Why 'I Do.' - freckleandflirt.com

Why ‘I Do.’ is a look into the wonderful people behind – and sometimes even in front of – the veil who make weddings happen flawlessly, beautifully, punctually and in good spirits. These are the hard working and passionate individuals who make dreams come true and this is an opportunity to shine the light upon them, learn what makes them tick, what inspires them and what they each love about what they do. In essence, it’s a glimpse into why they have each chosen ‘I Do’ as their path.

Bella at Happy Heart Art Co.

What’s your and your business name and what role do you play in the bridal industry?

Hi, I’m Bella and I own Happy Heart Art Co. I make custom hand lettered signs for weddings and events. The main part of my business right now is mirror rentals and I have a collection of antique and vintage mirrors that I ‘hand letter’ and rent for weddings, events and businesses and which are then used as signs, menus, directions, and even as custom decor.

How long have you been at it and why did you choose this career angle?

I just celebrated my first year! When the pandemic started, I got laid off from my job and suddenly had a ton of time on my hands. I downloaded TikTok (I tried not to but the boredom hit and I gave in) and really loved watching writing videos. I started practicing my hand lettering and decided I wanted to try to make a business out of it. I never imagined having my own business and definitely never knew how difficult it would be, but, I absolutely love it and am so happy I made the leap.

What’s your favorite part of what you do?

I really love talking with my couples about their vision and then bringing it to life. I also have loved developing my own unique writing style over time.

What inspires you personally, creatively or professionally and fills up your tank?

I love a good theme. When a client comes to me with a theme in mind and I get to figure out how to work it into the signage without it being too in your face (unless they want it that way) I am in my element. Having a direction but free creative reign is so much fun.

What does a dream wedding and/or client look like for you?

I’d say my dream client would be someone who trusts me creatively and knows I’ll put my whole heart into my work. As for a dream wedding, I love bright colors and I love florals, so a mixture of those along with my mirrors is the dream.

What’s your superpower?

I think my superpower is connecting with people. I really like talking with people and learning their story. I also am pretty good at staying calm and don’t get stressed out super easily, which comes in very handy owning a business and being in the wedding industry!

Do you have a very favorite wedding memory that stands out above all of the others?

My very first wedding was one of my favorites. I made the seating chart and it was a surprise gift from the planner to the couple. It was my first event and as I was setting it up at the venue I just had this moment where I looked around and thought to myself, “I can do this!”

What can’t you arrive at a wedding without having in your bag?

I will always ALWAYS always have a paint pen and some Windex on hand. When I arrive at a venue to set up, I of course will have all the signs prepared and make sure they are properly secured to their stands, but I am ready to do touch ups in case anything got smudged in transport (usually never happens but gotta be prepared) and I also thoroughly clean the mirrors to make sure they are free of smudges and fingerprints.

Any standard industry things that you wish would go away?

None I really wish would go away but one thing I’d say is when planning your wedding, don’t pay attention to what others think. A lot of people are trying to do new things that no one has ever seen at a wedding before and that is great! But iIf there are certain things YOU LOVE that other people think are overused or have been done before, don’t pay attention to them and just do what will make you happy. It’s your day and your opinion is the only one that matters.

What’s the most important thing you would like current or potential couples to know about you?

I am always down to talk about anything. If you’re having trouble deciding what signs you might need for your wedding, let’s talk it through. If you don’t know what size sign you what or what would look best in your venue, let’s talk it through. If you need help picking mirrors, that’s my favorite part. Let’s talk it through. I want people to know that if they know what they want and don’t need my help deciding, that’s totally fine. But if they’re stuck and overwhelmed with all this wedding planning and just need someone to walk them through it and make things a little easier, I’ve got them.

Without naming names, are there any upcoming weddings that you are really excited about?

I am so excited about all my summer weddings. I started my business in May last year and so I didn’t really have much on the books. This year, I have so many beautiful couples and weddings to look forward to. I really can’t wait for each one!

Anything else you would like to share?

I just want to thank everyone who has supported me so far! Everyone I’ve met in the wedding industry has been SO kind and supportive and it really is such a wonderful community to be a part of.