by Vera Devera

I was on my way to rendezvous with Guitar Fred, my fiance, when I walked by a cute store that beckoned to me with a wall of succulents. Yes, a wall. My jaw dropped and I wandered in and to the right, I saw a wall of jewel-toned vintage glass and plenty of fine white milk glass (which is what we’re using in our 10/10/10 wedding). I then realized that this was the new retail shop for Gorgeous and Green Events by Pilar Zuniga that I had heard about from fellow brides!

I have admired Pilar’s work from afar and I was excited to get up close and personal. Brides — if you’re looking to bring inspiration you see on Style Me Pretty or 100 Layer Cake to life, you must stop here. If you decide to DIY, you can purchase or rent pieces from Pilar. Or, just hire her! The following is my interview with Pilar.

Q. How did you get started?
A. I’ve always been crafty and creative and grew up doing floral design with my Aunt, but I really jumped in to wedding and event design with my own wedding. My husband and I wanted to plan a celebration that would be sustainable and not as polluting as most weddings and events. So, I did a lot of research and started to become my own green wedding expert. After helping a few friends, I decided to start a business.

Q. What do you love most about designing events? What inspires you?
A. I love being creative. A full day of work will go by and I won’t realize it, because I get to use my brain and make things with my hands, it’s what I love. I try to get inspired by the people I work with and their stories. Of course, I also get inspired by living things, plants, flowers, animals, the forest, etc. I also like most things vintage, so I’m partial to the 1940’s and 1960’s and everything kitchy about old eras, like Candy stores from Willy Wonka or Diamonds, Pearls and Silk and Black and White movies from Hollywood.

Q. Why should couples consider working with an event designer?
A. Because we usually have good ideas! And we can help you create the wedding of your dreams in your budget range. My area is green weddings and events, so I help make the event and decor sustainable as well as beautiful.

Q. What sets you apart?
A. First, the sustainability factor. I truly work to make all my floral designs and decor sustainable and eco-friendly, and I’ve learned a lot about being green so I can help folks stay green in other aspects of their event. Second, I try to work with just about every budget. I’m super transparent about costs and for folks on a budget, I try to work creatively and smart to help them get the look they are going for within the price range they can afford.

Q. What’s your favorite part of a wedding?
A. My favorite part of the wedding is the getting ready part. It’s so fun to watch people get their outfits on and get prepared for the big day. Everything starts to come together and there’s so much excitement in the air.

Q. What’s your favorite place to find unique or vintage pieces?
A. Well, I like visiting the Alameda Antiques fair, but prices can be a little high there. They do have some cool items. I also have some secret places around the Bay that I visit regularly to find vintage gems to stock in my store.

Q. What can’t you leave home without?
A. These days, my travel mug filled with tea. I need the caffeine in the morning and I have always love tea and the ceremony of making tea and sweetening it just right.

Q. Just for fun: what’s surprised you most about being married?
A. What’s surprised me most has been the level of support I’ve gotten from my husband, he truly is a life partner.

{All photos by Vera Devera with permission from Pilar}
Pilar Zuniga, Gorgeous and Green Events
A Certified Bay Area Green Business
510.599.3616
www.gorgeousandgreenevents.com