Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzette Lam.
Suzette, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started with planning two big celebrations that were only six months apart: my sister’s 18th birthday debutante ball (2011) and my wedding (2012). Although planning both events were a lot of work, it was also fun! During this time, I was in limbo of “what do I really want to do with my life/career?” After our wedding, my husband knew this was something that I could possibly enjoy to do for a living – a wedding planner. But how does one start?? So we sat down with a blank sheet of paper and just brainstormed. We also reached out to people in the industry to pick their brains.
Seven months after my wedding, I received a call from a friend who is a DJ, and he said he had clients from Los Angeles who were looking for a wedding coordinator for their wedding in San Diego. I sat with these clients for two hours, and we vibed! I had no prior coordination experience, but what I was able to showcase were details I put into my wedding and into my sister’s 18th birthday party. They booked me to coordinate their wedding! We were also the first to marry in our circle of friends. From there, the ball was rolling for me.
Many of the weddings I’ve booked have been through word of mouth, or they have attended a wedding I coordinated. My husband, Patrick, is my side-kick and has done every wedding with me! He loves it as much as I do. He helped me build my marketing forefront.
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?
I was trying to get this career started mid-2012, and I had my first child in January 2013 and my second one July 2014 (18 months apart). This was definitely the challenge when starting a business with no prior wedding planning experience, let alone a self-owned business.
Since I had two little children, the work-life balance was tough. I was more focused on my home life, which isn’t bad. But in terms of growing the business, it was tough keeping up with my online presence. Social media is such a huge platform where potential clients are searching for wedding vendors. This is something I’m learning to stay on top of.
In terms of coordinating weddings, it was so natural for me and Patrick to get things organized and flowing smoothly. We definitely learn something new every wedding as we work with different vendors and different group of guests.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Weddings by Suzette story. Tell us more about the business.
I figured full-wedding planning would be tough on my growing family. However, I noticed that most inquiries we were receiving were from “Do-It-Yourself” couples, where they did all the planning, and they needed someone to execute their wedding day. Here is where we found the niche that is perfect for me – Day-Of Coordination.
This allows me to focus on each of my couples closely. What we are most proud of as a company is our organization skills and personal touch. Although we are claimed to be “Day-of Coordinators,” we do focus on three main services:
1. Consultation. I provide each of my couples something to stay on top of their wedding planning, which I also have access to. If I see nothing has been updated, I check in on them monthly from the day they book us. We really work closely with them month-of their wedding, which includes formulating a timeline, venue visit/walkthrough, a logistic meeting, and checking in with third-party vendors prior to the wedding.
2. Execution. This involves picking up wedding decorations and setting them out to the client’s specifications, acting as a liaison for the couple, maintaining the flow of the reception timeline, and communicating with vendors throughout the day.
3. Post-Wedding. Gather wedding decorations and delivering them back to the couple.
I have received many compliments from other vendors that I work closely with, mentioning that I still have a smile on my face when things get hectic and that we actually offer a helping hand if we are available. My response is always, “If I’m intense, then that sets the mood for the rest wedding day.
It should be fun, hectic or not. If I don’t enjoy the craziness, then why am I here? I love what I do! I also don’t consider each vendor a separate entity at a wedding, but a team. And our number one goal is to make this wedding memorable for our clients!”
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I honestly think that having such a well-rounded network in this industry was on our lucky side. I don’t think I could have done this without the people who have been working in the wedding industry for years by my side.
I have cousins who have videography, photography, and photo booth companies. I have friends who are DJs, wedding planners/designers, bakers, and florists. I’ve met so many different vendors also, and they are all so inspiring and makes me want to push my business further.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weddingsbysuzette.com
- Email: info@weddingsbysuzette.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/weddingsbysuzette
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/weddingsbysuzette
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/weddings-by-suzette-san-diego?uid=qUwlCdsmHYCfqDauj_vB7w&utm_source=ishare
Image Credit:
8twenty8 studios, Honey Photographs, Shiloh Colleen Photography, Tyler Branch Photo
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
