We were lucky to catch up with Tessa Brand recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tessa, before we dive into questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on how you started your event business and quickly became a sought-after celebrity wedding planner in Los Angeles?   

When I founded Tessa Lyn Events eleven years ago, I walked away from my decade long career in film and television, not knowing if I would fail or succeed. I threw myself into a new industry with absolutely no experience, it was truly a ‘fake it ’til you make it’ moment. I worked non-stop, I networked with other professionals, asked any question I could think of, brainstormed marketing ideas, and decided what I could provide that others could not. My background in Hollywood brought comfort to the entertainment clientele, who started to hire me. Within a year of starting the business, I knew Tessa Lyn Events would succeed.

When I think of the role of a wedding planner, many responsibilities come to mind, but ultimately we are selling an experience. Being engaged is a little slice of someone’s life and planning a wedding is usually once in a lifetime. I want my clients look back on that time as enjoyable and stress-free. I listen to my clients, their families, and my creative partners and curate a plan to please all of them. This way of doing business has led to a rewarding career.

Tell us something that may surprise our readers about weddings, perhaps an unpopular opinion you share with your clients

My unconventional opinion is the host/hostess does not owe anyone multiple evenings of food and entertainment. Many clients feel obligated to invite all of their out-of-town guests to a dinner the night before the wedding and often to a farewell brunch the day after the big event. I hear wedding planners agree with this often.

Since when is a wedding not enough reason to travel? First of all, no one is obligated to accept the invitation if the travel will be too strenuous or expensive. And if they do accept, the guest will be entertained, wined and dined all evening.

I have a client whose friends from college visit every summer, it has become tradition for them. When they arrive in Los Angeles, they have a coastal view dinner, often followed by dancing. They giggle about last nights antics over a morning hike and a brunch in the city. And then they do it all over again Saturday night. Every meal is divided evenly, they alternate uber ordering, and take turns treating to rounds of drinks. No one expects the local to pay for every meal and activity that weekend, so why would the expectation be different on a wedding weekend?

Yes, a wedding is a special occasion where a host traditionally treats friends and family to dinner, dancing, cake, and often more, but I feel the responsibility ends there.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Our biggest challenge so far was Covid-19 completely shutting down gatherings. It required the ultimate pivot.

We postponed over 40 weddings in 18 months, which required us to create a new plan for each one that worked for the client, the venue, and the vendor team all while trying to provide that positive experience we promise. It was a puzzle with so many pieces, and oftentimes this meant re-planning a wedding from scratch at a new location.

We learned that there are things we cannot control, but we can adapt and pivot and do our best to put the client’s mind at ease. It was a very difficult time and we are so happy to be on the other side.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Surprisingly, Instagram brings me 65% of my clients every year. A beautiful photo can sell our taste and design ability with one glance. And a grid full of beautiful photos, carefully organized to not be repetitive, with insightful captions that share valuable advice will attract a potential client. The other 35% is word of mouth, venue referrals, press, and advertising.

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Contact Info:

• Website: www,tessa.com
• Instagram: @tessalynevents

Image Credits
Jodee Debes Photography, Valorie Darling, Marlies Hartmann, Kristina Adams, Michael Segal