It hit me. I received a notice to renew my business license and just like that, I happily survived my first year of owning Green Orchid Events. Although weddings and events were not new to me (going on year 9 of being a wedding planner), being a business owner was. Many words come to mind when I think of this year: thankful, blessed, lucky, etc. It makes me emotional thinking of all the couples who invited into their lives to celebrate a huge milestone with them, their wedding day. No matter how much time passes, I am forever grateful and humbled that they picked me to be their wedding planner. YOU....yes you have made me a better person, a stronger planner, and probably gave me a wrinkle from smiling so hard. As I reflect on this past year and what is to come in the future I wanted to remind myself and maybe new wedding planners who are just starting out some important tips! I still have a lot to learn and I am not where I want to be...yet.

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Be Kind: You never know who is watching or listening. Never get so overwhelmed or stressed on a wedding day that you forget to smile, forget to say please or thank you, or forget that it takes a team. We all have bad days or have a moment where we might be less than pleasant with someone. "I am sorry" goes a long way. Photo Credit: Youkeun Oh Photography

Leave your ego at the door: It isn't your show and it isn't your wedding day! I always say it takes a village to raise a child and plan a wedding. Don't stand around with a clipboard staring at people...you are not J.Lo and if you are not busy, help a wedding professional that is! Photo Credit: J. Anne Photography

Avoid the "B" word....Busy: I so so so get it. There are plenty of times that we feel like we are drowning, can't catch our breath, and dream of a day off. But don't get so busy that your forget to spend time with friends and family, forget to find time to grab coffee or lunch with a new wedding professional, or forget to answer an email. Also, don't get so busy that you lose yourself in the process. Photo Credit: Alt F Photography

Find your tribe: You will do a lot of weddings and make a lot of mistakes before you find your tribe. Your tribe are the wedding professionals that you know will show up and show out. They make you look good, really good! You know they will be on time, give a 150% to your clients, and are as passionate about the wedding as you are. This also applies to your couples. Stick to the couples that fit your brand and beliefs! You pick your couple as much as they pick you! Photo Credit: Alt F Photography

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Community over competition: You need your fellow wedding planners. I am lucky to call some of the top Las Vegas wedding planners, my friends. I refer a ton of weddings out to them as they do with me. I have called on them when I need an extra hand at a wedding or when I needed something for a client that I couldn't find on my own. Trust me, you will need them! Photo Credit: M Place Productions

I am excited for 2017 as I am entering the new year more confident, more experienced, and so ready to plan the hell out of your wedding!

xoxoxo

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I Am One

Angelica McDonnell