Graduate Features

Graduate Feature: Sarah Christopher

Tell us a little about yourself!

I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I attended Coastal Carolina University and received my BFA in Musical Theater on May 2018. So I love all things musical and Broadway. Unicorns are my favorite animal—and were my favorite before they became trendy!

Being southern, my obsession and love for sweet tea is a tad bit excessive. I recently just got married on October 27, 2018 to the amazing love of my life, Jeff. Together, we have our 116 pound German Shepherd fur baby named Zeus!

Why did you decide to become an event planner?

I decided to become an event planner after planning my own wedding. I just loved being the one to organize everything and be in charge of what my day was going to look like. I also wanted to become an event and wedding planner because I love the feeling of making someone’s life easier and stress-free. For some reason, I thrive on stress and deadlines…but maybe that’s the college student in me talking! I just love knowing that I contributed to one of the most important days in someone’s life.

You were the runner-up to QC Event School’s first Styled Shoot Contest! What was the most difficult part of the whole process that new event planners should note?

This was actually my first styled shoot ever! I am so proud of how it turned out and love every single vendor I worked with on this! I would say the most difficult part about planning a styled shoot is definitely getting all the vendors’ schedules together and choosing a date. Styled shoots are puzzles in that way. You have to move all the pieces around until they finally fit.

The inspiration behind this shoot was spring. When we put this together, it had just turned into spring! Hello, warm weather! I just love all the fun and bright colors of spring. This was also my first styled shoot as a professional planner. I didn’t want to take on the pressure of planning a wedding shoot since I was still new to this world. Then, the tea party idea hit me! Especially with the venue I selected, I knew a tea party would look absolutely amazing under those gorgeous, historic oak trees.

This shoot was all about positivity and bringing out the best and fun side of everyone working on it. I made some incredible vendor friends (friendors) through this shoot, and I thought it turned out just so jaw droppingly GORGEOUS! I hope you love it as much as I do!

What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before earning your event planning certification online?

I wish someone would have told me to do it earlier because it is an awesome starting point. I also wish they told me that the best way to understand the event and wedding planning business is through experience.

Why did you decide to enroll at an online event planning school over a physical school?

I work a part-time job separate from Cheers & Champagne. I was looking for an event planner training course that would give me the benefits of a physical school while being able to do the classes at my own speed around my schedule. QC Event School has prepared me so much for the event planning business because they don’t miss a detail. They have especially helped me when it comes to budgeting for clients and just having the basic knowledge to plan events. I know that they have laid an outstanding foundation for my business to help it continue and grow.

You have a stunning and well-laid out Instagram account. How much time and effort do you dedicate towards your Instagram marketing?

I actually dedicate no time into it. I am not technologically advanced at all, so I hired a team of social media marketers to keep me on track with consistent planning and the design of my feed. It has been a blessing! They know what hashtags to use, and how to post my work so it actually gets seen. Hometown Creative is the best team of social media marketers anyone could ask for, and I definitely owe them all my social media success.

What is your biggest career highlight so far?

My biggest career highlight so far has been this styled shoot! It was just such a fun and relaxed shoot. I really found a great team of amazing vendors that are amazing at what they do. Also, when it is all over you can eat the desserts and drink the champagne. I loved how we got to know each other and build relationships in the wedding planning industry during the shoot.

Can you tell us about any new services you may be offering in the future?

Right now, I currently don’t have any plans to add additional services to my wedding planning business. But I have recently fallen in love with the design aspect of weddings. So I might be taking QC’s event decor course and expanding that part of my business. For now, I am enjoying where I am currently and loving what I do.

Want to find your own “friendors”? Here’s our guide to sourcing the perfect vendors for your next event!

*Professional Vendors:

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