}
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Day in the Life | Erica Wilkins
Welcome to our “Day in the Life” series! We feature wedding and event planners from around the world with many different levels of experience. If you would like to be featured, download our questionnaire here and email your responses and photo to info@plannerslounge.com. We are excited to feature Connecticut wedding planner Erica Wilkins today!
Name: Erica Wilkins
Business Name & Location: EriLuxe Events, North Haven, CT
Years Working in the Event Industry: Started planning as a teenager shadowing my mother. She was my influence.
Years Owning Your Event Planning Business: One and a half years
Website: EriLuxeEvents.com
Instagram: @eriluxe_events
What is your typical day like?
I get up at 7:15 AM and I take my beloved dog Sadie for her morning walk and feeding. I get dressed and am out the door by 8 AM to go to work at my full-time job. Yes, I still have a full-time job. On my way there I check my business email and social media accounts.
After working a grueling eight hours, I work on scheduled events for my business at my wedding planning studio. This is usually when I schedule meetings with contracted and potential clients. I am blessed enough to share a consultation space with a local florist that is close to my home. Any chance I get, I am working towards ways to enhance my business, constantly gaining knowledge. I cannot wait to do this full-time.
How did you get started in the industry?
Believe it or not, I knew I wanted to be an event planner 10 years ago and I began a certification process in 2006. However, once I obtained my current full-time job, the education portion went on the back burner. In 2014, after buying my first home, I found all of the books and materials for the certification program. After all, I did pay for the tuition in full. I decided right then and there I would finish what I started. I already invested in myself, now it was time to show something for it.
I received my certification in wedding and event planning in January 2015 from US Career Institute. I launched my professional business in April that same year. June 2015, I attended a program for entrepreneurs and those interested in starting their own business. During this time I was offered a full scholarship in obtaining my Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship. I am currently attending classes to obtain this degree.
Where do you find design inspiration?
Social media is loaded with design inspiration. I love getting inspiration from Pinterest, Munaluchi Bridal, my favorite magazine, Instagram, and Facebook. My planner influences are Diann Valentine and Preston Bailey.
I am often influenced by architectural designs and still images. Photographs can stand the test of time. My motto is capturing moments that last a lifetime. I look at event planning and design as a photograph, asking how can this moment we captured.
What are your favorite online resources for your business?
Instagram (following other planners), Rent My Wedding, and the Planners Lounge of course. The Planners Lounge has played a valuable resource in my business development.
Erica, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story and a day in your life. If you are an event planner and would like to be featured, download our questionnaire today and email it to us along with a photo. If you aren’t sure about being featured, take a few minutes to read how it can help your business.
A complete set of templates, checklists, and tools for professional wedding planners.
Business
Wedding Planning
Marketing
Day in the Life
Self Development
Friday Favorites
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