Wedding Planner & Coordinator

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Do your research. Talk to several planners (or whatever business vendor you are looking for). Get to know them and meet them in person. You can tell a lot about a person while chatting over coffee. Ask for references. Price is important too, but don't get caught in the trap of lower price is better or higher means better. Know what the industry range is, look for the deals, and make sure there are not 'gotchas' and then make your decision.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I'm always available to give those hints and tips even for couples wanting to plan on their own. That said what really I hear over and over again is 'I thought I was super woman' when it came to planning my wedding until I realized I could not do it alone and hired Desert Light Weddings. So if I was a bride/groom starting to plan for my wedding or someone planning a party or event, hire a planner to assist you. We know the industry, we manage the details, and we work to save you money.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Actually the only things they really need to think about ahead of time is budget and do they want help planning their wedding. I offer a free consultation and we talk through what they have done, time, tolerance for stress and things like that. Then I tell them how I can help them. Pretty much a fact finding session for both of us. I

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I started this business after many years working in a customer industry. As a customer myself, I expect great service and that is what I give to my customers. One thing that is so important to me is to make my couple's feel like they are the only ones I'm working with. Everyone deserves that attention and I give it!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy the detail required for each wedding. No two couples are alike and it is finding exactly what will be perfect for them is a lot of fun. There is nothing as satisfying as when during her reception a bride looks over at me, smiles and whispers 'this is perfect'!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Being a wedding planner the questions are all things weddings. No standard questions, but how do we, can we, can we afford this or that type questions. My answer depends on the the couple and their needs.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. There are wonderful stories from each couple, each wedding, but my favorite is a South Carolina wedding. We flew in and were greeted by the mother of the bride and immediately felt like friends rather than being there to work. Oh we worked, but we had so much fun. The venue was open air by a river walking distance from where everyone stayed. The pastry chef and florist was the bride's aunt from South Africa (and we were allowed to assist her and LEARN). These people know how to dance and have fun. The evening ended with the couple in a horse drawn carriage. Picture perfect time!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Many people feel a planner is a luxury and very expensive. Planning your wedding takes time, patience, knowledge of who to call and trust, and then on your wedding day being able to handle the problems, the guests, and making the day flow. Your wedding day is so important and a great planner can make it perfect.

The value I can bring to you in my knowledge of the wedding industry and just as a resource when the stress gets to you is invaluable. I price my services and work with my customers so that everyone can have a planner take the stress off of them.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I have done customer service all my life, but on a very detailed and technical level. I decided I wanted to be out enjoying people, meeting fellow business owners, and just being part of something fun. My significant other is an amazing photographer with 20+ years experience so learning about the wedding industry was easy...I have him to ask. I have to say I really enjoy the wedding and event planning and have met so many wondeful people.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. South Carolina Day of Coordination. We flew in and assistend a professional florist/pastry chef from South Africa who just happens to be the bride's aunt. The family and friends were wonderful, we worked hard and had a great time too! Not only did we leave with very happy customers, we left with friends. Absolutely amazing time!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Funny I just wrote an answer all about continuing education. I suscribe to blogs, read newsletters, ask the experts in their field questions, and just this past week attended a wedding related conference. We can always learn.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My pricing is pretty simple. I have a hourly rate if you just want to sit and ask me anything for a few hours or want me to accompany you on a venue visit or two.

My packages (guidance, day of coordination, full planning, and photographer & planner together) are priced as a package. This saves my customers money. Especially for my full planning I am involved from beginning to end of the planning process including the wedding day - pricing at a flat rate saves my customers money.

Obviously I am a business so can't just give away all my services, but I want all couples to have a planning resource if they want one.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Be prepared to work and work hard. Everyone says it must be fun to be a planner and it is, but you do work. You are responsible for one of the most important times in the couple's lives. There is stress, there is change, and you are dealing with emotions, BUT the goodness is you make a difference and it is so rewarding when all the planning comes to fruition, the groom hugs you, and the bride smiles and says this is exactly what I wanted.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Actually I have several strengths and I think all are 'great'. My drive for customer service is a must. I value it as a customer and my customers always receive it. I am very detailed and when I plan I work everything out to ensure the day goes smoothly. Lastly, I'm very good at problem solving. I have many years working in a very detailed field where the 'buck stops here' sign hung outside our groups door.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. I am always learning. It doesn't matter how long you are in a profession, you can always learn something new or more about a known subject. Education is a must in any field, but when you provide a service you always want to be current on technology, trends, and anything that will help you deliver better customer service!