Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Bell.
Sandy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey as a wedding planner started in Montgomery, Alabama in 1996, well before there was the internet, online software programs, social media, etc. Sometimes I really wonder how did I do it back then but, I guess I was young, ambitious and felt that I could take on the world. Before starting my business, I was planning small parties and family reunions for my mother side of the family as well as my husband’s family.
During the time, I was planning small parties at my home and family reunions, I was working in the corporate world of the mortgage industry. Never did I once think about planning weddings until one day one of my colleagues came to my cubicle and asked if I knew a photographer and I shared with her the name of two of the photographers that I knew and had used for our family reunions. A few days later she returned and asked if I knew of any venues that she could have her reception that allowed outside catering and I shared the name of a few venues with her as well as caterers.
Before, I knew anything I had completely planned her wedding without really trying to plan her wedding. After I had shared all this information with Janice, it was that time that I thought of becoming a wedding planner and so I being to study to pursue my journey as a wedding planner part time.
I always wanted to pursue my wedding planning career full-time and in 2012, I took the leap of faith as a full-time wedding and event planner.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road, especially when I decided to become a true entrepreneur and become a wedding and event planner full time. I really had to learn to budget, because I was no longer receiving a consent income not to mention I really had to learn how to price my packages to ensure I was generating an income that I could take care of not only me but my family and invest back into my business. Also, when you become a full-time entrepreneur you have to change your mindset not only about money but about the company you keep are they adding value to your life as well as are you adding value to their life, your health, and continuing to learning new things and accept change. I will also say that my other hardest struggle has been and still is finding reliable help. Everyone wants to be a planner and not an assistant, but what no one really stresses to these up and coming wedding and event planners that behind all the pretty is months of long conversations via conference call, meetings and emails as well as a ton of emotions from the bride, her mother and the groom to be. Not to mention the bride’s maid of honor who is happy that you are getting married, but deep down she wishes it was her, so she gives the bride all of her unprofessional advice which has the bride second-guessing the planner. They are also unaware that you spend most of the day on your feet, which is usually a 10 sometime 12-hour day and not to mention most of your weekends are taking by orchestrating weddings and events. So, I will have to say the biggest is finding the right staff to assist me on the Big Day.
At this time, I do have three faithful employees, but I am looking to grow my business and to do that I need to make sure I have the right people in place.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Imperial Events story. Tell us more about the business.
Imperial Events is a full – service wedding planning and event planning boutique based out of Atlanta. I am also an authorized dealer of Carlson Craft, which allows our clients the opportunity to purchase their stationary needs through Imperial Events as well. The bulk of our business is weddings, but we also plan social and corporate events, such as bridal showers, baby showers, red carpet events, corporate meetings and much more. Our modern luxury weddings and events are designed to be stylish, epic and classic and executed to ensure that our client has a memorable event that their guest will talk about for years to come. Our clients know that they will receive very detailed emails throughout the planning process as well as attention to details before and during their wedding or event. My most proud moments come when I receive comments from not only the client but the guest that they had an amazing time and the event was the best that they ever attended.
I think what sets Imperial Events apart from other event and wedding planning companies is that we express to our clients that their event should show their personality. It is very hard especially with brides to be to get caught up into what they see on social media or at the bridal shows that they begin to duplicate what they see in every area of their wedding planning.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Although the age of the bride to be and the groom to be will remain the same, their needs will change, as the wedding industry is always changing to meet the couple’s needs. I am not sure what big shifts or changes will come within the next 5 – 10 years, but I am ready to embrace them as they come my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myimperialinc.com
- Phone: 678-860-1766
- Email: sandy.bell@myimperialinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperialevents_inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImperialEventsInc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/myimperialinc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/imperial-events-atlanta
- Other: http://www.beabride.net/behind-the-design-imperial-events/
Image Credit:
Made You Look Photography
Wild Cotton Photography
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