Meet Haylie Scherr

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haylie Scherr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Haylie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always believed my God-given gift is being a connector of people. Even in high school, I had friends across every group, the popular kids, the band, the artsy crowd, the skaters, you name it. Growing up in Southern Missouri, hospitality and friendliness just felt second nature.

So when I moved to Los Angeles after college not knowing a soul, I’ll never forget the feeling of loneliness. It was probably the first time I truly felt it. For about four months, I had no job, no friends, and definitely no southern-style hospitality around me. That changed with my first job, where I was suddenly surrounded by 60+ people a day. For the first time in months, I felt that spark of connection again.

In 2014, I decided to lean into that gift and started hosting monthly events, a way to bring people together and create shared experiences. These events grew from a handful of friends to 25–30 people regularly, with our biggest topping 50+. We did everything from Dodger games to horseback riding, archery dodgeball, wine tastings, and more. I loved the creativity behind it and themes are my bread and butter. Coming up with themes, giving friends little party favors or custom cookies, and creating moments of fun outside the work grind, is my favorite part. I truly feel the happiest when connections form from my experiences, from neighbors meeting coworkers and strangers becoming friends.

That passion for connection and creativity eventually grew into something bigger. In 2023, I launched Heirloom Event Company, a full-service wedding and event planning business where I get to take everything I love about bringing people together and turn it into unforgettable experiences.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I love being part of a couple’s journey into their next chapter, into their forever. Talking with them weekly or monthly gives me a glimpse into their routines, their quirks, and their everyday lives. I feel privileged to know them beyond the wedding planning details, and more often than not, I walk away feeling like I’ve gained a friend. Being trusted with their wedding day is such an honor, and nothing makes me happier than watching their families grow as they become moms and dads.

Our brand isn’t about luxury, it’s about real people. We work with everyday couples who want a beautiful, meaningful celebration but also want to keep savings for the next big step: a car, a house, or starting a family. Our goal is to create the best possible day at a manageable cost.

How do we do it? We tap into both trusted vendors who extend vendor-to-vendor discounts and fresh talent looking to build experience. A college student who’s played violin or cello for years might become your cocktail hour musician for $150 an hour. An art teacher with incredible talent could create a live wedding painting at a fraction of the usual price. We love finding creative ways to make your wedding day memorable, meaningful, and truly yours, without the overwhelming price tag.

And we know that these days, having a wedding planner or coordinator can feel like a luxury. With inflation and the rising cost of everyday goods, many couples go without professional planning and ask a family member to step in. If that’s the case, we still want to help however we can. That’s why we offer “Ask the Owner Anything” support calls, a chance to shadow a real wedding for behind-the-scenes learning, and a comprehensive PDF guide covering everything you need to know about wedding planning—all available as additional services on our website.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:

The ability to connect with people. Relationships have opened every door for me, whether it was meeting vendors, building trust with couples, or starting something from scratch in a new city. My advice: don’t just network, genuinely connect. Ask questions, listen, and stay curious about people’s stories.

Creativity! In weddings and events, you’re always problem-solving from budget constraints to unexpected weather, or last-minute changes. I learned early on that creativity isn’t just about pretty details; it’s about finding unique solutions that still deliver a meaningful experience. My advice: practice thinking outside the box, and don’t be afraid to try scrappy, small experiments.

Adaptability and resilience. From moving across the country with no job to launching my own company, I’ve learned that plans will rarely go perfectly. What matters is how quickly you adapt and keep moving forward. That same adaptability has helped me grow Heirloom Event Company from Chicago to Los Angeles, then Milwaukee, and now into a new location we’re preparing to launch. We always want to be available for a couple’s date and continue expanding into new places so we can serve more people. My advice: don’t wait until everything feels “ready.” Start where you are, keep learning, and trust that the process will grow you.

For anyone early in their journey, I’d encourage leaning into experiences that stretch you. Volunteer, shadow, say “yes” to opportunities even if they’re small. Every skill builds on the next, and over time you’ll find your own rhythm and confidence.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We’d love to collaborate with real people. While partnerships with influencers can be fun, our heart is really in helping couples who may not otherwise have access to certain opportunities. We have wonderful connections like discounted honeymoon experiences in Africa or 20% off codes for Birdy Grey’s men’s suit line, but at the end of the day, we want those benefits to go to couples who will truly value them.

Our long-term dream is to own a wedding venue, and once a year, host a ceremony giveaway for a deserving couple. In the meantime, we’re always open to connecting with like-minded vendors, creatives, or organizations who want to make weddings more accessible, memorable, and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heirloomeventcompany.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heirloomeventcompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomEventCompany

Image Credits

Forte Films and Stills
The Jungle Branch
Keridan Skye Photography
Meghan Melia
Jon Stars