Here Comes the Wedding Planners

Did you know that the latest trend in tying the knot is having last-minute weddings? Not that she encourages it, but Branford’s newest wedding guru Erica Powell said planning a wedding in three to six months can be done. “The bride,” she said, “has to be ready to make a decision every day.”

Powell comes to the business with astute knowledge in wedding planning and with her team of lead planners, is ready to help brides of all kinds on all budgets to have the wedding of their dreams. “I think it’s important to have someone with experience to make sure you get the most for your money,” she said.

A four-year veteran in the business, Powell, now a Clinton resident, opened Ambiance Luxe, a wedding planning business here in Branford at 1120 Main St. early this month. Before coming to Branford, Powell ran her business, then called Ambiance Chic, out of a space in Manchester. She has been serving brides from as far as China and specializes in weddings in Connecticut, New York City, Long Island, central New York, Rhode Island and Boston. Choosing Branford as her new headquarters was by design, she said, in order to have a brick and mortar central to her clients. Powell added that Branford’s town center was also a draw for her and the other lead planners of the business. “We love the downtown area,” she commented.

Powell is joined by three other lead wedding planners, each who specialize in attention-to-detail-style organizing. Jackie Cusano Maculaitis now a Branford resident was raised in North Haven; Jackie Esposito lives in Norwalk and hails from New Canaan; and Jennifer Mirabella currently resides in Larchmont, NY. To see past weddings, head over to Ambiance Luxe online.

Of the at-times stressful job of wedding planning, Powell said, “I love it. It’s really rewarding. It’s like being a teacher.”

The wedding planners offer full services to clients and will give free quotes to all interested brides. Walk-ins are welcomed to stop in the shop (Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment) to meet one of the four lead wedding planners and sample some of the local rentals and products available. Tables and chairs currently on display are by New England Country Rentals and the wedding dress in the window is by .