We recently had the chance to connect with Blake Herrera and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Blake, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes are equal parts strategy and survival. As a wedding and event planner—and CEO of Occasions & Co.—I wake up knowing that no two days are ever the same… which is exactly how I like it.
First, coffee. Always coffee. Then I give myself a moment to breathe before diving into emails or timelines—because once I open that inbox, it’s game on. I scan for anything urgent (read: “Help! My aunt added 12 extra guests!” or “Can we add a live alpaca to the ceremony?”), and start mentally prioritizing the day.
Then comes a quick review of the calendar, a check-in with my team, and usually some brainstorming on design elements or logistics for an upcoming event. If I’m lucky, I’ll squeeze in 10 minutes of quiet to journal or jot down ideas before the meetings and madness begin.
Truthfully, it’s a mix of calm intention and organized chaos—but that’s the life I chose, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Blake Herrera, the founder and lead planner behind Occasions & Co.—a boutique wedding and event planning company built on equal parts organization, creativity, and genuine connection. I started this business because I’m obsessed with details, logistics, and the kind of moments that make people cry happy tears. You know—the ones that live in stories and photo albums forever.
At Occasions & Co., we don’t just plan events—we create experiences that feel intentional, elevated, and personal from start to finish. Whether it’s a wedding weekend, a milestone birthday, or a brand launch party, we’re there making sure every candle is straight and every guest feels like a VIP.
What makes us different? We’re not just timeline-builders or checklist-lovers (though we definitely love a good checklist). We care deeply about our clients and their people. We’re equal parts calm-in-the-chaos and hype team. We design with heart, plan with precision, and always keep it real.
Right now, we’re expanding our services and refining our systems to offer an even more elevated client experience, and I’m passionate about mentoring new planners along the way. It’s wild, it’s wonderful, and honestly, I still wake up every day excited to do this work. Even on those 5 a.m. wedding mornings.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my mom and my granny. I’ve never seen two women work harder—or with more heart. They showed me what it means to hustle with grace, whether it was working long hours in restaurants, cleaning houses on the side, or tackling home improvement projects themselves (yes, including mowing their own lawns in the Texas heat like it was nothing).
They didn’t wait around for someone else to fix things—they figured it out, got it done, and made sure their families were taken care of along the way. That kind of work ethic, grit, and pride in doing things well stuck with me. They’re two women I’ll always look up to—and I carry their example with me every time I show up for a client, a team member, or a 14-hour wedding day.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
As a gay kid growing up in a small town in the early 2000s, life wasn’t exactly easy. I was bullied, made fun of, and eventually pulled out of public school to be homeschooled because the emotional toll had become too heavy. I felt isolated, depressed, and honestly, like I didn’t belong anywhere. I lived in a town that didn’t expect much of me—and made sure I knew it.
If I could talk to that younger version of myself, I’d say: Don’t give them what they want. Stay in school. Show up. Get the experience. Keep your head high, even when it feels impossible. Because it really does get better.
One day, you’re going to build a life that’s fuller, richer, and more beautiful than anything you could imagine back then. You’ll find your people. You’ll do meaningful work. And you’ll live proudly and joyfully in your truth.
You were always enough—and you always will be.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the wedding and event industry tells itself is that perfection is the goal. That if everything isn’t flawless and Instagram-worthy, it wasn’t successful. But the truth? Perfection is an illusion—and honestly, kind of boring. The best events are the ones where people feel something real, not the ones where every napkin fold is at a 45-degree angle.
Another lie? That planners are just “there for the day.” So many people still underestimate the strategy, emotional labor, logistics, and sheer hours it takes to pull off a seamless event. We’re part therapist, part project manager, part creative director, part crisis negotiator—and we don’t just show up and decorate.
Also—hot take—not every trend is worth chasing. Just because it’s all over Pinterest doesn’t mean it belongs in your wedding. We believe in honoring our clients’ stories, not just hopping on the next aesthetic bandwagon.
At the end of the day, our job isn’t about selling perfection—it’s about creating experiences that feel personal, thoughtful, and grounded in joy.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was the person they could count on—whether it was planning the biggest day of their life or just needing someone to show up when things got hard. Professionally, I’ve built Occasions & Co. around a can-do attitude. My clients know I’m always available, always thinking two steps ahead, and always ready to jump in and fix the thing no one else even noticed was broken. I think they’d say I made them feel taken care of—like nothing was too big or too small for me to handle.
Personally, I live a lot like Pa Ingalls—quietly dependable, a little old-fashioned in the best way. I’m the one people call when they’re in trouble, when they need a hand, or when they don’t know what to do next. I hope people say that I was kind, that I was generous with whatever I had, and that I made the world feel a little warmer, a little safer, and a little more thoughtful just by being in it.
At the end of the day, I hope I leave behind a story that’s less about what I accomplished and more about how I made people feel—valued, seen, and supported.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.occasionsandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/occasionsco_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/occasionsandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occasions.co
