Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Porter
Hi Olivia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I loved weddings and was also an avid reader. In middle school I was ecstatic to find out through a book I read that wedding planning was a profession. I knew from then on wedding planning as a career was my future and I worked hard research, internships, and education to get where I am today. In 2020, I felt it was a great time as ever with my newfound time off from my every day job to start really getting my business off the ground. Despite having an education and a minor in event management through UCF, I decided I really wanted to get my wedding planning certification and officially launch my own business. So I did a certification program thorugh Lovegevity and UCF, and through my courses slowly built my business from the ground up. Through social media, websites like Zola and The Knot/Wedding Wire, and through word of my mouth, my business has definitely grown. I went from doing maybe 3 weddings a year to now 10-15, and even that number is steadily growing each year. I am so excited to see what the future of my business holds.
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?
For the most part, I have been pretty lucky with my clients and vendors. But no journey is ever perfectly smooth and I have definitely had a few hiccups here and there. But thankfully, I was taught growing up that each experience is a learning opportunity and there’s always something to gain from it. In my profession, the biggest struggles I have face personally come with decor and realizing in most situations with weddings that require decor set up, a team is needed. One person, i.e. me, cannot do it alone. So I have definitely learned to delegate and charge enough to hire a team of people to assist when necessary.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a certified wedding planner and I strive to make couple’s visions for their dream wedding days come true. I specialize in fandom, themed, or fairytale style weddings, but really can do anything. I am known for my empathetic nature and my ability to calm others down, specifically brides and couples who are stressed day-of. My goal is to take on the stress so the couple doesn’t have to. At the end of the day, they are marrying their best friend and that right there is the only thing they need to focus on. I from there, can handle the rest.
Aside from weddings, I also specialize in other events. I do slumber tent setups, birthdays, baby showers, gender reveals, etc. I like to say that “once a Livvy Marie Bride, always a Livvy Marie Bride” because I can be there through every stage of life, as long as they’ll have me.
I am most proud of how far I came. Being a wedding planner and owning my own business always seemed like a pipe dream growing up. I figured it would happen someday but I had no idea how. But I never gave up and I did small tasks each day to get me where I am now. I think people don’t realize that it’s the small decisions and baby steps, that get you to the destination versus the big things.
My compassion and passion in general for the industry. I love helping people and love making people happy. To be able to make people happy and give them one of the best days of their lives, is incredibly rewarding. I definitely channel that into my work and I have been told time and time again how much people see that I enjoy what I do and that I truly am meant to be doing what I’m doing.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a huge introvert. For someone who throws themselves into the chaos and who deals with people on the regular, I enjoy my solitude. You would never know if you strike up a conversation with me in a work setting or if you meet me at a wedding or expo. I tend to put myself out there and smile and talk to everyone. But I definitely spend the next few days (sometimes a week or so) recharging. I love being a part of the chaos, but I love even more being able to come home to peace and quiet.
Pricing:
- Day-Of Coordination – $1500+
- Partial Planning – $2500+
- Full Service – $5,000+
- Custom Packaging and Pricing Available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livvymarieweddings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livvymarieweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Livvy-Marie-Weddings-Luxury-Events-100063881050885/
- Other: Tik Tok: @livvymarieweddings, livvymarieweddings@gmail.com
