435- Vibes to Venue or Venue to Vibes with Cameron Forbes

Leah Haslage:

Welcome to the Bridechilla Podcast. I'm your host, Leah Haslage. Whether you're just starting to plan or you're counting down the days, I'm here to help you stay cool, calm, and collected throughout the wedding journey. So let's get this wedding party started and embrace your inner Bridechilla.

Hey, Chillas, I am so excited today. We are talking all things vibes and aesthetics when planning your wedding with Cameron Forbes, who is the founder of Forbes Functions. Welcome to Bridechilla, Cameron.

Cameron Forbes:

Thank you so much for having me, Leah.

Leah Haslage:

I have to ask, do people tell you you look like Camille from Emily in Paris?

Cameron Forbes:

It's actually so funny that you say that because one of my client's fathers came up to me at an event and was like, you look just like Emily in Paris's, her friend. And I was like, it's so funny that a 65-year-old man knew that reference as well. But I do get that a lot, which I think is a compliment.

Leah Haslage:

It is. She's gorgeous. You're gorgeous. So yeah. OK, so tell us a little bit about Forbes Functions before we get into chatting about planning the day.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, so I am a born and raised New Yorker and I started Forbes Functions in 2022, so almost three years ago now, which is crazy to me. And I had my entire kind of experience working was really in PR, doing things on the event side, working for amazing brands like Boatfoot Co and Quantro in the wine and spirit space. And after I graduated, I graduated during the pandemic. I'm 25, so I'm pretty young. And I was very much like, let's scramble, get a job.

I ended up working in banking, which I loved. But I really missed that creative energy and just, you know, kind of the energy of events. So I decided to start Forbes Functions as kind of a side hustle at first. And then within six months, it grew to the point where I was able to quit my job. And I now have a team of seven lovely ladies working with me and we really run the gamut of events from super intimate dinner parties and proposals all the way up to large weddings, corporate galas, brand events. So it's been absolutely amazing. I'm just so passionate about design, events, hosting, so I'm so excited to chat about vibes, aesthetics, and all stuff kind of relating wedding.

Leah Haslage:

You know what? Applause, because you are killing it in the game, and I'm really proud of you for being so young and taking that initiative and really building this business and this brand in such a short period of time. Because you've worked with some fairly big-name celebrities and clients so far. I saw your impressive portfolio, and I'm obsessed with the new Real Housewives of New York, and I saw that you work with Erin, and that had to be awesome.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I just am so, I feel so fortunate. I mean, being in New York, you know, we have access to such amazing clientele. Even just in the last few weeks, you know, we've done events for incredible influencers. We worked with Jake Shane, if you know him from TikTok. We've done so many fun brand events. We have some exciting ones coming up and just coming off an NFL wedding for Tommy Trumbull who plays for the Panthers and his wife, which was amazing.

So it's been awesome. And yeah, working with Aaron, I'm the biggest Bravo fan. So being able to see these people on screen and be able to bring their visions for events to life is so amazing. And just hanging out with Erin and Abe at their house in the Hamptons, I was like this, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Leah Haslage:

Were you so fangirling on the inside and trying to stay so professional on the outside?

Cameron Forbes:

I was so fangirling on the inside, but I will say Erin is honestly so easy to talk to and so just chill and felt like she's also, you know, a lifelong New Yorker. Yeah. She went to my rival high school. We were chatting about that and she just honestly is such like a mom type and just put me right at ease. Oh, that's awesome.

Leah Haslage:

So okay, vibes and aesthetics. When wedding planning, we usually recommend finding your venue first because that locks in your date and your season and everything, right? So with that, venues vary. You have a castle, you have a restaurant. So really, should you be thinking about your vibe aesthetic before you choose the venue or the venue before the vibe?

Cameron Forbes:

I think it's really a chicken and egg, but as someone who is really into design, I always lean towards start curating aesthetic and vibe first. So I think it's important to begin, you know, reflecting on what are your priorities, what feels authentic to you and your partner. I'm someone who's very visual. I'm very tactile. So whether that's, you know, creating a mood board, paper, pen, magazines, or, you know, on Pinterest, using images that resonate with you. I just think, you know, you want to identify what common themes or feelings that you're seeing throughout those visuals and then prioritize, okay, which event elements, you know, can we include in our budget based on, you know, what feels the most achievable within your budget and what you and your partner really want to have there.

