I'm A Planner :: Veronica Foster

Name: Veronica Foster
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Company: Behind The Scenes Inc
Years in Business: Since 2002
Website: http://www.behindthescenesinc.com/
Blog: http://www.behindthescenesinc.blogspot.com/

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)? We specialize in Full Service Wedding Coordination. I do day of also, but we love full service best. It really allows us to get to know the brides, learn the way they think and it helps us to produce a beautiful and carefree wedding for our brides.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration? I still go through all kinds of wedding magazines, I also love blogs, and brides themselves are the best resource! We have brides that love theme weddings so it’s a fantastic challenge for us to find the things she needs to really let her guests know the theme also!

What made you get started in wedding planning? I used to plan corporate events and the company that I worked with downsized and a lot of us got laid off. I had already helped to plan some co-workers and friends’ weddings and I thought that it was a prime time to see if I could really plan a wedding. Then it got to the point that I found out that I was good at designing weddings and coordinating all of the aspects. Not to mention the benefit of happy brides!

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
My radio! Hands down, I need that background music to keep me going. Sometimes is soft music just for noise background and sometimes is get up and dance music to keep me going!

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Before you take on a client – have your ducks in a row as far as your planning process.

I'm a Planner:: Ali Phillips

Name: Ali Phillips
Location: Chicago, IL
Company: Engaging Events by Ali, Inc
Years in Business: 8.5
Website: http://www.engagingeventsbyali.com/
Blog: My blog runs directly on my website

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?

We do comprehensive (full) wedding planning service for our clients. I have consultants that handle the events when someone wants to hire us for the last two months.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?

I work closely with my clients on how to make their wedding original and unique and a reflection of who they are. I ask them to bring me pictures and send me websites and links to wedding blogs of things they love and make them say "YAY"! We design their wedding based on things they see in the awesome wedding and design magazines and blogs that we have to use for inspiration. But we never copy something exactly. I attend seminars and conferences all over the world and when the design "gods" and "goddesses" (Todd Fiscus, Sasha Souza and David Beahm to name a few), that I look up to, share their work I don't say, I want to do that exactly. I say wow, that is gorgeous, how can I make that unique to me and my clients and the city I work in. That is why they are all out there speaking and sharing, to give us inspiration so that we can go back and bring some of that experience to our own business. I always encourage my clients to "make it their own" and twist it to reflect who they are. I want them to walk into their wedding reception and say, YAY, it is exactly what I wanted. (not exactly what we saw in that magazine together). It is my job as a wedding professional to help my clients stamp their wedding with the stamp that says "THIS IS US, this wedding reflects who we are as a couple".

http://www.thinksplendid.com/ She knows her stuff

Travel. I walk into hotels all over the world and take pictures, even of hallways or art on the walls. I have a file in my computer of places that can bring me back to serenity and bring me back to my creative place.


What made you get started in wedding planning?

I wanted to take my business skills I had developed over the years and put them to use. Those include, project management, financial management, people management and my sales skills. I selling ideas every day to my clients to make their weddings reflect who they are.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?

My blackberry. I am pretty mobile all day so my car is sort of my office. And my mac (Thank you Liene Stevens)

{ From Melissa: We said technology excluded... and what does Ali do... goes right for the tech, we love her so we let her get away with it.}

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

Write a business plan. Always be learning and educating. Attend seminars, network with peers, and join professional organizations. Be a Sponge for information. Learn who you are and why that is important to what you do. Okay, that was WAY more than one recommendation…….

Next Be A Planner Class! :: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are so excited to announce our next class, April 24 & 25 in St. Augustine, Florida at the brand new oh so gorgeous River House!!  We are so excited to be hosting this class at such a beautiful new venue, and to showcase the amazing'ness that is St. Augustine!

This is an intense two-day class, where you will learn the ins and outs on how to:

• The Significance of your role as a planner
• How to create a wedding day timeline
• Budget Supervision
• Social Etiquette
• Wedding Attire
• Conducting and Orchestrating a Rehearsal
• Emergency Production
• Starting a Business
• Working with Vendors
• The Art of Branding your business
• Wedding Trends and Traditions
• Establishing your Business
• Developing your Style
• Establishing your Fees and Services
• Contracts
• Artful Negotiations
• And Much, Much, Much, Much more!!!

