
03/21/2025
How It All Started: My Journey as a Wedding Planner
Fourteen years ago, the wedding industry looked very different. There was no Instagram, no TikTok, and Facebook wasnāt the powerhouse it is today. If you wanted to build a business, you had to show upāin person, at networking events, at venues, and anywhere couples were planning their big day.
The challenge? I was so shy back then. Walking into a room full of industry pros and introducing myself felt overwhelming. I had to figure everything out on my ownāteaching myself how to navigate vendor relationships, perfect wedding day timelines, and build a reputation from the ground up.
I remember spending hours visiting venues, nervously introducing myself, and pushing through my own doubts because I knew thatās what it took. The only way to showcase my work was by constantly updating my website with new photos (which wasnāt as easy as clicking āpostā back then!). Every event was a lesson, every challenge made me stronger, and every couple I worked with helped me grow into the planner I am today.
And then, I stumbled upon . That was a game-changer. The education, support, and certification process helped mold me into the planner I am today. It gave me confidence, tools, and a deeper understanding of how to elevate my services. Even though I had already built my business on my own, this was the piece that refined and strengthened everything I had worked so hard to create.
Fast forward to now, and the industry has changed so much. Social media has opened up incredible opportunities, but at the heart of it, wedding planning is STILL about relationships, trust, and experience. The way I built my businessāthrough hard work, real connections, and stepping outside of my comfort zoneāstill stands strong.
Looking back, I wouldnāt change a thing. Itās been an incredible journey, and Iām so grateful for every couple, vendor, and experience thatās shaped Marie Nicole Weddings into what it is today. And you can see the beautiful progress in this incredible wedding above.
Photo credit
Floral GENIUS Fern and Curl Designs
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