We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madison McGhee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madison below.

Alright, Madison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

The best investments I have made while in the wedding industry will always be education. This industry is ever-changing and continuing your education in all aspects of weddings is the key to success. I take courses on Floral arrangement/design, photography, cake design, etc. The more I know the better and to be honest I don’t think you can ever know enough about anything. I enjoy learning from other professionals to see how they have perfected their crafts over the years. Learning how to pivot when something doesn’t work out as planned is key.

For wedding days in particular, my best investment is my extensive wedding day emergency kit. We do not plan for things to go wrong on a wedding day, but we are always prepared if they do. In this kit I have medicine, sewing kit, steamer, safety pins, and even fake eyelashes! If you need it, I have it in my emergency kit ready to go! It is used at every single one of my weddings.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hello!
I am Madison McGhee, owner of Reverie Wedding and Event Planning. For more than a decade, I have worked in the wedding and event industry. I’m proud to be a Master Certified Wedding Planner through The Certified Wedding Planner Society, the nation’s leading wedding planning certification program.

After earning a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Memphis, I began my career in corporate event planning. I quickly learned that my true passion lies in wedding planning, so I set out to begin my career as a Certified Wedding Planner. Before launching Reverie Wedding and Event Planning, I was privileged to work as the Memphis Associate Planner for an incredible wedding planning company based in Tennessee.

I have successfully executed hundreds of weddings, gained many accolades and publications throughout the years, but I realized I was helping build someone else’s dream. I decided it was time to create my own business, so I could really showcase who I was as a person and as a brand. I decided on the name “Reverie” which means “to be lost in a daydream.”
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I know how important your wedding day is, and I am truly honored that my clients entrust me with their big day. I don’t take a single second for granted, because I am thrilled to help plan an event that fits you and your significant other perfectly. I pride myself on making your wedding day unique to you, because you are my number one priority. I want each of my clients to feel like they are a member of my family, because well, if I plan your wedding, we are just destined to be best friends afterwards!
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So let’s make your wedding day dreams come true!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

When first starting in the wedding industry, I would reach out to reputable vendors and schedule coffee dates. I wanted to build my connections with the vendors (who I would be working with the most) first. I would let them know about me, my services, what my goals were and how I could make their lives/jobs easier. I would then ask them what they look for in a Wedding Planner and made sure I could live up to their expectations. Creating those genuine relationships has helped me develop the reputation I have in the market today.

With my clients, I treat them like lifelong friends while still giving them the critical, expert advice they need. I truly listen to all of their hopes and dreams for their weddings. Even if some dreams are a little out of reach… I come up with solutions that can still give them their overall vision, but can fit more logistically into our plans. My professionalism, kindness, and overall ability to connect with many different types of personalities is what has shaped my reputation in this industry. It has also lead to over 95% of all my clientele referrals coming from word of mouth recommendations from Vendors and past clients.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

During the planning process, I am in constant communication with clients through email. We also use a planning platform called Aisle Planner, that is very helpful for clients to keep all of their wedding information together.

With past clients though, we stay connected through social media mainly. I like continuing to celebrate their life milestones with them many years after their weddings. I send Happy Anniversary messages/cards, wish them the best on new jobs or if they are moving to new cities. I have been to countless baby showers, birthday parties, etc. I have even had the honor of doing multiple weddings for the same families (Groom’s brother or sister, etc). It is truly an honor to be a part of such special moments in my clients lives and I will never take that for granted!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reverieweddingplanning.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reverieweddingplanning/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reverieweddingplanning/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-mcghee-cwp-chia-cgsp-6b6599b1/

Image Credits
Shelby Renee Photo Jackie McGinnis Photo Courtnie Welch Photo