Marlowe Whittaker may be a Spanish major, but don’t let that fool you. She has many specialties under her belt outside of her full-time studies at UT. For wedding week, we wanted to tip our hats to a very hard working UTK lady who has recently added more to her plate by becoming a certified wedding planner. We love her dedication, work ethic, and most of all sincere passion for what she is doing. I know when I get married, I’m definitely giving Marlowe a call!
When did you get licensed to be a wedding planner?
I got my Directing Certification in February and on May 1 I will have my business license for Wedding Coordinating/Event Planning.
What made you decide to become a wedding planner in the midst of being a full time student as well as working?
Well, I love staying busy and event planning is my passion. When you have a passion you want to do whatever you can to do it. Plus I am at the age and time in my life where I can work really hard and go to school at the same time. I have nothing to tie me down.
Why did you want to be able to plan weddings? What about it was attractive to you?
I love to plan. I am super organized and event planning seemed like to perfect career. It’s also the one job where there is instant gratification. I put in some hard work for a few weeks and then on that magical day, I can see all my hard work come to fruition.
Because you’re young and in college and you understand issues with finances, are you wanting to help girls near your age have affordable but fabulous weddings?
Yes! With all of these TV shows and movies, young girls seem to think that an amazing wedding has to cost a few hundred thousand dollars. But that is not true. In these hard economic times, I want to be able to create an awe inspiring event and one that won’t break the bank.
Have you begun work on a wedding yet?
I haven’t worked with a wedding yet but I have worked on different events. I’m still trying to get my name out there and wedding season doesn’t really start till about June.
Who would your dream celebrity couple be to plan a wedding for?
Oh goodness. If I could plan a wedding for anyone, it would probably be the Royal Family! Planning their wedding would have been a dream come true. I guess I’ll have to wait till the next one.
What’s the most challenging aspect of wedding planning?
All of the traditions. Before getting my certificate, I had no clue how many rules and regulations weddings have. It definitely has more thought behind it than people think. The average bride thinks the wedding can go however she wants it to, but there are some things, ceremony wise, that cannot be changed.
Any other comments about why you want to work with weddings, your hopes when you help people with their big days, any inspirations or specific reasons, etc.
There is an art to wedding planning that most people don’t realize. It takes creativity to plan a successful wedding and that’s what I want to bring to the table. It’s not all about financing and budgeting because anyone can do that. It’s about creating a moment that people will remember for the rest of their wedded life together. You are starting their first day together as husband and wife and it should be one of a kind.
In the future, I hope to have a successful business that I can support a family on. I want to be known throughout the state and even in the region. I have high expectations for myself. I just want to be the best in my field because it is not very respected as a career, and I want to prove to everyone that it is a serious job and not everyone can do it.
Business name: An Affair to Remember
Services Offered: Wedding Directing and Coordinating
Contact Info: Marlowe Whittaker
423.903.0573
mwhitta2@utk.edu
***5% off my services when you mention you found me on Her Campus!***