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Anyone in Event Planning/Wedding Planning?

MommaP12MommaP12 member
in Working Moms
This is my dream job.

I owned my own business on the side/part time from 2006-2010 and then gave it up to stay in Corp America only while DH started his own business (his idea was too unique to pass up where as planners can be a dime a dozen so I happily put it aside).

His business is very successful and now, I'm less happy about Corp world so I reached out to the top wedding planner here about working for her PT for now and eventually FT.  She actually phone interviewed me yesterday!!  I am waiting for her to send me days/times for me to come to her office next week!  I feel like I am inching my way to my dream job and leaving the cubicle world and praying I meet with her to keep this moving next week.  I'd love stay at my 'day job' for one year since a bonus is paid out in March of next year (I started too late to get it this year) and then leave to be a FT wedding planner, but the best laid plans...and all that so I'm taking it one day at a time hoping for the face to face with her next week!
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Re: Anyone in Event Planning/Wedding Planning?

  • bethann3181bethann3181 member
    Good luck!  I was an event planner for 10 years, before leaving last year to pursue a role in corporate communications.  Events were fun, fast paced, and glamorous, but a lot of crazy hours, in particular the week prior to the event.  And, obviously, weekends if you're getting into wedding planning ;)  Best of luck to you - it's a job only certain people are cut out for!
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  • MommaP12MommaP12 member
    Thanks ladies.  I've been thinking hard about it because I know it's hard work and long hours - I owned my own business doing it for a few years as I mentioned.

    I wouldn't necessarily say it's glamorous either - there have been many situations where I was on my hands and knees hemming a dress, scraping gum off a church aisle, etc.

    I just can't do the corporate america gig anymore and event planning is something I really enjoy.  I'm going to start out doing it part time (she didn't say anything when I told her that was what I'd prefer), with the goal of going full time, BUT if I'm already frazzled with the kids and the hours just doing it part time, I may decide to never go full time.  We'll see.  It's my dream job, or so I think as of right now, so I feel like I have to give it a full shot.  I'm meeting with the owner of the company Wednesday at 5 after work.   I'm working on a list of questions for her so if you think of any, please let me know!
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  • MommaP12MommaP12 member
    Those of you that worked in wedding planning, was your income a salary or an hourly rate?  I'm trying to research what my potential income would be so any ranges/info is appreciated!

    I'm in Chicago too, and this woman is pretty much #1 here so I'm hoping that helps in terms of a more premium rate, but who knows?!
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  • bethann3181bethann3181 member
    Ok, I really meant "appeared glamorous from the outside"!  :)  I was able to travel to a lot of new places, stay in gorgeous hotels, was treated well by vendors, etc.  However, that doesn't necessarily apply to wedding planning.  Just to clarify, yes, the actual event production and hours and crazy last minute fires are all very NOT glamorous. :)
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  • MommaP12MommaP12 member
    @uconnhuskie007 thank you for your supportive words.  As I get closer to making this a reality, I get more and more scared about the schedule, the salary and benefit cuts and more importantly, time away from the kids.  

    It's scary to think of leaving the "safe" corporate world with set hours, 401k, insurance, etc.  But I'm so burnt out and unhappy in this environment, the cycle of bad bosses, the politics, etc., and I light up at the thought of wedding planning again so I'm going to try to silence the worry and take a leap of faith in that this is what I was truly born to do and why I have been guided to meeting with the #1 planner in the city.   I have my MBA and tons of corporate experience, so I don't have to permanently shut that door either I suppose.  
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  • MommaP12MommaP12 member
    uconnhuskie007 said:
    @mommap12 - Event planning is a ridiculously small and competitive industry in most major cities (I'm in Boston) to the point that I'm shocked that you even got an interview with no experience.  I think you need to go for it if you're given the chance.  Good Luck!
    @uconnhuskie007 That's how I feel!!!  I tailed my resume immensely talking up my own planning business.  I emailed her BLINDLY through the form on her site last October (and then landed a new Corp job in December and put it on the back burner).   I reached out again earlier this month and I feel it's meant to be.  She said she gets a resume about every 27 minutes (odd stat, but whatever) so I'm shocked I'm inching my way closer to working with her. 

    She's been on platinum weddings and other national shows!   I am such a mess of emotions this week and can't focus here at work.
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