The Event Planning Industry is hard work

There is a lot in this industry that hopeful planners do not realize. A lot of women would come to me (when I was an event specialist) and think planning would be so much fun! It isn't always fun, in fact I found myself burnt out quite often. I would ask them why they think this is the industry for them and they would say:
"Well when I was a bridesmaid, I had so much fun doing this and that....", it is soooo not the same. When I said that it is a little different, they wouldn't believe me because "they still did a lot of decorating at the wedding"...

It was funny when I'd offer them the opportunity to job shadow me at one of my events and they'd gawk when I would tell them to expect a 13 hour work day on a saturday. Or they would tell me they can't work weekends....um- weddings are usually on weekends!

Wedding planning is not cake tasting and pretty flowers, it is very demanding physically and emotionally- brides sometimes don't care if you have a family function or a sick kid, they want your attention now!
I left the industry after I got engaged this summer. I was never home or available to my fiance and we want to be able to spend more time together. I also want to start a family after we are married- and this industry is not friendly for a mother of young children. Luckily, my boss understood my situation to want more predictible hours for a family and wished me the best.

I hope you really do your homework on this industry before you jump-in. I am glad you are job shadowing event professionals and are taking classes. I am always here if you have any questions, I absolutely LOVED being a planner, it was just very challenging at times! Maybe after I have my kids and they are quite older (teens) I'll return to the industry.