This class we are including breakfast and snacks both days. We are limiting attendance to 20 students, we want to be able to provide one on one attention.

We will also announce 2 amazing guest speakers that you will enjoy and really learn the meat and potato's of your business from.

If you have been in business for 8 years, just thinking of getting into the event planning industry, or are thinking of a change of careers, I give you my personal guarantee you will learn something incredible in this class!

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Eve Harrison

Eve Harrison | Ooh La La Weddings

Name: Eve Harrison

Location: San Diego, CA

Company: Ooh La La Weddings

Years in Business: 4

Website: www.oohlalawed.com

Blog: www.oohlalawed.net

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?

I specialize in Week and Month of Wedding Coordination but am starting to get more into Full Service planning and Design! I help my brides get that look they see in the magazines for half the price by finding creative and economical ways to achieve it.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?

Wedding blog's!!! I could spend hours looking through wedding blog's such as Wedding Chicks|Style Me Pretty|Grey likes Weddings., Of course Martha Stewart has tons of wedding inspiration and wedding magazines. I have boxes upon boxes that I just thumb through. Even though some are several years old, there are always ways to put a new twist on old favorites.

What made you get started in wedding planning?

I always say I was born to party because I have been organizing event since I can remember. I absolutely love to get people together, it is my passion, people are my passion, happiness and love are my passion and all of these things come together wrapped in a bow on someone’s wedding day. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love and love what I do! I could go on and on.. :)

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?

That would have to be my many date books|calendars|planners. I am obsessed! I don’t know what it is about these little|big|short|fat books but I love them and writing things down in them. I have the same thing written in about 5. Also coffee! I’m addicted and drink about 3 cups a day.

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

I would say be authentic. There is nothing worse then coming into the business and saying you have experience that you don't, or ‘borrow’ other people’s website content such as packages, etc. We all have to start somewhere and we’ve all been there. I would suggest maybe speaking with a few planners out of your area to get some advice but don’t go behind someone’s back and copy their work|packages|pricing|etc.

New Blog Favorite: Edit and Post

So, Ami, the brain behind the legendary Elizabeth Anne Designs, recently launched Edit and Post - a blog about business and blogging. In Ami's words, it "will encourage you to think more closely about your blog, about your business, and about your goals."

Launched only about a week ago, Edit and Post already has a ton of really helpful entries. And, of course, with a business background and a wealth of experience working in the blogging word, Ami - and her posts - are quite brilliant.

As a planner, if you do not already have a blog as part of your marketing strategy, take a look at what Ami has to say. Undoubtedly, this new venture of hers will be invaluable to both bloggers and business minds alike.

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Sumer Schmitt

Sumer Schmitt | Simply Perfect Weddings

Name: Sumer Schmitt
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Company: Simply Perfect Weddings
Years in Business: 2
Website: http://www.simplyperfectwedding.net
Blog: http://simplyperfectweddings.blogspot.com
What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)? Complete wedding management (full service planning + design). Most of our clients are busy professionals or are planning from out of town, and quite simply, don’t have the time to coordinate the hundreds of details that go into planning a wedding. We offer smaller packages, but our complete wedding management service level is definitely our most popular.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
My clients (because without them, you really can’t begin to design an event without first getting to know them), photography websites/blogs, and Southern Weddings Magazine (yes, I know I live/plan events in PA, but I’m still a southern girl at heart!).

What made you get started in wedding planning?
Throughout college I would plan events for my university and local businesses. I never realized at the time that I could make a career out of event planning, so I went on to pursue my degree in business management and finance. After a few years in the finance field, I just knew it wasn’t for me. I’ve always had a passion for events, and after beginning the planning of my own wedding in the fall of 2007, I became quite disappointed with the level of customer service I received from various vendors. It was at that time that I realized I wanted to do my part to change the wedding planning process, and alas, Simply Perfect Weddings was born, and we’ve been going strong ever since!

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
My Yorktese (Yorkie/Maltese mix), Teddy. I work from my home office, so it’s always nice to have a companion to keep me company throughout the day. I can always count on him to be right there on my lap no matter what kind of a day I’m having. :)

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Do your homework before opening up shop! It is essential to understand the building blocks of running a business, in addition to creating fabulous events. Your hard work will pay off in the end if you take the time to do it right the first time. Lastly… “Always be a first rate version of yourself, never a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland. Good luck, and don’t forget to DREAM BIG!

