It’s no secret that the holidays are the most popular time of year to propose. With January just under way, we knew that our first chat of the year had to be with a planner who could answer any newly engaged couple’s questions, from save-the-dates right on through the honeymoon.

Enter Jamie Sears. She’s been a party-planning addict since she was a little girl—growing up, she used to help her parents pick out invitations and decide the menus for their parties. After graduating from college with a degree in event management, she realized she could turn her passion into a career. Helping to plan her best friend’s wedding and then planning her own inspired Sears to pursue her dream, which she did by forming Simply Chic Events in 2006. Since then, she’s planned more than 40 weddings in Washington and beyond—everywhere from the Hay-Adams and Meridian House to Bermuda and Napa Valley. “Being a wedding planner is about much more than timelines and spreadsheets,” says Sears, whose firm offers services from “month of” to full wedding planning. “It’s about being a friend,” she says.

While Simply Chic Events has already been inundated with queries from newly engaged folks, Jamie took time out of her busy schedule to swing by The Washingtonian yesterday for a live chat. Our readers peppered her with questions­—about everything from making a wedding sparkle on a tight budget to what a day-of planner can offer. If you missed the chat, catch up on all of Sears’s helpful advice here.

More>> Bridal Party Blog | Wedding Guide | Wedding Vendor Search