Bright lights, big city. Manhattan was always my goal for post-college, and I sent 99% of my resumes to Manhattan job postings and 1% to other cities. I interviewed and was offered positions in media that complemented my journalism degree, but for various reasons I knew it wasn’t the right path. I took a paralegal position at a high profile litigation law firm and gained invaluable experience that has shaped the work ethic I have today. After the law firm, I worked in operations for a major beauty company. 

Each of these positions helped me acquire experience, knowledge and a network of successful professionals from various industries. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. My career path wasn’t clear from the beginning, but it was the journey that lead me to discovering what I really love to do. 

I think my journey into event planning was more of a natural evolution inspired by something that has always been a passion of mine—helping people and making them smile.

I have been involved in events since I was young and have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was a teen, I decided that my ballet school would be a perfect place to host birthday parties, so I started hosting ballet birthday parties. Throughout my college life, I coordinated and planned events for various clubs and social organization around campus. When I was working at the beauty company, I felt like I was missing something. I enjoyed my job and the beauty industry, but I wasn’t fulfilled. I had a nagging feeling that I could be using my talents in another area that better fit my personality and interests. So I started spending my free time planning events for friends and volunteering. Journaling was always a personal hobby of mine, so I started a lifestyle blog to serve as a creative outlet.

It was through these activities outside my job and blogging that I finally realized I could turn my passion into the perfect career path.

It seems like I have always been planning events, so it is hard to describe my first event; however, the process has definitely been one of learning and growth. Naturally, I am always looking for ways to improve operationally, improve efficiency and develop best practices.

A big part of the evolving process is building relationships of trust and vision with vendors and acquiring knowledge of venues so that the clients’ vision can be best realized by matching venues and vendors to fit their style and vision. In addition, I continuously seek new ways to continue to advance my company.

For any event, I start with the basics and focus on ironing out the items that will shape the planning process—things like budget, timeline, expectations, etc. I draft up a “story” about the event that uses the age-old journalism formula, 5 W’s 1 H. After identifying the “who, what, where, when, how and why,” I am ready to start planning out next steps and go into execution mode. 

Listening is the key to any good relationship and I want my clients to know they are being heard. I take the time to get to know my clients from the minute we meet to understand their likes and dislikes, to understand their vision and what brings them joy. When a client is not sure what they want or does not have a clear vision, I help them work through the process of discovery. I want to be their “hype” girl and infuse enthusiasm into the planning.

A wedding is a team effort, and I match them with a venue and vendors that will share that vision and want to be a part of the team that makes it a reality. I ask a lot of questions to really get to know my client and build a relationship. This allows me to come up with ideas and prompt them to think of things that they may not have on their own or it provides me with insight into what they want their “wedding experience” to be.

A lot of Texas couples prefer outside weddings because of the climate and outdoor space available. There are weddings from very casual to very formal events in both locations.

Generally, I do not see stylistic differences based on locale. The differences depend on the environment of the event and the style of the bride or couple.

It is a global world, and brides see the same blogs, websites, Pinterest boards and magazines and watch the same television shows, so stylistic differences are based more on personal preferences than location.

Before launching my company, I spent several months focusing on my business and marketing plan, networking and working closely with my brand stylist, Erika Brechtel. These investments proved to be priceless.

I knew that to become a player in this industry I had to have a successful launch with a brand people would remember. I wanted my company to become an extension of myself and really speak to what my goals were for event planning. In the weeks leading up to the launch of my website, I created buzz through the personal lifestyle blog I had at the time, Walks with Bella. A few months after my website launch, I hosted a launch party with my company and invited family, friends, industry colleagues and press.

After launch, I started submitting styled shoots to blogs and promoting my clients’ photos throughout social media. My friends in the industry were extremely supportive and continue to be supportive. Collaborating with friends in the industry and fellow bloggers has been a highlight of the entire journey.

The exciting thing about event planning is that it is always changing; there is no typical day, and luckily I thrive on the whirlwind environment. Every day I’m hustlin’ (aka. Every day I’m multi-tasking)! It is a fast-paced industry, and I easily work 15+ hour workdays without even realizing it. I can go from drafting client budgets, powering through emails, leading an international conference call about an upcoming destination wedding, running across town for a venue walk-through, meeting with a client to pick out rentals and attending a florist mock-up—all before 1:00 p.m.*

Luckily, Bella, my Boston Terrier (#heartbeatatmyfeet), reminds me it is time to take a break and go for a walk around the block to recharge. 

*This was taken directly from my calendar. This particular day also happened to fall on one of those polar vortex days, but I was running around so much that I was sweating. It isn’t an easy job and not as glamorous as one might think, but I really love what I do! 

Organization and prioritization! My to-do lists have a hierarchy of tasks to ensure the most important items are accomplished. I schedule time to focus solely on a particular client or work on a project. Each client has a personal Google documents folder that I share with them and contains several custom documents that I utilize throughout the planning process. 

In my business email, I label and sort every piece of correspondence. I do my best to block off at least one day per week to catch up on emails and to focus on operational work or—as my friends in the blogging world call it—GSD “Get Shit Done,” which really is the best way to describe those days. 

I’m still working on finding the perfect balance for work/life. Since I work out of my loft, work is always home, but I have to make a conscious effort to turn it off. When I started dating my husband, we made it a priority to schedule a date night every week—a tradition we’ve kept for eight years. During the summer, I spend the Sundays I have off golfing with my husband where cell phones are not allowed. That rule used to annoy me, but I have grown to appreciate it.

That is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. The details of each wedding are as unique as are the couples and the journey leading up to each wedding, so it is impossible to select a favorite wedding. The relationship with each couple is what makes each wedding special.

The most satisfying wedding is any wedding that the couple’s vision became a reality and was even better than they had imagined.

Identify areas in which you excel and combine those with things that motivate you. Think of ways your talents can add value to a field that interests you. Network with others in the field and get to know as much as possible about the field. Stay hungry, embrace opportunity and take chances. Volunteer to use your talent and passion to help others and keep the flames of your passion burning.

I make the process special for my clients by building relationships with them and bringing enthusiasm and a celebratory spirit to the entire planning process. I focus on their vision and telling their story their way. I truly want people to enjoy this special time in their lives. I bring my “joie de vivre” and plan each wedding or event with the same energy, spirit and dedication that I brought to my own wedding.

I wake up looking forward to what the new day will bring. No two days are ever alike and that infuses me with excitement.

I have some projects coming down the pipeline that I am really excited about, one of which launches in 2015 that will have us swooning down south.