A Glimpse Into Event Coordinating

This past weekend I worked a wedding (a Jewish one!) and I figured I'd snap a few shots of behind-the-scenes instead of just the wedding itself. Don't get me wrong - the wedding was beautiful like most of our weddings are, but it's hard to justify another shot of our market lights against the sky. Although, the sight never gets old to me. 

As an event coordinator my responsibilities include everything from event sales, marketing, guest services, to risk management. From beginning to end our client relationship looks a little like: 1) initial site-visit to show the client the venue spaces, 2) creation of contract, invoice, and work order, 3) discussion of event needs (this is where the client fills out an event specification guide with questions like "What kind of set up do you want? banquet/theater/classroom" and "What are your vendors? company/contact/number"), 4) creation of a diagram by using the specification guide, 5) creation of a production schedule by using the spec guide (contacting the vendors to see their set-up needs, scheduling them for load-in, etc.), 6) and finally, the last part is coordinating all of the details on site the day of the event. On-site I have a set-up crew as well as an event intern to help in all the things that need to get done. I would have never thought that I would need an intern, but our building is so big and we are the liaison for so many contacts that it is so helpful to have an intern assist!

I snapped a photo of the production schedule from this weekends wedding, as well as my name tag that sits prettily in a small holder made from a branch. It's actually left over from one our weddings and was used as the name and seating arrangement place card holder. A sweet little detail to remember that wedding by!

Every few months, I get really lucky to have a florist and a bride + groom who don't want to take home 15 centerpieces. That means, I bring home a beautiful, fresh bouquet for my dining room table. This wedding had a colorful ensemble of orange, yellow, and even pink floral centerpieces that matched everything from the napkins to the cupcakes. A true sign that spring is here! 

For a while, I was feeling like I wanted more, like I needed more to life. I know that I have a lot of changes coming up in the next few months, even within the next year. Although, there was still something in my head making me feel that I still need to accomplish something else. And then, I suddenly had the realization that a year ago I was in a completely different place too. A year ago I wanted to be exactly where I am now. In regards to my career, my degree, our wedding, even money, everything has fallen right into place, exactly how I wanted it to. And it made me realize that it's enough. It's enough that we've advanced this much in our careers, it's enough that we have both obtained degrees, it's enough that we're both traveling to new places. I'm really driven, so it won't be enough forever, it will hardly be enough for this week, but for now, I am content, and I am proud of how far we've both come in the short time of one year.

Adieu, Yelle