What's a day like for an event planner or for someone involved in event management? In this episode of the Time We Discuss podcast, host Dan sits down with Tara Thistlethwaite, an experienced event planner and wedding planner, to reveal what it’s really like to run an event management business.
Tara shares her journey from IT professional to full-time event organizer, the realities of long event days, and what it takes to successfully coordinate weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations. If you’ve ever wondered how to host events or want to know how to become an event planner step by step, this conversation is packed with valuable advice.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
A day in the life of an event planner
- How far in advance clients book weddings and events
- The importance of building strong vendor relationships
- Tips for stress management during high-pressure events
- The steps to plan an event and break into the industry
- Tara’s latest project, the Chester County Wedding Connection
Whether you dream of becoming a wedding planner or simply want to understand the logistics behind professional event planning, Tara’s story offers practical insights and inspiration.
Listen to more episodes of the Time We Discuss podcast for career journeys, insider perspectives, and real-world advice.
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Timestamp:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Typical day in the life of an event planner
1:51 - How far in advanced are you booked?
2:49 - How has remote work impacted your event management business?
3:45 - How to get started as an event planner
6:00 - Sourcing other professionals for events
7:14 - Best networking opportunities for aspiring event planners.
10:01 - Education options for aspiring event planners
11:12 - Types of events where you might need an event management business
12:27 - Stress levels for an event planner
14:34 - Different types of events and different types of stress
15:23 - Controlling the intake of events and clients
16:31 - In-house event planners for large organizations
17:25 - Major obstacle for aspiring event planners
18:43 - The event planner in the family
19:52 - Getting paid from clients
21:16 - Busy and quiet seasons for event managers
22:54 - How important is covering a large geographic region?
24:37 - Talent has the floor
25:34 - Outro
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Guest Information:
Tara Thistlethwaite
Also Mentioned Directly or Indirectly in This Episode:
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