The Wedding Vendor Spotlight is an interview series highlighting some of the best wedding vendors in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Find out what brings them joy, both professionally and personally, as well as their insights into emerging wedding trends for 2013.

Leslie Weekes is co-founder and principal of Leslie-Manning Events. A New York transplant, Leslie started her career as a meeting and event planner in Washington, DC in 2001. Recently, Leslie was the DC Wedding Planning Expert for Examiner.com.

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Photo by Michelle Lindsay

How do you describe your “style”?
Practical, yet sophisticated, and our clients are like-minded. They want their dream wedding but at the same time they don’t want to mortgage the farm to pay for it. We show them how to do it.

What keeps you passionate about weddings?
I love helping people; I can’t help it. When I do initial consultations often I meet couples who are overwhelmed and all over the place, and I have to hold myself back because this is a business, but I just want to help them have the best day ever.

Are you seeing any trends emerging in 2013?
Among our clients, I’ve noticed that the bridal parties are getting smaller. Color is increasing – lots of rainbow and ombre designs. The wedding cake is either disappearing or it’s a traditional wedding cake (no cupcake trees). Couples still really care about the quality of the food, and perhaps because almost 50% of our clients are from out-of-town, a greater emphasis on the guests’ experience – upgraded sleeping rooms and swoon-worthy welcome bags.

What is one piece of advice that you like to give couples?
Don’t worry about pleasing everyone. Try your best, but remember, even though it sounds a bit cliché, it is your big day!

Outside of weddings, what brings you joy?
Decorating my home. I live on Houzz.com. Last year I took a sewing class at G Street Fabrics to learn how to make the furnishings that add the finishing touch, but can sometimes be prohibitively expensive (i.e. pillows and drapes).

How can we find you online?
Web: www.lesliemanningevents.com
Blog: lesliemanningevents.blogspot.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lmevents
Twitter: @lmevents

Thanks Leslie!

Have a question for Leslie? Leave a comment below and we’ll be sure to follow up.

To recommend someone for the Wedding Vendor Spotlight, please email Stephen.