We are thrilled to welcome Gretchen, viva bella’s newest Event Designer!

After 17 years of working with her husband for their Financial Planning Firm, Gretchen decided to stay home with her daughter. When her daughter began school, Gretchen was ready for something new, specifically an outlet for her unique creativity.  Gretchen says “I wasn’t going to jump back into the work force for just any job. It had to be the right one!”  Her warm personality, drive, and vision make her perfect for the viva bella team!

1. When you aren’t working with viva bella, how do you spend your free time?

Well if I had three hours to live, I would spend one of them on the tennis court! It is one of my favorite things to do. I’m relatively new to the sport so I love that I’m getting a great workout, time with friends, learning something new, AND it is an outlet for my competitive nature! Oh yes, and I have a family and I actually like them better than tennis. My husband Lou and I have a great six year old daughter. She is hilarious, smart and kind so we try to spend as much of our free time with her as possible! He’s pretty wonderful himself.

2. What is the best piece of advice you wish you could give all brides?

I’m bummed that Steven got his blog answers back to you earlier than I did as he stole my answer. Nothing is more important than remembering this is really about a marriage. The wedding is just the huge celebration that marks the beginning of something way bigger and way better than even the best Viva Bella Event (and that is pretty darn good). I think keeping that in mind while planning helps keep everyone from sweating the small stuff.

3. Do you have any pets and/or children?

I do, I have my six year old Grace, and two older step children, Louie and Brigida. My dog Bennett is hands down the cutest of the bunch!

4. What is your favorite sports team, food, or restaurant?

I LOVE La Poste in Clifton, when I go I order whatever the fish special is for the night, and I am NEVER disappointed. I’m also a huge fan of Otto’s in Northern Kentucky.

5. What is the hardest part of your job? Keeping track of all the crazy details! Each wedding has so many minute details and the last thing you can do is drop the ball on such an important day. I find that stressful! Being super organized isn’t an option, it is a necessity!

6. Favorite Graeter’s Ice Cream flavor?

Yikes, just one? Strawberry Chip, it is a specialty flavor. If you let me take up more room because I don’t really get into team sports. I’d say that Coconut Chip isn’t so bad either. Or Lemon Ice..… Did I mention that I think ice cream is really delicious?

7. Lipstick or Lipgloss?

Lipgloss for sure! I usually blend two to get just the right color and texture. Nothing is simple with me.

8. If you were to do it all over again, what is the one thing that would be a MUST at your own wedding?

Well, we got married on top of a mountain in ski season so that is a tough question as it was pretty darn amazing! It was a spectacular spring day, with the man I love and loved every minute. (Ok, if I HAD to change one thing it would be my hair, the cut and color could use a little help) I do think that we will renew our vows and throw another wedding/party, but I’m really worried because now that I am aware of the endless possibilities, I think it will cost a FORTUNE! I want it all! Amazing linens, a fantastic band, super cool bar and lounge area. I think it would be so fun to go over the top to create an experience to thank friends and family that have made such a difference in our lives.

9. What is your favorite part of working with viva bella?

When people find out what I do, most people ask me if the brides are the worst part of my job. Let’s just say the term “Bridezilla” comes up more often than I expected! The truth is, I think they are the best part! It is wonderful getting to know and hang out with someone during one of the most exciting times of their lives. I think overwhelmingly they are super appreciative of the fact that they are being helped and supported. At the end of the day, we are truly trying to take as much of the stress off of their back as we possibly can. Maybe they are relaxed and that is why they are so nice to work with!

Comments (0)

Well, one of my favorite times of years is coming up… my wedding anniversary! This year is a big one– TEN years! I love anniversaries so much because it’s a special time for Stevie and I to get away and reflect on our marriage. We have created anniversary traditions that have come to mean so much to us.  Here are a few…

We always go away for at least one night…always, always. This becomes increasingly harder with kids, but we certainly believe it is worth the time to be alone!

We always re-read our wedding vows to each other each anniversary to remind each other of the commitments we to made to God and each other.

We always watch “On Golden Pond”. We just love this sweet, romantic movie. It’s about all the complications that come with being a family, but the center of the story rests in the long, abiding relationship between Ethyl and Norman. We look forward to having such a long history with each other — but we want to be surrounded by LOTS of grandchildren! Anyway, it’s a rare movie that celebrates growing old together, which is an idea we really cherish.  Please, tell me you’ve seen it!  If you haven’t, I guarantee you will love it, too!

We always add to our Family Journal: We began a journal on our honeymoon and we love re-reading it together. Every year we write one page reflecting on the past year’s major events (this year we had our second baby, for instance!) and another page for writing out goals for our marriage. We read last year’s goals and share how we’ve seen each other grow. One of my favorite things we write about is at least one new thing we learned about the other– yes, we believe that, on our 50th wedding anniversary, we’ll still be learning new things about each other! Our hope is that our journal will be a treasured gift for our children, so we address all entries to them. We want them to know the story of their family, so we’re writing it as we go!

We are leaving today to visit Boston, New Hampshire and Rhode Island; and, I’m most excited about our stop at On Golden Pond–actually, it’s called Squam Lake, but it’s where “our” movie was filmed! We’re leaving our girls for four long nights! Don’t get me wrong—I’m excited to getaway, but my heart will start to long for my babies after only that first night!

Do you have anniversary traditions? I’d love to know in the comment section below! If you don’t have any, why not start this year? It is never too late to invest time and energy into your marriage!

Comments (1)