Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Wooding.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Oh gosh, this is a crazy one! I grew up in LA and discovered my passion for filmmaking around the time I was applying for colleges. I guess it was earlier than that, but I didn’t set foot onto a *real* film set until my late-teens/early 20’s. I quickly became a 2nd Assistant Director (managing “extras,” coordinating production assistants, and managing the day-to-day paperwork), and then a 1st AD – you know, the one that yells “quiet on the set,” and works with all teams to figure out the logistics of bringing creative ideas to life.
I spent a lot of my college life on the road between LA and SD, working on projects ranging from TV commercials to indie feature films, live theatre, and then got into the concert scene (primarily doing lighting). Then one day, I realized that I was about to graduate college and needed a “real job.” A luxury hotel was opened just across the street from UCSD, and I was able to enter the corporate world, learning the audio-visual requirements for corporate and social events. I worked every wedding that first season and absolutely LOVED it – the creativity, the energy – it was like working on film sets again, but in a much different environment.
And then kids happened.
I honestly think that my film production and live events background prepared me for parenting. You have to always be prepared for literally anything that could happen, AND, still be respectful and handle the situation with grace. Much like my approach to wedding planning – proactive, yet, encouraging; guiding where possible and leading where necessary, and always keep my clients’ best interest at heart. Balancing work and parenting was tough at first. I moved up into management in the hotel world, and have had the pleasure of working at most every 4 & 5 Diamond property in San Diego. Family life brought the necessity to have a more stable work schedule, so I switched careers back into theatrics and worked at… well… let’s just say, a theme park that has a lot of animals that come from the sea. =)
I honed my special effects skills there: learned how to make people fly, the specifics of how lighting and sound affect animals, and how to produce world-class events with a guest-first mentality. And then… decided to change careers again and had the opportunity to be a Catering Sales Manager at a very beautiful San Diego landmark – a downtown 4-Diamond hotel. There, I was blessed to have the opportunity to host corporate luncheons, debutante balls, high school proms – but I truly found my calling, when working with weddings. Something about the variety of emotions, bringing together someone’s unique and personal creative vision, and being able to be a bridge between their families and our banquets/operations/security/catering team…. it put breath in my lungs!
Like many with the ebbs and flow of life, my personal life had changed dramatically throughout all this too. I’d had 2 boys and then went through a divorce. Don’t worry, this story has a happy ending! 2 years later, I’d gotten remarried to an amazingly supportive and phenomenal man – truly my best friend. And 2 years after that, we had our son, who’s the sassiest, smartest, COO I’ve ever worked for. LOL. To get a little personal, the baby was a super difficult pregnancy – and put me on bedrest and in the hospital twice. During that time, though, I was able to re-focus and re-prioritize. My family and I decided that we needed to make some drastic changes in our lives, and it hasn’t been without sacrifice, but man, has it been worth it. So… I left the corporate world and joined the entrepreneurial world. Talk about scary.
It’s been a total blessing though. I’m able to BE PRESENT for my family and really sow into my boys, my life, AND that’s brought about the ability to create Best Day Ever Weddings and Events. Too often had I seen weddings happen where the Mother-of-the-Bride, or Sister-of-the-Bride or Best-Friend of either the Bride OR the Groom – are totally stressed out, not enjoying the day, and having to WORK, on what should be, a day of celebration for and with their loved ones. So in that time fo re-focus and re-prioritization, I decided I also wanted those couples (AND their families) to be able to BE PRESENT at their events. I wanted to take me now, *ahem* 15+ years of event experience, and allow them to have their Best.Day.Ever. And now, with the support of my awesome fam, industry colleagues (aka FRIENDORS), that was possible!!
As I sit back and read this story, it’s astounding to me how random my life has been and the crazy events that have led up to this point. But every random piece brings together the experience that goes behind the owner of Best Day Ever Weddings + Events.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not! I had originally started my business with a business partner. About 2 weeks after filing the paperwork, she decided she wanted to focus on something else completely. We’re totally still friends, and I’m thankful she figured out that wedding planning wasn’t truly her passion – BEFORE we really got rolling.
Building a business, completely from the ground up, is always challenging. I was blessed that I already had a ton of solid relationships within the San Diego wedding industry and I sought out their insight before delving into owning a business. I specifically asked questions of those that have a successful business (equipment rentals/photography, etc) that had young families – because owning a business and running a family AT THE SAME TIME are super difficult. I wanted to make sure that I was going on this adventure, at least with a good idea of what I was getting myself (and my fam) into.
I guess the biggest struggle now, is to make certain I’m finding a balance between work and home… especially now that I WORK from HOME. Honestly, I don’t think it’s ever a 50/50 balance. It’s probably like a 100/0 and 20/80 and then 70/30 balance day-to-day. But I’m intentional about how I allocate my time, and I rely on technology to help streamline both business and home-life. I automate what I can, but make certain that what has to be personal (like a phone call to alleviate the worries of a bride who just learned the nation-wide dress shop they purchase their wedding dress from has closed overnight OR hugging my 10-year-old son, who is totally “too-cool” for his mom now) – is in person.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Best Day Ever Weddings and Events – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Best Day Ever Weddings + Events was created with the sole purpose that our clients could fully BE PRESENT in order for them to have their #bestdayever! I have seen too many family members, friends of the couple, and the couple themselves be so wrapped up in the planning and making of DIY elements that they forget to enjoy the day and more importantly, each other.
I specialize in month-of / wedding day management – shedding light on the mystery of wedding planning and how everything “flows together seamlessly.” The wedding day itself, with all its moving parts, heightened emotions, and the stress of only having one shot to get it right – that’s where I feel most alive. I love the energy of the wedding day, especially bringing together all the vendors and their unique talents/services/products to produce our couples’ wedding vision.
Aside from specializing in producing seamless events that have multiple locations and many moving parts, I also focus on partnering with my couple. It’s THEIR day and THEIR memories, after all. Sometimes prospective couples voice the concern that a wedding planner is going to take over their event, in order to produce an event that’s more in the style and vision of that planner. TOTALLY NOT MY STYLE. I explain to couples that want to work with me, to envision me more as a wedding sherpa – someone that can traverse the mountainous journey that is planning their #bestdayever.
The one thing that I’m absolutely most proud of as a company is a look on my couples’ faces at the end of their wedding night. It’s difficult to explain exactly, but every one of them has had it (and hope to see it many more times!). They’re super sweaty (from dancing the night away), tummies are full of yummy food and sweets (because my couples actually EAT on their wedding day), and they’re giggling like children (because let’s face it, that’s what happens when you marry your BEST FRIEND). To be able to experience this, time and time again, is truly a blessing – and makes me so proud every time!!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As for now, no major changes! I’m just looking forward to continuing to grow and find ways to partner with local companies to serve our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bestdayeverweddings.com
- Phone: 858-522-0504
- Email: Stephanie@BestDayEverWeddings.com
- Instagram: @bestdayeverweddingsandevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestDayEverWeddingsAndEvents/?timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100001912629790&pnref=lhc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BestDayEverSD
Image Credit:
ABM Wedding Photography, Furious Photographers, Laura Christin Photography, The Hearts Haven Photography, Andrew Morton Photography, Lot 8, Paradise Point Resort & Spa, Pine Hills Lodge
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