Q & A with Amanda Douglas Events

Hello! And welcome to the first post of our Q & A with Amanda Douglas Events Series!

Firstly, thank you to everyone who submitted a questions! We look forward to many posts where we can answer them all for you! We’ll try and answer them as they come in but we’ll be keeping each post to four questions (something to look forward to for the next post!)

So let’s get right into it (Answers from Amanda herself):

Q: Where do you get inspired?

A: Everywhere! I’ve worked really hard to develop that side of my brian where I look at things in such a way that I can break it down into something I can use, be inspired by or just admire. Do you ever see something and think “I could do that” or “I could make that” and then break it all down in your head on how you would? Well take that and x10. It can be pretty tiering so I’m working on an off switch but when you can get your mind to think more critically and creatively with what’s around you it’s pretty amazing what you can come up with! (But if you’re looking for something a bit more tangible sites like Green Wedding Shoes, Pinterest, Pantone, The Perfect Palette and around 20 other wedding related sites are on my Feedly account)

Q: I want to be a planner, where do I start?

A: Online! Do a lot of research, read a lot of blogs, learn what it really looks like to be a planner. Do the research and the math and see if it’s something you would be happy with (at the end of the day we all need to make a living so be realistic with how much work you’d need to get to make it a feasible living for you).

Next start with taking some courses through the WPIC and WEI. Those will be invaluable to you.

Next get an internship position or volunteer position on an event. You might think “Oh, I’d love to be a planner, it looks like so much fun” but it is a lot of work too, so it’s best to try and get your “hands dirty” early on so you can see what things are really like. Don’t get me wrong, I feel like the most blessed person to be able to do my passion every day, to be able to work with the beautiful (inside and out) clients and vendors that I do. And to be able to bring together stunning events BUT it’s not an easy job by any means so be realistic and educate yourself (a great blog for this is Every Last Detail. Lots of great info on there!)

Q: What’s the best professional lesson you’ve ever learned?

A: Don’t give up. I know, it sounds really simple but it’s true.

I was thinking of becoming a planner 8 years ago (I was already in the industry but on a small scale and as an employee). I talked to a “planner” (someone that had a full time job but did planning on the weekend, for friends and family). She told me “Oh, you could never make a living being a planner. There’s no money in it. People simply don’t want to pay a lot for that service”. I really valued what she thought, and figured she must be right (after all she was a successful person, double my age, she must be right?). At the time I didn’t know any better, I didn’t have anyone else to ask, or anywhere else to find out more info. So what did I do? I stayed where I was, I didn’t start my company, and I was unfulfilled. I’m very happy with the experience and area of the industry I was working in and feel those years were a great building ground for me but it seriously stopped me from believing in myself and going further into my dreams.

Make sure you take the time to think for yourself. It’s great to get the advice from others but think for yourself. Make sure you don’t just have your heads in the clouds or are solely thinking as an optimist. It doesn’t matter if it’s events, or any other venture you’re going after think realistically and do your research.

Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a bride (if you could only give one)?

A: Take deep breath and start with your budget. ALWAYS START WITH YOUR BUDGET!

So often couples start planning and spending without really breaking it down first. Before you know it you’re at 40k when your budget was 35k. It’s sad to get only half way in and realize you didn’t know what things really cost and picked a venue, or photographer that was way too large a chunk of your budget.

Of course my very next piece of advice would be to hire a planner. For me, this is what I do as a living, it’s what I eat, breathe and sleep. I know pricing, I know venues, and I know who’s who and who does what. Having a planner on your side and on your team, will save you so so so much time and stress (and a lot of money too). And really, having a planner on your team is a lot of fun too! Wedding planning should be fun, and my goal is always to take that stress of so it can get back to that!