I have been doing weddings and parties for family and friends since I was 19 years old. (we wont say what my age is now, LOL) I absolutely love it. However I didnt really decide to say "ok, this is what I want to do as a buisness" until 3 1/2 years ago. I started talking about it to different people. Start excepting bigger jobs and jobs that were more than just the average wedding or party. That was my way of getting my name out there. I met a lady about 3 years ago who has become one of the biggest mentors I could ever dream of and recieved a lot of advice from her. I was so thankful to her because I had tried in the past to reach to other wedding consultants about starting my own buisness and never recieved any feed back. I never want to be in the mindset where I am too good to help another individual. After all isn't that one of the reason you become a wedding consultant? I love what I do! I have never been happier. I and my buisness partner are now certified and licensed. Most of all nothing makes me happier than to see a bride and groom smiling back at you when their special day has come. Thats the best reward ever!
Hello Black & White! you were definately blessed to find a mentor. I am trying to find one but I am coming up against other consultants not wanting to be helpful. Although I have been doing this for a long time, I would love to have a mentor to guide me in the business end and to get advice from. I help people now, from my experience in the field, and the more I learn, the more I want to share. Thank goodness for forums like this! were people are willing to share.
Dear Evie:
I went into biz. 'cause I hosted a 50th wedding anniversary party for my parents and several other parties for family and for my sisters' daycare centers & everyone said: "You ought to go into business doing this." I thought even though I'm in a wheelchair: why not? So I did it. I took a course in wedding and event planning, which gave me a certificate in the profession. I have been doing it 2 years on May 31st. I love it! I just wish I knew how to draw more clients and how to make a profit.
Vivian McEady-Lindsey,
CELEBRATIONS! By Vivian, LLC
I have been doing wedding and parties for friends for a long time; it's only after doing a destination wedding for a friend that I was encouraged to take the jump and start my own busines [almost a year later].
Personally for me I really enjoy helping people, which is probably why this feels so natural for me
I too started doing this for friends and family along time ago, and everytime someone would have an event or wedding I would be asked to help out or give some advice. So many people have told us that we should go into business, so we finally did about a year ago, and I love seeing the faces of the hosts/bride & groom when they see the outcome of all the planning - the transition from my chicken-scratch notes to the beautifully decorated site is so gratifying. My business partner and I have been friends since high school, and have always worked together for our family and friend, so we are greatful to them for giving us the experience and support.
I was looking for some extra income and accepted the position of wedding coordinator for my church a few years ago. I had fully planned 2 weddings myself and enjoyed the process so much, why not get paid for it?! The position was mostly being a liason between the church and the couples, and with their every changing and always "fuzzy" policies I was always frustrated with not being able to provide the bride's with a clear answer on many things. I have recently resigned that position and would like to start taking on a few clients independently. I feel this is a better fit since I can offer more personal services and set my own policies and procedures.
My region is not one known for elaborate weddings (midwest), but I have already had a few brides ask if I can provide day-of services for them and more. Definitely not a high income job around here, but I am doing this as an extra income job and I enjoy it so much!!
I love weddings plain and simple. For the last 10+ years I have assisted friends with weddings and other brides to be either on the internet via blogs or in person. I truly love making all things beautiful. I also love the fact that I get to plan many dream weddings!! I mean there is no other profession where a person gets to have 10-15 weddings per year!
I got into this business about 5 years ago because I love weddings and for the most part, I can work from home. However it's been hard to get clients. I've actually only done 3 weddings in this time. I would love to find a mentor and help with her weddings just to get my name out there, but I agree with one of the other posters...it's hard to get any feedback from the other planners out there. Anyone willing to help......let me know!!!
I am a newbie...got certified last October after trying to figure out what i want to do once i retire....not that i am close to retiring but also wanting to have my own business in case one day i do find myself being let go because i am too old or my job becomes redundant...one of my coworkers became certified a couple of years ago and we were just talking in passing about the shows i watch and how she was on one of them....one thing lead to another and here i am today....starting out in my own business...mind you my boyfriend isn't too happy about it because one he doesn't like weddings and two can't stand listening to me talk about weddings...hard not to talk about them..i get excited...this is the first thing that i know i am good at and want to do the rest of my life...
I started out in the Gift Basket Business before expanding my business to include Event Planning and Decor. Coming from an Insurance Background where we all shared so much, studied together, helped each other to close sales, it was difficult to understand why when i asked for guidance in the business, people were so reluctant to share - they said it was their trade secret! I learnt on my own, attended (still do) all the conventions and shows I could afford and now i am better than some who were unwilling to share.
I believe in abundance, that there is enough around for all of us, I believe too that the more you give is the more you receive and so when I ask for advice from one source and the answer is no, I do as i do in sales...NEXT!
I do not claim to be an expert but if there is anything I can do to help someone else i gladly do it...it always comes back to be severalfold.
I have always loved to "plan." Everything and anything that needed to be organized, planned, coordinated, I was there and willing. I finally decided to start my own business with my husband's encouragement right after we planned our wedding! I felt if I could plan my own wedding without stress, aggravation or frustration, and instead enjoy every moment of it, that I could certainly do it for others as well. I have officially owned my business "Above & Beyond Wedding & Event Planning for 5 years!! I love what I do which is doing for others. I hold such a passion to be able to part of creating one of the most important memories in a couples lifetime. As long as the process of planning a wedding can be, I just simply think of what the outcome will be---a newly happily married couple and a lifetime of love and memories. And my guilty pleasure of being a wedding planner/coordinator is that each time a couple walks down the aisle, exchanges their vows & rings and kiss each other, I get to re-live my own wedding moments ( I know corny, but very true) I am home based and a sole proprietor and bring in help when needed. I only do a handful or two of weddings a year because I strive on giving each of my couples as much personal attention as possible and creating a lasting relationship with them beyond their wedding. It is very important to me that my clients' feel that they are my only client!!!!
Over the years I have always been the go to person for friends and family when parties were being planned. Many people questioned why this was not my full time career. At the time I was in finance and I worked in the industry for 12 years. It wasn't until last year when the financial markets almost went bust that I realized I want to wake up everyday and be truly passionate about what I am doing. It was September of 2008 and I just gave birth to my little girl Jordin, and while being home on maternity leave I saw my company going under before my very eyes. Well at that moment it actually opened my eyes that my future was uncertain. After applying for multiple jobs and getting no where and truly knowing that I would be taking a step backwards in my career; I decided to focus my energy in event planning and decided to start Milestone Events By Kristy. In addition, I sent emails, resumes and made phone calls to well know event planners throughout the city hoping I would get the chance to even speak with one them. Then at last, opportunity knocks, I received a phone call from James Tramondo himself. He is the high energy, Italian, New York wedding planner from Style Network, "Who's Wedding is Anyway". I could not believe my ears. He told me he always promised himself he would help out someone that is trying get into this business. He offered me the opportunity to shadow him on an upcoming wedding he was planning. I took full advantage of his offer worked apart his coordinating team for a wedding on eastern Long Island. Since then he has kept me abreast of parties he working on, asked for my assistance with research and soon will have the opportunity to take the lead on an upcoming wedding. Not only is James a great mentor but he is a great sounding board for me and my business.
This is the perfect example for everyone that if you really want something then you should go after it as best you can. There is no one besides yourself who can help you achieve your dreams.
