"TWO TARE A"

My up and coming assistant loves the TV show 'My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.' I think she may actually like it more then me, which I didn't think was possible! She gets excited when the brides put on their dress and loves it even more when David changes them. She loves to comment on the brides ideas from their flowers to bridesmaids dresses and always states..."I can't wait for David to change their dresses!" I knew she would be a great assistant when I saw her attention to detail come into play. I have always pronounced David's last name as "Ta Tare Ah". But one day my assistant heard the announcer on the show pronounce it "Two Tare Ah" with a long emphasis on the TWO. All I could do was laugh. Not only has she corrected me, but she gets quite defensive when her father jokingly says "David Tortuga". 

Being the fan that I am of David "TWO Tare Ah" , I started following him on the ever popular facebook. He made a post about doing a seminar entitled: "Become an Event Planner with David Tutera from My Fair Wedding with David Tutera" in NYC and my heart jumped out of my chest. How I wished I lived there!!!! I sent the seminar information to my mom simply stating..."Wouldn't this be an amazing experience? Too bad he will not be here in Colorado" Not expecting anything back other then a simple reply, she replied back with "Yes it would, you have to go! It would be a once in a life time experience". After long debate, my mother insisted that she buy my ticket so I could go meet David Tutera. So I was off to NYC to meet someone that I admire and aspire to be like. With all the excitement I was feeling, I still had to inform my assistant that I would be going to NYC and meeting David Tutera. A few tears were made by her, but I promised I would bring her something back from NYC.


Sitting front row for the seminar, David walked in and the room went wild. There were about 50% industry individuals, 40% fans of him and his show, and 10% brides that were getting married soon. David spoke of his past working with celebrity brides, his show, My Fair Wedding, and what the future has in store for him. He is coming out with a new book, a certification course for all aspiring wedding coordinators, and partnering with Joann Stores featuring David Tutera with Faviana.

As he spoke throughout the seminar he said a few things that I will take to the inspiration board for my own business. Such as...jump into every opportunity! Regardless if you know the opportunity to a certain extent or not, get to know it. He told a story about his first bar mitzvah where he booked a client, but had no idea what a bar mitzvah entailed. Additionally, that you have to be emotionally connected with your client regardless of their taste, style and behavior. He recommended groups to join such as ABC, NACE, ICES and NPI, but not to solely rely on them. Its important to be involved but also market yourself. And to find unique ways to market your business by finding creative ways to show your work. This business is primarily based on word of mouth referrals and that your work will sell you!

The audience was allowed to ask questions which everyone wanted their shot at 15 minutes of fame. We heard of peoples love for David, their aspirations in life and why they are in the business and even the life story of one individual. But then questions were asked to David on how keeps his ideas fresh? In which he responded that he does his work world wide therefore he sees a lot. And how he pulls clients in and gets them focused? He said our job as planners is to organize their craziness and adapt to them.

I could go on and on about the facts and fun that I learned from David but what I walked away the proudest knowing is that having confidence in what you are doing is key. When you show confidence in yourself and your work, brides will have trust and confidence in you.

After the seminar David signed his book: 'The Big White Book of Weddings: A How-to Guide for the Savvy, Stylish Bride'. I bought two....one for my company and one for my assistant.

It was an amazing experience and I thank my mom for allowing me to have this chance. I was the only one there from a different State and I can come back home and utilize what I learned from David Tutera and enhance Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design.

When I returned home I gave my assistant her book. She squealed with delight as she saw her name written in the book and signed by the ever so popular David Tutera.


I think if David Tutera ever needs a new assistant he should consider hiring mine! What better of a person than a four year old to insist that people say his name correctly. That's the first step to a successful business woman! I guess I better watch out for my daughter over taking my business one day!

Front row!

My assistant's copy of her book

Little Fish....Beautiful Wedding

I remember the day as if it was yesterday, even though it began 16 months ago. A friend came to tell me of her engagement, at that point, I was just starting my business. From there our relationship and friendship blossomed. While I was excited to have my very first bride it was also intimidating. I did not have an extensive list of esteemed vendors, or organized, detailed materials a established planner would already have. I had to start from the ground up and build my business alongside my bride while trying to put my best foot forward at all times. Well that best foot forward went out the door when a few mistakes were made by no one other then myself. One of my first mistakes was telling the photographer the wrong print numbers to order for my brides engagement pictures. Issue resolved in plenty of time, but it cost my slow, starting business a few extra dollars. Lesson learned though-document everything through email in regards to important dates, times, and print numbers...do not text them!

