Meet Brie Oglesby | Mrs Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brie Oglesby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brie, how do you think about risk?
When 2008 and 2009 happened, many people’s careers shifted. Owner of Mrs Planner, Ashlee Voda, left her corporate planning role and was certified as a wedding planner picking up any mentorship opportunities she could find. There were definitely financial challenges and lifestyle changes that made it clear her personal life was going to be sacrificed by her professional as she got started.

We have never been afraid to take risks and that’s important when pursuing your own passion. This follows through into every couple we meet and the dynamic of their event that we take on. It’s risky to take on different personality types and family dynamics, without knowing what is to come. We’ve found joy in being accepted into their lives on the most special day that they’re celebrating. As you all know, not all events go perfectly. There’s something in us as planners that drives us to find a solution. Risk is within every event and that won’t stop us from taking on our next client.

As we complete more weddings, our clients have naturally referred us to different destinations. Because of our personal and professional interests, Colorado allowed us to expand the company into this new market. It’s risky to be the new kid in an established market so networking and getting to know the industry around us was very important. Applying our experience and previously established vendor relationships, we find Colorado to make us feel right at home. It was a risk worth taking because now we’re permanent members of this community.

Some risks are unknown but those that we can see ahead of us, we can troubleshoot and apply the experiences we’ve shared to get through successfully. We’re never going to show up without having all that we need or having asked all necessary questions. Risk is part of the challenge of being a wedding planner and without it, our personal and professional growth wouldn’t be the same.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Mrs Planner operates out of Texas and Colorado, we find that what sets us apart from other planning companies is that we are able to bridge the gap when our couples or families are in different locations. We spend time getting to know our couples and ensuring that their priorities shine through during the planning process. We focus on what our clients care most about and let that lead our processes.

We never want to outgrow our clients, we pride ourselves on personal connections starting from our first meeting. Each planner works with their couples throughout the planning process instead of being assigned out closer to the event date. Our monthly client calls allow us to build trust while the clients unload stress. We have found that by building the client relationship, the client is able to truly enjoy their event day knowing they have a trusted resource running the show.

Not only are we building these relationships with couples and families, but we are also strengthening the relationships with our vendor teams. This begins with seeking out great vendors to introduce ourselves to and begin working with while referring back and forth. We have built long-lasting friendships where wedding days turn into working with some of our dearest friends. We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built which have contributed to the longevity within the industry.

This career is one that will always teach us something new. The most valuable takeaways over 10 years of wedding planning are anticipating the challenges on the wedding day and finding simplified ways to navigate through them before and during. We find that setting our couples up for success with a structured planning experience lets them feel accomplished throughout the planning and provides us all with a visual format that we follow on the wedding day. Wedding planning will never be easy but we know how to keep it fun.

No matter the obstacle placed in front of us, we’re going to always find a way through it by narrowing down and focusing on what is most important to our couples. This past year we’ve taken on more than just day-of challenges like date changes, vendors going out of business, staffing shortages, and changes in the scope of work. Our role goes beyond the paperwork because our hearts are in it. Planning with our couples is so much more than the day of the wedding. No matter the obstacle faced, we will always face it as a team.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When Brie has friends or family visiting her in Colorado Springs, her most visited places would be the relaxing Helen Hunt Falls or fishing at Pike’s Peak Catamount Reservoir. She loves showing off her secret trails at Garden of The Gods and getting everyone pumped on the history of the cog railway. Her favorite local eateries are The Rabbit Hole, COATI, Denver Biscuit Co, Fat Sully’s, and Phonomenal.

When Ashlee is in Denver, she finds downtown to be super walkable and frequents Coors Field to watch a baseball game or watch on the big screen from a local brewery. If Ashlee is meeting anyone from lunch she’s usually utilizing one of the unique boutique properties downtown. Her top two are The Maven or The Rally. If there is a show happening at Red Rocks, she is making that drive!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our shoutout begins with our first few couples that entrusted us with their wedding day. Putting your trust in someone with passion but no experience can be a scary thing to do.

We also want to recognize the planners that continuously teach their expertise openly because not all are willing to trade secrets. We carry that mindset with us as we meet new eager faces ready to learn the industry.

Most of all, to those at home that keep pushing us to do what we love.

Website: www.mrsplanner.com

Instagram: @mrsplanners

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrs.-planner-llc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrsplannertx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsplanner

Other: https://www.facebook.com/briemrsplanner/?ref=py_c&__xts__ https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/mrs-planner-austin-carrollton/a8bc7869f280d88c.html https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/mrs-planner-weddings-richardson-tx-757604 https://www.instagram.com/ashlee_mrsplanner/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/brie_mrsplanner/?hl=en

Image Credits
Michele with one L Leah Goetzel Photography Misty McLendon Photography Mackenzie Smith Photography Beat Box Portrait The Bird & The Bear April Mae Creative