Today we’d like to introduce you to BeBe Jenks.
Hi BeBe, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Cypress and Sage developed pretty naturally. After planning my own wedding, I realized how much I enjoyed both the creative side and the logistics, especially seeing all the moving pieces come together in the end.
That experience also showed me how much communication and organization matter. There were parts of my own planning experience where I expected stronger communication or better handling of logistics from professionals I was working with, and it made me pay attention to what the client experience feels like on the other side.
I did not immediately start my own company. I took time to learn the business from other planners and understand what the work actually required behind the scenes. That taught me how to work well with venues and other creative partners, manage different personalities and family dynamics, and take a couple’s inspiration and turn it into something that works for their actual wedding and budget.
From there, I started with smaller weddings, coordination, and local venue partnerships. There was not one big moment where I decided I was suddenly ready. I kept learning, kept doing the work, and eventually Cypress and Sage became the company I wanted to build.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. A big part of growing Cypress and Sage has been learning that building a business is not just about booking more weddings. It is also figuring out what kind of work you want to be known for and being willing to change as that becomes clearer.
In the beginning, I said yes to a lot more because I was building experience, relationships, and a portfolio. Over time, I became much more selective about the weddings we take on, clearer about the level of service we provide, and more comfortable recognizing that not every couple is the right fit for us.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance creativity with everything required to actually execute a wedding well. A beautiful design means very little if the timeline does not work, vendors do not have the information they need, or the couple spends the day answering questions.
That has shaped the way I run Cypress and Sage today. There is a lot of preparation happening behind the scenes so our clients can be present for the part they actually hired us to help them enjoy: their wedding.
Probably the biggest lesson has been being willing to evolve instead of staying attached to how I used to do things.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Cypress and Sage is a Virginia-based wedding planning and design company serving couples throughout Virginia and the East Coast.
We specialize in full-service wedding planning and design for couples who want an experienced team involved throughout the planning process, along with wedding management for couples who have planned their wedding but want professional oversight as everything comes together.
What matters most to me is that a wedding should not only look beautiful. It should feel good to experience.
I care about the design, but I am equally focused on whether the couple gets to enjoy dinner, whether their families know where they need to be, whether guests feel welcomed and taken care of, whether vendors have what they need, and whether problems are handled without becoming the couple’s problem.
Hospitality is a big part of how we approach planning. We are constantly thinking about the wedding from the perspective of the couple and their guests, not just what the room will look like in photographs.
My goal is for our weddings to function as beautifully as they look. That requires strong logistics, clear communication, thoughtful design, and a lot of preparation behind the scenes.
Cypress and Sage is also entering an exciting period of growth. We are continuing to expand our work throughout Virginia and along the East Coast while becoming increasingly selective about the weddings we take on. I want us to be known for celebrations that feel personal, well-produced, beautiful, and genuinely enjoyable to experience.
More than anything, I want our clients to feel like they can actually be present at their wedding because someone else is paying attention to everything around them.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Adaptability.
I am a planner by nature, so preparation matters a lot to me. I want the timeline built, the questions answered, and backup plans thought through before the wedding day ever arrives.
But weddings involve people, weather, vendors, transportation, family dynamics, and plenty of things that do not always cooperate with the plan.
One of the most important skills I have developed is knowing when to stop being attached to the original plan and solve the problem that is actually in front of me.
Our client should not have to feel every adjustment happening behind the scenes. The better prepared we are, the easier it is to adapt calmly when something changes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cypressandsagedesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cypressandsagedesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cypressandsagedesign
