Lisa Rivera
Principal Planner / Founder of Bleu Sparrow Events
Long Island, NY
www.bleusparrowevents.com
instagram @bleusparrow.events
tiktok @bleusparrowevents
Q What do you do?
“I am a Wedding and Event Planner. I can also be considered a designer, project manager, or as our bride’s usually say a therapist and new bff.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started in the event world right out of college as an unpaid intern. I worked for a company for 10 years planning events, overseeing logistics, and eventually creating floral designs. I started my own venture after 2020 and couldn’t be happier. Having the ability to create my brand from the ground up and truly reflect me is immeasurable.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I am true to who I am. I let my personality, no matter how weird it may be, shine through in everything I do. From my first call with a prospective client to the designs and ideas I pitch. This is a fun industry so I want to embrace that and not take myself too seriously
Q What are you working on right now?
I am wrapping up a couple of weddings that I am totally stoked about, one of them being on the sand in The Hamptons. I just finished a tented montauk wedding that was a blast, and have one next weekend that the color palette is bright and exciting.
I am also working with a few non for profit organizations on their expos, galas, and appreciation events.
Q What’s your style?
My ideal style of wedding is offsite or off premise. Something that is completely original and has to be built from the ground up. The logistics can get hairy with these, but I always welcome a challenge. I don’t necessarily stick to one style, but relish in my ability to see the beauty in all different types of styles and float seamlessly from one to the other. Being able to be creative brings me life, and staleness drags me down. So anything new and fresh is my taste.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I would love to focus more on Full Planning, starting with a couple from the beginning and working with them over a year or two's time. I love the relationship this creates with our couples and the overall trust it builds. All of our Full Planning couples feel a sense of relief on their wedding day. Whereas a Month Of couple will feel the relief in hindsight, but maybe not as confident walking in that day since they just signed with us a month or two beforehand.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The balance of running a business. It’s making time for the marketing, the financials, accounting, budgeting, etc. All while trying to run the actual business. It can be overwhelming but that’s what To Do lists are for!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Prep for meetings and calls. I usually try to battle that freeze mode of waiting for an appointment, and attempt to use every minute. With that being said, it is only possible if someone is preparing your paperwork and notes while you do something else.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Have more faith in myself. I never wanted to own my own company because it seemed hard and stressful and I didn’t want to take on that extra responsibility. Looking back, I see that I was already doing 90% of what I do now. I would have told myself to make a break and start my own venture sooner.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Getting to my ideal clients and audience. I have been steadily building since I opened my doors, but I feel that the effort we put into each wedding and event surpasses the fee I charge. I would love to be able to charge a fee that I feel that equals our worth. I would love some insight on how to get to that point.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I am looking for more opportunities to build events from the ground up. Any kind of event in a blank space or private residence calls to me.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is someone who trusts my vision and my ability to collaborate with them to bring it to life. It doesn’t feel like work when I know a client trusts me 100%. When I have that feeling, I know I can make a decision that will make the end product even better without questioning myself.
Q: What is your rate?
Our packages start at 3,250 and increase from there. Each package is reflective of how much of our time is given prior to the actual event date. We have worked with a lot of our couples for over 1 years time.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email is always best. You can get me directly at LR@BleuSparrowEvents.com Any information like event date, budget, style would be helpful
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Be yourself and put energy back into yourself.
This member profile was originally published in November 2024.