Leah Haslage:

So I love, I'm always for mood boards, and we've talked about this on the show before, but for some people, that can be a really overwhelming thing, because you can start pinning. I have a secret wedding Pinterest board. I'm not afraid to say that. But you see ideas, but then you look at it, right? And it's like, okay, I have all this pretty spring garden, but then I have all this gritty New Yorker city hall, and then I have this beach, barefoot on the beach. How do you decide, like, because then you look at that and you're like, okay, I'm a lot of different personalities, apparently. And I like a lot of different things. So then where do you go from there?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I think the mood board is really about, you know, creating that dream vision. And then I think the second part of that is, you know, talking to your partner, your family. And that's when you really start thinking about, you know, venue, season, the biggest thing is budget. So, you know, you might have a mood board filled with brides in Morocco. But if you have a certain budget, that might not be achievable. But then okay, what are things we can do, you know, locally, that it's like kind of achieve the same vibe.

So I think, at the end of the day, once you have that aesthetic going and thinking, okay, what is our budget? And then when and where are we really trying to get married? That is, you know, practical, realistic for our family and friends. And then I think, you know, that'll really help set the tone for kind of the rest of the event elements and help you kind of trim down that mood board. And the seasonality, whether it’s summer, winter, that influences everything from the colors you're going to be choosing to the availability of certain florals. So, you know, I think decide what matters most to you. So let's say you're someone where like, I am absolutely set on a spring wedding. I want cherry blossoms in DC. Well, then you're getting married in April or May. So decide what is non-negotiable.

Leah Haslage:

No, that's a great point. And you know what? We always talk here about how the budget should be the first thing you ever do. But we don't really get in depth in it enough. And since you have worked with a variety of budgets when planning, what's your top advice when focusing on your budget? How should you go about it?

Cameron Forbes:

I mean, I think, again, it's all about priorities. All of our couples are so different. You know, we have brides who will devote 40% of their budget to florals. And then we have brides who really want to focus on having the best of the best catering. Or the brides who want to have an incredible band that's going to have everyone dancing. So I think it's really about sitting down with your partner, your family, figuring out what those priorities are, and then kind of building the budget based around that. Because, you know, you can really kind of, you know, as you said, I've worked with all different types of wedding budgets, and you can really kind of, you know, pull from other areas based on those priorities.

So, you know, let's say you have a $50,000 budget and the big band is a priority. Okay, maybe we'll spend a little bit less on florals or rentals or stationary. So I think it's just about, again, figuring out what is most important to you and then being willing to sacrifice those other elements. I always tell brides, what are our must-haves and then what are our want-to-haves? And sometimes we have to sacrifice those want-to-haves to get the must-haves.

Leah Haslage:

What's the biggest mistake you see people making when it comes to budgeting for the big day?

Cameron Forbes:

I think the biggest mistake I see people making is just not either not sticking to the budget or not being kind of realistic with the budget. And I think, you know, one of the things I really try to do with Forbes Functions with our social, I put a lot of content out about transparency, about running pricing. Because I think these days, you know, there's so much just smoke and mirrors in the industry. And, you know, it puts me as a planner in a place where I don't want to be a Debbie Downer when brides come to me with these elaborate visions. And I have to say, hey, you know, that's a lot more than your budget. So I think, you know, I always try to really provide transparency, be open about that.

And I think that's something that everyone, you know, try to find vendors early on who you know will be transparent, they're not going to have any hidden fees, you know, make sure you're working people who understand your budget and are going to stick to it. You know, at Forbes Functions, we are very clear that we always stick to our budget, we do not go over. But there definitely are other planners who, you know, I know are always going over budget. So I think it's about finding, you know, whether you're doing it yourself or your team, you know, finding vendors that are transparent, making sure you stick to that budget, you know, sticking to those priorities I think are really key.

Leah Haslage:

So, okay, so how do other aspects of the wedding, because we talked about floral and photography, everything else, how does that then get translated with your vibe? Because we start with the venue and then go from there.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I think all of the elements really come together. You know, as I said, you know, the weather, number one, like seasonality will really determine so many different things from the colors, tones, flowers. The venue also will set a natural tone. So, you know, whether that's getting married somewhere like the Rainbow Room, where it's very opulent and feels very New York, or getting married somewhere like a rustic barn that feels more casual. I think, you know, those kind of set the tone.

I think the other aspects of the wedding, you know, really also kind of help unify and create a cohesive vibe. So whether that's lighting, you know, different colors and tones, the music, all these different things really, I think, build a bridge between your venue, your aesthetic, and your other event elements, kind of creating this really cohesive, connected design.

