What makes Erin Lowndes with Plain with Sprinkles Events a good neighbor?

In the picturesque setting of Hot Springs, North Carolina, a wedding revolution is quietly taking place. Erin Lowndes, owner of Plain With Sprinkles Events, is redefining what weddings can and should be for couples who don't fit into traditional molds. In a recent interview on the Good Neighbor Podcast, Erin shared insights about her unique approach to wedding planning that centers authentic expression over prescribed traditions.

Erin's journey to wedding planning wasn't straightforward. With a background in theater stage management from VCU in Richmond, Virginia, she possessed a transferable skill set that ultimately led her to the wedding industry. After relocating to Tucson, Arizona, and struggling to piece together theater work, Erin found herself trained by a florist and wedding planner who inspired her to see the creative possibilities in wedding planning. What she discovered was that the same skills that made her an excellent stage manager—organization, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving—translated perfectly to orchestrating meaningful wedding celebrations. This career shift became even more significant following the loss of her father, which prompted her move across the country to Marshall, North Carolina, where she established Plain With Sprinkles with a clear mission in mind.

What sets Erin's business apart is her deliberate focus on serving communities that have been historically underserved by the wedding industry, particularly LGBTQ+ couples. She explained how traditional weddings come with established scripts—there's a bride and a groom, the bride dances with her father, and so on. But for queer couples, these traditions often don't apply, leaving them without established cultural templates for their celebrations. Drawing from her own experience as a non-traditional person who hired a traditional wedding planner in 2017, Erin recognized a gap in the industry. She now creates safe spaces where couples can express themselves authentically without feeling constrained by heteronormative expectations. Rather than forcing couples to adapt to traditions that don't reflect their identities, Erin helps them create new traditions that honor who they truly are.

Perhaps most refreshing is Erin's perspective on what a wedding day should mean. Challenging the common notion that a wedding should be "the best day of your life," Erin offers a more sustainable view: "I honestly don't want this to be the best day of everybody's life," she shared. "I want to propel them into better... into an energy where they're filled with love and life, and they get to keep sharing that with people." This philosophy extends to her approach to wedding planning itself. Instead of beginning with surface details like plate designs and napkin colors, Erin starts by asking couples how they want to feel on their wedding day—a question that, surprisingly, many couples haven't even considered. By prioritizing emotional experience over material elements, she helps couples create celebrations that truly reflect their identities and relationships.

Erin's story is also one of finding community. After her father's passing, she chose to relocate to Marshall, North Carolina—a place where she had spent summers renovating the family farmhouse with her dad. This small mountain town represented safety and the ability to breathe freely during a difficult time. Nearly a decade later, she describes finding her chosen family there and building "the most beautiful life." Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of Western North Carolina in 2024, Erin speaks of the community with profound appreciation. Her final advice to listeners encapsulates her approach to both weddings and life: "Approaching life with love and beauty and being as present as possible really does create magic for you." When we notice a "wiggle or a piece of joy," she encourages us to "hold that in your heart and feel it"—a simple yet powerful reminder that authentic presence creates the most meaningful experiences, whether at a wedding or in everyday life.

To learn more about Plain with Sprinkles Events go to:

https://www.plainwithsprinkles.com/about

Plain with Sprinkles Events

(804) 516-7680