Better Together Series - Part 4
Hey everyone! My name is Riley Gersch and I am the owner of Elegant Affairs by Design, a wedding planning company based in Tampa, Florida. We service all of Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas, including destinations. I am a Certified Wedding Planner and Ambassador through The Bridal Society, the leading Wedding Planning Certification Program in the world, and the largest membership of Certified Wedding Planners & Venues. We, at The Bridal Society, know how important hiring an educated Wedding Planner or Coordinator is. The Bridal Society is a wedding planner lifestyle membership and certification program focused on raising the standards in the industry and ensuring that all couples have an opportunity to have the wedding day of their dreams.
Today I am talking to CJ, owner of Booze and Bubbles. Welcome CJ!
Tell me about your company.
Booze and Bubbles brings an unique experience to enjoy beverages of all sorts. We offer two innovative services: our Boozie Tap Truck and champagne walls. Both services are customized to cater to each event for every client. We want to create an experience that is memorable for all to enjoy and remember.
2. What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
(CJ) I love how the wedding industry is changing from traditional ceremonies to these extravagant unorthodox weddings. Our services are the perfect aesthetic for the new trend of weddings. Couples are looking for that unique touch and a wow factor that is memorable and enjoyable. Fortune for us, we offer both!
3. What is the one thing you wish you had known when you began your career?
(CJ) I Wish I would have known how to properly value my services. I feel as if I devalued my services early off to gain clientele instead of trusting the process. I was giving more and receiving less. There is a famous saying “You have to give a little to get a lot” in which I would repeatedly play in my head to not become discouraged or disappointed. However, it has paid off!
4. What is the one common myth about your profession that you want to debunk?
(CJ) I am so glad this question was asked! Just because a client asks for a specific date, that does not mean the date is secured. Only a deposit retains the date. Until the deposit is made, the date is still available for other possible clients.
5. What is the best compliment that you have received regarding your work?
(CJ) The best compliment I have received thus far in regards to my work is: consistency. It gives me a sense of gratitude and hope when other wedding vendors compliment my work as consistent. At those moments, I know that I am working in my purpose. I strive to be consistent and to only improve my work as I expand more into the business.
6. How many weddings do you take per year?
(CJ) Now that weddings are picking back up after COVID delayed weddings in 2020, we are booking weddings on a monthly basis. In 2021, we were fortunate to take on 12 weddings in our first year of business.
7. Out of (number of weddings they do per year) weddings you do per year, how many would you say you do with a hired Certified Wedding Planner?
(CJ) Fortunately, the majority of our brides who have booked with us hired a certified wedding planner or coordinator. Hiring a certified wedding planner/coordinator makes the process extremely seamless for vendors to communicate and understand the logistics for day-of-wedding.
8. Can you tell me why you prefer working weddings when a Certified Wedding Planner is hired by the couple?
(CJ) When couples outsource their own wedding planner, the process is more personable and it does not feel forced.
9. Can you describe a mishap that took place at a wedding where a planner wasn’t hired?
(CJ) Luckily, we haven’t had any mishaps. However, we have experienced unprofessionalism from a wedding planner. There isn’t a need to go into detail to protect the brand of their business.
10. Can you describe a situation where a Certified Wedding Planner saved the day?
(CJ) I recently did a wedding at Armature Works, and the couple requested that our Champagne walls be placed outside for the cocktail hour. Unfortunately due to weather conditions, the wedding planner had to find an alternative location. The worst part of the situation was, the couple was taking their first look pictures and noticed the walls were not placed in their desired location. The couple did become a little bothered, however, the wedding planner rest assured the couple that the new location of the walls was a better fit and explained the benefits of the new location. The walls became the focal point of reception and the couple could not have been happier with the decision made by the wedding planner.
11. Do you wish all your couples hired a Certified Wedding Planner?
(CJ) I definitely recommend all couples to hire a wedding planner. Wedding planners are a Bride’s best friend, literally. Wedding planners set the proper expectations and implement guidelines to ensure everything executed efficiently.
This has been terrific! Thank you so much for joining me today, CJ! If you are interested in learning more about Booze and Bubbles, please visit their website listed below. https://theboozeandbubbles.com/
If you are reading this today and you are interested in earning your certification in Wedding Planning, The Bridal Society is the very best decision you could ever make. The members of this organization feel more like family than colleagues. The Bridal Society provides lifetime FREE membership once you complete your certification, which includes countless benefits. Visit www.thebridalsociety.com for more information. If you would like to receive an exclusive discount code, message me!