A Week in the Life of a Wedding and Event Planner (and mother)

So, I've been thinking about what to write for this article and my thoughts keep going back to the running list of things I have to do in the next week (over and over and over and over...keeping me up all hours of the night even though I have it all carefully laid out on my calendar - ie. my cell phone calendar that is linked to iCloud and therefore may as well be tattoo'd on my forehead).

Sigh.

So, for those of you who are thinking of becoming a wedding and event planner, I hope this post won't scare you off (that certainly isn't my intention) BUT it is designed to give you a little bit of insight into what exactly you will be in for.  

A little background info: Over the next two weeks I have one wedding and one fundraiser (I've been working on this since December and it's almost here!  WooHoo!!!)  Plus, I won't mention the numerous phone calls and emails that I will field all week from upcoming bride's, vendors, fundraising personnel and potential clients.  

Today: 12:30 - Drop off gift bags for out of town guests at hotel in Midtown

             3pm - Confirm with all wedding vendors

             4pm - Complete wedding day timeline that was begun last week

Thursday, April 26th:

             1pm - Walk through of venue with the bride (usually done a month prior but my bride lives out of  town, so this will be the first time I will actually meet her)

              3pm - Rehearsal in Central Park

              7pm - Kids in bed and I will update changes to timeline and print for tomorrow's wedding.

Friday, April 27th:

              9am - Drop daughter off at school

              12pm - Pick up and schedule her birthday party with teacher for June (now my mind is running with Little Mermaid themed ideas for her actual party and the nagging thought that I really must design and order invites by May 1st)  She also keeps asking me to make her an Ariel costume for the party, so that means a trip to the fabric store and me fighting with my sewing machine for at least a long weekend after she is in bed at night.

              1pm - Leave to pick up my assistant and head to the wedding (I can't stand being late, so I always leave EXTRA early and then end up sitting in the car with Marykate chatting for at least 45 minutes prior to every wedding...always happens.  Drives my assistant crazy and  keeps me from going crazy!)

                11pm - Finally sit down (seriously, I don't sit down until at least after the cake cutting,    there's just too much to do.)

                12am - Wedding over (YAY!! - now it's time to pack up all decor items, should take about 30   minutes)

                 2am - Head hits the pillow and I am still thinking about what I have to do but I watch a few     back episodes of the Real Housewives (preferably Orange County or Beverly Hills...but New Jersey just started so I'm happy)

Sunday, April 29th:

                  9:30am - Leave for final walk-thru with June bride in New Jersey (their house - and wedding location - is over 90 minutes from my home without traffic)

                  12pm - Walk-thru (The bride and her mom are chatty - but very sweet - so I am guaranteed to be there at least 3 hours)

Monday, April 30th:

                   9am - School for little one again

                  12:15pm - Walk-thru at hotel for fundraiser (Meeting with Catering Manager, AV Director, Florist, Center Executive Director and Volunteer Director - there will be at least 50 and I am in charge of all)

                   4pm - Call to setup appointments with florist, cake decorator, caterer, band and           photographer for September wedding.

Tuesday, May 1st:

                   6:30pm - Final intensive planning meeting for fundraiser (Hallelujah!!)

                   10:30pm - Home (and some more mindless tv - perhaps Celebrity Apprentice??)

Wednesday, May 2nd: 

     Here's a general overview of what I am currently working on and will still be by this date for the fundraiser.  Here goes nothing...

• Invoicing all sponsors/donors/advertisers/table and ticket purchasers      
• Finalizing the live and silent auction programs    
• Finalizing run of show for the Gala fundraiser   
• Writing the emcee's welcome speech                                                
• Getting the auction program to the printers   
• Adding elected officials letters to the website    
• Gathering all auction items 
• Determining exact table placement for items   
• Confirming auctioneer for the live auction      
• Confirming keynote speaker     
• Making shot list for photographers for board members and other key players at the Gala    
• Daily conference calls with the Co-Chairs and Executive Director of the Center (each last at least 90 minutes)                                                                                                                                   
• And the list goes on and on

With all of the above being said (and replayed hourly in my head), I truly LOVE what I do.  It gives me great pleasure (with a bit of headache and stress along the way) to see a bride walk down the aisle - the first moment I have to breathe at a wedding - or to complete the much worked on and planned fundraiser for a wonderful cause.  I can go home that evening (or early morning, which is usually the case) and breathe a sigh of relief, even if it's for only 24 hours.  

Comments

[Jenny Williams]

What an amazing time the lead up to a wedding is. So much to do, so little time. Thanks for writing such an enagaging article. I'm so glad I don't have to go through all that again!

[Sue]

You do have a very busy lifstyle.

[Electrician Oakland]

when i saw the first picture it made me laugh. That week would definitely an interesting one and stressing one too.

[technical content]

You inspired me with this idea, I could say, that you made it great though.

[zwanger worden tips]

We tried to plan everything ourself. The result was a lot of sleepless nights. The wedding itself, however, was great. Best day in my life.

[Mahogany Furniture]

nice amazing schedule it's. Amazing to doing that all for wedding party. I like it so much.

[Flowers Australia]

How does someone become a wedding and event planner? I am extremely organized and enjoy working with people. Weddings have always been a passion of mine. I feel I would be very well suited for this type of job. I just do not know where to start or what may be needed to begin this new journey in my life. ANY input would be greatly appreciated.dorchanthings.com

[Chauffeur hire]

You can hire chauffeur car for your wedding and make the day more memorable.
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