Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Intern Experience at Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events


Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events has always supported the future of our industry by offering internships to college students.  We have worked with students from North Carolina State University, the University of Chapel Hill, Liberty University, just to name a few.  This summer we had the pleasure of working with Laura Leigh Bain from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Laura has been a wonderful addition to our staff, eager to learn and committed to excellence!  We asked Laura so share about her experience at Your Special Day!

I officially started my internship with Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events on May 18th.  I had met with Shawn in March for an interview and was estastic when she offered me the opportunity to work with her and her consultants for the summer.
I started my first day with a few hours in the office working with Shawn, learning how to do RSVP tracking. After that we headed to The Grand Marquise Ballroom in Garner where the real fun started. I was blown away my very first day. I met several vendors, helped set up tables and linens, and met the bride and her mother. That weekend I was thrown right into a wedding and I was thrilled that my first week on the job I was going to able to see a wedding take place and be a part of setting up for it. I couldn't believe how much I was learning right away. I saw what it takes to put a wedding together the last few days beforehand and then everything that goes into it the day of.
There are so many things you never think of when someone says wedding you think the white dress, beautiful flowers, amazing food, a gorgeous tasty cake, and dancing but you don't think about how the tables need to be set up, which way the linens need to face, how the schedule needs to go so that the wedding will flow and everyone will enjoy themselves to the fullest, or what if something goes wrong..who's going to fix it? And the answer to that is simple, the wedding coordinator. Shawn has taught me all of these things and that when a problem occurs she has the answer! I've learned what all goes into pulling off a fabulous wedding without a single hitch and if there is one don't stress too much it can be fixed in a short time and to just get people dancing!

I knew I would enjoy this internship and that I would definitely learn from it but I feel that it has far exceeded my expectations. I have formed friendships with Shawn and the other wedding planners and have truly enjoyed being a part of the planning process and a part of people's weddings. It was the most amazing feeling to see a bride and groom really enjoy their night and knowing you had a little to do with it. Before this internship wedding planning was something I wanted to do but now it's become a passion and I cannot wait to start my career in the industry!

I owe tons of thanks to Shawn and her wedding planners, the couples who have allowed me to help and be a part of their wedding days, and the vendors who have taken their time to talk to me about their companies and passions. This internship has been a great experience and one I will always remember!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Happy Anniversary, Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events

Five years ago today, I took a leap of faith and never looked back. After 6 years as a wedding planner/consultant with another company, I opened the doors to Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events. This major life changing decision continues to be a complete blessing from God.


I offer my total appreciation and gratitude to Gail Stephenson, for providing a wonderful foundation for me to build upon.

To our amazing network of truly the “best of the best” vendors in the triangle and beyond, thank you for your continued support.

To our staff, Michelle, Emily, LeeAnn, Amanda and Angela, the company’s success would not exist without you!

To my family, thank you for believing in me, putting up with the crazy schedule, my obsession of the business and providing me with the motivation to keep going.

Most importantly, to our clients, past, present and future, YOU are why we do what we do. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Your Special Day!

Happy Anniversary, Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events.