I didn't grow up dreaming about weddings... like some girls do. I didn't have magazines and binders full of colour swatches and dinner menu ideas for my future wedding... in fact, I didn't even open a wedding magazine until after my husband proposed.
No, my love with wedding planning didn't have anything to do with weddings at all. It started when I was very young planning events for my local youth group. As young as 12 years old I started organizing group events. I loved thinking up creative activities and the challenge that came with ensuring that everything was covered (meals, breaks, schedules, instructors, teams, rosters... everything) I would spend hours visualizing the execution of the event trying to find something I might have missed... and I spent hours on the phone confirming details with all the participants (I am so thankful for the creation of email since then!).
That love for planning continued throughout high-school and university and into the early years of my career as an Administrative Assistant. I was great at what I did because I could anticipate people's needs before they asked for things, I could plan meetings, conferences, seminars both locally and abroad, without missing a single detail. I was good at what I did... but something was missing.
I found the missing piece in weddings. Finally, I could combine my skill and love of planning with my creativity and love of art.
But the transition did not happen quickly. Although I loved planning my wedding I never thought of doing it as a career. It was only after reflecting back on my wedding day that I thought perhaps there was a void in the industry that I could fill.
I planned my wedding, which would take place in Cornwall, ON, while living in Toronto. There were no wedding planners in Cornwall and so the thought of hiring one never even crossed my mind. Besides, planning was what I was good at... so I wasn't worried.
And all in all I was probably the model bride. I was calm and composed the entire day. I didn't get emotional or upset... I never once felt anxious or fussed over little things. But I WORKED the entire day. It didn't bother me at the time. I kept everyone organized with schedules and instructions throughout the day. I lined my wedding party up before the processional and gave them all final instructions (but they were already pretty clear on what was happening as I had run the rehearsal the night before as well). I directed the ushers to move traffic into the dining hall while the rest of the wedding party arranged themselves for photographs. I ordered everyone in the hallway before the grand entrance and ensured that couples stood with man on the right and woman on the left.
Throughout the evening I dealt with little issues as they arose (like choosing a new wine when the bar ran out of the one I'd ordered), searching for the wedding party for special dances, and so on. That was pretty much my day. And I didn't mind it... I didn't know it could be any different. It didn't occur to me that something was missing until I was reflecting back on the day and wondering why I didn't cry during the ceremony.
You have to understand that I'm a sucker when it comes to wedding vows. Whether it's a TV wedding, a friend's wedding, or the wedding of a client, I ALWAYS cry during the vows. So clearly, I expected to cry on my own wedding day. But I didn't. And the reason that I didn't is because my mind was already working on what I had to do next... where we would have to go... how I would get the guests set off in the right direction, etc. I didn't allow myself to get caught up in the moment at my own wedding!
It's sad, I know. But that is the main reason I got into this business. I can't go back and do my wedding over. If I could, I would have hired a planner to take care of the wedding day coordination at the very least. My mission now, though, is to take the work away from the bride on her wedding day... so that she CAN get caught up in the day... so that she can just enjoy herself and her family and friends.
THAT is why I do this... and I love every minute of it.
Anywho... enough about me... let's talk about you!
Sophie
