Wedding-“That we call the will of two to create the one who is more than those who created it.” This is the definition of wedding for everybody but not for a wedding planner.
I always knew I wanted to be an event planner but did I think about the fact that I’d be working most weekends? No, I just thought I’ll be showing off my creativity and management skills and living my dream. Did I know that I’ll be putting myself at the centre of catastrophic dramas? No, I just thought I’ll be showing off my creativity and management skills and living my dream. Did I even have a clue that I”ll be signing up to be a professional scapegoat? No, I just thought I’ll be showing off my creativity and management skills and living my dream. Did I even think of anything at all? Nope I got caught up in the shiny parts, not bothering to look at the other side of the coin.
But later I understood that there’s a reason Forbes listed Event Planner as the number 5 most stressful job. How is the next question right?
Because wedding planners swoop like superheroes, promising to save the day and make it look easy. People are confused, messed up and all clueless but, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves: we can translate your vision into reality, identify red flags, mastermind a rain plan, connect you with reliable vendors, negotiate discounts, and generally keep your day on track. But we are not mind-readers.
One bride asked me to talk another couple into letting her have the wedding date they’d booked at her favorite venue (they politely declined). Another bride asked me to have the tent over her outdoor reception removed since the weather had improved. How she expected us to break down a 40 by 60 tent in 30 minutes and not destroy the tables, flowers, and lighting housed under it, I still don’t know. But even worse was a couple who refused to book a tent because they “prayed about it and God wasn’t going to make it rain. I guess God had more important things to do that day.
Worst part is they procrastinate, they ignore your e-mails. They don’t show up to meetings.
A lot of people think it’s a dream job. A lot of people are wrong. Take it from a wedding planner who’s been there done that.