Heidi and Karissa are owners of Coastside Couture, which is an upscale event coordinator service that specializes in outdoor luxury and destination weddings for weddings. Coastside Couture services Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur. They are featured on Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, Martha Stewart Weddings, and The Knot, just to name a few.

I was so happy to sit with Heidi Hughett and discuss outdoor luxury, customized weddings, and the tips she’d recommend to her brides…

Tell me about you! What’s your story of how you started and where you are now?

I have been a part of the hospitality industry since I was 15. I worked as a Chef before I became a Food and Beverage Manager at Chaminade Resort. After my first child, I then became the Food and Beverage Director of the Faculty and Conference Center at the University of Santa Cruz. I cultivated the wedding packages that are still used to this day.

After my second child, I started my business for two years as a wedding planner in Santa Cruz. I met Karissa at this time. We were immediate friends and became business partners, both deciding to merge our companies ten years ago. We love what we do and what Coastside Couture has become.

Wow! That’s incredible. Can you share what makes Coastside Couture unique from other planners?

Our approach is totally different from other planners in that Karissa and I both come from the hospitality industry. We see all events like a theatrical production. We examine what to produce, how to install, and who to support. On the day of the wedding, Karissa and I split into two teams: her with the bride, groom, and families, and me with the vendors and set up. My team touches every fork, plate, and chair. There is no detail untouched before a photographer captures it. That makes us stand out.

We also work hard to do things that nobody has ever seen. We infuse the clients story into the wedding day. For one wedding, we added radishes on plates as a nod to the groom as a farmer. For a groom that was a musician, we displayed vintage record players and gave records as gifts to guests. We make it all really personal, not just trendy. We provide a fresh appeal for each couple and their story.

You also mentioned that Coastside Couture specializes in Outdoor Luxury. Could you expand on that?

Since we live in the most beautiful area with a plethora of amazing private estate venues, we really focus on outdoor luxury productions. One of our greatest passions is building a town, having a party in it, and tearing it down. There is nothing outdoors that we don’t know how to deal with: we can overcome temperature, lighting, and bugs.

What is something you want to see more of in 2020?

Color! We did an ombre rainbow table recently where it started with one color and merged into five. It was so beautiful and fun! We hope more brides aren’t afraid to infuse bright colors into their weddings next year.

I saw that you offer an internship program for Coastside Couture. Tell me about it!

We have a really great internship program that has been running for over 8 years. Applicants from UC Santa Cruz, Monterey, and other local colleges are invited. Interns earn hours and work with us for a semester. We offer paid opportunities for those that are a good fit.

As two female business owners who are both moms – Karissa has young a child and mine are teens -it’s good for young women to see what being a small business owner looks like. My clients text me at midnight and the days are fourteen hour days. We are constantly accessible and go above and beyond for our clients. Interns can see what the reality of being a small business owner is like and then decide if they want to do that or go corporate.

What is a bridal tip you’d offer to brides as a wedding planner?

My number one tip to our girls is to have a second pair of shoes for the wedding day! This is a must. I tell all my brides this.

Lastly, what is a fun fact about you?

I adopted a dog that’s a Papillon mix! His name is Biscuit.

Thank you so much, Heidi!

Working with Coastside Couture? I would love to photograph you! Reach out to me here.