Making sure the happiest day of your life is just that
By Christine R. Walsh

There is some truth to the Bride-zilla myth. Many a woman has torn a clearance rack wedding dress out of another woman’s hand, screamed at a supposedly incompetent florist, and/or burst into tears when the invitations were printed in lavender and not periwinkle.

Planning for one wedding may seem like a crazy undertaking. But 27 year old Erica Jones, owner of Events by Sharon’s Daughter, has planned many; after all, it’s her job.

“It’s a 24 hour job,” said Jones in a recent interview. “The majority of meetings are in the morning. I catch up with all of my brides in the afternoon. And between 5 o’clock and bedtime, it’s online research and scheduling for the next day. I’m constantly thinking about weddings.”

When a bride-to-be hires a good wedding planner, she can be assured that the planner will take care of everything from reserving the venue for the reception to helping find a florist or a caterer within the wedding budget. With hard work and that special touch, planners like Jones can create a magical experience.

“I did a wedding last September on the New Hampshire coast and when I first walked into the restaurant where the couple was going to have their reception, I was like, ‘What kind of place is this?’” remembers Jones. “The tables didn’t have tablecloths and I didn’t know how the chosen décor was going to work in the room. But the staff was very helpful and in the end, there were great linens, great lighting, and a beautiful gift table. And the bride still calls and says how people are always telling her how lovely it was. It just goes to show you how you should never judge anything until it’s done.”

Jones, who lives in Marlborough with her husband, runs the business out of her home. When she created Events by Sharon’s Daughter, Jones focused on event planning, but in time she was drawn more and more to wedding planning. Today, 95% of her business is weddings.

And for those of you who are wondering, yes, Jones did plan her own wedding. After a romantic proposal by her husband during a limo ride, Jones launched into planning mode. The most difficult part of whole process, according to Jones, was the guest list. “[It was] the most frustrating thing. Some people just don’t understand the importance of getting back to people.,” said Jones. “Even today, when we offer the service to our brides, it’s not my favorite thing to do.”

Erica’s favorite thing to do, however, is work with her brides and couples and catch their contagious enthusiasm and energy.

For more information about having Erica plan your special day, go to www.eventsbysd.com.