We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shawna Henderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shawna below.
Hi Shawna, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?
The Heart of Event Planning: Showing Couples They Are Truly Appreciated
In the world of event planning, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture — the venue, the flowers, the decor, the guest list. But as an empathic event planner, it’s the little details that turn a wedding from an event into an unforgettable experience. It’s those personal touches, the thoughtful gestures that truly make a couple feel seen and appreciated.
One of the most powerful ways to show a couple that they are valued is by investing in the details. It’s about going beyond the to-do list and infusing your care and passion into every interaction. Here’s a glimpse of what that looks like when it’s done with heart and intention.
A Morning Message to Start the Day Right
Wedding days are a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, and sometimes even a bit of stress. As an event planner, I’ve always felt that it’s important to send a morning message to my couples, sharing in their excitement and offering reassurance. A simple text or email, just a few words to say, “I’m thinking of you and can’t wait for this special day to unfold,” can work wonders.
The beauty of this gesture is not just in the message itself but in its impact. It’s a gentle reminder to the couple that they’re not alone on this journey. That no matter how chaotic the day might feel, they have someone who is rooting for them, supporting them every step of the way. It shows that, as their planner, I’m invested in their joy and their big moment.
The Power of a Thank-You Card
Wedding planning is often a long, emotional journey for couples and can add stress before the day has event started. They pour so much of themselves into making their dream day come to life, that sometimes they forget about the big picture. I love to add my card to all the gifts along with a small book wrapped up that highlights the keys to a happy marriage. But after the event, when the last guest has gone home and the dust settles, that’s when the true beauty of the experience really hits. That’s when sending a heartfelt thank-you card can have the greatest impact. It’s personal. It’s authentic. And it’s something the couple will hold onto as a cherished memory for years to come.
After the adrenaline from the day, I love to send candid wedding photos to the couple that they might not have know I took.
Usually it takes the photographer a few weeks to months to get all the professional edited photos to be delivered, but I like to give them a little taste of the fun moments from the day through photos. It’s a way to express how honored I feel to have played a part in such a momentous occasion. It’s about taking a moment to reflect on their unique love story and the journey we’ve shared together, and to remind them how grateful I am for the trust they’ve placed in me.
The Surprise: Words of Wisdom
One of my favorite parts of planning a wedding is finding little ways to surprise and delight the couple. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve been able to create was during a rehearsal dinner, when I had all of the wedding guests write words of wisdom for the couple on postcards.
This small yet meaningful touch became a treasured aspects of the couple’s celebration. Each guest was asked to write a personal note or a piece of advice on a postcard for the couple to read in the future. What made this even more special was that the couple didn’t receive the cards until after they returned from their honeymoon. It was a complete surprise — a little treasure trove of love and support from their closest family and friends, sent directly to their doorstep weeks after the wedding.
Can you imagine the look on their faces when they opened their mailbox to find heartfelt messages from the people they care about most? It’s one thing to hear advice during the wedding weekend, but to receive those words after the whirlwind of the event has settled down was an experience they’ll never forget. They had the chance to relive the magic of their day and feel the love and guidance from their guests, long after the celebration had ended.
The Feeling of Being Truly Appreciated
As an empathic event planner, my goal is always to make couples feel like they are at the center of everything. It’s more than just checking things off a list — it’s about creating an environment where they feel celebrated and cared for, not just as clients, but as individuals embarking on the most important journey of their lives.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I launched Majestic Mountain Events with a simple goal in mind: to provide high-quality rentals and personalized service for every client. I knew from my experience managing venues that planning an event can be a whirlwind of emotions, and I wanted to be the person who could help take away the stress for my clients.
What I quickly realized is that events, especially weddings and celebrations of life, need someone who’s all in, dedicated to making the customer’s day perfect. Sure, venues have their managers, but the best events are the ones where there is a dedicated planner making sure everything goes off without a hitch. And you know what? There’s no greater feeling than when, at the end of an event, almost everyone comes up to me and says, “This is hands down the best event we’ve ever been to!” That’s the kind of joy that makes it all worth it.
