlearn was that saying “yes” to everything meant I was building a successful business. In the early stages, I thought the only way to grow was to take on every inquiry, work with every client, and attend every opportunity that came my way. I was afraid that saying “no” meant I’d lose momentum or come off as ungrateful.
But over time, I realized that not every opportunity is aligned—and not every client is your client. Taking on projects that didn’t reflect our values or creative vision led to burnout and diluted the quality of the experience we pride ourselves on delivering. The real growth happened when we started to lead with clarity and confidence, honoring the kind of work we wanted to do and the people we wanted to serve.
It was a mindset shift from scarcity to intentionality—and it’s what allowed us to build a brand rooted in purpose, not pressure.
Contact Info:
- Website: Champagne dreams.co
- Instagram: @champagnedreams.co
Image Credits
Kapsule
Heather Smith Photo
William Lu Photography