While I wish I was sitting on cloud 9 excited to blog that my first wedding went off without any complications, the real truth is, it didn't. It wasn't the perfection I had hoped for, even though I had nothing else to base it off of. It had more tribulations then one would want to admit, but it was a life changing moment for me and my business. It was a monumental indication for me to see what needs to be remembered, what needs to be mentioned AT THAT moment, what needs to be checked off, and what needs to be communicated with ALL parties involved.

To many of the guests, they thought the wedding was the most beautiful, elegant and breathtaking wedding they had ever seen. The creamy-dreamy feel that my bride was dreaming of, was captured unequivocally. The candlesticks on the tables, the champagne linens and the lush floral on the head table surrounded between candles created a romantic look throughout the entire night. But it was behind the scenes where stress over took my cloud 9.

When first starting out it's hard to determine how much say you really have as a wedding coordinator. On TV shows, the wedding coordinator tells the florist the flowers are wrong, the cake is incorrect, or the linens are the wrong color, but that is on TV. To me, it's not a complete reality. Often times they seem so over the top and dramatic that it makes it seem as if, in real life you could never really do that. For instance, David Tutera could ask for anything he wants and he could probably get it, but who is Sarah Viera? If the flowers were wrong would the florist really change the arrangements hours before the wedding? Would they have the correct flowers in stock? I guess I should have gone with my instincts and said something about the floral arrangements. I did mention that they were in vases when the bride specifically stated she did not want that, but lesson number two, mention that the flowers are wrong completely. When the bride asks for NO greenery, but creamy dreamy, you do not expect to see greenery protruding from the top and stargazer lilies in the middle! 


As anything in life, I learn from the mistakes and the good fortunes that I have encountered and move forward. I learned that as a coordinator, I do have a say. I have a right to make that change and make things as perfect as possible for my bride. And I did that with certain tasks throughout the night; insisting the venue that my bride would see the candelabras lit when she walked in, calling the baker back to let them know the grooms cake was missing, but lesson number three...be that strong with every aspect and detail of the wedding. Tell the florist the flowers are incorrect, tell the DJ the lights on the wall are pink instead of white, tell the florist the cake flowers are suppose to be straight down the cake instead of zig-zagging down the cake. Tell, tell, tell. Because in the end I am the one who has to make this day perfect for the bride regardless of how others perform. 


But while that day was stressful, it wasn't all stress on cloud 9 for the whole planning process. I learned a million things and yes a million! My business grew to the fullest and I owe that all to my first bride. No matter how much schooling one may take, real life experience overtakes it all. She taught me how to take skills I already possessed and further them. To be the true friend, listener and companion a wedding coordinator should be. Or at least the one Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design wants to represent. When she didn't want to talk wedding, but wanted to talk about other difficulties in life, I was there to listen and support. I was also the outside opinion different from the family and friends that weighed in on their decisions. I realized not only am I the wedding coordinator, I am one of their closest friends during that time. Even if it is for a few months, sixteen months, or years after, this person puts their trust in you and you become the shoulder they need at times. And from that I learned LOVE! I love to be there not only for my brides as a coordinator, but as their friend also. I love to hear of their life stories, their day to day activities and to hear of their dreams, goals and wishes for their wedding day and future.


Now that sixteen months has passed I have built my business and I have a list of esteemed vendors, organized, detailed materials to present to my brides. My business has grown with the success of my first bride and the elevated confidence I now provide. I have two more brides this year and three in 2011. To me, that is a good grounding foundation and I know they will all be a success.

With much love and gratitude I want to thank Takishia and Brian for letting me be apart of their special day. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen and Brian is just as amazing as Takishia. I wish them all the best in their future together.

 

Their monogram which was featured throughout the night

TK & Brian's first dance

"All the Single Ladies!"

Ring Bearer (Luke) and Flower Girl (Natali) are well on their way to wedding bells

Mother of the bride and the Aunties dancing the night away

Sparklers to send of the Bride & Groom