Meet Nicole Drappo | Wedding Planner and Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Drappo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my business, Cactus Coordinating after I had planned my own wedding in 2021. I truly enjoyed all the small details of planning a wedding and being able to include interests of both my husband and I in the decor. We had to setup all our own decor the day before and day of, and it felt so natural for me to oversee setting up before sitting down and enjoying the day with my girls. We had a venue coordinator but I wish I had hired a day of coordinator to have helped with the smaller details and setup. I want to continue to be that extra help that every wedding couple deserves and provide the peace of mind to brides knowing everything is taken care of on their big day.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have always had a sweet spot for weddings and admire watching couples express their love for one another. I believe what sets me apart from others is my passion and dedication that I have for each couple I get to the honor to work with. Starting my own business from scratch wasn’t easy and took time to build a brand which motivated me to go above and beyond for every single client that gave me the opportunity. I’ve learned to connect and network with others in the industry is monumental to growing a business. There have been some of the most inspiring individuals that I have crossed paths with, and I cannot wait to watch their business grow over the new coming years. I want the world to know that wedding planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and that there are professionals out there, like myself that will be there every step of the way to ensure your wedding day is perfect! With Cactus Coordinating, you can leave your planning worries behind and focus on what matters most, enjoying every moment of your special occasion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Arizona there are so many beautiful spots to visit while here. In the Fall/Winter months I would start by taking my friend on a hiking trail to overlook the valley and take in fresh air. I do love a good craft beer and would love to take them to some of our amazing breweries such as, Arizona Wilderness Brewery or Goldwater Brewing which have some great options for beer and cider. During their trip, I would love to visit Flagstaff or Prescott to soak in the mountain views. During the winter it does snow up north and sitting out by a fire while there is snow on the ground is one of my favorite hangout spots. Next, I would drive to the Grand Canyon and check out the national park as it’s a site you need to see if you’ve never been to Arizona. More local activities I would love to do while my friend is in town is go to a concert venue to check out a country band or go to an Arizona State University Football game. There are so many fun downtown areas to check out with local bars and restaurants that sometimes will also have a live band!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, Cody Drappo. I would not be where I am today without his continuous support. Cody has encouraged me to make the jump into starting my own business, and I cannot thank him enough for assisting me at weddings and helping capture behind the scenes for business marketing. He is my biggest fan, and I would not be the business owner I am without his love.

Instagram: @cactuscoordinating

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087646724610

Image Credits
DarahDoesPhotos Longliveimages Trishvphoto