Leah Haslage:

You know, we just had Kevin Dennis on, who's wonderful, and we did a whole episode on lighting, which check that episode out if you haven't yet. And so you just touched upon lighting and how important it really is to set a mood. And so how does lighting, you know, kind of affect the domino effect, right, of everything else? Your table settings, your ceremony design, like all of that.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I'm sure as you heard, I think it has a huge impact. You know, for example, the wedding we did last Thursday that I mentioned, for our NFL player, it was at a beautiful venue in the city, 620 Lofting Garden, it's a rooftop, right in Rockefeller Center. And we had an amazing lighting venture, Bentley Meeker, they actually do the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, they're the best of the best. And they did a full light wash projection on the building, which was absolutely beautiful. It had elements of their crest and leaves and really just transformed this part of the space. Getting right on this rooftop instead of having just the back of the building behind you, having this light production was such a magical moment.

And having things like, you know, those pinpoint lights that are hitting things like the cake or dessert table or other parts of the tablescape. And even just having, you know, up lights and different things like that for the ceremony dance floor. I think lighting is so, so key. And even, you know, candle lighting. So whether it's having, you know, tons of pillar candles, tons of tapers, I am the biggest fan of, you know, anything lighting. And I think it really can transform a space. And it's something that people don't tend to think of. I think people always, you know, go, okay, decor is flowers, rental, stationary. But lighting is really a great way to, you know, achieve a really unique vibe. And it also can be pretty cost efficient.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah, and you know, I thought it was more expensive. Not that it's not expensive. It can be, depending on what you end up doing, right? Anything can be expensive, depending on how you end up doing it. But I think it's a forgotten thing in the budget, and a little can go a long way. I mean, just candlelight alone.

Cameron Forbes:

No, exactly. I think, you know, even just, you can order 36 pillar candles that include the hurricanes and the pillars on Amazon for like $200. Or you can rent up lights, you know, even in New York City, where you know, things tend to be more expensive, you can rent an up light for like $50 a piece, you know, you get six of those for $300. And they create a really big impact.

So, you know, I think there are low cost ways and lighting is one of them. And again, there are other ways, whether it's with florals, instead of opting for maybe the premium florals, like an orchid or an anthurium or a rose, going the route of more greenery or baby's breath. So I think there's so many different ways you can also cut costs.

Leah Haslage:

I think greenery is a great way to be effective and save money. And I think people just get in their head like, and there's nothing wrong with this, because it's all beautiful in that. I totally get it. But you get fixated on these peonies or these certain roses, and they can cost so much money. And if you're not factoring in your season, season plays a lot with the cost of the floral, right? And people don't always consider that, which is understandable if you're not in the business and stuff like that, but something to consider. Your season will affect your flowers and where they're coming from.

But what factors should you consider when trying to get your vibe to align with your personality, your partner's personality, your nationality, any traditional stuff that you want to include into it? Because that plays a factor as well.

Cameron Forbes:

I think it's, you know, all about ensuring that your wedding really, you know, as you said, it reflects your kind of vibe as a couple, your values as a couple. So if you tend to be more laid back and more casual, you know, opt for maybe more relaxed picnic style seating, family style dining, more simple table settings. If you have certain cultural traditions, incorporate those. Bring in things like traditional dances. If there are personal touches like family heirloom decor, bring that in. If there's cuisine that really represents your heritage. I think all of those kind of factors really help create a meaningful celebration that speaks to your values and vibe as a couple.

Leah Haslage:

Like overall with your guests, how do you think that your vibe and aesthetic kind of plays a role in their experience with your day?

Cameron Forbes:

I mean, I think your vibe and aesthetic is incredibly key to the guest experience. I think, you know, having a consistent palette that carries through event elements like stationary, table settings, attire, the florals, you know, the lighting, everything we've been talking about. Ensuring that really kind of cohesive look and smooth flow, really just creates such a seamless experience for your guest. And I think also creates such an amazing visual for you as well. So I think it's really all about, you know, creating that cohesion and I think that just elevates guest experience, you know, beyond belief.

Leah Haslage:

What are some things when it comes to vibe and aesthetics that couples don't consider that you think they really should be? Things that they can incorporate, they can do?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I think, as we talked about, lighting is definitely one of them. I think, there’s so many non-traditional vendors these days that we work with, whether it's artists, fabricators. So I think, you know, getting creative is something I always recommend, especially, you know, to really get those one-of-a-kind moments.

