Insider to Insider: Andria Lewis, Owner of Andria Lewis Events

Andria Lewis has been planning parties since she was 8 years old!  As a wedding planner for the last 13 years she’s taken this life-long skill and turned it into an amazing business.  Andria Lewis Events focuses on concierge service.  Only the best vendors are selected for her clients and Andria is with them every step of the way.  Andria also authors The Planner Pages.  I like this blog because it not only gives brides and grooms planning resources, but also teaches them what is appropriate and not appropriate when planning a wedding.  She is teaching the customer something VERY valuable.  Read this post on pricing and why there is value in a wedding planner.  This post is relevant to all of us in the industry, too!

Andria Lewis
Owner, Andria Lewis Events
Memphis, TN (servicing TN, MS, AR)
www.andrialewisevents.com
established 2005

What is your favorite thing about weddings?

Other than the joining of two lives, I really love the pretty of weddings. I love fresh flowers and soft, billowy centerpieces and wedding cake and champagne. Yes, that is all one thing. :-}

What is your best tip for time management?

My best advice on time management is to stop and consider everything that is going to happen on the wedding day. Create a solid plan for it, add at least a 15 minute cushion for each aspect of the day and then just let things happen. My timelines/production schedules are quite detailed. Somtimes these production schedules scare vendors that have never worked with me before. They think it is going to be a rigid day. But, on the wedding day, they realize it’s more of a flow chart. There will be bumps in the road, but with a solid plan you can handle the bumps and get back on track. A good production schedule leaves guests feeling as if they’re a part of a wonderfully planned party and not a part of a segmented event (now we are cutting cake, now we are dancing).

What is your little marketing secret?

My former brides. I attended Eventology 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana this year. One of the speakers’ topic was Making Your Brides Your Fans. It is so important to my brand and to my level of service to make sure my brides have an experience. We are more than efficient at Andria Lewis Events. We create an experience. That is our marketing secret.

What is the funnest (most fun) trend you are seeing in the industry?

I am really happy to see bright colors coming into play. I am also loving the trend (hopefully it will last) of brides wearing shoes that are not deemed bridal shoes. Purple, green, orange, yellow, leather, flats, heels. I love it! I am a HUGE self-proclaimed shoe snob, so this trend just excites me to no end.

If you were starting your business all over again, what would you have done differently?

I’m not sure I would do anything differently. I have enjoyed the way my business has grown. I am a Hurricane Katrina transplant into my current market and my company has really grown here so I can’t complain.

Thanks Andria!