Let me give you an example.

I had two friends who were perfect for each other they just didn’t know it yet. I set them up.

It was easy. Invite them both to the same activity a couple times and they did the rest. Two months later they announced their engagement, I couldn’t have been happier! Two of my very best friends were marrying each other.

Then came two questions. “ClairAnn, will you be my Matron of Honor?” and “ClairAnn, will you be our Wedding Planner?” Caught up in the excitement I said yes to both Questions. I felt confident and motivated. Then it hit me… How do I do both?

I spoke with my Mentor Liane McCombs (Liane McCombs Weddings and Events). I asked her what I should do… How could I handle being both things? Her advice was to tell my friends to choose. I couldn’t be both so which one did they want?

Unfortunately, I did not heed her advice, and instead, tackled the task of being both. What did I learn? I should’ve listened listened to Liane…

I called the other bridesmaids and asked them if they could handle the Bridal Shower without me. I worked out the schedule for the day of the wedding way ahead of time, so I could divide my time up and efficiently run things. This included walking away and letting my staff handle things I normally would’ve done.

Then came the hardest part right before the reception. I wanted to be checking every detail and making sure the finishing touches were perfect. Instead, I was taking pictures with the bridal party. I had to again delegate the details to someone else. In the end it was beautiful, the bride and groom were happy and I even fit in sometime on the dance floor.

A month later my mentor Liane found herself in a similar situation as her daughter was getting married. I arrived at her daughters wedding location Ranch Harrah in Reno NV. It of course was beautiful and nearly finished. As Liane was running through a list of things still needing to be finished, her girls were putting on the pressure for her to go be with her daughter and rushed her away.

The rest of the night was mine to finish, run, and coordinate. Liane then got to be Mother of the Bride, and I got the opportunity to run a night Liane had so beautifully arranged and coordinated.

So my advice to you… Don’t try to be both. If you want to do the planning for your wedding, maybe with some help from family and friends, dont try to run the day of too. Hire some outside help to make sure your day runs smoothly, the details are taken care of, and let you, your family, and friends be a part of the event, and leave the rest to someone not related to your wedding party. It will make a world of difference to the experience you have and the memories you take with you.

If you’re thinking about planning your own Elko wedding, take a moment and see how affordable my “Week and Day of Wedding Package” is.