When you find something you love doing, it’s like you never work a day in your life. I have found passion with solving the problems for each client with sharing knowledge and education to make their journey seamless. Our goal is simple: we want our clients to feel completely at ease, knowing that they are in good hands. We manage the details so they can focus on enjoying the process and the big day itself. That peace of mind is invaluable and makes all the difference in turning an event into a memorable experience. We are in the process of expanding our offerings to include a DIY wedding planning video series that helps couples each month with a check list of items that they need to get done. Our goal is to make wedding and event planning a fun experience!
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
In 2010, I felt like I had lost everything. I was going through a rough breakup and had recently been laid off from my job. My world seemed to be crashing down around me, leaving me homeless, jobless, and without a relationship. But amidst all that chaos, the one thing I had was newfound freedom. It was a scary and uncertain time, and I didn’t know where to go or what to do. However, with chaos comes a silver lining. When life seems to be falling apart, sometimes it’s the universe breaking down what no longer serves you, making room for something bigger and better. Of course, it’s hard to see that at the time, but my freedom gave me the chance to step back and reflect on what truly mattered and ask myself the simple question: “What do I love doing?”
It was then that I realized my heart yearned for adventure. So, I did something some might consider radical: I bought a one-way ticket to Thailand with no plan, no destination, and no timeline. Over the next few years, I let the universe guide me—choosing where to go and who to meet along the way. That adventure opened my eyes to the possibility of helping others travel the way I had, but when I tried to build a business around it, I quickly realized I didn’t have a clear path. I pitched my idea at events and joined entrepreneurial groups, but still lacked a solid vision of how this business would thrive. Running low on money and desperate to find a steady job, I eventually took a position as a wedding sales manager.
At first, I took the job out of necessity. But looking back, it was the catalyst that launched me into the place I am today—running my own business. Welcome to the side hustle.
Many of you reading this may be in a job you thought you’d like, only to realize it’s too corporate or too rigid for your style. You may dream of more freedom, the ability to work when you want, and having direct compensation for the drive and effort you put in. That’s where the side hustle comes in.
When things seem to be heading in the wrong direction, take a moment to smile. Life has something better in store for you. While working my job, I began to realize the true needs of my clients, and I started to create a business while still having a steady income. I highly recommend this approach—it allows you to learn, grow, and gain the skills you need without the pressure of worrying about paying the bills.
What started as a small side hustle, helping couples navigate the stress of wedding planning, eventually grew into a full-fledged business. With time, dedication, and a lot of heart, I built my business to a six-figure income. What I’ve learned through this journey is that sometimes the hardest part of starting a business isn’t the work itself—it’s having the courage to step out of the life you know and into something new. By embracing freedom, staying true to my passion, and being open to change, I turned what once seemed like a series of setbacks into the foundation for something I never dreamed possible.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
When planning events, especially corporate meetings or large conferences, the venue can often make or break the success of the event. For event planners, creating strong relationships with sales managers at venues with meeting space is a crucial component of ensuring a seamless experience for your clients and I’ve found to be the most effective strategy for growing clientele. The other key is cross marketing between the two companies. Usually those looking for wedding rentals also might be in need of a coordinator and those who book me for wedding planning with also need help with design and rentals.
Make Sales Managers Lives Easy
As an event planner, you have the opportunity to make their lives easier by being organized, clear in your communication, and proactive in your approach. By providing them with complete and accurate information about your event from the start—such as expected guest numbers, special requests, and specific equipment needs—you show that you respect their time and that you’re a reliable partner.
Building and maintaining a strong relationship with sales managers at venues with meeting and event spaces is essential to the success of growing clientele. By being organized, proactive, and communicative, you can make their jobs easier, which will, in turn, make your events run more smoothly and be top of mind for recommendations. Regular communication, site visits, and showing appreciation all play a role in creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. As you continue to build these connections, you’ll find that your events are more successful, your clients are happier, and your career as an event planner will thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.majesticmountainevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckmtnwedding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreckMtnWedding/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75726363/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8T8tAmrsbPKbNZOt52nDyA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/majestic-mountain-events-breckenridge-3
Image Credits
Once West Photography