Introducing: Dinner Dates

Over the last few months, I’ve been getting more & more emails containing more & more questions from aspiring planners, established planners or ladies in another “design” area of the wedding field (stationary, florist, etc.). I am SO very flattered that you’ve reached out to me and would love to enjoy a meal together, or Skype with those of you who aren’t local. Unfortunately, I can’t meet everyone who emails me… but if I could, I would!!! I’ve been mulling over the idea of starting a series dedicated to Wedding Planners/Designer/Business Owners/Bloggers or those aspiring to be. There are A LOT of things I’ve learned through trial & error, and a lot of things I’ve had to learn on my own, without the encouragement or support of someone else. I want to share with you what I DIDN’T know before, in hopes that you won’t feel quite as lost as I did (or sometimes still do!!).

My disclaimer: In NO WAY do I think that I am an expert!! I KNOW that my ways are not perfect!!! I decided to start Dinner Dates because (a) I love dinner dates & wish I could treat ALL of you to one!!! And (b) I think that in the wedding planning industry, knowledge, encouragement & education aren’t as openly shared… and I want it to be!! It’s SCARY to own your own business… and it’s really, REALLY scary to feel like you’re alone in it!!!! I WISH someone had told me some of this before I started… but they didn’t. Trial & error became my best friend, and I learned business-lessons from Katelyn’s Ask Anything, J&M’s Pancake Sessions and Rebekah’s Fotog Fridays. These three obviously focus on photography because that’s what they do (and they do it REALLY well!). I am a HORRIBLE photographer (oh, you mean Bokeh is a PHOTOGRAPHY term?! I thought it was just Katelyn’s adorable dog…). But regardless of the fact that I am not a photographer, I learned A LOT from them because they openly share about ALL aspects of their business! They are educating the women (and men!) in their industry and I admire that so, so much! I want Dinner Dates to focus on similar business-related topics, but also focus on things specifically for wedding planners. And I want YOU to tell me what you want to know about!!!

I’ve put together 20 topics that have come up via emails I’ve received or conversations I’ve had with other planners/aspiring planners. I plan to talk about each one, but would LOVE to know if there’s something else you want to hear about. Below is the list I have put together (in no particular order) …

-Do you need a degree to be a wedding planner?

-How can you start a business when you work full-time?

-Tips for planning for your first wedding (ah!)

-Tips for styled shoot planning

-So you’re just getting started… things I wish I knew

-So you’re just getting started… booking your first clients

-Working with vendors before, on and after Wedding Day

-Why Instagram is amazing for your business

-Making friends in the industry

-Blogging tips

-Defining your brand outside of your website

-Spoiling your brides

-So you have a Bridezilla…

-Developing your Workflow

-Packages & Pricing: where to begin?

-What you need to know BEFORE the Day-Of

-Tips for Coordinating the Rehearsal

-Wedding Day-Of: what actually happens?

-Wedding Day-Of: handling a large bridal party

-Wedding Day-Of: the emergency kit

Am I missing something you desperately want to know about?? Where are you feeling discouraged or confused? How can I help!?

xo! kat

(( Images by Annamarie Akins Photography ))