Wedding trends come and go but there will always be room for timeless design. When I think of Aimee Dominick, owner and founder of A. Dominick Events, I immediately think of flawlessly executed, classic events with touches of modern throughout. While her events are gorgeous, full of details, and worthy of gracing the pages of every national wedding publication (and they have!), she runs her events with precision. There are millions of moving parts going on behind the scenes but her couples and their guests will never know it because she, along with her team, make it appear effortless. We're honored to have worked with her on a few wedding welcome gift projects and are even more honored to feature her on the blog this month for our Planner Profile series!

Image: Bonnie Sen Photography

Without further adieu, let's hear from Aimee herself...

Please tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up as a wedding planner?

I went to The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, but I found the industry cold and kind of terrifying. After some soul searching, I went to culinary school and baked in a professional kitchen, which I loved. While I looked for a job cooking I was offered a job with a wedding planner. I thought I would hate it, but it turns out it combines all the things that I love: design, food and logistics. I worked for that firm in NYC for two years.  I founded my company in DC in 2005 and haven't looked back!

What sets you apart from other planners in the industry?

I always find this a hard question to answer.  As a planner, I work with many vendors, but never another planner, so I don't really know how they approach their projects.  I know that we put a focus on the guest experience.  I care a great deal if the guests are hot or cold, if someone has offered to take their coat or hand them a cool towel. I love design also, but it can not come at the expense of how the guests relate to the celebration. If something isn't functional or doesn't work in real life we try to discourage the client from wasting their money on it.  Maya Angelou said, "People will never forget how you made them feel.” The feedback that we get from vendors is that we are professional and extremely organized, which allows them to produce their best work. Ultimately, my job is to lead a great team and allow them to shine.

Image: Kelsey Thompson Photography

Please describe your ideal client.

Our ideal client can take on so many forms. One of the best parts of this job is that every client, every party and every day at work is different. If I had to plan the same event again and again, I would quit tomorrow. I would say the "easiest client" is one who leans on our knowledge and advice. Someone with a story they want to tell through their celebration or a unique point of view is also awesome. Someone who wants to have fun with the planning and the actual party is a dream!

Please describe your signature style.

I am great at getting inside a client's head and bringing to life something that they couldn't put into words.  I try very hard to suspend my personal style when I am planning someone else's event.  It is their celebration and everyone who attends should walk in and say "This is so them!" not, "this looks like an A. Dominick Event party."  I hope that shows in the wide range of design aesthetics in our portfolio.

Personally, I love color and pattern in fashion and clean lines and mid-century modern interior design.  I would die to have a Donald Wexler or Richard Neutra house in Palm Springs someday.

Image: Bonnie Sen Photography

What trends are you seeing this year?

Blue was huge last year and we are still seeing some dusty blue hanging on. The station-style wedding seems to be on its way out in favor of a return to more formal seated meal. Bolder greens and warm peachy (don't call it blush) tones. We have also seen more interactive experience and live performances.

What’s your favorite way to enhance the guest experience?

I love a surprise.  Something unexpected.  That could be a live performance during cocktail hour or a taco truck as guests depart.  I love to keep the guests wondering what could be coming next.  And an awesome welcome gift is wonderful way to set the tone for the weekend.

Image: Abby Jiu Photography

What’s the best advice you have for brides and grooms to be?

Stay focused on why you are getting married and try not to get overwhelmed by everyone else's expectations. It is a celebration and a big one, but it is still just a party. I try to remind clients of that, a lot.

Best part of being a planner?

My favorite moment right before the bride comes down the aisle. It is the most exciting and precious moment!

Image: Rachel May Photography

Most challenging part of being a planner?

The hardest part of our job is how much time it takes to make everything look effortless.  When something is planned well, we are almost invisible. That is great, but challenging when trying to communicate our value.

Biggest wedding disaster and how you overcame it?

We worked at a venue that had just been renovated and the water stopped working. All. The. Water.  No hand washing, no toilet flushing.  We quickly jumped into action and got a restroom trailer en route.  In the meantime, we filled buckets with water from a nearby property and I flushed the ladies room toilets manually with the buckets of water. My job is super glamorous.

Image: Jodi and Kurt Photography

Fave celebrity wedding?

Yikes, I don't think I have one!

Favorite wedding tradition?

I love the private moment after the ceremony.  Those first few quiet moments as a married couple.  Gets me every time.

Image: Abby Jiu Photography

Fave color palette?

I love all color, especially brights and patterns, but I'm not a purple fan.  Sorry purple lovers.

Fave spot for a destination wedding?

We did a wedding in Aix, France several years ago. It was so beautiful, but also very challenging. I think Round Hill in Jamaica is my favorite spot, partially because we have worked there the most.

Image: Sam Hurd Photography

Fave ‘something blue’?

I guess shoes, but I'm not a stickler for the old, new, borrowed, blue-thing.

Fave floral?

So many.  Peonies, if I have to choose one.  But also, garden roses, sweet peas, Cafe au Lait dahlias, anemones.

Image: Jodi and Kurt Photography

Fave Insta feed these days?

I'm obsessed with Amelia Johnson's stories. I stop whatever I am doing when she puts a new one up.  For my non-wedding life, I love HalfBakedHarvest!

Thank you Aimee for sharing so much of yourself with us on the blog! We hope you guys have loved learning more about Aimee as much as we have! To contact A. Dominick Events, visit here. For more information on Custom Gift Design for wedding welcome gifts, visit here.