Meet Jaycie Forrester | Wedding & Event Planner

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

Hi Jaycie, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success is always being defined differently because it can mean so many things to different people. Merriam Webster Dictionary says success is “a degree or measure of succeeding: a favorable or desired outcome.” I think that’s a good start, but for me and how I have come to see success in my life, it means “a step in the right direction.”

As a Christian, I believe my success comes from following God’s plan for me. This is for any area of my life, but it definitely impacts my work life. Every time I feel like my business isn’t moving forward, I look back to where I started: having no clients, getting zero views on my reels, and not knowing how to tell anyone about my business. Now I have been open officially less than a year and am featured on The Knot and Wedding Wire, a preferred vendor on multiple vendor lists, have over 10 clients, and am going to be in an upcoming Wedding Expo.

Although that is a big step of what success can look like it isn’t always about big, flashy achievements. It’s about those small steps that get you closer to where you’re meant to be. I can still remember the day I booked my first client and was jumping around my room calling my parents and boyfriend beaming with joy! Then immediately stopped and took a minute to thank God because for me, every step that aligns with God’s plan is a big win.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since I was in middle school, I was the friend who would plan every birthday, holiday, party to the extreme! I have always loved seeing an event come to life and watching my friends around me smile, laugh, and have fun because I got to take a little pride in knowing I did that! Then in High School I was on our Associated Student Body as the Events Coordinator, makes sense doesn’t it? Although when I went to college I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to be my own boss, just like my dad. I majored with a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and was then introduced into the wedding industry by a family friend. The rest is history after that, I worked my way to the top by being a banquet server, venue coordinator (coordinating over 70 weddings), all the way to now as a business owner for CactusBloom Wedding & Events. Although it all seems like an easy transition into the next, it was far from that. I had switched my majors multiple times and didn’t know where my life was supposed to go. Once I let go and gave it to God I was able to breathe and go through the phases with my faith helping me through the tough times. I have learned through this whole journey that not everyone is going to agree or support what you do, you will have doubts along the way, but in the end it is up to you to have the courage, confidence, and hope in yourself to get to where you are. But, my favorite thing is not to shut out the negative thoughts or voices from others, use it to fuel your desire to grow and be better, allowing God to shape you the whole way.

My story about how I got to where I am isn’t to say, it’s because of me and me alone. My story, my brand, and my life is to point to the Lord and show that He is the only way any of it is possible. I thank Him every day for how far I have come and cannot wait to share with others, how far this business can go!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing to do in Arizona is EAT! That’s right I said it, the food here is amazing and you have to try out the best places while someone is visiting. If my friend were to get here on a Friday morning we would start by going to Daily Drip Coffee where you can put your own picture foam on top of your coffee and take cute pictures in the little coffee shop. Next we would head into Old Town Scottsdale to check out the vintage unique shops that you aren’t going to find at just anywhere. Now, what we do for lunch is where it gets interesting! There is a cute company called AmazingCo where you can do a Mystery Picnic. Throughout your afternoon you will answer quizzes, fun questions, and get to visit 6 different stops along the way to pick up an assortment of food and drinks before your final destination where you get to enjoy all the treats you got along the way. We would go back home and relax by the pool then grab a quick bite from CupBop before hitting the hay.

Saturday we are getting up EARLY to hike to the top of Piestewa Peak before it gets too hot, and watch the sunrise. Next we will take a relaxing day by going to The Princess hotel for a spa day and relaxing by their pool enjoying a good burger and some drinks. The stone massage is WONDERFUL. We will get dressed up and ready to go out to dinner at Fogo De Chao, and end the night by trying out the speakeasy called The Goose!

Sunday we will head to church in the morning and grab brunch from Elly’s in Phoenix. Then head to Tempe Marketplace for some shopping and do one of their escape rooms or axe throwing depending on the mood! We will grab a bite to eat at one of those restaurants then take a walk over to Tempe Town Lake by the Statefarm buildings to enjoy our food and have a nice view while talking and enjoying people watching!

Now THAT is a great weekend if you ask me!

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?
My shoutout goes to first and foremost God, and my family. Without their love, support, and trust I wouldn’t be where I am today and am so grateful to have this opportunity of reaching others with a business that means so much to me.

I also would love to shoutout all the companies workshops and classes I have taken / am still taking to better my business not for the money, although it is a nice bonus, but for bettering me and my business for my clients so their wedding day or special event can bloom into the best day of their lives. Those companies would be:
– Certified Wedding Planner Society
– LivelyWed
– KJ and Co
– Candace Coppola
– Timeline Genuis

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Website: https://www.cactusbloomevents.com

Instagram: @cactusbloomevents

Image Credits
Marlie Grace Photography and Hannah Nofziger Photography (hvfitzphotos)