#BeyondThePlanning An Interview With Wedding Planner Nicole Taylor
Planning the biggest day of your life is only the beginning of your adventure. You simple can not have a wedding without the vendors who team together to make it possible. This is #BeyondThePlanning a series to shoutout the individuals that are making it happen! We interviewed the super talented Nicole Taylor founder of Nicole Taylor Events. Very hilarious and dynamic nature, we enjoyed catching up with Nicole, and soon find out why!
Bogdan Condor Photography
Tell Us About Yourself: I was born and raised in Modesto and have lived here most of my life (with the exception of attending college in LA and living in Tampa Bay Florida for a year). I am a wife and mother with a love for people and a creative mind, which has helped me tremendously in this industry. I have always had a creative mind and actually have a bachelor's degree in music! I love to paint and travel and am passionate about bringing people's wedding visions to life!
When did you get started in weddings?: I started in weddings in 2015, right after I got married in November of 2014. I loved planning my own wedding and decided that the wedding industry was the industry I wanted to be in (although, I have loved weddings since I was a little girl). We moved to Florida shortly after we were married and I worked with a planner there. When we moved back after a year, I started my own business in Modesto in 2016.
What were the early days like? : A lot of learning! One of the hardest things was finding a pricing model that worked. On the one hand, I know my experience and work is valuable but I also understand that in this industry many people are looking for a good deal (which doesn't necessarily mean the best quality). It's still a learning process in every aspect as this is a very fluid industry with changing trends and themes every season!
When did you know you wanted to be a wedding planner?: I knew I wanted to be a wedding planner after planning my own wedding! I feel that's how a lot of planners get started. I loved it so much I decided I wanted to keep doing it! I think that when a couple plans a wedding they either find it stressful and don't enjoy it, or they love it and have a great time planning. I loved it!
Why do brides choose you over others?: I have a very personal approach. I like to learn about my couples and get to know them on a personal level. I own a business, yes, but at the end of the day people buy from people and you have to make a connection. I tell everyone I come across that whoever you end up hiring, make sure you connect with them and that they are someone you can trust. Make sure they understand you and your vision. At they end of the day, your planner is the one responsible for making your wedding happen and for bringing your vision to life! Anytime I take on a new couple, I make sure they are certain that I can handle their day and bring the personal details to life.
Kate Howard Photography
What questions do you think brides should ask when looking for a planner?: Many brides have standard questions that they ask, like "Have you worked at my venue before?" or "How many weddings have you planned?". I don't think these are exactly the right questions to ask. Some planners only take on a certain number of weddings a year and volume doesn't necessarily speak to skill. A planner could be in business for many years and work at many different venues! It's important to note that a great planner will familiarize themselves with your space and make sure they know the space well before your wedding day. A good question would be "Do you provide a venue walkthrough?" or "How do you plan for weddings in a new venue?". Another good question to ask would be "Could you give an example of a stressful situation that you handled on the wedding day?". Some planners may not have that many problems that they have dealt with on a wedding day, but they should be able to give a good idea of how they would handle a situation. One more question would be "Will I be the only wedding you are handling on my wedding date?". It's important to note this, especially if you are hiring a planner with a team. If there are many planners on a team, then you may not be the only wedding they have that day. In this situation, it's important to ask who will be there on your wedding day. For myself, I only handle one wedding in a weekend. This ensures I can devote all of my time to that couple and that I can provide a proper rehearsal and prep time!
Katherine Burchett Photography
What would you tell brides who don't think they need a planner? What are they missing out on?:Hire a planner! The last thing you want to do is have your friends, family, or yourself out there the day before or the day of setting up! Even if you are at a venue, most venues only handle what they provide, so they won't put out signs, favors, or personal details. This is where a planner comes in. Most people don't realize there is a big difference between a venue coordinator and an outside planner/coordinator-and that's okay! You're not supposed to know everything about weddings while you are planning. This is where it's nice to have a planner to walk you through the process and help you with things you may not even know you need help with. Weddings are very detailed and planning can get overwhelming. It's nice to have someone in the industry who knows what they are doing and who can do some of the leg work for you!
What's your favorite part of working with brides and grooms?: My favorite part of working with couples is getting to know them throughout the planning process. I build a relationship with them over the course of planning and it's so rewarding to see them tie the knot on their wedding day! I love seeing their reactions walking down the aisle and witnessing the joy and love they have for each other.
What's the most interesting wedding moment you've witnessed?: I think the most interesting wedding moment I witnessed was a ceremony last year that lasted a whole two minutes. I knew they wanted to keep it "short and sweet", but this was quick! It goes to show that whatever your personality and preference, weddings are not a "one size fits all" and are unique to each couple.
What are the traits of a good planner and what should brides look for?: Find someone who is personable, organized, and who can stay calm under pressure. It's so important that a planner keep calm on your wedding day and that they can think quick on their feet and be a problem solver. Also, first impressions are everything and they mean a lot! If you find a planner who is friendly and on top of things and who you connect with, hire them! Also, actions speak louder than words-look at reviews from past couples and see what they say!
Bloom Photography