The Role of Restraint in Design: A Q&A with Invision Events' Julie Bunkley
Julie Bunkley, owner and creative director of Invision Events, is celebrated for her tailored, modern approach to event planning. With a focus on thoughtful editing, she designs celebrations that are both elegant and deeply personal.
In this Q&A, Julie shares her creative philosophy, offers advice for brides-to-be, and explains why restraint is the cornerstone of confident wedding design.
What is your signature style?
Tailored, modern refinement.
How do you describe your creative approach?
I come to a design usually from a place of editing. There's a quote from Coco Chanel that says: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." Meaning, the best designs are edited designs. I strive to see balance and calm and feel there's a confidence in restraint.
Where do you search for new inspiration?
Movies and fashion are always a strong pull. Much like how fashion supports us as we live our real lives, a wedding/event design is meant to support the celebration within it.
What do you recommend investing most in?
Your foundational items will always take you further than anything else. Seating does more work than any other hard good to support your design and literally supports your guests.
Team big or small: what type of events do you prefer?
Well, I can't actually pick a favorite! But at the moment, I love how a smaller event has an air of privacy, exclusivity, and intimacy that is hard to replicate with a big event.
How far in advance should people hire a planner?
Ha! We've worked with intensely short timelines before! However, we feel like our clients enjoy the planning and design process more when they have a 9-12 month window.
Best advice for a bride-to-be?
If you are already actively planning your wedding, stop watching social media! It will start to cloud all your decisions and invite anxiety. It's best to work with your team with a clear mind and appreciate your wedding experience as the uniquely personal moment that it is!
What do you wish more people understood about what you do?
How hard it is for us to not want to do it all! When I said editing is key in my process, that doesn't make it easy. There's so many amazing things that we can do with the incredibly talented creatives in our industry. It can be torturous to edit, but it's always best in the end.
If you weren’t a planner, what would you be?
I've always been fascinated by baking and cakes. The precision it takes. There are reasons that I'm not creating cakes, but I think I would love it in another life/career.
