Wednesday, December 26, 2007

My Career for 2007...

If you would have asked me ten years ago did I see myself as a wedding planner I would have said probably not. It wasn't until I moved to New Jersey that I decided to focus on weddings alone. I thought maybe 4-5 a year would keep me busy as I raise my daughter and learn the NJ ways. It is hard moving to a new state when I lived in Illinois for almost 35 years of my life in the city of Chicago and move to NJ...4-5 turned into 40-50. It;s unthinkable I know. I certainly have paid for over estimating what I can do. If I had more of me I would take on 70! No cafes to walk to no sirens or hustle and bustle. If you are a NYC native you may understand my missing the city life. It's a free feeling when you live in the city. You feel somewhat confined, in the burbs. And I know no one....remember this is 4 years ago...So I became a work a holic fast. Gold Events grew faster than some companies that have been around for years. When I look at my account base over the last 4+ years 70% are either New Yorkers or have lived in the city and now commute. I have a different relationship with those clients. They are more relaxed on planning and in a hurry to get everything else done. But there is a sweet amount of trust that develops. That always makes the job eaiser. I have realized in my 16 years of design and planning, you cannot please everyone. We are in the customer service business. So we want to please our brides and grooms. Sometimes things occur and were not on the same page anymore. Is it a breakdown in communication, is it that they decided they can do it on their own...whatever it is...We always try to make it right. I know I do. The Style Network opened up a whole different audience for me. You have clients that are looking for planners, some that just watch cause it's amusing, couch potatoes....and then you have viewers that watch to critique. Sometimes if were lucky we even get a lovely email at 3am telling us how horrible we are and how could we do such things to the bride on the show??? One thing that scares me is that 1. the show has some editing and 2. The viewers don't look at the show from both perpectives. Why is it the planner who is at fault? And why is it that if the decor is bad it was our idea? We try to show options, but in the end, the client always gets what they want. I have never had a client who hated the show or the experience. I just want to do what I do...and do it right. I want to have fun, I want to grow my business and grow the industry. So I look at 2008...and I know I have learned a lot about how it needs to work. How I need to stay healthy and bring more awareness to brides who cannot afford the elaborate affairs. I thank my clients for working with me. I love the fan mail it keeps me going. Especially when I have those bad days where those few emails float my way...over a show...that really is just there for ideas and amusement. I thank you, for keeping me going. I know I have made a difference in many peoples lives and my goal is to do it even better this year!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Perception About Weddings Today

In in my career as a planner, I get hundreds of emails on how to have the wedding of ones dreams for under $10,000. It is only sad...when the client can't see the potential of taking that budget and being extremely creative with it. There are so many magazines that show the lavish decor of a celebrity wedding or a family that went over the top with extreme florals from around the world. I can understand how it can make a bride feel inadequate with the budget she is given. But let's go back to the basics here...I mean really....If the bride and groom do not invest a large portion of that budget on decor or fancy food are the guests really going to care? No. Who do we invite to our wedding and why? Isn't this supposed to be the day where you marry the one you love and 2 families join together to make a larger union? I can't say that I did not have a lavish wedding...Being in this business I have many connections and felt lucky to get the "extras". However at the end of the day...The extras certainly have not helped me develop my relationship with my in laws or my husband. That takes REAL effort. Marriage is not easy. We work so hard to make it to the day to say YES I WILL MARRY YOU...and accept your family's baggage..and so forth. And let me tell you....There is a lot of baggage out there. I am not a perfect angel by any means. Nor is my family. But they are family nonetheless. I know at the end of the day, if I decided to revamp Mc Donalds and have my reception there, it would have been ok. The fries are amazing too! I want to tell you...accept what you don't have and try not to feel less than for what you can't provide. A Wedding is not about providing. It is about a new union...a chance to correct what you didn't like about previous relationships.A chance to make a better future for yourself and your significant other. If you have this...You truly will be the envy of all of your guests...and Mc D's will taste better in the end anyway!
I devote my time to ensuring our clients recieve fab service. There's another "calling" for me. To give back to my peers that aspire to be the next "best" fancy pants somebody! Those who play it safe standing behind me, will fail. I do serve as a warning to others and yes, I'm nutty. It's who I am & it's not going to change, as it works. Feel free to comment & join me on what could be the best road trip EVER!

Not That Sassi Planner Again???

Bling and Pearls Can Be The Icing on The Cake!

Bling and Pearls Can Be The Icing on The Cake!
Too Good Too Eat.

Just admit it, I say off the wall things...And it works!