We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Mullis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
I am a Senior Lead Planner at Swanson Signature Events (SSE), and I am so grateful for Anna Swanson and Renee Peterson. Anna and Renee are the owners of Swanson Signature Events, and they have different roles in the business. Anna is the Founder & Creative Director, while Renee is the Business & Events Manager, so I have learned a lot of valuable lessons from each of them.
I knew since I was 10 years old I wanted to do something in event planning. As soon as I was old enough to do so, I started volunteering for any openings I could find that allowed me to help with events. When I was 28, my husband and I moved to Savannah just after having our son. A few years later, I became the co-coordinator for the Pooler Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). From there, Carlie Martin (co-coordinator of Pooler MOPS at the time) and I had an idea for a large scale Touch a Truck. It ended up being an event that I coordinated for a few years, and even though we had thousands of people attend every year, I knew I needed to learn more about the technical side of event planning. Anna and Renee hired me at SSE in the fall of 2020, and they taught me so much! With their training, I started planning weddings and other events. Armed with that new knowledge, Touch a Truck grew into an even larger event. Their leadership and mentorship has been invaluable as they taught me lessons I needed to learn. For example, how to make a professional timeline, how to create detailed layouts, and what makes a good event design. They have introduced me to amazing venues, vendors, and training opportunities.With their guidance, I have been able to grow into the planner I have always wanted to be, and I am so happy to be able to serve clients with more professionalism and excellence as a result.
Jennifer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Swanson Signature Events (SSE) gave me the opportunity to be part of the Wedding and Event Industry and to serve on a team of planners. The majority of the events I plan are weddings; however, I also plan a limited number of corporate events, fundraisers, birthday parties, etc. I love to plan all types of events!
With Swanson Signature Events, clients can choose the Event Production Package where, if I am assigned as the Lead Planner, I am part of the process from day one. I work with the clients for months to make sure their day is exactly what they want! We meet and talk about their budget first, help them choose a venue (if it is not already chosen,) then I introduce them to vendors that fit their needs and desires, such as the band, the caterer, bar services, and so on. I read through all the contracts to make sure the clients are getting what they want. Then, I lead them through design. I work with them to figure out what their style is, then I create a digital design board. When working through design, I will schedule tours with rental companies so the Bride and Groom can make their design choices in person. I will also help with finding a florist, a stationer (if desired), and any other vendor the couple would like to have. A couple months out, we begin to work on the coordination of the day. I work on logistics and communicating with the vendors and the Bride and Groom to create the event timeline and layouts.This timeline will have timing for every important moment of the event day from the moment the venue opens in the morning until breakdown is complete. I work hard to make sure the timeline is what the clients envision and what the vendors need as well. I lead rehearsal the day before, and on the day of the event, I am present at the venue and at least 1-2 other members from SSE to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible. The planning team is one of the first to arrive for an event, and one of the last to leave. It is not unusual for me to work 12-14 hours on an event day. I want to make sure the clients do not have to worry about logistics, design, or any part of their day. I want them to be able to relax and know the plan we worked together to create is being executed well.
The SSE Event Management is for the client that wants to do most of the planning themselves. If this package is chosen, I am brought in 60 days out to create the timeline and layouts. I lead rehearsal, and I am there the day of the wedding along with an assistant to keep everything running smoothly for the client and vendors according to the timeline.
No matter which package is chosen. I work hard for every client. I want the entire process to be as easy as possible while giving them guidance and direction so they have the event of their dreams. It makes me so happy to see clients on the event day so happy because it is even more than they imagined!
I also work hard for the vendors. I want to make sure they do not have to worry about logistics or planning details. Instead, they can just focus on doing their jobs. For instance, I want the photographer to be free to be the photographer. I do not want them worrying about being the planner for the day as well. I communicate with them continuously throughout the planning process to make sure I am educated on what they need so they have what they need for the event from the planning side: Is there enough time built into the timeline for what they need to do? Do they know what time important events are happening? Will they have a vendor meal provided?
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Anna and Renee work hard as the business owners to make sure SSE has a great reputation with clients and vendors. They also work hard with marketing the business to bring in clients. They use social media, and they build relationships with clients and vendors just to name a few things.
As far as me specifically, caring about the clients, vendors, and the level of work produced has helped with growing clientele. Since the clients and vendors see how hard I work for them and how much I care, they recommend me to their friends, family, or other potential clients. In 2023, I planned a wedding for an amazing Bride and Groom in the Spring. Thankfully, they and their family were so pleased that I had the honor of coordinating the sister’s wedding in December.
Another great way to meet clients is through networking events or meeting vendors one-on-one. Miranda Meadows, another Lead Planner on the Swanson Signature Events Team, and I recently went to a networking event put on by Savannah Wedding and Event Vendors. This month, we toured a few venues, which helps the Venue Coordinators get to know us in case they have a client who needs a planner. These types of in-person networking events are very helpful in connecting clients, vendors, and planners throughout the industry. Everyone wins!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
For the Swanson Signature Events Instagram and Facebook page, Anna and Renee do an amazing job of keeping that social media presence up to date with professional photos from weddings and events that SSE planned. They give details from the event day, or they give planning advice.
For my personal page, I love to post photos from the events (with permission) and to give details of the event day for people to read about so they can learn something about that day. I have friends and vendors walk up to me in public and say how much they enjoy seeing the event posts. Lots of times these are people that I did not even realize followed my page. Some of these people have recommended clients to SSE just based on these posts. Folks love seeing the beautiful designs and the sweet stories! Positivity and encouragement are key for a healthy social media presence for anyone but especially service providers.
Contact Info:
- Website: swansonsignatureevents.com
- Instagram: swansonsignatureevents
Image Credits
My head shot and the one of me talking through the invitations, Photographer: Amia Marcell Photography Location: The Brice Hotel in Savannah. The photos of the flowers and place settings were taken by Molliner Photography at Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.