So maybe not, you know, approaching the typical rental vendor, finding vintage items on places like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, all of those ways, I think, you know are great resources. And I think, you know, in 2024, we have so many resources and so many platforms.

Leah Haslage:

You can play.

Cameron Forbes:

No, you can totally play. So I just think, you know, there's so many ways to play around with it. And, you know, even thinking about a wedding we're doing for 2026 upstate, you know, We're really trying to, you know, bring the feel of upstate New York, Hudson, Catskills to life. You know, really, that's a very artistic, artsy, fun community. And that's about working with local vendors, finding the people that can do, you know, really cool, unique things that are also cost efficient and that really fit, you know, the bride and groom's vibe.

Leah Haslage:

We'll be right back after a quick break.

Leah Haslage:

So since you are working on a lot of weddings coming up, what's trending for 25, 26, 27?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I feel like there are so many different design trends. I do feel like, you know, one of the biggest trends that we as a business pursue definitely is sustainability in weddings. I think, you know, that's one of the biggest issues. You know, I talked about transparency in the industry.

Leah Haslage:

There's so much waste in weddings.

Cameron Forbes:

It's waste. And anyone in the industry can tell you, you know, just the pure amount of whether it's food, whether it's floral, whatever it is. So, you know, we really focus on working with vendors that are eco-conscious, working with local vendors to try to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. And I think, you know, that will continue to be a trend going forward.

I think also, you know, the big, bold, kind of over-the-top celebrations of The 2010s and early 2020s, I think, are being replaced by a little bit more of a return to minimalism, kind of classic, clean lines, more neutral palettes. But I do think at the same time, you know, we're seeing that people are really focused on having statement pieces at their wedding, whether it's, you know, having that really bold arch for your ceremony or having a really cool ceiling installation for cocktail hour.

And I think, you know, one of the things I love the most that I think is another big trend is having, you know, interactive elements or activations for guests. So whether that's having, you know, a champagne mall where guests are able to grab their escort card and a glass of champagne, or having a live sketch artist to draw guests and be able for them to take home a cute little keepsake. I think all of those are such fun ways, again, to keep guests, you know, entertained, enjoying the event. And again, just creates that whole vibe and, you know, experience.

Leah Haslage:

Aside from hiring vendors that are sustainable, what are other ways that you personally can make sure you're being eco-friendly when doing the whole planning process?

Cameron Forbes:

My tip is try to be as local as possible. So, you know, instead of maybe renting linens from a company that is shipping them to you from the West Coast, find a local party vendor or, you know, buy some local linens from someone, something like that. Or trying to lower that carbon footprint by, you know, not outsourcing everything to Amazon, not having everything shipped and delivered. Really trying to find those vendors within your community and work with them, which I think, you know, also, why not work with local vendors and to help support your community.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah, massage that economy.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, and that's also always a priority for us. You know, when we are working somewhere that maybe is unfamiliar to us, we want to work with the best local vendors and, you know, finding those people. They also tend to have, you know, they know what's up, what's going on as far as that area, the seasonality, all of that. So I think it's really important, you know, finding the right people.

Leah Haslage:

No, I love that. As someone that supports shop local, that is such a great message to put out there. What other unique standout pieces are you seeing at weddings?

Cameron Forbes:

I think there's so many unique standout pieces. As I said, I think the activations are really growing. I feel like people are definitely really getting more into the tablescapes, myself included. I love a good tablescape. I just think people are really focusing more on the design and the look. Whether that's having a tablescape filled with tons of different candles or having lots of statement flower arrangements, or bringing in different linens.

And I mean, I think stationery as well. I've seen so many different, you know, beautiful stationeries with menus, place cards, whether it's, you know, just so many different ways to do it, whether it's incorporating, you know, dried citrus, you know, engraving on sea glass, we've done so many different things. That's cool. And I think there's so many ways to, you know, go a little bit non traditional and make a big impact.

So I just think, you know, again, there are so many things. And again, as I've said, some of the things we've done is beautiful stationary suites with all different sorts of designs, hand-drawn designs of the couple incorporating, you know, photos of them incorporating different types of foil and letterpress. So I really think, you know, there's so many options.

