{Tuesday's Insight}:: 5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern!

The UrDreamPlanner blog wants to provide you with a variety of posts throughout the week. Tuesday is dedicated to insightful facts, behind the scenes information, great tips for wedding/event industry pros and more!

{Tuesday's Insight}:: 5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern!

• Honesty- When looking for an internship you want to find one that will allow to you gain a lot. Business owners who are successful like a good intern because they know that these younger inspired minds will one day take over the industry. As a prospective Intern being honest will get you far. If you know you are entering an internship (paid or non-paid) and you know that you one day want to start your own business share that information during the interview. Otherwise it will look like your trying to steal business. Honesty will get you far. 

• Commitment- A great intern will be committed to the company that he/she is apart of. Showing that you are committed means: arriving early, being knowledgeable outside of trainings, going the extra mile; just to name a few. Commitment means not calling out and signing up for all opportunities that may arise. Don't be a suck up, just be yourself and everything else will fall into place. A committed intern has a chance of moving up the industry ladder. 

• Passion- I love this characteristic because although some may say passion is not key, when your interning it is a great characteristic to have. A passionate intern goes above and beyond to impress those that make a difference. I tend to blog a lot about not worrying about others, but this is a good time to dress to impress and show what your truly made of! 

• Tough Skin- In this industry (the wedding/event industry) you have to be able to hold your own. This is a cut throat industry full a people that want to help you but do not want to spoon feed or baby you. The information to succeed is right at your fingers tips. Be the intern that finds it on your own and then applies it when a situation arises. Those that can handle the hustle and bustle of the wedding day frenzy and behind the scenes madness with a smile will go far! If you really can't handle it, (maybe your having a bad day, time of the month, bf/gf rubbed you the wrong way before you left the house, etc); take those aspects and use it as drive to succeed. If you must, go in the bathroom cry for 1 minute(that's all you get), wipe you face, put a smile on your face and get back out there. Only those that truly want this career actually succeed. No one is going to hand you your dream job, you have to show you want it, show that you can do it, and simply make it happen!

• Gratitude- Being an intern is an opportunity that not every one gets. When getting an internship be grateful for what ever experience you get. Whether you get to assist with actual weddings & events, learn how to do meaningful research, sit in on an initial consultation, etc. This time is valuable and priceless; something no book or class can teach you. Internships do not guarantee a hired position. If you actually get one, considered yourself lucky and your foot in the door. If you do not take what you learned and begin to network. Look into shadowing other wedding planners, event planners, anything related to the industry. Hands-on experience is something that can not be taught so be thankful to those that give you an opportunity. Make sure you get the most out of it! :-)

For more tips visit: www.internshiper.com
Also check out these 17 great tips to being a good intern.

Good luck! :-)

<----{Monday's Starter's}::How to Translate Your Wife!
{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Tradition's-"Jumping The Broom"---->

Do Your Reasearch, Ask Questions!!

By this time most couples should have booked their facility hall if getting married anywhere between August and December. If not, this will help and if so this still will help you! Finding the right facility that fits your budget can be hard, but with a little research and the right questions to ask, it will make the process much easier!

Before doing anything a couple should know their BUDGET. This way when you do your research you know where to look and where not to look. Time is not on your side, so you want to spend your time looking a facilities that will benefit your Wedding Day! Very Important!!!

A few things to look for when researching the right facility for you:

• -Location
• -Price per person
• -Tax and Gratuity
• -Service Provided
• -How many events at once
• -Ceremony
• -Down Payment
• -Room Capacity
• -Ratings & References/Testimonials

Questions to Ask???

Location- Is the location within a reasonable distance if getting married else where? What does the facility look like? Does it fit the style of your wedding? How many hours are given within a package- Four hours?
Five hours?

Price Per Person- When finding a location research the rate going for price per person. Ask what it entails: Open bar, Cocktail Hour, Wedding cake, How many Entree options, Linens? Is this a Sit-Down Dinner or a Buffet Style Dinner?

Tax & Gratuity- Depending on your state you will know your tax. For example New Jersey's is 7% and our Gratuity is 20%. Add this on to per person when adding up your total price. By doing this you can assure you will stay within your budget, you can not cut out tax & gratuity.

Service Provided- Some facilities are full service. Do they butler the cocktail hour? Do they offer a Day of Coordinator- if your planning your own wedding? Do they offer a Bridal Suite? Do they offer Entertainment? Facilities are different when it comes to services, so do not hesitate to ask and research what the facility is going to offer you on your Wedding Day. Is it included or an extra fee? What are the prices?

How Many Events at Once- Some locations service one event at a time, while some service four at a time. My recommendation is No More Than two! I've seen it happen where the bride is rushed to take pictures because the next bride is arriving. You want to have your day flow and be all about you and your spouse. So I say Less is Best! So do your research and ask that question! What will make you happy on your Wedding Day?

Ceremony- If you don't want to get married elsewhere and want to cut down transportation cost, get married at the facility. Do they offer Ceremony Services? Do they offer an outside wedding location? Do they offer a separate ceremony room from the reception room? What do you get with the Ceremony? What is the Ceremony price? It will be additional to the Reception price.

Down Payment- When booking a facility a down-payment will have to be made. Find out ahead of time how much it is. When will the next payment be due? For example some facilities might ask for $1000 down and 25% down of the balance 90 days after that. When is the final payment due? All these are very important when booking a facility and ensuring that you stay up on your payments! The down-payment also ensures the date for your wedding. Read over the contract before signing! Ask for a copy! Make sure you are getting what you are paying for and nothing less!! If paying with cash, have a credit card ready, as they may want to make a copy of it for security reasons.

Room Capacity- Making sure your guests will be accommodated is important, as you want their experience to be an unforgettable one! Research and ask, What are your room Capacities? How many rooms do they have? Is there a separate room for the Cocktail hour & the Reception? If not, what is the turn around time? Capacity is important, if the rooms are to small, then you should keep looking! There is something out there for every couple's dream Wedding!!

Ratings & References/Testimonials- I feel this is very important! There are plenty of times I have kept looking based solely on this factor. If the facilities ratings are down, they have little or no references, and no testimonials-KEEP LOOKING! Very important because their are too many A-Class Facilities available where you don't have to settle when it comes to your Wedding Day!


Your Wedding Day is one that should be remembered as one of the greatest days of your life! It will be captured in your Photography and remembered by your guests as well. Do not settle! Make sure you stick to your budget and do not go over! Guests don't need alcohol to have a good time-cutting the open bar out of the package will lower the price, allow you to have a nice reception and keep you within your budget! Stay firm, listen to your gut, and do not allow the facility to sway you. They want to help you, but they also want your money.

If you haven't done so yet or maybe haven't put much consideration into it- Consider hiring a Wedding Planner!! Our job, which we love, is created to make the planning process easier.

Stay committed to your budget!
Happy Planning and much success to your Wedding Day!

Brittany