Staff Highlight: Julia

“…In the short time I have been working here, I have realized the necessity of empathy and understanding. It makes the world go round, especially when you’re dealing with small businesses and wanting lasting marriages. I have become a better friend, mother and wife because of my job and the people that I am surrounded by now.” If you know Julia DeBruler at all — and we like to think that we do — you know how meaningful this is coming from her. Not necessarily one to have “all the feelings,” today Julia gives us a rare peek into what goes on inside her busy mind and big heart — and it kind of makes our day month life. Julia is our Director of Administration, which means that she is basically the headquarters of The Big Fake Wedding. Think of Julia as the gears that make our business function — she does all the behind-the-scenes work that none of us could even dream of handling, and kicks major butt doing it. When she’s not working, Julia spends her time loving on her precious family, providing endless support/humor to her friends, and sitting pretty as the *real* #1 Harry Styles fan. We don’t know where we’d be without this little ball of sass!

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In your opinion, what does The Big Fake Wedding bring to the wedding industry?
I think we bring a group of women that are relatable and extra invested. Most of us have held non-wedding jobs but are now immersed in the industry and loving it. I noticed early on that this was something we have in common with our vendors, as many of them had job experience outside of the industry but are now throwing their souls and time into their craft. I also think this group is just way more invested than your average company. We want people to succeed and have been known to take all things Big Fake Wedding really seriously (as seriously as you should take fake weddings, of course). It’s common for our staff to develop friendships with our vendors outside of working environments and there is a strong sense of community within our events that I believe is unique to the i.

The heart of The Big Fake Wedding is to inspire brides and grooms, support small businesses, and encourage committed marriages. Tell us about your heart.
Ah, this is an interesting question for me. When I was younger I would have jumped at the chance to answer and would’ve felt like I had the perfect answer. But now I feel like I am still trying to figure it out because my heart changes a lot. I can tell you that I will always have a heart for college-age girls and discipleship within that specific age group. It’s just a weird, incredible, confusing, amazing time of your life. And if you don’t have people there to help you navigate it, it can be the actual worst. I also have really strong feelings about supporting new mothers. I had some postpartum depression when my daughter, Lilah, was born and found that no one really talks about it. I felt isolated and didn’t know how to tell people that while I really loved my kid, I also really needed time to adjust to being a mom. So, I will always advocate for talking about and supporting how dang hard it is to have a new baby. Does that even answer the question? That probably wasn’t what you were expecting but it’s what I have, hah.

What is the number one item on your bucket list?
Meeting Harry Styles. I am almost embarrassed at how quickly I was able to answer that. Almost. I saw him in a bar in Chicago but was too nervous to talk to him. I am pretty sure we’d become best friends if we ever actually met, though. And by “pretty sure,” I mean “absolutely positive.”

What is your favorite quote and why?
As an English major I have a great affinity for words and writing (so I have claimed several quotes as my favorite over the years); one quote that always stands out is from my favorite short story, “The Scarlet Ibis.” There’s a line in the middle of the story that says, “I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life & death.” It’s a favorite because I hear relevance in it year after year. Obviously, there’s a difference between being proud of yourself and of the good in the people around you. If I’m honest, I struggle to find that difference. For example, trying to navigate the difference between being a proud parent in the good sense and being a brat cause I am convinced my husband is better than yours.