ABOUT ME

It's not all flowers, cake, and pretty things... I have been thinking about starting this online personal diary for quite some time.  I get so many emails and questions about wedding planning, and sometimes, I just think it would be nice to be able to get some things out of my head and onto (digital) paper.  I am planning to post a lot of info on what I have learned in the wedding industry (the good, the bad and the ugly), but in the meantime, this is my story on how I got started. 

I've been "planning weddings" for five years now.  I say that in quotes because when you first start out, you really can't call yourself a Wedding Planner.  A wannabe Coordinator, a hobbyist, a person who loves weddings maybe, but not a Wedding Planner.  I truly feel like this is an earned title, and it takes awhile.  A degree without the school.  And it also takes some blood, sweat, and tears to get there.

First of all, and the most important thing I tell new hopefuls; I never misled any clients into thinking I was anything other than someone who was trying this thing out to see how it went. Just like with a resume for any other job, don't exaggerate your experience; you'll only hurt yourself when something happens that you aren't prepared to handle.

I started out with doing a wedding for free (and a few for REALLY cheap).  Some of the rest of my adventure is a blur.  I'm not really sure how I booked some of the clients that first year in business.  I know a lot of it came from online message boards and good feedback- places like The Knot and Bridal Insider played a huge part in my word of mouth success and early clientele.  I was cheap (but good) labor, I was organized, and I could deal well in stressful situations.  I was kind and worked hard.  Word spread fairly quickly, and I started making some great vendor connections, including some of the people who worked on my own wedding in 2007.  I also met some fantastic "mentors" who I am very close with today.  I am forever grateful for those first people who welcomed me so openly.

I just kept on keeping on.  I mentioned blood, sweat, and tears... they all happened.  I wore the wrong shoes- my feet bled, I sweated my ass off carrying boxes and boxes of personal items up flights and flights of stairs with no help, and sometimes, I went home and cried when it was all over.  But something told me to persevere.  Something told me I was good at it, and it would all pay off.  And I think it has.  Sometimes I wonder if all the stress is worth it, because frankly, this job is physically and emotionally draining at times. I don't get weekends off, I don't get birthdays or anniversaries off.  I work when people hire me to work, and sometimes (often times) my social life suffers.  I am lucky to have people around me who get it.  I am often told what a "cute", "fun" or "easy" (yes, easy) job this must be.  It is definitely fun and rewarding at times, but it is also the hardest thing I have ever done.

I learn something new at every wedding, and work with some of the most amazing vendors and clients.  I am by no means an expert, but I can call myself a pretty damn good Wedding Planner and Business Owner with a profitable business that I have built on my own.  I am still learning, building passions, and I hope to share some of that with you here.  Even thought it's not always easy, I LOVE what I do.

By the way- my headshot on the home page was taken by Limelife Photography.  They are cool as hell. 

2nd by the way- Names in blog posts may be changed to protect the "innocent"