In-Depth Interview with Tiffany Renee Balmer of The DC Event Planner -Munaluchi Bride

Having been in the wedding industry for a decade, Event Planner and MunaLuchi Coterie member, Tiffany Renee Balmer of The DC Event Planner, “is a DC-based, Woman Owned, Disadvantage Certified Small Business that prides itself on organization, operations and customer service.” With a style of detailed beauty, Tiffany is motivated by the happiness of her clients, ensuring that their most special of days is stress-free and full of joy. Tiffany finds inspiration in bringing the dreams of her clients into reality, “encouraging them to think outside the box and bring their special couple details to their wedding.”

Read all about Tiffany Renee Balmer of The DC Event Planner in this inspiring and informative in-depth interview.

Name: Tiffany Renee Balmer
Business Name: The DC Event Planner
Founded: 2010

Describe your business. The DC Event Planner, LLC (formerly Events by TRB) is a DC-based, Woman Owned, Disadvantage Certified Small Business that prides itself on organization, operations and customer service. Our hands-on method of event status tracking is what separates us from others. Each of our clients feel like they are our only client. This thoroughness helps us design events that are unique and perfectly fitted for each client. Tiffany prides herself on her organizational skills, time management and work ethic. She has never been afraid of long hours or of a client that doesn’t know exactly what they want. It is her mission to make the vision come alive. Tiffany stresses the fact she can make anything you want happen, within your budget. “Practical and Pretty” is one of her favorite lines! Event planning isn’t just something Tiffany does, it’s who she is!

What did you do before starting your business in the wedding industry? I worked for an event planning company that did large sporting events for Nike and Jordan.

How long have you been in the wedding industry? Since 2008.

How would you describe your style? Beautiful and detailed!

What motivates you? Making my clients happy. It is literally what gives me the motivation to keep working and pushing. I don’t want them stressed or worried. just happy and pleased with their event.

Why should brides/grooms choose you? I am not a just “for show” wedding planner, I am a details planner. Yes I want your flowers to be breath taking but I also want all your contracts to make sense. I don’t want you waiting until the last minute to send out wedding invitations and then causing you stress weeks before your wedding when we can handle that in advance. Couples should choose me because not only will their wedding day be the best day of their lives, the planning days leading up to it and after it will also be amazing and stress free days. Hire a planner who cares as much about the logistics as she does the decor.

How does your company define and measure success? How my clients are feeling and how the vendors are feeling. I always work based on my couples’ schedule. Some want to plan most details at the beginning and have a break. Some want to spread it out. Either way as long as they are happy with the process, that’s success. I also want to make sure vendors are kept up to date on changes, payments, etc.. If they remain happy and thankful to be working with me that’s success.

What do you enjoy most about your work? When all the details come together to create a minute by minute timeline. I also love at the end of the night when couples walk up to me and give me a hug and say thank you. I wish I could capture each one on camera but it would feel so rude and ungenuine to hold a camera up to their face during that intimate moment. I just hold them in my heart.

Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry. When venues ask if they can add me to their vendor list. This means the work Ive done impressed other professionals in the industry so much they want me to come back. It’s an honor.

What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work? A mother of the bride was very against having a wedding planner. She said they didn’t need one. The night of the wedding she wanted to say to everyone that she was wrong and hiring me as their wedding planner was the best idea.

What are your business goals? To do lux weddings.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry? Seeing two people who are madly in love and excited for their future. It’s such a private relationship and they let me help plan their wedding day, I don’t take it lightly.

What’s your least favorite part of the wedding industry? Non-qualified vendors; people think planning weddings, photographing weddings, DJ’ing weddings, etc., is easy and that’s not true. It takes real skill and real experience. The market is over saturated with vendors who aren’t qualified. They take a few stages photos and post them to make themselves looks great but they can’t write or read a contract in the proper way. Couples are hiring these vendors at alarming rates and their planning process is suffering.

Describe your vision of the “perfect” wedding. Two people getting married using a budget they can afford and inviting the guests they want. The decor and food fit them perfectly and they have no regrets. So many couples are being overwhelmed by social media and feeling the pressure of wanting something they can’t afford. I love when couples are realistic with themselves and their budget. Everyone’s idea of a perfect wedding should be slightly different because all couples are different.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Talking to my couples. You learn so much about them and what they enjoy. I really love encouraging them to think outside the box and bring their special couple details to their wedding.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? Your wedding planner becomes your wedding BFF; hire someone you can connect to and who understands your vibe.