Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Vendor Series Interview, Kate Martin for Beautiful Days

It's always refreshing to chat with someone who works in event planning because there are always new tips to share and fun stories to be told. And it's always a pleasure chatting with Kate Martin from Beautiful Days, not only for her experience and passion for planning weddings, but she also has a great sense of humor! Check out what we have to chat about!


Kate Martin



Some examples of her work:



image by Geneve Hoffman Photography




image by Geneve Hoffman Photography




image by Geneve Hoffman Photography




image by Geneve Hoffman Photography




image by Emilie Inc.




image by Emilie Inc.



Q: What is your favorite part of the wedding process?

A: Creating the look and feel of the celebration. I love it when a beautiful plan is put together that reflects my clients personality and the vibe they want for the day whether it's rustic-chic, modern-cool, or a midsummer's night dream.


Q: What do you love most about your job in the wedding industry?

A: When all the planning and design work comes together, the setting is created for a gorgeous celebration and the bride exclaims, "I love it! This is the day I imagined!" And I will admit, I do get teary every time one of my brides walks down the aisle!


Q: What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

A: That a planner is an indulgence. One of the best things a couple can do is to have a planner be part of their team to ensure their wedding day and the events around it are executed without a hitch - especially for the couples who are planning destination weddings. Having someone be their advocate, eyes, ears, confidant, and advisor is a worthy investment.


Q: How did you get into the wedding industry?

A: The jobs and experiences I have been passionate about in my life all add up to the perfect background for my work in weddings and celebrations; interior design in San Francisco, high-end restaurant work and garden design on Nantucket, photography on the hills of Telluride, CO and in my travels, my love of fun music and gathering friends and family around the table for good cheer. There was a string of family and friend weddings that I became involved in whether it was helping to select vendors, doing the flowers, helping with event design...Finally after a few parties, it clicked that wedding planning and event and floral design was exactly what I should be doing.


Q: Tell me one wedding vendor other than in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

A: Wow a tough one to answer! There are so many talented musicians, caterers, photographers, florists, and bakers it's impossible to pick just one let alone a few. I love working with Susan and Gretta of Cacao Chocolates in Kittery - they are true chocolate artisans and the first people I call when we're looking for special sweets....Swan's Way Catering of Camden is fantastic -Stacey Glassman and her crew are creative, fun, totally professional, and her food is fantastic....Sperry Tents are so special and make a party glow and Banks and his crew always go above and beyond the call of duty...and Geneve Hoffman is a true professional - wonderful to work with and captures beautiful moments with her photography....and of course any live band that can keep a party swinging all night long!


Q: Tell me one wedding vendor in your industry you highly recommend? Why?

A: For flowers, Flora Fauna - I love her creativity, playfulness and chic style and for planning & design Kate Parker Weddings for their energy and commitment to excellence.


Q: Favorite wedding story- funny or serious.

A: There have been a few- enough that I think I should start a book. Hmm...there was the night of the broken down trolleys that stranded about 100 guests including the bride and groom for almost an hour...the last minute switch of a party of 225 from a tent to a reception hall due to a fast approaching hurricane (better safe than sorry!)...I think the most touching story was when a father of the bride called me a few nights before the wedding to go over his toast with me. He was so emotional and wanted to make sure he created the perfect tribute to his only daughter who he absolutely adored! It was flawless and there was not a dry eye in the tent.


Q: What other part of the industry would you not want to work in? Why?

A: Transportation; trying to move 200 guests at once is a big pain in the butt!


Q: What differentiates you from the rest of your industry peers?

A: I think my background in interior and garden design is a real asset. My space planning skills, eye for color, project management, planting of unique flowers in the spring for use in floral creations in the summer and fall and my search for inspiration beyond typical wedding formulas all aid in creating celebrations that keep guests smiling all night long.

1 comment:

  1. nice interview! Kate Martin is a true original..love working with her.

    ReplyDelete

 
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