The question that anyone native to South Carolina would like to know is, what university did you attend?

Candice: The University of South Carolina

Erin: Clemson University

What drew each of you to event planning as a career?

Candice: For me, I’ve always been the organizer and motivator. In the corporate world, I always came up with crazy ways to keep my team motivated to achieve new things, which segued into helping friends come up with fun ideas for their celebrations along with my own. In college I worked for a design firm, so event planning is the perfect marriage of my love for style combined and my love of people and special moments.

Erin: All throughout my life I was the “party planner” for my group of friends, so when I finished college I knew I had a talent for keeping people organized and putting their minds at ease. Who better needs to be kept calm and on-task than a bride-to-be. It’s been a perfect fit!


How did you become partners?

We found each other on event planner match.com


How do you work together as a designer and a coordinator?

Erin: Candice dreams up big, creative, and original design ideas and I make them happen. We really are a team: the poster children for a right-brain and left-brain duo.

Erin, what do you consider to be the secret to planning a fabulous event?

Erin: Staying organized is the key to having a day run smoothly. There will always be those things that don’t happen the way you planned, but your planner will always have your back. Of course I bring my superhero cape to every event—you know—just in case the situation calls for it!


Candice, how do you help brides nail down the colors for their wedding?

Design is different for every couple. It’s really about finding out about them. I want to know how they met, how he proposed, what they do together. The colors come out of their story along with the venues and entire concept, so their wedding is truly their signature as a couple.


Speaking of color, Yoj seems really fond of the color green. Why is that?

Green definitely signifies who we are. It symbolizes both life and restfulness. That’s how we feel about our clients and what they need. They are planning life celebrations, exciting occasions, but they deserve to feel at ease and enjoy the events themselves. It’s also the color of envy, which is what all of your friends will have when they attend your Yoj event. ;)


How does Yoj bring a fresh look to events?

Candice: The words “typically” and “usually” stay out of our vocabulary when it comes to design. We want to make each event a signature of you.


What is one piece of advice you each would give to any bride preparing to plan her wedding?

Candice: Start with a budget! It is crucial to come up with a budget before you move forward at all. Too many times we meet brides who have fallen in love with a space or vendors that require a large percent of budget. We want to be your fairy godmother, and fairy godmothers don’t ever want to burst bubbles, so select a budget and then meet with someone who can help you proceed to capture your vision and dream.

Erin: Enjoy being engaged! We meet so many brides who get engaged and then two days later they are freaking out about planning the wedding. Being engaged is such an awesome time in a relationship—so ladies, enjoy it! There is plenty of time to plan and we’ll keep you on track!

(for this question, Erin and Candice have traded personalities)