Leah Haslage:

What are some ways you can make sure your wedding looks timeless?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I think this is a really great question. I think it's something that is top of mind for people. I know that my cousins and they'd be fine with me saying this, got married in the early 2000s or 2010s, you know, the Mason jar. Yeah, like barn era. I know they look back and are a little bit like, That's not exactly, you know, the photos you want to hold on to forever.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, okay. To me, I always think about the 80s, like, because I was born in 83, so, like, I think about the 80s weddings and the big poofs and the baby breath and the hair and it's like, ooh.

Cameron Forbes:

To me, as Gen Z, my reference point is kind of like the very, you know, 2000s, the mason jars, you know what I'm talking about.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, for sure, but now I can totally see how that's, like, the new look back and like ooh.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, it just to me feels very like 2010. And you know, a great example is, you know, doing our wedding that we're doing in the Catskills in a year, the bride very much is like, I do not want this to feel like 2010, I just got a Pinterest board, we bought a bunch of mason jars, that's not the vibe, we want it to be much more.

Leah Haslage:

And no offense to people that did do that.

Cameron Forbes:

No, no offense.

Leah Haslage:

We love mason jars, however, it's just not… it's your wedding, do you.

Cameron Forbes:

But again, to make it feel timeless, classic, I think it's really about sticking to neutral palettes, sticking to really elegant designs, timeless tailored silhouettes, classic style floral arrangements. Avoiding overly trendy decor that might feel dated. So, you know, again, mason jars are super trendy in that moment, just like bows are super trendy now, and just a little bit dated. Or disco balls. They might feel a little bit dated when you're looking back in 2050. So I think, you know, it's all about kind of sticking to the classics. And I think, you know, as people are kind of going back to a more of a minimal neutral look, that is really a timeless look.

Leah Haslage:

What are the best ways to include seasonal elements without overdoing it? Because you might have a pumpkin in a fall wedding or you might have 50. So how can we kind of keep the season going without it being so like, ugh.

Cameron Forbes:

No, I agree. And it's, it's really funny, because I, I'm unmarried, I've been in my partner for five years. And I'm always, you know, as a wedding planner, thinking about my own wedding, I personally want to have a Christmas wedding. And so I've always been thinking about, okay, you know, what are ways you can do this, but in a chic, elevated way, not in a kitschy or campy way.

So I think it's really about highlighting the season subtly, having those little nods to whatever holiday it is. So if it's fall, incorporating some of that greenery, some of those local produce, without making it feel like it's dominating the entire aesthetic. Or I know for myself, thinking about Christmas, I want lots of evergreen and garlands and things like that. But I don't know if I'd have tons of poinsettias everywhere. I think it's about finding a kind of nice balance between those nods to the season and making sure that you're also keeping that aesthetic cohesive and clear.

Leah Haslage:

Do you watch Selling Sunset?

Cameron Forbes:

Of course.

Leah Haslage:

Did you see Christine Quinn's wedding then? Because that's what I think of, with the snow falling and everyone's in white and she's in black.

Cameron Forbes:

In my mind, that definitely is overdoing it.

Leah Haslage:

Going the kitsch route.

Cameron Forbes:

That is Christine Quinn. Yeah, I mean, having the swans and everything, that's another layer of extra. But yeah, and I mean, I think, you know, there's so many ways you could do something like that hard back, whether it's, you know, leaning into the white winter vibes. You don't need to have, you know, 18 swans and snow falling from the ceiling.

Leah Haslage:

I love it. So how do you make sure that your vibe and aesthetic translate to photo and video? Because this isn't something I had considered until recently. I was chatting with a photographer at some party and there's this local venue that's beautiful. It's a barn, kind of like a barn, but it overlooks the apple orchard and everyone gets married there because this view is incredible, right? And you get the great golden hour. But she goes, it does not, she's like, it's my least favorite to work because people think this, but does not translate in photos.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I actually had a similar situation a few weeks ago where we were doing a wedding. And it was outdoors in New York in the fall. So we had heaters. And you know, heaters create that red light cast. So even though we had an all white tablescape, you were getting that red light cast. Thankfully, we had heaters that you're able to flip. So we were able to flip them around for photos. So we got tablescape shots without that red light cast. But I think it's all about, again, thinking ahead planning ahead. So We had tested that palette. We knew, okay, the heaters are going to cast a red light. We want to flip them for photography, and then we'll flip them back when guests are enjoying dinner.

So I think it's about, you know, testing your palette in various lighting conditions, going to your venue during also different times of day. So don't just do a walkthrough, you know, in the afternoon. See what it looks like at sunset, at night. See what, you know, the lighting on the premises looks like.

