I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Aletha VanderMaas

On Be a Planner, we have decided to implement a new feature entitled "I'm a Planner" where we will feature some of the most fabulous wedding planners from around the country. Every week, we will ask planners questions about their business and how they got started and have them share some of the best tips that they have learned along the way.

So without further ado, we would like to begin with one of our very favorite people in the wedding industry, the lovely Aletha VanderMaas.

Aletha VanderMaas |  Pearls Events

Name: Aletha VanderMaas
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Company: Pearls Events
Years in Business: Two
Website: http://www.pearlsevents.com/
Blog: http://www.pearlseventsblog.com/

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…):
Event planning, with partial planning being our most popular.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Bride & Bloom magazine, photography blogs, and Martha Stewart.

Why did you get started wedding planning?

After years of working in the food industry, retail and publishing, I was ready to ditch the gray cubicle and work with brides. I've always had an interest in consulting clients, and with my love of the bridal industry, it all just came together with Pearls Events. After years of dreaming of being a wedding planner, it because a reality on October 6, 2007 when I coordinated our first wedding. I haven't looked back since!

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
My Yorkie, Olive. She sits with me in there every single day and makes me smile. She's a great little addition to my day.

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

Just do it! All those crazy ideas swimming around in your head can turn into your dream job. Don't settle for second best - if you're going to start a business, do it and make a name for yourself by doing it better than anyone else. And - good luck :)

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.