Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Villafana.
Hi Terri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My love of planning events started when I planned my Sweet 16 party. After that I planned my bridal shower, wedding and baby showers.
I worked full time while I completed my Masters Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Miami. I have worked with Fortune 500 companies like Clorox and even start ups. I was leading a successful carreer making well six figures.
However, friends and family encouraged me to start my own business in event planning…and after giving it some thought I decided to start event planning as a side hustle. That side hustle continued for 10 years.
During that time I planned weddings, destination weddings, rehearsal dinners, kids’ parties, quinces, servicing Miami, West Palm Beach, and the Keys.
I’ve had the honor of working at prestigious venues like the Vanderbilt Mansion at Fisher Island, Fairchild Botanical Tropical Gardens, The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, The Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, El Faro Blanco in Islamorada, as well as Bakers Cay, and Dream Bay Resort in Key Largo.
We offer day of coordination, month of coordination, and full planning for weddings from 75 to over 250 guests. I’ve had much support from my husband who helps me on the event day with all of heavy lifting.
I was serving South Florida and the Keys, but in 2023 I decided to take my wedding planning full time and focus on destination weddings in the Florida Keys.
I moved to our vacation home in Key Largo in August and am working on branding and collaboration with local vendors and hotels to market our services.
Event planning is what I love, but combining that with my background and experience in digital marketing and web development allows me to have a unique blend of talent in areas like developing my own website, marketing emails and social media campaigns.
My goal is to grow the business and hire several coordinators to help reach as many brides as we can.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a happy couple at their special day. And I’ve been lucky to say that many of my clients have become friends.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a slow and steady road because I worked on events as a side hustle, I always kept my day job. Until now.
I think the most challenging area is building brand recognition in a very competitive industry. Remember with weddings you don’t have repeat customers (at least, I hope not). So, each lead is essential to the success of the business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in destination weddings. I’ve planned many weddings for brides who have been thousands of miles away. I’m their eyes and ears on the ground and make sure they arrive at their wedding venue with no worries or stress knowing that my team and I have things under control.
I focus on weddings mostly and I am very proud to say that I started ten years ago doing everything by my self, today I am able to hire assistants to help me with everything on the wedding day. We are usually on site for 10-12 hours on the wedding day so it’s a very long day.
I am proud of becoming a Certified Wedding Planner, and providing exceptional customer service to our clients.
I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to have empathy for our clients, and being promptly responsive to their questions and needs.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I had one couple who had to cancel their wedding and rescheduled it not once, but three times. They were the sweetest bride and groom. Their wedding was the best, at Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
I’ve learned to make sure my contracts are clear with regards to cancellations and rescheduling. It’s important to provide information up front so clients know your terms and what they can expect.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.partydesignsbyterri.com
- Instagram: @partydesignsbyterri1_
- Facebook: @partydesignsbyterri
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terrivillafana
- Other: Facebook Group: Florida Keys Destination Weddings – https://www.facebook.com/groups/FloridaKeysDestinationWeddings/
Image Credits
Images by: Simply Captivating, Bella Quinces, Shauna & Jordan.
