Driven by style, inspired by love, Hey! Party Collective offers couples a fresh and modern perspective on wedding planning, coordination, and design. Nicole Lowery, Owner and Lead Planner, aims to inspire clients with fresh ideas—to be themselves, to push the envelope, and to think outside the box. Hey! Party Collective clients are looking for something different, bold, hip, and edgy, and aren’t finding it in their typical event planning operation. Because of this, Nicole and her team work with venues with unique atmospheres, promote and collaborate with like-minded industry badasses, and find styles that cater to the particular tastes of their clients. The team takes a casual and comfortable approach to each event they organize and they believe that their work can be, and should be, full of fun. Keep reading to learn Nicole's favorite AP tools and what's in store for her team in the upcoming months!
What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
I started Hey! Party Collective back in 2011 with the intent of planning killer parties, focusing on great design, and guest experience. Funny enough, weddings weren’t our main pursuit. But pretty quickly we had planned a few weddings and I was hooked. I’m honored to have the opportunity to plan and design couples’ biggest party of their lives.
Why did you start Hey! Party Collective?
Much of the wedding industry in Colorado was focused on the mountain regions (with good reason, of course), but I knew there had to be stylish, modern romantics here in Denver who were looking for something closer to the city. At that time, I was really inspired by what was going on in the southern California wedding scene in terms of modern city venues, design, and guest experience.
If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?
It's been said before, but there's so much pressure on clients to plan the perfect event, reproduce all of the pretty images they see on Instagram, and impress their friends and family. This only leads to disappointment and frustration. Weddings are joyous, beautiful celebrations in and of themselves, and planning one should be enjoyable. In short, don’t overanalyze every decision and enjoy the ride!
How does using Aisle Planner help you deliver the client experience you want to?
Having all the tools I need to plan an event within one platform is priceless. Aisle Planner keeps me organized and on top of things for my clients, and does so many things automatically that used to be a manual process. It's made me more efficient, and that in turn benefits my clients. They experience a seamless process, and have all the information they need at their fingertips.
What's your favorite Aisle Planner feature?
It’s hard to choose! I love how the guest list syncs with the layout tool for incredibly easy guest seating assignments. But I also love the checklist feature because what type-A person doesn’t love a good checklist with programmed due dates?
If you weren't the Owner + Lead Planner of Hey! Party Collective, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
I think I’d still be doing something within the events industry because I love the pace, flexibility, and the opportunity to create on a daily basis.
What are three things you never show up without on event day?
- Phone + Charger
- Water (I get SO dehydrated on event days)
- Change of Shoes
What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner?
Find a way to stand out in a crowded industry and own it! Also, respect and take care of your vendors! Great vendor relationships are imperative for seamless events, mutual trust, and on-point referrals.
What’s your trademark in the client or event experience?
From the start, I wanted to make sure that not one Hey! Party Collective wedding looked the same. Trends are cool, and we explore them just like everyone else, but we don’t regurgitate trends over and over again. I’m always looking for ways to take a new trend and flip it to make it unique. I strive for creativity and uniqueness, work closely with my clients to develop a wedding that's perfectly “them,” and put my blood, sweat, and (happy) tears into every wedding I design.
Is there anything you're particularly excited about working on this year?
I'm Creative Director for this year’s Rooted in the Rockies conference, produced by Rocky Mountain Bride magazine. I’m excited to put my signature style on this incredible 2-day conference in Vail, CO. The creative team we’ve put together is magical and I cannot wait to bring the vision to life.
I also help plan an event each year called Perspective: Art & Floral. We pair artists together with florists to create a one-day exhibition of floral installations based on the artists’ artwork. It's an amazing convergence of two forms of art and the results are stunning. All ticket sales are donated to a chosen charitable organization.
Just for fun
I’m dying to take a trip to…
Morocco! The colors, the food, the bazaars, the architecture, the culture.
What skill would you like to master?
The art of small talk? Just kidding (maybe). I’d love to speak Spanish fluently.
What song do you know every word to?
Spiderwebs by No Doubt
Favorite book of all time?
It’s a tie between A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
If you catch me out and about I’m always wearing…
A hat!
Want to see more from Nicole? Check out her website heypartycollective.com!
Hero photo courtesy Courtney Maxwell Photography
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