And I think also opting for a videographer, photographer, on-site content creator who understands that venue and also understands your vision. I think, you know, that's how you can really ensure your aesthetic is going to work for photo and video. And I think, you know, at the end of the day, also like avoid anything that's overly busy, you know, too much. I think, you know, less is more generally.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah, I agree with that completely. And you know what? Maybe even bring your swatches to see how it actually looks in the light, because you might think it's going to look great on your on your girls or guys, like whatever. And you get it in the venue and with everything, it's just washed out, especially if you're going for like those pale colors in that.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, and whenever I'm doing a tablescape, I always set an example setting, you know, as we start working. And I think, you know, especially when we work with our brides, you know, once we've had rentals locked in, we'll see, okay, what does that sample setting look like? And I think, you know, seeing that under different conditions is a really great way to make sure, okay, on the day of, this is going to look the way you envisioned.

Leah Haslage:

You mentioned the heaters. What are some of your tips for outdoor weddings?

Cameron Forbes:

Well, I would say with outdoor weddings, I know everyone hates hearing this, but you need to have an inclement weather plan.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah. Plan B.

Cameron Forbes:

You know, wedding planners, we're great. We can do a lot of things, but we cannot change the weather. So I always recommend you know, whether it's having a venue that also has an indoor location. So you know the venue we worked with our rain plan was if it had rain since it was a rooftop didn't have an interior loft space that we would have used. Whether it's having a tent on hold which again are expensive and I understand that can be a lot to put the deposit on but again worth it as opposed to having your wedding day rained out. And then for those winter months I think it's really about you know heaters. Another cute thing that we've done recently is, you know, having things like embroidered pashminas or embroidered blankets for guests at each seat. So, you know, there's lots of ways to also bring that aesthetic into it. So, you know, embroidering your wedding crest on pashminas for everyone, they can wrap themselves around if they get cold, but it also, you know, brings in your wedding vibe to another little moment.

Leah Haslage:

And there's your favor.

Cameron Forbes:

Exactly. And it's like three birds, one stone.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah, absolutely. What are common pitfalls that couples make when it comes to timing and logistics?

Cameron Forbes:

The most common pitfall I see is that people just are overbooking the timeline or underestimating the amount of time things take. So whether it's hair or makeup, whether it's putting your dress on, getting that bustled, leave buffer time for delays if you're not working with a wedding planner. If you're working with a wedding planner, they will make sure your run of show is perfectly choreographed.

Leah Haslage:

That's why they're worth every penny, let me tell you.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah. And that's, and I would say, even if you're not hiring a full service wedding planner, at least working with a day of or month of coordinator to help you with that run of show and timeline is so helpful and so worth it in my opinion.

But I would say number one, leave buffer time, build in lots of contingency time because there will always be delays, whether it's, you know, your aunt Rhonda, who is taking forever to get her hair and makeup done, or you know, a bride who hasn't eaten and needs to get a snack. You never know what time is going to be like on the big day.

I think another thing that bride and grooms do often is overlook their guests' comfort. So think about, you know, as you were talking about the weather, accessibility. OK, if it's, you know, 40 degrees out, have things like those heaters and pashminas. If your venue is, you know, on the top of a mountain, OK, how is everybody going to get up there? What are the transportation looking like? So making sure that things are also accessible, comfortable and, you know, thinking about guest experience.

Leah Haslage:

Yeah, someone's disabled or elderly or injured. Yeah.

Cameron Forbes:

And so, you know, aesthetic is really important, but also think about, okay, how are my guests going to experience this aesthetic? And then I think other than that, it's really about, you know, as I said, stick to the budget and budget wisely, have a contingency fund for any unexpected expenses, any, you know, hidden fees that pop up.

And don't, you know, overspend early on. I see a lot of brides who will find, you know, a photographer they love and spend a ton of money and, you know, put that deposit down. And then I have to come to them and be like, okay, you've spent, you know, 30% of your wedding budget on your photographer. You know, we can't be able to do X, Y, Z now. So I think it's really important to budget wisely and very much divide those into categories, figure out what you want to prioritize. Don't just, you know, out the gate, start spending.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, such wise words, seriously. Those are amazing tips. Do you have any other advice for us when it comes to figuring out your aesthetic and your vibe and making it all work?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, I mean, I think it's all about really focusing on, you know, creating impactful visual moments. So whether that's, you know, an altar for this, you know, altar and arch for the ceremony, your cake cutting, you know, having an area for guests to take photos. I think those are all really key. And I think, you know, there are so many other cost-effective ways to help achieve an aesthetic.

