We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Strickland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

While majoring in Communication at UNC Wilmington, I found myself drawn to gathering. I was 18 when I began working events within my major. The first event I assisted in was a Dress for Success fashion show. I helped my advisor with the process and found it exciting. It was a creative outlet, but more than that I found myself able to problem solve creatively on the spot with lots of eyes on me.

After that, I sought out internships for events and was quickly swept up into the Wilmington wedding circuit. I interned with a local wedding planning company for credit and fell in love with design & coordination. I was intimidated at first, but soon realized it was a billion dollar industry. Everyone has something unique to bring to the table which inspired me.

Knowing what I know now, I would honestly not do anything differently. Without the lessons learned or other people’s assistance/support I would never have been bold enough to start a company in my early 20s.

Public speaking (the dreaded subject) is certainly a used skill in the industry. Commandeering a group of rowdy, excited bridal party members & family, with a smile, is certainly a skill I use most often, every weekend in fact. Directing is more than being in charge. It is being in control of your emotions, temper, and tongue. As a planner, you want to emanate control but also joy.

In this job, we use the basic skill of interpersonal communication the most. Anyone can organize schedules and send emails, but we believe the bread and butter of the business is solid communication throughout the planning process & most importantly the day-of communication with your client, their family, the bridal party, and all vendors.

Hannah, 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?

Of course! My name is Hannah Strickland, owner of Hannah Strickland Events, in Clinton, NC. We are a full-service wedding planning company that specializes in seamless wedding days. Our customized service and meticulous planning guarantees a stress-free wedding experience. We strive to design & facilitate a unique event tailored to the couple in which we are serving.

My passion for wedding planning stems from watching love stories unfold. Whether I’m watching Ross & Rachel on Friends or Nick and Jess on New Girl, love (with a healthy dose of laughter) has always resonated with me. As a kid, I remember watching the scene in A Cinderella Story where the couple was seemingly moving toward reconciliation and squealing with anticipation. My parents rolled their eyes every time, yelling from another room “Hannah, you’ve seen it a million times!” Honestly parents, like that mattered?

After studying Integrated Marketing Communication at UNC Wilmington & interning with versatile photographers, planners, and venue coordinators throughout Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Wilson, & Wilmington, I decided to step out & create a business on my own. This business is a blessing & wayyyyyy too much fun at times.

Furthermore, I cannot truly speak about love without speaking on its Creator. I am a believer in Jesus Christ, the author and sustainer of love. The weddings I’ve planned have been in complete reflection of His grace and love toward myself and the couples I have served. Truly, He sustains each wedding and marriage, teaching me that trusting Him and working hard is imperative to having a successful business.

Love, to me, is more than kisses in the rain and long walks on the beach (although I adore both of those things with my cute husband). It is about sacrifice, laughter, passion, joy, hard work, and a lifetime full of yes’s and no’s with one imperfect human and one perfect Savior.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Humble Service. That is the goal! We hope to curate a fantastic relationship with clients. However, at the end of the day we want to serve them. We want our work to be felt throughout the room. Peace comes with a planner. Peace that no matter what slip-ups arise, a key contact will be there to sweep up the mess so our bride & groom can be present with one another on the best day of their lives. That is all that matters to us. We want this day to be remembered for as long as they’re on this Earth as a joyful one. Not one that is tainted by stress, poor attitudes, anxiety or an overworked/overwhelmed couple.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Most of my inquiries come from Word of Mouth recommendations and Instagram. I spend much thought on my social media posts before posting. I do not want it to become a checklist item for the business. It is a place where I really think, “can a potential or existing client benefit from encountering this today?”

Social media can be daunting for new creators, but believe me, once it is mastered – new and existing clients enjoy seeing activity on it. They like to see what updates in your life & business are taking place. After all, they are choosing to share one of the most important days of their lives with you. They are trusting something so precious to you. They enjoy the showcasing of your heart and your work!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hannahstricklandevents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahstricklandevents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahstricklandevents

Image Credits
Caitlyn Gregory Photography Mary me Photography Steph Cranford Photography Sammy Cald Photography Megan Glover Photography