Meet Intern Natalie

22 Feb Meet Intern Natalie

Hometown: Champaign, IL
School: Southern Methodist University
Major: Advertising and Spanish, minor in Business Administration

Hi, I’m Natalie! I have been lucky enough to intern at The Wedding Party Studio since October. While I have blogged off and on for TWPS, I recently made a goal to post more consistently. I will blog a couple times each week, as will my fellow intern, Tracy. Since you’ll be hearing from me a lot I think it is necessary that I share a bit about myself.

Why the wedding industry?
Just as everyone who goes to college must furnish a dorm room, buy books, and purchase university apparel, every bride-to-be must find the perfect florist, choose a reception venue, and decide on THE dress. It is an industry that continues despite the state of the economy, although budgets change. It is also a relatively happy industry to be in. Brides are excited about their weddings and the planning that goes into them. To be involved in the most special day of someone’s life is something beautiful and an honor to be a part of.

Why do you LOVE working at TWPS?
Since elementary school I have had a passion for weddings. In third grade I planned pretend weddings  for my friends at the country club. I created bouquets with weeds from my backyard, designed dresses out of beach towels, and made sure that each newlywed couple had the perfect cake to dig into (Klondike bars from the snack bar anyone?!). I LOVE working at TWPS because it allows me to further (and more professionally) pursue my passion for weddings.

I really do LOVE it. I have been exposed to every aspect of weddings- from venues to cakes to florals. I have had SO much fun working on PAGES (Have you picked up your copy?!), although I have developed a love-hate relationship with Adobe Creative Suite. I have also been blessed to meet so many wonderful, talented people- our members, my team, and of course, the brides! And, I barely have to lift a finger to get a Cuca Lu cruffle when the craving strikes. Lucky me!

If you were to start planning your own wedding TODAY how would you describe your style and the overall feel you want to achieve?
It will be a late afternoon wedding in my backyard, ideally in the late summer. The intimate ceremony will take place on the golf course behind my house and everyone I love will be in attendance. The reception will be a fun, beautiful bash. Picture bocce on the lawn, an overwhelming amount of peonies, a big band and plenty of colorful cocktails. I want the bridesmaids to wear Jcrew dresses and the men to wear bow ties- very preppy, yet casual. Knowing me, there will be an abnormal attention to detail, down to the font on the place-cards. Now, I just need the minor detail: a fiance.

What do you think is the secret to a great marriage?
My parents have been married 26 years. That’s not to say that they haven’t had their ups and downs, but I have observed that communication and compromise are the keys to good marriage. And, the fun must continue! No one is ever too old to flirt or go on dates.

Enough about weddings…more about you! Name two things you are very good at and two things you are not so good at.
I’m am a phenomenal organizer, and I throw one heck of a dinner party. I need to practice patience. When I sing I sound like a whale (that is NOT a good thing).

What is your quirkiest habit?
I have a habit of obsessively cleaning- especially swiffering the floor and wiping the counter. Is that quirky? My pet peeve is dirty people…

Favorite activities, interests or hobbies?
My grandmother bought me an apron for Christmas that says “domestic diva”. I love to bake, cook, and especially entertain. See my personal blog post about dinner parties. I also love to read magazines (R.I.P Gourmet and Domino), write and stay active. My current obsession is Core Fusion, Exhale Spa’s booty kicking workout class. Traveling is my all time favorite. My friends joke that I will be a member of the mile high club in no time.

What is your life philosophy/favorite quote?
I have found that if you love life, life will love you right back.
-Arthur Rubinstein

Three wishes….go!
Only three?! I wish that the calories in ice cream didn’t exist and that my best friends and I lived in the same town. I also wish health and peace for those close to my heart.

Last but not least…we hear graduation makes you a big kid – any “career goals”???
Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I have too many long term goals to list- I want to get my MBA, attend culinary school, open my own business, be involved in the wedding industry in some shape or form, and the list goes on. But,  for the next year two years I will be in Dallas teaching bilingual elementary school as part of the Teach for America corps.