The “B” Word - Budgets and Spending Priorities

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement in the MasterPiece Weddings office, what with the holidays and wrapping up our last weddings of 2009. So, to jumpstart things back up again we thought it might be fun for someone else to chime in a bit.

Karry Castillo, of Uniquely Yours, is a dear friend and wonderful planner in the industry, and was kind enough to send along a post on breaking down the budget and assessing priorities - critical tasks to be able to take on as a wedding planner. Read below for her advice. And, thank you Karry for your wonderful post!

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Let’s face it, everyone wants to save money these days and make their dollars go farther than ever before. Clients value smart planners who are savvy when it comes to developing budgets, even more so when their projections for their dream weddings come under budget.

[Image Source]

One of the very first steps in your planning process with any client is budget development. Much of the information you will require to develop a client’s budget should be covered during your first few consultations. Every wedding is different, so a budget that works for one client most likely will not work for another. True, you can find all kinds of budget profiles and recommended percentages in the bridal publications and online. But if you are really providing custom services, then you should be focused on your client’s spending priorities. The standard budget percentages for food and beverage apply to most weddings, being 50% to 60% of the overall budget, but there is great flexibility among the other budget categories dependent upon your client’s personal spending priorities.

One of your budget-focused tasks should be to review the major wedding budget categories and discuss which categories will be included in the budget and whom will be paying for those category products/services. Another important task in this process is to prioritize the budget categories. A bride who loves photography will want to allocate more money towards a gifted photographer, whereas a bride who is a “foodie” will want to allocate more money towards an amazing food and wine experience for her guests.

Knowing the spending priorities and parameters will make development of the budget easier for you, resulting in a well thought out budget plan that will guide the decisions you make with your clients through the planning, referral, and design processes. Your clients will feel valued because you have taken the time to listen to their desires and respected their spending parameters. And you will have become a rockstar planner in their eyes, proving the value of your services from the beginning.

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Valerie Metrejean

Valerie Metrejean | Southern Fete

Name: Valerie Metrejean

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana

Company: Southern Fete, The Wedding Shoebox, Butterscotch Press

Years in Business: 1 and 1/2

Website: southernfete.com, theweddingshoebox.com, butterscotchpress.com

Blog: southernfete.wordpress.com

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?

Full-service design. Southern Fete caters to brides who want a creative approach to their wedding day.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?

Southern Weddings Magazine, Martha Stewart Magazine and House Beautiful Magazine. All magazines! I graduated in journalism and have so much appreciation for printed materials. All that inspiration chocked full in something I can carry anywhere. But of course, wedding blogs also. I could get lost for days perusing them!

What made you get started in wedding planning?

I was a bridesmaid in three weddings in 2 months. I saw so much stress and wished I could do more. When I looked into working for a local wedding planner, I saw an open market and launched my own business. I never imagined I would ever own my own business.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?

Hands down my MacBook. Visually though, I’ve been able to create my office infusing my own personality completely. OK, I’m a little biased but it’s beautiful! And it keeps me inspired me to constantly make other things beautiful.

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

Knowledge and experience are invaluable. I completely recommend getting certified and training like Melissa offers. Also know that at some point you need to just do it. Don't be afraid that you aren't ready. When I started, I had helped a wedding planner with one event. That’s it. I booked 5 weddings before I had done one by myself because I carried myself with confidence. I have heard too many wedding planners say they should have started sooner. Don’t wait!!

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Be a Planner Explains: Bouquets

Have you ever wondered or, better yet, been asked why brides - and bridesmaids, for that matter - carry bouquets? Sure, it's an antiquated tradition and today there are plenty of alternatives but, believe it or not, it all started with a purpose.

Bouquet by Karen Tran Florals via SWOONOVERIT.

In the 15th Century, it was common to take your yearly bath (yes, I said yearly) in May. So, June seemed to perfect time for a wedding (ever wondered why June was such a popular wedding month?). But in June you still had to worry that you might have a little body odor. The bride began carrying a bouquet to mask any potential odor and avoid the possibility of leaving the groom gasping for air.

