leslie lukas weddings & events: favorite vendor

My dear friend, wedding and event planner and floral designer extraordinaire Leslie Lukas is my first official favorite vendor spotlight here on my blog, and I couldn't be happier to showcase her! Leslie actually referred me for the very first wedding I ever photographed - the first wedding I ever had my own images of to show future couples - and I am forever grateful for that because without LL, I'd be a nobody! I'll never forget her telling me, all it took was someone having faith in her, believing in her, and she wanted to do the same for me. One of the most important memories from that first wedding is a totally random experience, but it spoke volumes about Leslie and how amazing she is as a person. I was shooting this wedding inside a lodge at Moonlight Basin, and while I was backing up against the wall to take a photo, my shoe hit the metal heater on the floor, making quite a loud noise in the midst of this beautiful couple's vows. I was mortified. Thankfully it didn't phase the couple, but I dropped my jaw to the floor and stared over at Leslie, my expression clearly saying, Oh my God, I totally just screwed this, thanks for hiring me but never again will I ever in the light of day shoot another wedding again! She was standing back on the staircase, looked me square in the eye, and mouthed, It's okay. And it was. And now she is not only my favorite wedding planner and florist, she is also one of my dear friends.

Here is our Q & A. Leslie's answers are posted below each question.

What do you feel sets you apart from the other wedding planners and floral designers in the industry?

My approach is simple . . . I love working with each clients on a personal level. I view events as living works of art, with many moving parts to keep it interesting and stand out. I don't feel that clients should worry about the checklists - leave that to me. As a designer, I feel there is always a new material, a new way of doing something or take something really outdated and make it chic again. I think my clients love that I don't force unnecessary details on them. Instead, I make the most of what we have to work with and make suggestions on how to use their budget to full advantage. The biggest compliment I ever received is how the groom felt about me . . . he claimed to actually love the planning process after I became involved!

How long have you been an event planner/floral designer?

Wow, is it really over 12 years???

How did you get started?

I picked up a summer job in the only flower shop in my hometown when I was 15 years old. I watered plants and washed buckets, learning from the ground up. The next year, they let me deliver flowers and take a shot at design . . . and it turned out I was a natural. The rest is history. I did go to college, found out I was better at party planning, and got a job in the flower shop in my college town. I found my niche and flourished.

What do you enjoy most about weddings?

I like the part of witnessing fresh, new passion and love. Seeing a couple in this stage reminds me all the time of how it felt when my husband and I were getting married. There is something so special about this time.

What are your favorite trends right now?

I am really into the smaller details right now. There are so many different ways to create seating charts, escort cards, guest books . . . I am loving the signature cocktails as well, and the interesting ways to present them! And of course, a great pair of shoes. Blogs are also a whirlwind of emotion and creativity for me. I get so inspired looking through all the gorgeousness that exists!

Where do you get your inspiration?

I gain my inspiration from other designers, the environment around me, textiles, and my clients. A great designer has lots of tricks up their sleeve - sometimes it comes to me in the hardware store. I love to browse paint chips for fun!

What is your favorite way to unwind after you wrap up one of your spectacular wedding events?

I like the time in my car, on the way home, usually stupid late. I turn up my tunes, usually Tom Petty because I know all the words, and I sing my heart out. Sometimes I like to sing the National Anthem, too, and Oh Canada. Something about having a really successful event makes me feel patriotic!

Besides Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events, Leslie has officially opened her new floral shop in downtown Ennis, Montana, Main Street Floral. It is a beautiful, charming store, and of course the customer service and products are spectacular!



There's much more to read about Leslie here and here, so enjoy!