What's a day like for an event planner or for someone involved in event management? In this episode of the Time We Discuss podcast, host Dan sits down with Tara Thistlethwaite, an experienced event planner and wedding planner, to reveal what it’s really like to run an event management business.
Tara shares her journey from IT professional to full-time event organizer, the realities of long event days, and what it takes to successfully coordinate weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations. If you’ve ever wondered how to host events or want to know how to become an event planner step by step, this conversation is packed with valuable advice.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
A day in the life of an event planner
- How far in advance clients book weddings and events
- The importance of building strong vendor relationships
- Tips for stress management during high-pressure events
- The steps to plan an event and break into the industry
- Tara’s latest project, the Chester County Wedding Connection
Whether you dream of becoming a wedding planner or simply want to understand the logistics behind professional event planning, Tara’s story offers practical insights and inspiration.
Listen to more episodes of the Time We Discuss podcast for career journeys, insider perspectives, and real-world advice.
=================================================================
Timestamp:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Typical day in the life of an event planner
1:51 - How far in advanced are you booked?
2:49 - How has remote work impacted your event management business?
3:45 - How to get started as an event planner
6:00 - Sourcing other professionals for events
7:14 - Best networking opportunities for aspiring event planners.
10:01 - Education options for aspiring event planners
11:12 - Types of events where you might need an event management business
12:27 - Stress levels for an event planner
14:34 - Different types of events and different types of stress
15:23 - Controlling the intake of events and clients
16:31 - In-house event planners for large organizations
17:25 - Major obstacle for aspiring event planners
18:43 - The event planner in the family
19:52 - Getting paid from clients
21:16 - Busy and quiet seasons for event managers
22:54 - How important is covering a large geographic region?
24:37 - Talent has the floor
25:34 - Outro
=================================================================
Guest Information:
Tara ThistlethwaiteAlso Mentioned Directly or Indirectly in This Episode:
- Become a Vegan Interior Designer | Cruelty Free Interior Design
- Become a Talent Manager or Agent
- Becoming a Sommelier with Nathan Bihm
=================================================================
Time We Discuss Links:
Official Website: Time We Discuss Website
Original Music: Original Music furnished by Dan Swift
YouTube: Time We Discuss on YouTube
Spotify: Time We Discuss on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Time We Discuss on Apple Podcasts
More Podcast Platforms: Time We Discuss Podcast on Other Platforms
Twitter/X: Time We Discuss on Twitter/X
Bluesky: Time We Discuss on Bluesky
Instagram: Time We Discuss on Instagram
Threads: Time We Discuss on Threads
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.