We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan + Frankie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Morgan + Frankie, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance…this is not something that comes easily and 100% something we have to strive for everyday. Especially when you’re a small business owner…the line between work and life becomes blurred. Even more so in today’s world when being tired, stretched too thin and over extended equals success. The stress of “if I’m not exhausted then I’m not working hard enough” is real! It has taken a long time to learn that achieving balance is important not only to success but to achieving an overall satisfaction in life.
When we first started our companies, respectively, it was before or right as we were starting our families. Time and flexibility were a little more readily available then. It was no big deal to take a client call after 5PM or schedule meetings over the weekends. As we became busier and our families grew, suddenly that 8PM phone call meant a little one could be present and working most weekends would make us covet any actual down time we had.
Its challenging, and our business minds do play games, trying to convince us that we should be working every moment of every day. We just have to remind ourselves that, starting at 5PM, we need to take a breath, shut the computer, turn off the phone and be present…(most) things can wait until tomorrow…
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Creating our company was kismet!! We have actually been friends for over a decade! We shared a friend group and were alongside each other for years as we both ran respective planning companies. Helping each other along the way. We often chatted about coming together as a team, but guess the timing never really felt right. During COVID we began to explore combining our efforts with a little more commitment. Obviously COVID was a bad time for everyone. This major life event certainly added perspective for everyone!! We knew for certain neither of us wanted to continue going through life as an “I”. I need to thrive in a company that was an official “WE”. And Morgan agreed (phew!!)….and we have never looked back!
We think the most consistent attribute noticed in feedback is our “calm, cool, collected” (dare I say)….VIBE. Our couples seem to really appreciate our lack of anxiety on event days and ability to thrive in any situation.
Our attention to detail sings for itself. We are darn good at logistics and execution!!
Our signature style is romantically Edgy. We don’t tend to lean in any direction versus another. We aren’t naturally attracted to trends per se, but incorporate them while pushing the envelope ever so slightly. Couples viewing our work want to see weddings they can achieve. Our couples inspire us!! We help them create the wedding they imagined or didn’t quite yet imagine. We bring their vision to life by getting to know them as both individuals and a couple. We want to know, what makes them “them”.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh boy….there are sooo many good places but I’d have to say we must hit up Abbot Kinney for a little shopping the the Butcher’s Daughter for a bite to eat. Then walk down to the stand and walk up to Santa Monica to Proper to grab a drink on their rooftop – Calabra Terrace.
Another day I’d say we should go on a hike in the Santa Monica mountains then after freshening up head over to All Time in Echo Park for dinner then over to MagPies for their amazing vegan ice cream!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We’d love to dedicate our Shotout to all of our lovely clients who have entrusted us with their big days! We are humbled and honored to be the ones to support them throughout this process and wouldn’t be where we are if its wasn’t for them!
Website: https://clusterevents.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clusterevents
Image Credits
Ximena + Edwin: Venue: @hummingbirdnestevents Wedding Planner: @Clusterevents Catering: @criticschoiceevents Liquid Catering: @brickandbrassbar Officiant: @greatofficiants / @socalminister Photography + Videography: @wearemattandjess Ceremony + Reception Music: @liventgroup Flowers: @cityflowerla Rentals: Tent , Flooring + Lighting: @arentalconnection Rentals: @premiere_rents Photo Booth: @wuddabooth Beauty: Bridal + Maids Make-Up: @patriciacastromakeup Beauty: Bridal + Maids Hair: @jaykaybraids Beauty: Family : @megoharebeauty Invitations: @paperplum Paper Goods: @fladedahs Cake : @shirinbakery Lily + Ben: Venue+Catering+Bar: @ebellevents Planning: @clusterevents Photography: @jennysmithandco_ Videography: @pressfilms Floral Design: @roobarbstudio Music: @dartcollective Tabletop Rentals: @casadeperrin Rentals: @mtb_event_rentals Decor Installation: @alwaysparticular Beauty: @emilylynnandcompany Cake: @thecaker Cigar Roller: @elcanitocigarevents Camera Rentals: #instantcamerarentals Bride’s Style: moniquelhuillierbride Bridal Party Dress: audrey.adele Bridal Party: @dessygroup Groom’s Style: @tedbaker @daviddonahuemenswear Rings + Accessories: @tiffanyandco Darcy + Pedro: Venue: @hummingbirdnestevents Wedding Coordinator: @Clusterevents Catering: @treslacatering Bar: @brickandbrassbar Photography: @wanderlustcreatives Videography: @symboll String Quartet: @ourstrings4you DJ + Live Musicians: @secondsong_official Flowers: @roobarbstudio Photo Booth: @wuddabooth Rentals: @townandcountry_eventrentals Beauty: @pagebeauty Cake: @sashimi1 Transportation: @riztransportation Christina + Alex: Venue: @dospueblosorchidfarm Catering + Bar: @whoanellycaters Bar Supplies: @liquid.catering Photography + Videography: @heirlumephotography Band + DJ: @weareblitznation @secondsongofficial Floral Design: @inessanicholsdesign Lighting Design: @bellavistadesigns Rentals: @townandcountry_eventrentals Beauty: @DreamcatcherArtistry Transportation: @sbairbus @valetparkingpros Video Photobooth: @raiseavoast Security: @triumphprotectiongroup Couple: @instacsquared and @vargaswildcard Tyler + Abby Venue: @stonewallranchmalibu Wedding Planning+Coordination: @clusterevents @frankie_clusterevents Catering: @bordergrill Bartending: @smokinggunbarstaffing Officiant: @revido_officiating Lighting+Power: @inthemixevents Photography: @casiyostphoto Videography: @kinweddingfilms Music: @redshoela / @heyako Floral Design: @roobarbstudio Rentals: @mtb_event_rentals Beauty: @emilylynnandcompany @the_bungalowsalon Paper Designs: @aiyapaperie Linen Signage: @heavencanvas_ Wedding Cake:@erinmckennasbakery Ice Cream Sammies: @rubyjewelicecreamsandwich Restroom Rental: @luxflush Transportation: @riztransportation Valet: @valetparkingpros Couple: @abbyjohnson118 @tyguythatsme Bridal Style: @jennyyoonyc @bywatters Bridal Boutique: @aandbe_bridalshop @aandbe_portland Groom Style: @suitsupply Rings: @brilliantearth