June is National Wedding Month, and this month’s theme is party planning. Did you know there are small businesses you can support right here in West Haven to help you create a memorable occasion?
E.V. Events & Design, LLC – interview with Earnelle Edmond
(203) 868-0384 / https://eveventsanddesign.com
Q; What’s your backstory/how did you get started with your business?
A; My partner and I planned a friend’s wedding and got many compliments. The bride’s brother noticed I had been doing this for years and said I should make money from it. He passed away, and after that we said, “you know what? It’s a good idea!” so we bought an existing events planning business. We started out with 400 dollars – we each invested 200. We went up to Maine with a minivan to move the stuff that came with it. When we got there, we realized we needed the largest truck U-Haul sells! We got off to a really good start with that deal.
Q: What is your particular niche or target audience?
We don’t have one particular audience. We are just trying to make dreams come true. The word of mouth has been great. From large venues to outdoors at the West Haven beach, from intimate backyard gatherings to crowds of 300 people. This is what we love to do.
Q: What led you to base this business in West Haven?
Space for storage was available on one floor of our multi-family home. We grew out of it but that was helpful in the beginning. We keep lawn chairs, linens, coffee pots, vases, and all kinds of decorations on hand, balloon arches and columns, and various backdrops. We keep up with the trends, for instance natural grasses with a feathery look are very “in” this year. We have royal ball themes, sequins, and rosettes. We have a lot in stock, even a juice fountain!
Q: What do people really appreciate about working with you?
We’re down to earth. You have to be professional, but at the same time we try to treat everyone like family. By the time we are done with an event we are friends with our clients. Because we make sure that the event is even better than what they wanted.
Q: What do you offer that’s hard to find anywhere else?
We don’t just do decor, we do planning and design from the beginning to the end of the whole thing. Sometimes people have already bought a few things, so can build that into the plans.
Blaq Pearl Photography – interview with TeQoa Griffith
203-491-8625 / https://www.blaqpearlphotography.com/
Q: What’s your backstory/how did you get started with your business?
My husband and I owned a radio station, and we traveled around to various events. Our photographer suddenly became unavailable. I said to my husband, “Buy me a camera, I’ll figure it out!” When I did, I found a new passion. We work side by side, he does videography and I do still photography.
Q: What is your particular niche or target audience?
Weddings! I do 20-25 of them every year. That is kind of a lot, and I could do more. However, I want to be very intentional about sustainable work-life balance and staying inspired, so I set limits. I do other kinds of special occasions too, and family portraits.
Q: What led you to base this business in West Haven?
I love the diversity! I’ve had the honor of doing a Lebanese wedding, Muslim weddings. I enjoy learning about their cultures as we work together. I also appreciate the space we found at 14 Gilbert Street, even though we need more space now, as we are looking to expand.
Q: What do people really appreciate about working with you?
The experience. We have a lot of repeat business because people enjoy the experience we get to create together. Whether working in my studio or out at an event, we have a blast!
Q: What do you offer that’s hard to find anywhere else?
Well, you know, the stakes can be high when it comes to a wedding. Emotions are charged, and details matter. We get that. I actually like working with that energy, leaning into that stress so that there’s more comfort and ease. Because at the end of the day, people and their memories matter. We are able to create this beautiful thing together, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Other businesses we did not get to interview this time can also help spark up your party plans.
Tyler Newkirk Craft Co – 203-926-7615
Flowers, favors, centerpieces, and design
https://tylernewkirkcraftcompany.com/contact
Cameo Cleaners – 203-937-9361
Alterations, professional cleaning, and repair of your most precious clothing and shoes
https://www.facebook.com/CAMEO-Cleaners-174595436279798
Happy Daze Costumes & SidekickCT Events – 203-522-7115
Face painting, character costumes and more!