Vanessa Vedder

Responsibilities

My primary responsibilities include: maintaining the appearance of the barn, staff payroll and scheduling, and alcohol prep. This included inventory of the alcohol, prep the bar areas, and prepare alcohol orders. Maintaining the barn was the biggest priority, which included cleaning both the inside and outside, ensuring all rooms were cleaned to expected standards, and moving desired decor pieces. While getting ready for weekend weddings, I would ensure that the barn was clean, the bar prepped and would communicate with the wedding party of their wants and needs for this event. During the event, I would help valet cars and bar back.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment was helping incorporate more efficient staffing procedures. This included creating new formula spreadsheets, more accessible access to employee information and availability, and more efficient ways to do monthly payroll. Along with making behind-the-scenes procedures easier, creating bonds with the wedding guests was a highlight of the job.

Learning experience

The greatest lesson learned from this experience was learning how to work with various personality types. In the event industry, you will work with every personality type. Learning how to approach different topics or engage different people based on their personalities is extremely important in having a successful event. Successful communication helps events run with ease and create a less stressful event.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students is to build connections, try new things, and do what is best for yourself! When you work in the event industry, you will meet new people every day. I would encourage you to try and connect with at least one person at each event because you never know what opportunities they could provide. Along with building connections with new people, you should also try new things. Trying new things doesn't have to be extreme, but instead trying a different process or new trend because you will never know what success it could bring you. Lastly, I would encourage you to make decisions based on what is best for you, not others. Do not hold yourself back from new opportunities based on what others say. These opportunities could be a fantastic fit for you and push you that extra mile.