Today we’d like to introduce you to Vara.
Vara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Wow, where to begin? My family moved to the United States to Edmond, Oklahoma from Pakistan when I was 13. I have a Postgraduate degree in Behavior Psych, and I have worked with children who have Autism and other special needs for about 7 years. I am still passionate about helping special needs children and whenever I have time I work as an ABA therapist. I moved to Dallas in 2016, which is where my husband was from and I started my company in October of 2017. As cliche as it may sound, I have always enjoyed planning parties, and buying decor and making sure it is a very nice party no matter what the budget is. I planned my own wedding and If you know anything about South Asian weddings, they are about three to four days long.
We have events each day, with full decor, outfits, food and all different types of celebration. I not only know what is expected in an American wedding but as well as knowing other different cultures, their traditions which sets my company apart from others. However, during my wedding days, I wish I had a planner to take care of all the things, so I wouldn’t have to worry. This was another reason I had the passion to start my own company and be the person for all the brides that are looking for support so they won’t feel stressed or worried on their wedding day. I truly believe that the Bride and Groom should not have to be stress on the biggest day of their lives because it does have an effect on the couple. we usually will have one team member with the bride and one team member with our groom, just to make sure they are doing good and are calm/stress-free before they walk out for their ceremony.
It truly is an honor and I am always humbled so thankful to our couples who choose us to be with them right before they embark on their new journey as husband and wife. I love it!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
With any new business starting up, we all go through a process of it. However, I believe most things in life are a process as Everything takes time and patience. With most new businesses the launch, branding and promoting can be the most challenging. But we are confident in our work and in our team. So, I know it will be so great and I cannot wait to share it all with everyone. We are thrilled for all that is coming our way and as well as all the beautiful weddings that we are about to create.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We offer our services through different packages. We have three packages that we have put together after carefully listening, asking our clientele. We have a full-service package, which entails support at the start of being engaged in the wedding day/week. Our 2nd package is a partial package, in which we come in 6 months out to the wedding date. Our last package is the day of a package where we come in a month prior to the wedding.
What I absolutely pride myself is that, as you know now that I am from Pakistan, however, moved to the US when I was 13. So, I love telling all my brides and my future clientele is that I know all aspect of weddings whether it is a regular american wedding or your South Indian wedding. we can do it all. I also try not to take more than 2 maximum 3 weddings in a month. So, I am able to give each of them the attention they deserve. There is the tremendous amount of work that goes into planning a wedding and I want to be sure that they get all of me with my 200%. We can do full planning, where we start from looking at venues, food tastings, decor, help with invites to coming in a month or two before the wedding and making sure all aspects are covered.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up with 4 brothers, so I was a bit of a tomboy. I ran around, rode bikes with them. Jumped off 2 story houses with my bike. Yes I know I was a crazy wild child, but I LOVED every minute of it. However, I loved to plan anything and everything even as a little girl. When I was like 7 or 8, I actually planned a whole wedding of my Ken doll to a barbie ( which was owned by my cousin). we did mehndi, barat, and reception. I had outfits made, and my mom had real gold jewelry for the barbie. So, I guess being a planner has always been in me, now I get to do it to real people and it’s truly been great.
I went to the University of Central Oklahoma, for my master of science, and a Post Graduate certification course in Behavior Psychology. I actually really like school, and probably would have stayed in school as a professional student for life, if I hadn’t been married. 😉
When I am not planning and creating amazing weddings, I am a huge sucker for reading, I have always been a bookworm. I used to be able to read around 7 to 8 books in a month. I also love running, movies, anything that requires me to move around and be active. I am also a huge advocate for children with special needs. I have worked as a behavior therapist/analyst. I read a saying somewhere a few years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. “trying to live a life worth writing about.” So, that’s all I am really trying to do. 🙂
Since I am an avid book reader, here are few of my favorite quotes that I love.
“Why try to fit in, when you are born to stand out.” -Dr. Seuss
” Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” Rumi
” Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkien
” Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
Contact Info:
- Website: weddingsbyvara.com
- Phone: 405-923-4136
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Aaron Snow photography, Alex Dugan Photography, Elizalde Photography, Ayla Photo Productions, Designer on both model: Maha Patel Designer. Make up on the model by: ishnae&renee.
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
