Wedding Planning Careers with TISOH

Emily Grace Julaton Talks Tips for Success

Weddings, like most events, went on hold in 2020. A majority of couples either decided to keep ceremonies small and intimate, with only immediate family present, or they postponed the nuptials entirely until they could celebrate the way they intended--with an extravagant event and a guest list full of friends and family members.

With vaccines rolling out and Nevada loosening rules on gatherings, this year’s wedding season is certain to make a rebound, while experts say 2022 could see a return to normalcy, or even a spike as couples rush to the altar. 

That’s great news for anyone who is considering a career as a wedding planner! Getting your training in the field of Wedding Coordination and Design now - and entering the market just as it begins to peak again - is ideal, as more weddings means more demand for qualified professionals to carry out all of the wants and needs of the bride and groom. 

What does it take to be successful in the Wedding Planning industry? Emily Grace Julaton, of Emily Grace Events, has been planning weddings for the past five years running. She cites discipline, organizational skills and attention to detail as the keys to success as a wedding planner. Discipline, she says, starts in the classroom. 

“You can’t skip assignments and fall behind,” Julaton says. “You have to be disciplined and you need to have patience. There are a lot of little details that go into this. It’s like having a checklist. And you learn how to troubleshoot.” 

Julaton attended and graduated from TISOH, the International School of Hospitality, where she now serves as the school’s academic programs coordinator. With her culinary background, Julaton, originally eyed the school’s catering program, but decided she wanted to be “more front of the house.” She says the flexibility of having her own business attracted her to shift career paths to pursue wedding planning. 

“TISOH gives you everything you need to succeed in this business. They help you to tap into your creative side and give you confidence to put yourself out there,” she says, adding that the TISOH family and alumni support system makes the transition from the classroom to the real world relatively stress-free. “They’re always there to support you,” she says of TISOH alumni. “They know people that can help you move to the next level. There is a network of endless resources from experts in the TISOH family already in the industry.” 

What does a career in Wedding Coordination and Design entail? “The role of the planner is to make the entire process easy for the couple,” Julaton says. Planning starts with the budget, and keeping expectations in check is critical. “The couple may have a vision in mind, but perhaps cannot afford it.  You need to find out what is most important to them and work from there, then you’ll be able create a memorable experience for them and their guests.” 

From beginning to end, Julaton says it’s about creating “a timeline and guide for the day” and then executing the plan. “You are the director of the day itself. You’re the point person to ensure everything runs smoothly.” 

The logistics include everything from flowers and photographers to food and entertainment. Among a wedding planner’s responsibilities:

  • Consult with the bride and groom to discuss their desired wedding and budget.
  • Discuss venue options, entertainment, catering and decoration preferences.
  • Tour the venue, prepare a guest list and discuss the design of invitations.
  • Schedule meetings with vendors including florists, photographers, videographers, caterers and bakers. Negotiate and execute contracts.
  • Prepare a seating plan and rehearsal dinner.
  • Create a timetable and schedule of wedding day events.
  • Make sure wedding gifts are secure and transported at the client’s request.
  • Troubleshoot and ensure the wedding day runs smoothly.   

A wedding planner is responsible for every aspect of a couple’s most important day, and with training from TISOH, you can learn what it takes to be successful in this exciting career! TISOH offers diploma programs as well as more focused professional certificate programs, with online and in-person learning formats. If a career in wedding coordination and design sounds interesting to you, give TISOH a call at 702- 947-7200 or contact us here. At TISOH, the International School of Hospitality in Las Vegas, Nevada, we specialize in training motivated students for professional careers in hospitality. Get your training with TISOH and be prepared for the comeback of the wedding industry!