As I said, you know, focusing on those impact areas, renting wherever you can, you know, DIYing where you can, getting creative, as I've mentioned.

Leah Haslage:

Shop local.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, shopping local, exactly. But yeah, I think there are really, you know, as I said, in 2024, so many amazing platform resources out there. And so yeah, I think, you know, there's so many different things you can do to have that incredible wedding aesthetic and also to achieve it in a constructive way.

Leah Haslage:

I like your fun area for guests to take photos. Cause like you think photo booth, which is a fun way of doing it. And there's different ways you can do a photo booth. There's the traditional kind that you sit in and you get the strip or, you know, they have the ring light and there's tons of different ways you can do that. But you can also, like you said, you can do like a flower wall or do, I don't know, some, depending on your venue and your vibe…

Cameron Forbes:

I mean, yeah, exactly. You know, you could have a film photographer we had at a recent event we did, we had someone walking around taking Polaroids of guests and the Polaroids were personalized with like a custom logo and class. Yeah, you know, as I said, we had a live sketch artist recently, which is a great keepsake. And, you know, that's in my mind, like even cuter than a photo. So just again, so many different amazing creative vendors these days, and so many ways to find them online on social.

Leah Haslage:

And you know what? Tell me if this is wrong or not. But, you know, with your vibe, so you're going for this timeless, classic black and white, you know, vibe. But you have this one corner where, OK, you and your partner are huge baseball fans. say you're the biggest, well, I'm a Guardians fan, so we'll say Guardians. Make a cool, fun baseball corner. Would that totally throw off the whole vibe if you had it in a separate space? Or does that save it for the shower?

Cameron Forbes:

I don't think it does. I think a good example of being able to sneak in those fun nods are something like a groom's cake. You know, we had a couple where, you know, the couple had met at Notre Dame. So we had, you know, the beautiful white wedding cake. But we also had the custom Notre Dame rotunda cake that all the groomsmen and the groom got to enjoy. So I think, you know, there are ways to incorporate those subtle knots of things you love, again, in a way that's not like overpowering, or that feels like it's kind of taking the aesthetic in another direction.

Leah Haslage:

Can you give a couple more examples? Because I love this. Yeah. I love giving nods to personality so it can just still be like a little Easter egg of your day.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah. And I mean, another great one is, you know, last year we did a wedding for a couple where the husband was Icelandic and very proud of his heritage. So not only did we have a ton of florals that were all kind of Icelandic flowers that are local, We also had a menu with a lot of classic Icelandic dishes, which some of these not my cup of tea, but you know, great for that family and great for that vibe, you know, just having that traditional cuisine that spoke to his heritage, his family. Having those flowers, you know, that reminded him of home.

You know, other things we've done, you know, on stationery and invitation suites, having local artists, whether it's doing watercolor or hand drawing or painting, you know, little icons of things you love, including that on menus, place cards, invites. Really so many ways to sneak in nods, you know, as I said, embroidery, doing little embroidered things. We had an engagement party where we had every napkin had a little embroidered drawing of the couple. And that, again, is a great keepsake for people. So there really are so many ways to have, you know, a subtle nod to something you love, or another little color or aesthetic, and incorporate that into your big day.

Leah Haslage:

I love it. Okay, final question, Cameron. What is your all-time favorite celebrity and or royal wedding?

Cameron Forbes:

So I, again, as a 25 year old, I was born in 99. And I think the wedding that always sticks out to me as you know, my dream wedding, what I love is truly just Kate and Will.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, yeah.

Cameron Forbes:

You know, I was I was probably in sixth or seventh grade at the time. So I was 13, 14. And you're right when you're thinking about weddings and boys in that age. I absolutely love. I think Kate Middleton's look is so timeless. That long-sleeved lace is absolutely beautiful. I mean, obviously, you can't really outdo the venues and everything they had, you know, being the future royalty of England.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, being a royal.

Cameron Forbes:

But I just think, again, you know, that wedding, to me, is something where we will look back in 40 years and it will still feel timeless. I mean, here we are, even, you know, 13 years later, and it's timeless.

Leah Haslage:

And it became so referenced, too. Like, her dress, everyone wanted a look just— and hers was modeled after Grace Kelly, who was the OG of the classic timeless look, right? And she just made it her own with Sarah Burton, the designer. I'm so behind this. I love this.

