What does a wedding planner do when she gets engaged? Hires her own wedding planner, of course!  Despite the fact that I’m doing the legwork in advance of the big day, it was blatantly obvious from the start that I needed to hire someone to be my day-of contact and director. Hiring someone to be the “boss” on the day of your wedding is, indeed, an investment but one that pays back its worth thousands of times over.

When July 21st rolls around, you better believe I am going to be taking a backseat, stepping away from my day job, and becoming Mrs. Bride-to-Be. I’ve had several experiences in this whole planning process where I’ve felt more like a planner than a bride, but you had better believe I’m going to be playing the role of Bride when the time comes. No bossing people around, no keeping track of what time it is. I am going to be 98% focused on what’s MOST important:  I am marrying the man of my dreams. {Wow. It feels so crazy and emotional to write that! My heart literally fluttered. Mmm.} There will be a two-percent of focus on taking mental pictures 24/7, staying conscientious of every little moment, and living the surreal reality of the day and noticing/caring about how my dreams came to fruition… but ultimately, I’m going to be in a lovestruck daze.

{photo by Kristyn Hogan}

And who better to give the reins to than the woman who led me first to this beautiful, wonderful career I love so much?  I owe so much to Mary Alice Sublett {owner of A Delightful Day Event Planning and StudioWed Nashville} for allowing the 20-year-old, enthusiastic, wedding-obsessed college-student “me” an internship my junior year. And for letting me tag along to planning appointments, venue meetings, bridal shows, and industry events.  And for giving me responsibility, letting me see firsthand the crazy-chaotic wonderful world of ACTUAL weddings and what goes on behind the scenes.  And then for asking me to come back and be the Studio Manager here in November 2010, and for presenting me with the opportunity to work directly with other wedding vendors so I could accumulate all my lovely little jobs that allow me to do what I love and still survive post-college.

{Me, Mary Alice, Leigh, and Nicole from Asheville at the StudioWed Grand Opening in 2010!!!}

Mary Alice is the original Wedding Fairy Godmother.  When I was a senior planning my high school prom back in 2007, I remember reading A Delightful Day‘s blog for event inspiration.  That was my first exposure to the lovely world of wedding planning… a distant, fantasy world I only knew from things like Father of the Bride and the occasional Martha Stewart Weddings. During the first few weddings I shadowed with Mary Alice, I saw her assuming the role of comforter, advice-giver, boutonniere-pinner, guest-herder, decoration-transporter, skirt-fluffer, bustle-pinner, quality controller, and more.  She was the person everyone looked to, to answer their questions. Always composed {even when emotions were high}, professional, prepared {SO prepared… emergency kits, full contracts & details organized to a tee, clipboard in hand and iPhone at the ready!}. Brides never had any question that they’d miss their bouquet toss or cut their cake too late… Mary Alice was on the go, warning all the appropriate vendors what was coming up, communicating with the emcee, and gently tapping the shoulder of the parties necessary to complete whatever was ahead.

This woman knows where every parking lot is in the greater Middle Tennessee area, how much they cost, and how shady they are after dark.  She’s worked with practically everyone, and can direct you to the perfect place to find whatever you need:  be it affordable but delicious cakes, the florist who goes above and beyond, a photographer for every price point… even the DJ she used at her own wedding! She knows the circuit like it’s her backyard.  I have no problem whatsoever leaving it all up to her and her staff to connect the dots on our wedding day. I know she’ll tell me if I have lipstick on my teeth, make sure my train and veil are properly fluffed and ready, and ensure that I eat SOMETHING before we jet-set in our vintage car to say adieu.

My next project? Figuring out a way to video-conference Leigh Barker in on Mary Alice’s iPhone on my wedding day so she can be there for everything while she’s simultaneously saving the world for another lucky bride.  Trust me, I have gone through serious mourning over the fact that I can’t have Leigh physically right there by my side for everything.  The three of us have been a team since I started back in January 2010 and it just isn’t right for one-third to be missing when I get married!! Leigh always laughs when I “shoulder dance” in the background at clients’ weddings… she needs to be there for fully-fledged REAL dancing. And to see how everything falls into place after years of hearing me say, “Oh, we’re definitely doing that at our wedding!” or “I’m totally wearing this when I finally get married!”  Leigh played one PIVOTAL part in helping make Drew’s proposal a surprise for me {seriously, she could be an actress– that convincing!!!}, and she was one of the first few people I called after getting engaged.  While I’m secretly wishing the other bride would change her date, I will settle ONLY if we can figure out SOME WAY to have her be there while she can’t really be there.  And then maybe having a “watch party” after the fact when we get our wedding video from McNeal!!! And then maybe definitely REQUIRING her to be there when we renew our vows {you know we will}.

Mary Alice and Leigh, you guys are the best ever. Thank you for taking me on two years ago and for all of your help with planning this wedding!!!!

~ Kelly