Over time, of course, the bouquet became more symbolic than anything else. And now, many florists even advise against particularly fragrant flowers - you certainly do not want to be sneezing at the altar. And while a bouquet of the 15th century may have been fresh flowers picked from outside that morning, a bouquet today is usually a carefully planned and crafted masterpiece.

Some of our favorite sources for floral inspiration? Karen Tran Florals and Artfool.

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Brandi Hamerstone

Brandi Hamerstone | All Events Planned

Name: Brandi Hamerstone
Location: Main office is located in Chagrin Falls, OH but area market is all of Northeast Ohio
Company: All Events Planned (opened previously under A Planned Event)
Years in Business: All Events Planned was created and wedding planning began under that name only in July. Personally as a wedding planner, I have had over 8 years of experience. Working with weddings through hotels, off-site catering companies and even private business clubs have given me a full range of knowledge and ability through each different source.
Website: www.alleventsplanned.com
Blog: http://adayinthelifeofaplanner.blogspot.com/

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?
I would say that most planners agree, we specialize in it all. I enjoy full service weddings because it gives me the opportunity to get to know the bride, get to know her likes, dislikes and her expectations. This allows me, as a planner and friend to the bride, to have all the answers and to stay one-step ahead of any issues or last minute decisions.

Day of Coordination is more of an on the spot activity. It gives you a little more excitement on the day and requires the planner to be organized, detailed and ready for anything. I would say that Day of is more of an adventure and gives you the ability rely heavily on your experience and expertise to ensure the day is perfect.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Wedding magazines will be my first. I subscribe to every single one that even mentions weddings. The times that you can sit with a bride a leaf through, page by page and explore colors, details and design are the best times to get to know them and their style. I hope print never goes away! Get Married is a new magazine that I have personally enjoyed and my clients have had a great response to as well!

Blogs have been a new source of inspiration. Until I started mine, I did not realize how many were out there, available to assist the bride, the planner or any of the vendors in their wedding journey. I love the photos, color layouts and even writing styles. You get to know so much about a person by how their blog is situated and it is just a click away if you want your client to enjoy the content as well!

Lastly would be my portfolio. Being able to show bridal clients what I have done, what I can create and what other brides have chosen for their events is priceless.

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I attended PA Culinary in order to obtain a degree, not in culinary, but in hotel/restaurant management. Even during school I was drawn to only the dynamics of events and planning. While in college, I worked for an exclusive club in downtown Pittsburgh as part of the event planning staff. As I worked my way up the ranks there, I stayed true to my love of event planning. After transferring from PA to OH I was able to find a job as a Catering Director at another exclusive club. Weddings were my love, my pride and my joy. Through the years of working, I stayed with events but always just felt a deep connection with weddings. I love sharing those special moments, those once in a lifetime events with clients. It takes so much to make it perfect, but at the end of the day, it is always worth it!

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
That’s the tricky part there, technology excluded. My husband, that’s a fair response right? He is sometimes in the office. He is supportive of every decision I make and is always available for last minute assistance on site and even for appointments. I was lucky to find a man who loved weddings (or maybe loves his wedding planner wife) as much as any man could. He’s even drive hours away to drop off items that I’ve needed for wedding shows and when a steamer broke on-site he showed up minutes later with a new one. Wrinkled dress crises avoided!

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Never stop learning and listening. This advice is for anyone in any field really though. As a planner, you can never know too much about the industry, about other vendors or even about other planners. Always be open to new advice, new styles and sometimes criticism. (of the constructive type, that is) Someone from California emailed me about the layout of my blog. Frankly, what they said was true and after I made a few of the changes they suggested, I actually got compliments on my “new blog layout.” Not much can be said for ignoring good advice.

Lastly, don’t be afraid of competition. There are 100’s of planners everywhere, find out what you are good at and be the best. Everyone planner has their own “specialty” and you just have to find yours. As long as you are good, there is nothing to feel threatened by as a wedding planner. Good planners stay good and when a better planner comes along, learn from them and then, yup, you’ll get better at planning too!

Day-of vs. Month-of Planning

Here's another from the MasterPiece Weddings feature defining the difference between day-of and month-of planning. Be sure to check out the MasterPiece Weddings blog for the rest.