Cameron Forbes:

I mean, I think, you know, and even for me, that's still a reference point. As you said, it's like she took that inspiration from Grace Kelly. And, you know, again, Grace Kelly, another classic, beautiful wedding inspiration. We also saw with, you know, Christian McCaffrey and his wedding with Sophia. She also, you know, kind of leaned into that more modern, more traditional, minimalist, you know.

Leah Haslage:

Olivia Culpo. You said Sophia.

Cameron Forbes:

Olivia, yeah.

Leah Haslage:

But yes, you're right. I did not see that wedding going to be like that. I thought she was going to go like, more sleek and more, I did not see the princess look, but it turned out beautiful.

Cameron Forbes:

And again, I think, you know, that to me was clearly, you know, inspired by Grace Kelly and inspired by Kate Middleton. And, you know, I think I just, I always lean towards those really, you know, traditional references. Even Diana and Charles, I think, you know, Diana's dress definitely leans a little bit more 80s.

Leah Haslage:

That was for me growing up, yeah.

Cameron Forbes:

But it's still again, is feels so timeless. So yeah, I mean, I think all of those for me, it's really the royal weddings, I think, you know, they've just they're so classic. And yeah, as you said, that was also the touch point, you know, my mom and grandmother, my grandmother famously, my mother was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. And my grandmother had on the morning of Diana and Charles weddings, you know, we're six hours behind, she had the entire family get up the whole neighborhood at four in the morning, they all dressed up and sat and watched it on the TV.

Leah Haslage:

I love that. That's amazing.

Cameron Forbes:

Which I can tell you that my mom let me skip school the day of Kate and Will's wedding to watch it on TV as well.

Leah Haslage:

Oh, I love that. That's so cool. But you know what? People may not realize how much those weddings do impact the wedding industry and the look. Because Princess Diana, years later, first Little Mermaid, her dress, I'm telling you, is modeled after Princess Diana's. And then Mariah Carey, when she married her first husband, Tommy Mottola, she purposely wanted a dress like Diana's, and it's modeled after hers. She even wore a tiara, because she's Queen Mariah, and she should.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, and I think too, you know, thinking about Diana's fashion, you know, her fashion is so timeless, the revenge dress, you know, tell me if we're just, you know, daily looks, whether it's, you know, wearing shorts and a big sweater and sneakers, but like looking fabulous while doing it.

So I think, you know, it's, again, those timeless references that I really lean towards, you know, there are so many recent celebrity weddings, I think are super beautiful and fun. Like, you know, I thought Sofia Richie's was also beautiful. But again, I just think the timeless ones to me are really where you're leaning into the tradition, you're leaning into those classic silhouettes, and those are ones that I'm pulled to.

Leah Haslage:

Like you said, you can look back at your photos and not have regret.

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, and I think that's, you know, as I think about my own wedding, I very much want to be able to look back 50 years and say, okay, this looks like, you know, this could be 1950, it could be, you know, 2050, it feels timeless, as opposed to that is, you know, a straight snapshot of 2030 or whatever year it was.

Leah Haslage:

I agree. How can we get more information on you, Cameron, and Forbes Functions?

Cameron Forbes:

Yeah, so you can find us online at www.forbesfunctions.com. We are at Forbes Functions on all socials, so Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest. And we're always sharing different hosting, wedding tips and tricks.

And yeah, if you're in the New York area, feel free to reach out. We work mainly in New York City and the Hamptons, but we also do travel, so lots of exciting things coming up. And I can't wait to hopefully come back soon on the show and share some wedding updates.

Leah Haslage:

Yes, absolutely. We want it. Give us all the information, and we can't wait to see the next weddings you do, because I'm sure they're going to be in all the editorials as well.

Cameron Forbes:

Thank you so much. I was going to say, I have some exciting big VIPs coming up. So next time we talk, we'll have some more to debrief on.

Leah Haslage:

Yes, exciting.

Cameron Forbes:

Well, thank you so much for having me, Leah.

Leah Haslage:

Thanks for joining us today! Be sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts so you never miss an episode. Give us a follow on social media and visit thebridechilla.com. To leave a question you'd like to hear answered on the show, head to speakpipe.com/bridechillapodcast, also linked in the description.

Bridechilla is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Thanks to our producer and engineer, Gray Sienna Longfellow, and our executive producers, Brigid Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. And of course, a special thanks to Aleisha, our OG bridechilla, and Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting. I'm your host, Leah Haslage. Until next time, Chillas!