“This is the best job.
I wake up every day with the opportunity to do what I love and help people by
showing them how to navigate the wedding planning labyrinth. I work with the
most committed, sincere and wonderful people. I consider myself very, very
blessed.”
What
is your favorite part of being an event coordinator?
The
excitement when a couple has chosen their venue. There’s a relief that comes
after that moment and the bride and groom start to really have fun with the
planning process.
What
made you want to be an event coordinator?
I’ve
always felt the need to help wherever I could, in any profession. In law, I
enjoyed helping people navigate through the legal process. In wedding planning,
I help couples navigate the planning process. It’s so easy to get lost while
planning your wedding by losing sight of the budget, what comes next,
deadlines, or etiquette. I truly love being able to guide people through the
creation of such an amazing day in their lives.
Is
there one common piece of advice you give to all brides?
Be
a little selfish. People ask me all the time if I have “bridezillas” or
“groomzillas.” I really don’t – I have the opposite problem…couples that want
to make their day about everyone else but themselves! My one most common piece
of advice is for couples to make their decisions based upon what they want.
What
do you wish more couples would do while planning their weddings?
Take
their time. Planning a wedding is a marathon, not a sprint. Unless you’re
planning it in less than two months – then run!
What
is the biggest budget blunder you see most brides commit?
Inviting
too many people to the rehearsal dinner. Many couples think that this is an
event that will cost much less because we call it a dinner and not a wedding. However,
food and beverages have the same cost, no matter what the event is called. The
rehearsal dinner guest count should be significantly smaller than the wedding
guest count.
What
is the most essential tool you use to plan a wedding?
The
Might Budget Sheet! Love, love, love it!
What
is the strangest request you’ve ever had from a couple?
We
were once asked to build another portion onto a venue by leveling the ground,
laying a wood floor, then carpeting and finishing the room. It would have cost
more than the venue’s rental.
Are
there any unusual items would you tell brides to include in their emergency,
day of kit?
Straws.
Save your lipstick.
Do
you have any pre- or post-wedding rituals?
I
will mess with the escort card table 3-4 times before I’m happy with it. I’ve
always done this; I still do it to this day.
What
aspect of a wedding could you do without?
The
end of it. We’re always sad when the wedding is over because the couple is no
longer our client. There’s a real emotional component to this job.
What
is the strangest thing you’ve ever had to do for a bride or groom?
I
had to sew a bride into her dress because she lost the clasp on the back of the
dress. We made it her “something blue” by using baby blue thread.
What
was the strangest request you ever received from a couple, their family or
their friends?
I
used to be a ballroom dancer. One of my couples knew this and asked me to teach
them the steps for their first dance. I was flattered.
What
is the single most important piece/item of event design for any wedding?
It
all depends on the venue and the budget. I would say, generally, florals. But,
if there is the budget for rentals, uplighting changes an entire room and gives
it a new look and feel.
What
were the easiest and hardest design themes you’ve had to develop?
The
easiest are basic color coordination. The hardest are ANY theme. It’s a challenge
to keep a client’s interest in just one type of design once they’ve decided on
a theme because of the ability to find so many different things on Pinterest,
Etsy, Google, etc. The options are overwhelming, but if we used them all, it
would look like a circus.
What
is the most difficult part of event design?
Envisioning
all the elements together without seeing them physically together.
Is
there any advice about event design that you wish all couples knew?
If
you have a limited budget, then lighting, linens and flowers should be your
focus. Don’t worry about draping, ottomans, candelabras, etc. Those are very
pricey items that won’t give you the same bang for your buck.
