Wedding & Event Planner

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

A. When looking for a wedding or event planner try to find someone who is not working with a caterer or venue, unless they are already your caterer or venue. From the get go though I suggest someone who is independent. They will be the most willing to fit your budget and style with whatever vendors fit, not the ones that are paying them.

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

A. The best information to bring to the table when making initial contact with a planner is the date and time, location, budget, and approximate or desired guest count. Other helpful things are if you have any religious requirements or concept ideas already decided on, like colors or a theme.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The thing I enjoy most about my job is seeing all the hard work come together and a bride or host looking relieved, relaxed, and enjoying their special day! When you spend 8 to 18 months researching, planning and coordinating vendors and guests there is nothing more rewarding than seeing everyone have a good time. Even when I only assist on the day of the event it is still exciting for me to see a worry free bride or host.

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

A. I could go on for days about things I wish consumers knew about me and my profession but the most important one is that we as professionals are worth our cost! Almost any Bride who did not have a planner will tell you this. I personally am new to the industry but have been trained and certified as a wedding and event planner by a company that manages nearly 65,000 wedding and event clients every year. While I do not have a wealth of real life experience I do have an abundance of knowledge that I am anxious to put to good use.

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

A. I was always interested in being an event planner. I love to do research and enjoy all the possibilities the industry provides. When I was in high school I helped organize a number of craft show fundraiser events. The excitement of seeing my work all come together and for it to have such value is what really helped me to decide that this is what I want to do. To be able to do that for brides, or other organization parties or fundraisers is emotionally gratifying and keeps me coming back professionally. Why not get paid to do what you love?!?!

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

A. Anyone who wants to be a planner needs to take some time to really evaluate their own personality first. It takes a special type of person to deal with "bridezillas" and corporate officers that have packed schedules and you have to fight your way into. I would also suggest a certification program from a company that assists with job placement or real world training. These are terribly important as building a portfolio on your own is very difficult, getting clients to take on a planner with no real world experience is a feat that should be rewarded with news coverage! I also suggest subscriptions to wedding and craft/DIY magazines and periodicals to help you keep your ideas fresh and up to date.