Written by Melissa, of MasterPiece Weddings:

I think there is a misconception as to what a Day Of Coordinator (or Month of...or whatever your planner calls it) and what a Full Service Wedding Planner can do to help you.

There are similarities and differences.

Both services will be there on your wedding day or organize and orchestrate your wedding day. And you get to work with a planner, but the similaries sort of end there.

If you have a Full Service Coordinator they will do the following, plus a TON more:

• Help with budget
• Review contracts and negotiate your contracts, make sure nothing is missing or duplicated
• Offer Vendor Recommendations
• Attend your meetings with your vendors (offer our opinions)
• Assist with décor
• Help with Set up and possibly breakdown
• Be “In-the-know” with every aspect of your wedding
• Create and extensive timeline for each vendor involved in your wedding
• Organize and Orchestrate your Rehearsal and Wedding Day
• More extensive time on the day of the wedding
• And Much, much more!

What can a Day Of Coordinator do for you:

• Be there on the day of your wedding and your rehearsal to organize and orchestrate your day
• Meet with you 1 or 2 times prior to your wedding
• Be there for a limited amount of time on your wedding day
• Create a timeline
• Coordinate your Ceremony

It really depends on what you need. How much you’ve planned.

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Mark Kingsdorf

Mark Kingsdorf | Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants

Name: Mark Kingsdorf
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (service greater Philadelphia, southern New Jersey, and Delaware)
Company: The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants
Years in Business: February 2010 will be our 10th anniversary
Website: www.QOHweddings.com
Blog: www.QOHweddings.com/blog

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design...)?

We offer both Wedding Day Services and Full Service Event Design but specialize in Green/ Eco Friendly Weddings and Long Distance Planning

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?

Nature, my culinary experience, photographers websites

Why did you get started wedding planning?

Totally by accident, I am a classically trained chef with catering background – was getting out of my restaurant and was asked by a photographer to speak with a client who was having problems with their caterer planning their wedding.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?

My Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book - I still refer all the time

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

Take a part time job working for a catering company as a server…. You’ll learn about catering which makes up 50% of the average wedding budget and most of the wedding day, learn how long it takes to set up, serve and breakdown an event; as well as make some great connections not only with the catering company but with wedding professionals you’ll work with on events.

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Day-of Coordinator

Recently over on our sister blog, MasterPiece Weddings, we held a "Planner Week" discussing topics surrounding planners and wedding planning. So, over the next few days, we would like to share with you some highlights from our post topics.

First up, what is a wedding coordinator? What do they do? Do you need one the day of?

Here's the post, written by Melissa and directed to brides...

There is a lot of controversy going around as to hire or not to hire someone to help you on your wedding day… and I wonder why.

Let me clarify, we are a wedding planning company in Gainesville, Florida. That is what we do…that’s all we do. Full Planning. Day Of. We’ll plan anything, anywhere. Anything on the Planet we can Plan It! But I digress.

Why do you need a Day of Coordinator, Month of Coordinator- whatever you call it… someone to help you on the day of or month of your wedding. You have your wedding planned, your contracted with all of your wedding vendors. Now what? You don't want your mom or Bestie to be running around making sure your details are handled...

• Who is going to organize your wedding day, create your schedule for the day of your wedding, go over your contracts, make sure you and your fiancé – your mom can be guests at your party!

• Who is going to open the door for you right before you walk down the aisle… hint – NOT your mom, she’s already seated.

• Who is going to take care of THAT drunk guest at your wedding, that just so happens to be a prominent judge and is making a fool of himself and pulling down his pants on the dance floor – hint, NOT your mom!

• Who is going to inform your caterer that they didn’t include the green beans on the buffet, or make sure your 2 Vegan guests can't be served a vegetarian meal… hint- NOT your mom!

I know you said that your fiancé can be the “point” man for your wedding day, but really, when it comes time to cut the cake, and you want 20 more minutes to mingle with your friends before, is he going to stop mingling to inform the caterer, the photographer, the videographer, the DJ or Band that you need more time, because by the time he does that, you’ll need another 40 minutes. Because he just wasted 20 informing everyone.

That’s our job, we do all of that and SO MUCH more, really… it’s worth the money…. I promise!

Does that make more sense as to what a wedding planner will be doing on the day of your wedding?

