5 questions with Pearl Events founder Becky Navarro
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Pearl Events founder and CEO Becky Navarro. Photo: Courtesy of Caroline Lima
Becky Navarro is the founder and CEO of Pearl Events Austin, a luxury wedding and event planning company.
The big picture: Navarro founded the company in 2010 and has turned it into one of the city's most recognizable planning services.
- Pearl Events' Instagram has over 22,000 followers, where they share photos from blowout weddings planned by the "Pearl Girls" — celebrations that have been featured in People Magazine, Texas Monthly and Vogue Weddings.
We spoke to Navarro about her company, what's next for wedding trends and her top tips for couples.
This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
1. You've been shaping Austin weddings for 15 years now — when you look ahead to 2026, what's one trend you're excited about and one you hope couples finally leave behind?
"I am most excited about color! We have been in a decade-long obsession with the all-white wedding. While an all-white wedding is classic and timeless, I believe you can create that timeless look with color. ...
- I'm looking forward to seeing champagne towers leave my design boards. They're sticky, messy, and a waste of money. Your guests want crisp, cold, bubbly champagne, not a sticky cup of lukewarm bubbles."
2. Engagement season can feel like a sprint. What's the very first decision you think engaged couples should make?
"Hire a planner. They know what to look for and will save you money on vendors' contracts. If you aren't hiring a planner, then the venue is first. And then the planner."
3. Have you noticed any shifts in what Austin couples are prioritizing for their wedding day?
"Big weddings are back with a bang. People are craving real-life connections and experiences, and are prioritizing attending weddings.
- Because COVID created a virtual world for so many years, people are excited to dress up, hit the dance floor, and enjoy a high-end dining experience."
4. Austin has no shortage of personality-filled wedding spaces. How can couples honor the city's vibe without their wedding feeling overly themed or dated five years from now?
"The key is to focus on authentic experiences that feel true to both Austin and you. Couples are using Instagram to find specific, high-design elements that reflect the city's modern, eclectic soul. I'm seeing couples select a live band over a DJ, and prioritize catering from beloved Austin restaurants. ...
- As for trends, they come and go, and so will your interests as you get older and your life changes. You may look back at your wedding and say, "What was I thinking?" But I find that when a couple incorporates design choices or ideas that are authentically "you," then you'll never regret it."
5. If you could give every newly engaged couple one piece of advice for planning a wedding that actually feels like them — not Pinterest, not Instagram — what would it be?
"Send your planner one photo in each category. The downfall of a Pinterest board is that once you start pinning, it takes you down a rabbit hole.
- I ask couples to find one photo: one invitation, one cake, one tabletop, one bouquet, one overall "vibe" photo. ... We can design a whole wedding off one photo."