The Calluna Girls: Gabbie, Heather & SpiceName: Gabriele Sarbaugh
Position with Calluna Events: Assistant Coordinator
Years with Calluna Events: 2 – this is my 3rd season.
How I got started with Calluna Events: I found Calluna Events online while looking for a wedding planner to intern with to complete my college degree. I emailed Heather, we set up an interview, and I’ve spent the past 2 wedding seasons by her side learning the ropes and “ins and outs” of day-of-coordination.
Most memorable wedding I’ve worked with Calluna Events: The most memorable wedding I’ve worked was Heather’s own wedding. Not only was it a beautiful and memorable wedding, but it was such an honor to be asked and trusted with the oversight of Heather’s special day.
Most challenging situation during an event: For me, one of the most challenging and stressful situations during an event is making the “rain call” and determining/executing plan B. One of the most memorable situations I experienced was at a wedding up at a private residence outside of Nederland. The ceremony site was outside and a considerable walking distance from the covered cocktail and reception area. Transportation had been arranged to take the arriving guests down to the ceremony site, but there was not enough space on all of the buses, vans, and golf carts for all of the guests to occupy at the same time. We had been watching the sky for rain clouds all afternoon and it looked as though the weather was either going to hold long enough for the ceremony to complete or blow over. Just before the bride emerged from her bus and walked down the aisle the sky opened up with rain and lightening. With some guests taking cover on buses and others under trees, we waited for the bride and groom to make a decision to either wait out the storm or conduct the ceremony in another location. Trying to communicate with each other using walkie talkies and soaking wet the Calluna Events team finally got all of the guests and ourselves to a make-shift ceremony site. But despite the change in plan the bride and groom made the best of the intimate setting and couldn’t have been happier.
I like working with this type of bride: Most of the experiences I’ve had with brides are on their wedding day. And my favorite weddings have been with brides who are relaxed, down to earth, and who are enjoying every moment of their day while trusting the Calluna Events team handle everything except the “I dos”
Favorite trend, décor or element of a wedding I’ve seen: I’m always excited to see the color scheme of the wedding and how the colors are incorporated into the design elements and flowers. One of my favorite colors schemes was the tangerine orange and grass green of Heather’s wedding. The colors complemented each other beautifully and popped against the muted earthy tones of the venue. Another of my favorite wedding in terms of decor was the ” ‘Anthropologie‘ meets sophisticated shabby-chic” of Lida and Jonathan’s wedding. The center pieces were beautiful and unique and the elements of the decor really showed the style of the couple. This can be seen on the Calluna Events blog at HERE.
Describe your planning & work style: organized and always ready and willing to do whatever needs to be done.
How can a couple imprint their personality into their wedding? A couple can imprint their personality into their wedding by doing something as simple as adding elements of their heritage, religion, or relationship or even picking a theme around a passion they share as a couple.
