Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Foster.
Sheila, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first client was… myself! I planned my wedding and loved everything about it, yes even all the stress. After all the dust had settled from my wedding day and honeymoon, I knew that the wedding industry for me. There was a friend of mine at my church who was a wedding planner. I asked if I could shadow her that summer and she was kind enough to let me tag along. I soaked up everything and learned as much as I could. Soon after that, I asked my mother-in-law if I could market her horse ranch as a wedding venue and luckily she agreed. That is where I got most of my hands-on experience – running a one-man show at her ranch. I was the sales and venue manager as well as the day-of wedding coordinator. I handled marketing, sales, set-up, event management and clean up. This was all while still working my Monday through Friday job as an insurance professional. After about two years of managing that venue, I gained enough confidence to start my own day-of coordination and wedding planning business. And yes, I was finally able to quit my insurance job! I work anywhere in the San Diego and Temecula areas. I have been an entrepreneur and employing like-minded girl bosses for five years now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
OMG, the challenges! The first one is money. How am I going to get enough business to make money?! Well, my advice for that is don’t quit your day job. Not until you’re financially stable (sort of anyways). So many young girls I meet want to be wedding planners, have their own business, make their own hours and set their own pay. A lot of those same girls don’t make it because they couldn’t make enough money. It takes time to build a business. Luckily weddings are mostly on the weekends, so you can work part-time during the week and be on-site at weddings on the weekends. I always recommend to start off this way until you have enough clients to support your fabulous lifestyle. =)
Another obstacle is working with your first bridezilla! It’s tough and a huge blow to your ego but don’t give up! Take a moment to realize that most of your clients are super amazing and wonderful! Don’t let this one client make you hold up the white flag. Weddings are stressful and can sometimes bring out a different side to people. Just keep going and know that you’re doing your best and bridezillas are NOT the norm. 99.9% of brides are the sweetest, easiest people to work with.
What should we know about Shine Wedding Coordination? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a wedding planner but specialize in day/month-of wedding coordination. So, this means you book all your own vendors (I’m always happy to recommend my favs though), have the main vision already in place and I put everything together. I’ll meet with the couple about a month before the big day, see what they already have going on then make some suggestions or just carry out everything they already have envisioned. This is great for a hands-on type of couple that already has an idea of what they want. This is also way more affordable than my full-service wedding planning option. For my full-service, you give me your budget, maybe a few ideas and I take the reins from there!
My typical day at the office (wedding day) starts with setting up all your decorations, checking in vendors, ceremony guidance, guest direction, time-management, personal assistant to the couple and break down at the end of the night.
What I’m most known for and what sets me apart from others is budget decorating. I LOVE decorating and I love making something that is relatively inexpensive or raw look like a million bucks! It’s all about placement and adding a few candles, flower buds or some eucalyptus to really dress up a table, arch or walkway.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Any podcasts from C3 San Diego Church for motivation and recharging.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weddingplannersd.com
- Phone: (858) 472-6647
- Email: shineweddingcoordination@gmail.com
- Instagram: @weddingplannersd
- Facebook: @weddingplannersd
Image Credit:
Olga Kubrak Photography
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