Meet Tracie Morris

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tracie Morris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tracie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I feel like God creates each of us by giving us attributes that come out later in life. I always wondered what I would be when I grew up. As a small child I was obsessed with weddings. From how the bride looked in her dress to what the bridesmaids wore and the room decor including the table centerpieces and the tall beautiful wedding cakes, I loved everything about them. In high school, I discovered that I enjoyed planning my junior and senior proms when I was on the event planning committees. Details soon became my jam and I was voted ‘Most Organized’ my Senior year. Although I finished college with two degrees, I knew I still wanted more, so I enrolled in a wedding planner certificate course. I absolutely loved learning more about the world of weddings. It was during the studying of that course to become a Certified Wedding Planner that I figured out my purpose. I was so excited to complete the course, become certified, and find my first client to trust me to help with her wedding. When I booked my first client I was elated. Even to this day, I feel that same excitement each time it happens . I am grateful that I have built a company from my dream and a vision. I know that I could not have done that without the special gifts of organization, patience, empathy, discipline, self-starter and many more that God gave me. Meeting couples and helping them plan weddings is truly a dream job and a blessing. I am thrilled to be doing what I love.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and was formerly a Catering Sales Manager. Most recently, I decided to launch a podcast called “Wedding Weeds“ that you can listen to on all major platforms detailing how I’ve helped hundreds of couples navigate the wedding planning process for over two decades.

I also love mentoring college students at my company to prepare them for future employment in the hospitality, business and fashion industries.

Reflecting back on my own wedding, I remember how excited I was to arrive at my reception to see everything I had chosen! Unfortunately, I was disappointed that my cake was not exactly as I envisioned. I had paid extra to have tulle and lights under the cake to make it appear like it was floating on a cloud but that did not happen. There were a few other issues that could have been fixed before the reception if only I would have hired a wedding coordinator. This is why I started my company, to help couples ensure everything is perfect!

I often feel like an architect because I am building events from start to finish and I know exactly what it takes to ensure a wonderful guest experience! I understand the logistics of an on-premise and off-premise wedding. I love the challenge of planning, designing, and transforming an empty, raw space into a celebration!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I feel that being organized, resourceful and down-to-earth have been the most impactful qualities on my journey. Of course, it goes without saying that to plan a wedding you have to be organized. However, I am not only planning weddings, but managing a business which consists of taxes, employees, payroll, and a lot of paperwork and deadlines to keep up with. Being resourceful is key because sometimes being a business owner gets tough and you have to figure things out on your own. There really isn’t a handbook of how to do this or that. I have become a good problem solver, and when I can’t figure things out, I have aligned myself ahead of time with those who can lend a hand. I feel I have always been a very down-to-earth type of person. Unlike your stereotypical wedding planner, I am a very friendly, upbeat, people person and I work well independently and with teams. I know how to treat people and care for others and their feelings. I am probably one of the chillest wedding planners my clients will ever meet. They know I get the job done efficiently because my reviews and 24 years of happy clients are the proof in the pudding!

Everyone is going to have their own skillset to bring to the table. I do encourage those who are just starting out to work in an internship because you will learn so much and it will give you an opportunity to fine tune the skills you have and pick up a bunch of new ones.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
She is a busy working professional who doesn’t have much time to grocery shop, plan meals, cook or call her mother back! She has good taste and wants to have a fabulous party, but is preoccupied with her career so she doesn’t have the time to plan her wedding. She has an ample budget for her 200 person wedding, but it doesn’t have to be over the top. If it is something she likes, she will spend the extra money to have it be a part of her day. She has full confidence in her wedding professional and will trust direction and tasks from her wedding planner. She is courteous and appreciates all of the assistance and expertise her wedding planner provides in order for the wedding of her dreams to come to life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Sam Sarkis Photography Adrienne & Amber Photography Girl With The Tattoos Maxyne Leanne Photography Silvestri Photography Mollan Photography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Where does your generosity come from?

Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your