Ever wondered how to get started working in PR, entertainment, finance, or another profession? Our “How to Break Into” series brings you everything you need to know about breaking into these cool fields and more, brought to you by those who know it best.
Are you a creative type with a soft spot for true love and elaborate events? If you enjoy a detail-oriented environment, a high level of innovation and originality, and well, a little bit of romance, then the wedding industry might be just right for you.
As the founder of wedding inspiration engine Lover.ly, I work with all kinds of people in the wedding industry—from florists and photographers to those who run all-out event production companies. So, to help you navigate the wedding and special event industries, I sat down with a few of my favorite vendors and Lover.ly’s own editorial director to hear more about their stories and what it takes to break in.
Bess Wyrick
Bess Wyrick Owner and Creative Director, Celadon and Celery Events
Brief Description of Job: As the creative director, I spend a lot of my time researching great vendors for fabrics, furniture, lighting, flowers, props, and other décor items. It's important my clients have access to innovative ideas and quality products. When I spend time in NYC, I take advantage of the showrooms, fabric shops, and prop houses and of Canal Street, where I can have almost anything I want fabricated. The other really important part of my job is maintaining clients while generating new business to further the growth of the company.
Why did you choose this field?
The event industry really has no creative limits—it’s a perfect mix of interior design, theater, collaboration, and PR. I am all about the process and being able to creatively think it, design it, and logistically produce it. It is a rush! I love the excitement of working with other artists to create an event or a commissioned piece for the wedding. Conceptualizing spaces, styling events, and being hired to make spaces beautiful bring me so much joy and excitement. It’s a thrill seeing clients’ response when they walk into the reception space for the first time. The unveiling is what I live for, each and every event.
What was your first job in this field, and how did you get it?
I was living in San Francisco working for a lighting company called Holzmuller Productions. As a young producer, I was introduced to many other vendors in the wedding and event world and quickly realized my true calling was with the décor side of events.
There was really only one designer, Nicole Sillapere, who I wanted to work for. I pursued a job with her, and after six months of my relentless calls and emails for a job, she finally hired me as a project manager for an interior client. It eventually turned into more event production and floral design.
What advice do you have for someone breaking into events?
Treat everyone you meet as if they are clients or potential clients. So much of business comes from personal connections and word of mouth. If you want to launch your own business, I would also have some money saved. You will need to lean on that more than you could imagine.
Tak Hau
Tak HauDesigner, Aria Dress
Brief Description of Job: Some of my current primary responsibilities include coming up with the concept for each new collection, overseeing the process from creation of the design all the way to completion of each of the dress samples, constant interaction and communication with fashion press, salons, and vendors, and supervising marketing campaigns with blogs, magazines, and other channels (including photo shoots, styling, ad creation, new approaches, and concepts).
Why did you choose this field?
I have always liked to dress women on their special occasions, and I saw a niche that I felt I could fill in terms of a lack of clean-lined, customizable, modern dresses made in the U.S. For those reasons and many more, I launched my career in the fashion design industry.
What was your first job in this field, and how did you get it?
I got my first job as a pattern maker through an internship program associated with my school. Through this experience, I got a firsthand look at the process of designing and producing beautiful clothes.
What advice do you have for someone breaking into dress designing?
It is a very competitive field, not for the faint at heart. One needs to put forth a great deal of effort in order to be a success. It is important to know who you are as a designer, because it is just not possible to please everyone.
Lisa Gorjestani
Lisa GorjestaniFounder and Event Planner, Details Event Planning
Brief Description of Job: My job includes executing our clients' vision while bringing new and exciting ideas to customize their wedding day. At the same time, I am responsible for keeping clients on task and overseeing logistics.
Why the wedding industry?
I grew up in a family of entertainers—it’s in my blood! Playing such a big role in such an important day for a couple is very rewarding. It was easy for me to get into this industry, because I knew that I wanted my own business related to entertaining. It seemed only natural for me to pursue a career that I am so passionate about.
What was your first job in this field, and how did you get it?
I was the private party manager at Michael’s Restaurant in Santa Monica. I planned a few weddings there and thought, hmmm, this just may be my new business.
What advice do you have for someone breaking into event planning?
Network and get to know as many venues and vendors as possible. Interning is a valuable experience. This is one of those businesses in which it just takes experience. Even if you are very creative, you need to understand the business side and logistics involved.
Rachel Wilkerson
Rachel WilkersonEditorial Director, Lover.ly
Brief Description of Job: I am responsible for the original content we produce: our newsletters and articles for various syndication partners and media outlets. I’m also overseeing our new READ section, which launches in October.
Why did you choose this field?
Weddings combine a lot of things I love writing about: beauty, jewelry, family, traditions, self-image, goals, the dynamics of all kinds of relationships, and pretty stationery. I love the idea of helping couples savor the planning process while planning a wedding that feels authentic to them.
What was your first job in this field, and how did you get it?
I used my personal health and beauty blog as a starting point for breaking into the industry. After that, once I started freelancing for various wedding websites, I knew I had found my niche.
What advice do you have for someone breaking into wedding journalism?
If you want to write about weddings, don't wait for someone to give you permission—start a blog and start sharing your thoughts. Treat it like your resume! One thing to be careful of—don't try to imitate what everyone else is doing. You need a unique point of view and original voice to help you stand out.
For more wedding inspiration and to find vendors near you, visit Lover.ly.