Restart the Engine

I recently had a mentoring session with a planner who lives outside of America and expresses that she felt like she started her business on the wrong foot. She had a passion for organizing things and she thought to herself she should become a planner. While she was right to follow her passion, she soon realized there was a lot she didn't quite know. 

During our time together I enjoyed learning about why she started and the vision of the type of planner and events she wants to do in the future. Our session was fulfilling for me because I got to see areas where she needed help and offer her advice and pointed her to tools to help her start over and reset. 

I realize it's unnerving to think you started something and realize you had no clue what you were getting into. This was why before I started out as a planner I took some courses on my own to ensure I was prepared for the road ahead and even at that, I still had my fair share of struggle. 

Most people have...

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It's Been A While

It has been quite some time since I wrote a blog post. I can tell you a lot has been happening behind the scenes, personally and professionally. The business I founded RAE Affairs has taken a couple of different turns as I have been working on reshuffling the team and restructuring leadership. I knew it was going to take a lot but phewwwwww, I did not expect the number of curves and turns it took. 

Isn't that like the job of a planner? One minute you think you have everything planned out and the next minute you realize you have to go back to the drawing board. I have been back there a few times and while I am now navigating new leadership for the business I feel like I am charting the right course. 

In the midst of the busyness, I haven't given up on my love for teaching. Teaching other people how to achieve their dreams is wired into my DNA. Seeing others thrive in their passion is a beautiful feeling I can't explain. While I have been structuring and...

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GOING BEYOND NETWORKING

 Hi people, so I did a blog post recently on the importance of networking and I thought I should go a bit further about 3 things to do after meeting a new vendor.

 

If you end up going to a ton of events and networking but you don’t do anything with it, it is a wasted experience, and you end up not seeing any benefits. I share some of this in the course “Advertising Your Wedding Beyond Social Media.”

 

So here are 3 things you can do after meeting a new vendor

 

  1. Follow: Follow the vendor on social media, it costs you nothing to do that, and as the saying goes one good turn deserves another.

 

  1. Appreciate: If you do a tour with a venue, it is okay to send them a thank you email. Address it directly to the person you met and just simply thank them for taking the time to show you the property and let them know you will look forward to working with them in the future. To stand out from the crowd, you can take it a step further and send a...
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Staying Protected During The Pandemic

 

Earlier this week I talked last week about the importance of supporting your couple through this season but today I want to focus on the importance of protecting yourself.

 

I have heard too many stories from planners of how they have been burned within the last year from clients canceling weddings and proposed income disappearing, to weddings moving two years in advance but clients expecting the same rates. There has been a lot of damage that has affected businesses and I wanted to share this video to ensure you don't fall into the same traps.

 

Make sure you update your contracts to match the new guidelines and also make sure you add all new rules to your contract.

Enjoy this snippet from @kunbiesq and stay @legallyset 

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Wedding Planning In The Pandemic

All wedding planners can relate to this has been a whirlwind of changes but this is what we do, we help our couples through the good, bad, and in-between. This past week I went to NYC for another set of site visits for one of our rescheduled weddings from 2020.

I enjoyed touring new venues and one thing I have found is that couples are more willing to go for what they want for their day and less concerned about pleasing others. This should have been the case from the start, but I think the pandemic has put a lot of things in perspective and put the most important things as important.

One thing I wonder often is how brides without planners are coping through the changes. I have the kindest couples and I feel so blessed to be able to help them through the different waves and I can’t wait to be there at the finish line crying happy tears as they celebrate with their loved ones.  

As planners, we have to be our client's rock and help in this time. The decision to move ahead...

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Don't Be Caught Slipping

 

Happy Monday everyone, I decided to start off this Monday with a boost you need because I don’t want any new planner to fall into the traps I did. 

 

On the RAE Method (my comprehensive course for new and aspiring wedding planners), I had an interview with my lovely attorney @kunbiesq and I will be sharing some snippets here this month because I want you all to be legally set (no pun intended but do yourself a favor and check out @legallyset).

 

Have you ever wondered if having legal counsel was necessary or wondered having an attorney draft your event planning contract is a must? Check out this video and let me know your thoughts on Instagram @raemoments 

For a 20% discount on your contracts from www.legallySet.com use code RAEMETHOD

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What Services You Want To Offer is Up To You

 

When starting out as a wedding planner it can sometimes be confusing in knowing what services to offer and which not to offer. In the video, I break down the various things to consider when you are deciding what service to offer and the various types of services.

According to www.weddingwire.com 

 

Full planning 

A full-service wedding planner, also known as an all-inclusive wedding planner, is best for couples who want step-by-step guidance and a professional opinion from the get-go. According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, 31% of couples hire this type of wedding planner. Full-service planners are a great option if you don't have a lot of free time to dedicate to planning a wedding. They will be involved in every aspect of your to-do list, from helping you choose a wedding venue and handling vendor correspondence, to setting up escort cards and corralling your bridesmaids on the wedding day.

 

Month of Coordination:

...

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Positioned For A Win

As the year comes to an end, and we are in the season of festivities with the holidays all I want to do sometimes is slow all the way down. I want to kick up my feet, Netflix and chill all day every day till 2021. I tell myself when 2021 starts I will start to achieve all my goals. I don't know if I am by myself, but this is how I feel but I have learned to push past my feelings and do what is necessary. 

 

I want you all to end this year with the mindset that this is a time to reposition yourself for the win you want to see in 2021. These coming days where most of you will have a break from work, I want you to take advantage of them and get your house in order. By house, I mean get your business in order. What are things you still need to do to prepare for the type of year you have envisioned for 2021? 

 

Don't waste the time in front of you, put it to good use. Finish any courses you have started, make sure all your processes and systems are in place,...

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Let's Talk About Destination Weddings

 

The cold weather has me thinking about destination weddings. I posted something last week on Instagram where I referenced a destination wedding, and this sparked the video for this week. I get asked questions often about what it is like to plan a destination wedding.

I plan to share some more tips on this, starting with this question; how do you select vendors for a destination wedding? 

In this video, I share some advice on things to consider when looking for vendors for destination weddings; but the one point I want to focus on today is: 

Start your search with the venue's list of preferred vendors

I always say I teach planners I mentor things I know work, and this is one of those things that has never failed. I have planned weddings all over the world and also in different states in America and half the time I don't know anyone in that state or country so my first point of reference is the venue's list of vendors.

Besides social media and online search engines, I...

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Engagement Season Is Here

As we move into the week of Thanksgiving I am looking forward to two things, food and food  Jokes apart, when I think of thanksgiving I think about engagements. From Thanksgiving until Valentine's is considered engagement season. I am a hopeless romantic at heart so naturally, I get very excited to see pictures and videos of engagements. 

I don’t know if the pandemic will affect this season but I know I look forward to seeing all the beautiful love stories on my feed. Until then, let’s talk about YOU. How are you planning to attract these newly engaged couples? What are you doing to position yourself for couples to find you?

In the Marketing and Advertising module of the RAE Method, I have three-courses that can help you position yourself in the right place to help your ideal couple find you and be attracted to you.

*Social Media for Your Wedding Business

*Advertising Beyond Social Media

*Creating a Winning Website for Your Wedding Business.

If you are...

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