Today we’d like to introduce you to Peggy Buchanan.
Hi Peggy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After teaching youth in Sunday School for many years, some asked for help decorating for their weddings. Being an art major, I tried to take what they had and make it pretty. After a few weddings, I realized no one was coordinating a lot of the day, especially the reception, so I began helping there. Soon I was asked to coordinate a few weddings and just continued to help as needed. After a few years, I began to get busy and began working for brides I didn’t know. It became more than a fun side line and truly developed into my little business which I called Heels and Veils. I feel that God wired me just for this… I love details, problem solving and people. There is no better feeling than finishing out a wedding night and seeing the joy the bride, groom, families and guests have from a great celebration. Over the last almost 20 years, I’ve been so blessed to serve the very best brides and grooms and their families. But I’ve also been doubly blessed with working with some of the most amazing vendors that have truly become great friends.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a planner, we handle a ton of details and when you’re working on 40-50 weddings each year, great care has to be given to keep each wedding separate, unique and organized. I’ve had to come up with a system that works for me! Planners also have to deal with lots of different personalities leading up to and especially on wedding day. To balance those (coming from family, guests, wedding party and vendors) we have to maintain control and calm. When the unexpected and unplanned happens, if I panic it filters down to everyone. If I calmly solve the problem, it doesn’t affect the wedding day. Experience is a great teacher to accomplish this!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve grown from wedding coordination to only offering full planning service. Through the years I’ve learned that the best way to offer a perfect wedding day is to walk with the bride from the beginning. I help choose vendors, attend meetings, build their timeline, compose a To Do List for them and fully coordinate their day. I try to be available, responsive and affordable, I feel that God has given me this amazing opportunity to serve and honor Him as I work hard for my brides.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
There is no better teacher than hard work and experience. A really good planner has to be wired for it. It really isn’t something that can be taught if you aren’t wired that way. You have to be organized, good with details, good with time management, good with people and good with quick problem solving. Those skills can’t really be taught. You also have to be willing to work long hours (most of my wedding days are 13-15 hours) and it’s very physical work. Setting tables, placing decor, working in all kinds of weather and getting it all done in a limited amount of time can be stressful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heelsandveils.com
