This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on July 16th, 2014 with Event Producer and Author Jes Gordon. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.
Jes Gordon’s namesake company jesGORDON/properFUN, provides high end, personal event design and management with loads of signature style. Her first book, Party Like A Rock Star (Globe Pequot Press), provides everyone with the tools they need to throw the party of their dreams, regardless of their budget.
Q1: Now you started out at the age of 13 as a florist’s assistant?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I did. My mother’s friend owned a flower shop, my mom paid my salary! Never knew til many years later.
Q2: How did you become a set designer for movies like Interview with the Vampire and Dead Man Walking ?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Long story, but mainly Anne Rice liked my work at a local floral shop in New Orleans and asked me to join.
Q3: What was your first wedding?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: One of my mom’s friends from her golfing club! I was terrified but I pulled it off perfectly.
Q4: How can wedding pros, wedding & event planners get out of doing the same old thing?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: This is the hardest part of the biz you are responsible to keep evolving and be open to new avenues of the business. No egos allowed. Learn from others.
Q5: What inspires you to come up with new ideas?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: People inspire me. You have to love people in this biz and get to know them and their histories and individual styles.
Q6: What are your thoughts on @Pinterest ? Does it help the planning process?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I love Pinterest in general but many folks don’t understand that editorial is very different from creating something in real life. This presents a challenge.
Q7: What suggestions do you have for wedding pros to stay on top?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Get out there and stay current, not only in your industry but watch other related industries around you like fashion, and other types of design.
Q8: Are joining associations or attending conventions important to keeping fresh in the industry?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Absolutely. It’s always smart to listen to other people in the industry speak or present. Ultimately it’s your responsibility to stay current.
Q9: Should new wedding pros have a mentor?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Everyone should have a mentor no matter what you do; someone that inspires you and makes you want to be a better professional and creator.
Q10: How do you stay fresh with all of your events?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I really listen to my clients. This is not about me its about me expressing who they are I need to listen visually to them.
Q11: What wedding trends are you seeing this year?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: eclectic design mixing luxury items with more artisan and handmade elements. I call it country and rock n roll.
Photo by The Knot
Q12: How do you handle your social media on a daily or weekly basis?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Social media wasn’t around when I started my biz so I am obsessed with it!! I am on it every day all of the time. I just do it when the mood strikes me.
Q13: Is there one social media platform that you like more to promote your biz ?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I love @instagram nothing tells the story of one of my events in real time like instagram does. It’s a live visual journey of my events.
Q14: Can you tell us about your book “Party Like a Rock Star” ? Where can they find it?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I wanted to write a book that truly gives information and not just a pretty coffee table book, I want people to learn from this book. Amazon.
Q15: What is key to having a great party?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Chillax, this isn’t the last party you are going to throw so don’t try to do EVERYTHING in one party. Focus on a few elements and throw more parties!
Q16: Do you have any special events or projects coming up?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Of course always!! I work constantly I like it this way. I hate time off.
Q17: What advice do you have for wedding pros ?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Compete with yourself not others. Be aware of what is going on but always raise the bar on yourself.
Q18: How do you set standards for yourself vs. your competition?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I consistently ask my clients for constructive criticism sometimes its hard to hear but its important.
@SweetestEvents_ How do you ask your clients, through a survey?
Jes Gordon: A phone call is always best.
Q19: What tips do you have for getting on TV as an event expert?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Introduce yourself to the segment producers at major networks and tell them you are available for expert advice.
Q20: How did you prepare yourself in writing a book for events?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: You need a lot of years of experience behind you in order to write a book. For me I had a lot to say and it came easily.
Q21: What type of corporate clients have you worked with?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I work with phenomenal corporate clients! @MsBrown @AOLEvents @lifetimetv and many more.
Q22: What has been your most exciting corporate event that you did?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: @westpoint was a magical event for us its hard to describe but it fed my soul.
Q23: What are some of your top wedding destinations?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Some of my fave wedding destinations are: @FSCostaRica @RitzCarlton @RhinebeckTweets . I love to travel!
Q24: What & How should the wedding industry educate more of our brides on?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: MONEY!! brides don’t seem to often understand that pretty things cost a lot of money to produce! Expose your brides to pricing. Take them to the flower market with you, let them see what things cost.
Q25: How do you hire your employees for your company?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I make folks intern with us or shadow us on events first. I can tell right away whether or not they have game or not!
Q26: What would you like everyone to take away from this #weddingmarket chat?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Being an event producer is a way of life not a job. Make you sure you love it and it will love you back.
#WeddingMarket Questions From Twitter:
1. @AmoroJewelry what are your favorite kind of flowers to work with?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: I adore romance flowers peonies, garden roses, orchids I can be a girly girl!
@AmoroJewelry Where do you get your inspiration from?
Jes Gordon: I hit the streets!! I love exploring new neighborhoods in the city and also young people have it going on.
@AmoroJewelry Is there any neighborhood in particular that really inspires you?
Jes Gordon: I am a downtown gal.
2. @EventsDEEsigned Any tips on pulling personal style out of a timid bride?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Yes! Take her out!! See what she responds to decor in restaurants, window of stores etc
@EventsDEEsighned What do you tell a couple to convince them that a wedding coordinator is a necessity rather than a luxury?
Jes Gordon: You need to stress that we speak the “language” just like a lawyer speaks theirs etc.
3. @UnWhiteWedding How do you connect with new and prospective brides?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: At first I really listen almost like a therapist ha! Then I give my thoughts but listen first a lot!
4. @PlanTheDayApp Do you think that utilizing #WeddingPlanningApps is a great way for wedding pros to stay on top with modern brides?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Absolutely!! when I started my biz this stuff didn’t exist take advantage of it!
5. @ConfectionStdio Any tips on how to select the best mentor?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Great question. My mom is mine you need to choose someone that you respect and who inspires you.
@ConfectionStdio What advice would you give a baker who wants to break into the #weddingmarket
Jes Gordon: If you can, drop off samples to our first choice venues and planners but don’t go broke doing it!
6. @FrillsBridal Have you ever had a client’s vision be too far off from your own? if so, how do you handle that?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: A great designer can handle anything. I always find a way to put my flair into it but its important to be flex.
7. @AlphaProperity What blogs do you feel provide the freshest inspirations?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: So funny Actually I adore @gizmodo not our industry but inspires me.
8. @FlowerGirlWorld Any advice for #brides to help their #flowergirls feel included in the #WeddingPlanning process?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: Let them choose their flowers!! Color choice etc they love it!
9. SweetestEvents_ What are your thoughts on paper flowers being implemented into Floral Design?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: LOVE THEM!! I adore every design element sometimes I don’t even use flowers
10. @SweetestEvents_ Do you utilize interns?
Answer:
Jes Gordon: We sure do but if we feel they can’t hack it we terminate them pretty quickly.
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