My story:
What a journey it has been over the last 3 years! I would have never guessed I would own my own company, let alone be a wedding planner! It all started 3 years ago...
After assisting wedding planners and event coordinators, I decided that I wanted to go to Cal Poly and pursue a career in special events.
In my opinion, food and beverage is the most important aspect of any event! Working in restaurants allowed me to meet people who revealed that I could go not only go to college, but pursue a degree in special events...what a perfect fit! I've been working in the food and beverage industry for six years now: serving, bar-tending, and overseeing everything from intimate dinner parties, to large, 300 person dinners and weddings. Three and a half years ago I started working at the Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa, a luxury/boutique hotel (www.thedolphinbay.com) in their food and beverage department. This last summer I was their Catering Coordinator and helped with sales, marketing, and overseeing weddings and events which was truly an awesome experience! So many details go into an event, such as making sure enough teaspoons are ordered for coffee/dessert, the correct wine glasses are used to be paired with each varietal of wine, and the list goes on and on… My experience in so many different avenues has given me the ability to oversee every aspect of an event to ensure that even the smallest details are in place.
I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration and a concentration in Special Events Management. Most of my classes focused on customer service, hotel management, hospitality, and special events. One professor of mine had an incredible passion for special events with so much experience and gave me a true love for the special events industry. She believed in me and encouraged me to start my own company. Volunteering at numerous special events and bridal shows, and meeting with vendors allowed me to see the hard work that goes into having your own company and how rewarding it can be at the same time. Let me just say... I'm ready for this adventure!
In May, I coordinated my first wedding in Healdsburg, CA at a private estate winery. It was absolutely stunning! Then in July, I had the privilege of coordinating Debbie and Billy's wedding at See Canyon Fruit Ranch in Avila Beach, CA. Both weddings were such a blast! (A blog and pictures will soon follow about each one!)
This last summer was a rush as there was a wedding almost every weekend either at the Dolphin Bay Resort, one my own clients, or coordinating weddings at The Gardens at Peacock Farms (www.thegardensatpeacockfarms.
I am so excited to embark on this journey and new chapter in my life and not only fulfill my own dreams, but turn each client's dream into a reality! Danae Grace Events is not just a wedding coordinating company but is a special events company that coordinates private parties such as: engagements, birthday parties, intimate dinner parties, rehearsals, etc...the sky is the limit! DanaeGrace.com will be launched very soon. Packages are available if you are interested. Each client has the option of creating and customizing their package to work within their budget. I am currently booking for August 2010 (Dates earlier are available if needed) Please email me at info@danaegrace.com for more information. I look forward to hearing from you!
Love,
Danae Grace
