Starting a wedding planning company in 2005 was a big step for me. I was a mother of two young children, a wife, and suddenly working to create my own path in the wedding industry. A glimpse into my life back in 2005 looks vastly different than a day in my life today. Elegant Affairs has turned into a booming business, a top vendor in the Pacific Northwest, and has filled my cup full.

Today, I will take you on a journey through a day in the life of a wedding planner. Wedding planning isn’t just a weekend job, it’s a job that is all throughout the week. A wedding planner is constantly on the move bouncing from one meeting or vendor to the next event. Join me, for a day in the life of a wedding planner – me! 

Mornings start early. Once my teenage sons are up and moving, they are headed to school. I get my morning started with my daily routines and folks that doesn’t include coffee. Believe it or not, I am not a coffee drinker! I check my appointments for the day and confirm any last-minute meetings that I may have. As a wedding planner, your day will keep you moving. One of my biggest time management tips is to keep an active calendar. Active is key – it means that you really have to use it! Whether the meeting is five minutes or two hours, charting it as a part of your day will help you visualize your schedule. Once all of my meetings are confirmed I hop in my car and get started to the first event of the day. 

The first stop is a coffee shop in Tacoma, for a potential client meeting. Did you know Elegant Affairs offer consultations with couples? This has been a part of our services since I started Elegant Affairs in 2005. The purpose of an initial consultation is almost like the first date. Before we sign on the dotted line, or clients are ready to put down the deposit, we want to be sure that we are a good fit for our couples and that Elegant Affairs is a feasible option for potential clients. A typical potential client meeting can last an hour, sometimes more, and we discuss all of the details. During the meeting we really focus on who the couple is, what their vision is, has a budget been created, if so what is the budget, and what their goals are for hiring a wedding planner. We do offer a variety of packages, from day of coordinating to a full services wedding planner, determining the exact need and how we can best support the client, and of course the budget, is the heart of the initial consultation. Once the meeting is wrapped up, I’m off to the next appointment. 

Next stop is back to the Elegant Affairs office. A current couple is meeting me to review some of the details for their big day. Depending on the package couples chose, determines the amount of planning meetings we have. Now, although it is set in our packages, we can always adjust and set additional planning meetings. For this particular planning meeting, we are going over the timeline for the big day. At Elegant Affairs, one of our biggest tasks is to lay out the wedding day from the time the wedding party wakes up, to the last steps in the venue. A lot of our past couples say that this has been the saving grace for their wedding day. We make sure that every step of the day is accounted for and planned. The more pieces we can solidify for the big day, the less hiccups that come along the way. At timeline planning meetings, we go through the timeline, and talk about anything we need to adjust or account additional time for. Once the timeline is set, I will make a note in my schedule to confirm all vendor appointments, as this wedding is in the next two weeks. Confirming all vendors that will be supporting the wedding day is essential. We always make sure to confirm a few weeks ago and then finalize plans a few days before the wedding. After the meeting, I make sure to stop and catch my breath to check in with my kids, and husband, and grab a bite to eat. 

It’s about halfway through the day and I have two more appointments to attend. The next appointment is in south Seattle. I am meeting a new client and we will be meeting a potential new vendor. We always offer our services to attend meetings with current or potential vendors. Our team of wedding planners can provide additional insight for the couple, whether it is budget or design advice. This vendor meeting is for rentals. Rentals can include tables, chairs, table clothes, napkins, and even odds and ends like centerpiece vases and signage. I came prepared with a vision board of what my and I have created and we discuss what is in the vendor’s inventory, prices, and what will work. I always enjoy accompanying couples to their vendor meetings, especially rental meetings. During rental meetings, I am able to see what will be delivered on the wedding day, and create a good vision of what needs to be done, accounted for, and set up. 

My final stop is also in Seattle. I try to organize my day so I’m driving effectively and hitting meetings that are nearby each other. It’s a Friday, which means it’s typically a wedding rehearsal day. I’m off to run a wedding rehearsal for a couple we’ve had for almost a year. We’ve had so much planning go into their big day, and I am so ecstatic to see how it will unfold on the big day. I break out my timeline for the wedding rehearsal – yes we even have timelines for the day before. We run through the ceremony, put small dots on the floor, so the groomsmen know where to stand, and even practice how the father of the bride will hand off their daughter on the day of. We make sure that all of the details are smoothed out. Sometimes, we get invited to dinner after the rehearsal, which we always enjoy going to. But, today, I’m opting to spend time with my family as just mom and wife– not the wedding planner lady. 

Our daily schedule at Elegant Affairs has definitely increased since starting the company. Are my days booked solid most days - not all the time, but I am constantly working with clients, or handling client projects, details, or timelines. My goal is to make sure that my client’s day is what they have envisioned and that all of our planning comes to life, seamlessly and beautifully. Once I’m home, I of course put my feet up. Now, I can relax and enjoy our family time, knowing that I was one successful boss babe today.

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 17 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.