Life is a journey. Enjoying the journey matters more than getting to the destination. While you are journeying; learning and improving are two crucial things you must do to achieve success in the field you have chosen.
My Back Story
For those who don't know me so well, I studied Nursing in college and got my license a year after I graduated. I practiced the Nursing profession for a short time in 2008 and found out there is something, a "gut feel" pulling me towards a different direction.
While I was searching for my place in the world, friends and family would ask me to host their events. And I loved hosting. i really do. When my cousins were getting married, they would ask me to accompany them when they scout for dresses, invitations, souvenirs. And during the wedding reception, I was always the event host. To make ends meet, my bread and butter was writing and blogging. I worked as website content writer while hosting events on the side.
How I Realized My Real Calling as A Wedding Planner
In the year 2010, one of my closest friends was getting married. She was working abroad and so was his fiance. She wanted me to plan her ENTIRE wedding. I hesitated at first since I have no formal training in this field. But she believed in me and so I started believing in myself too.
The Learning Process
I did the hustle. During my off time at work, I researched weddings. I saved tons and tons of articles about wedding planning and what to do during the planning. Then I walked the talk. Literally, I walked weekly and went into every wedding supplier shop I could find in the city. I went into hotels, venues, cake makers, invitation maker, souvenir maker, bridal shops, photo and video companies, etc... Essentially everything that a wedding needed, I sought for contacts, recommendations but most of all I went personally and ask for their packages and prices. Their wedding was set on December and I did all these on the months of March to May.
Down the year, some of my friends referred me to their circle of friends for wedding coordination services. We gained first hand experience on how to assist the couple during their wedding day. I always suggested that I host their wedding too and I always got the job when I package coordination and hosting. At one time, I enrolled in a crash course on wedding planning and coordination. That was how I learned what wedding planners and coordinators really do.
2011 was the year when I successfully planned and hosted my very first wedding event. The wedding of my closest friend who was working in Dubai. They had chosen a beach theme wedding.
With this very first wedding planning experience in 2011, I had a lot more to learn and gain. And I continued my passion for weddings. The following year, I was able to help six more couples to plan their wedding. The numbers kept growing as I improved along. My team grew in experience and in numbers.
Out of Town Weddings
I was also able to plan weddings in Gensan, Koronadal (Marbel), Polomolok, and Surallah, South Cotabato. Me and my team were blessed with opportunities to reach out to different people outside of Davao City.
Marbel Wedding
Lake Sebu Wedding
My Light Bulb Moment
The time I realized that this is my calling in life came just recently when my former colleague told her colleague that I had to leave the company because this is my calling. And I was like I never really given it deep thought. In the past events, I just felt happy and fulfilled in every event that becomes successful. I did not mind the low budget, the sleepless nights, the cracking pressure, the exhaustion. I basically enjoyed what I was doing. And that kept on year in and year out.
The Present
Today, 8 years later, I think I have come a long way and have learned a lot. I've helped a lot of people in organizing their weddings and events. I also organize 18th, 35th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th birthday celebrations. The very reason why I chose to become a wedding and events planner is because this is where I am at my best and happiest truest self.
Yet there is still so much to learn about this industry. We had our fair share of failures and disappointments as well as successes and praise-worthy weddings and events. I think, generally, in whatever field you choose to practice and excel, there will always be a learning curve. Some learning curves can be painful and some can even be life-changing. But I think these experiences are all part and necessary in the process of excellence.
My mantra from now on is: NEVER STOP LEARNING, NEVER STOP IMPROVING, NEVER GIVE UP. As another year unfolds, I am excited and anxious about the crucial life lessons and business lessons that I am going to experience in the following months. There will be trials and triumphs for sure. There is so much to learn in the wedding and events industry. It is ever changing in trends. It is very dynamic. And I am ready to take on 2019!
Let's do this! So help me Lord God, my business partner!