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Lisa Green

Lisa Green | Anderson Green Events

Name: Lisa Green
Location: New York City
Company: Anderson Green Events
Years in Business: Established in 2007
Website: www.andersongreenevents.com
Blog: www.andersongreenevents.blogspot.com

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…)?
I specialize in ensuring that the bride is a bride and the groom is a groom on their wedding day. My services range from Day Of to Full Planning.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Photographers websites and blogs, Interior Design magazines and blogs and DIY projects I find around the web. I look at all the wedding blogs too but mainly for color inspiration.

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I LOVE planning and organizing. Planning parties, planning trips, planning just about anything. It drives my husband insane when I announce that we are having a dinner party, since I treat it like a royal affair. My mother worked in fundraising events, so I’d been exposed to planning events from a young age. After college I worked at Sotheby’s and then a hedge fund and realized that I wasn’t doing what made my happy {or let’s face it, what I was great at}. I had an opportunity to work for a planner and as they say, the rest is history! Out of chance / luck / destiny & the right timing, my firm was born. Its grown organically in two years and I am having the best time helping to create seamless and beautiful weddings.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
Besides my office mates, Lulu and Max {my french bulldogs}, I would say SPACE. While I love certain technological advances that are wonderful and great, I still like pen and paper and being able to write notes and keep my day planner close to me. I also like space so I can spread out and work on projects ~ putting together welcome bags, or creating inspiration boards. Being cramped just doesn’t cut it for me!

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
Research and know the industry inside and out. Do your homework. Know who the ‘key’ players are in every field. Without research, you’ll never be able to formulate new trends or to stay ahead of the curve. Read a ton of business books to educate yourself not only in weddings and event planning but in business overall. Don’t forget that while planning weddings is awesome, you need to also be schooled in accounting, filing, marketing, advertising and technology. Write a solid business plan. If you treat your business like a business and not a hobby, everyone will treat it that way too. And lastly, remember that timing is everything.

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Melissa DiStefano

And now, the grand finale... an interview with the big cheese Melissa herself.

Melissa DiStefano | MasterPiece Weddings

Name: Melissa DiStefano
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Company: MasterPiece Weddings, MasterPiece Certified
Years in Business: 15
Website: www.masterpieceweddings.net | www.beaplanner.com
Blog: http://masterpieceweddings.blogspot.com | www.beaplanner.com

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?

Blogs (none specific, because really, I can find inspiration in a Home Depot circular), Wedding Magazines, and my clients (for without them, I wouldn’t be…)

Why did you get started wedding planning?

You’ve probably heard this story before, and it’s sort of a funny story, I assisted a wedding planner while in High School, and she was the epitome of everything you DO NOT want to be as a wedding planner. She was feared and scary! I vowed to never be a wedding consultant if that is what it meant to be in this industry. When I moved away to go to school at The University of Florida (Go! Gators!) I assisted a fabulous couple that are wedding photographers – loved them! They taught me everything right about the wedding industry! I had a family emergency and moved back home for about a month and when I came back my job was filled. So, I got a job assisting another wedding photographer – complete 180! He was mean, and terrible – I worked 20 hour days and got paid $25 (for the whole day)! I came home from one August wedding, it was 102 degrees outside - I was exhausted, had sweat in places I didn’t know you could sweat in, and my poor husband had waited up for me. I walked into the front door and laid down – started to cry and said “I might as well just become a freakin’ wedding planner!” as he stumbled over me on his way to bed, he said “well, then just do it” – the rest is history.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?

Gosh, this is a hard--- why do I ask this question! Okay, deep breaths… I would have to say Amanda – does that count? Or is that slave-like – but I pay her. So it should count, right? But really, seriously! Without Amanda and Erinn (now I am up to two things, I totally suck at this!) they are my left and right hands and I love them for their crazy mind reading abilities, and to know when something needs to get done, and just do it.

I love you guys!

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

READ.THIS.BLOG! And if I can be shameless… wait, it is my blog, I can be shameless.

No, seriously, get educated, take classes, take a course like www.beaplanner.com course. Get in the industry, learn from people. Don’t just say “Hi, I’m Sally, I’m a Wedding Planner," just because you totally loved planning your wedding. That’s not fair to the educated professional (can I stress PROFESSIONAL) wedding planners.

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