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I give a lot of credit to the event planners in our city. Especially the ones who add a personal touch to their work because I treat my clients the same way. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the #divaboss behind Day of Pittsburgh – a wedding planning company here in the Steel City. Heather Dougherty is the owner and wedding chaos coordinator who doubles as the dance coach at Duquesne University. A native New Yorker who now resides in Bloomfield, Heather is already well known in the wedding industry. I’m always happy to meet and connect with other #DivasDoingBusiness and was thrilled to chat with Heather about what she does.
Q: When did you start Day of Pittsburgh?
I launched Day of Pittsburgh on February 1, 2017 after 5 years of planning special events in the city. I’ve always loved weddings (I’m actually planning my own right now!), and specialize in a specific style of wedding planning called ‘day of’ coordination. Day of wedding coordination is a happy medium between hiring a full scale wedding planner and winging it on your own. I work with couples who completed the big steps in planning their wedding, but need help with the final touches, and also want to enjoy a stress-free day.
Q: What’s is an average day on the job like for you?
During the week, I spend most of my time on site visits, connecting with my client’s vendors, and putting the final touches on their wedding day timeline. On wedding days, I arrive anywhere between 4-8 hours before the ceremony time to begin setting up. I also like to check in with the couple while they get ready, and make sure they have everything they need as they prep. My favorite thing to do is grab them coffee that morning, and write Bride/Groom on the cup–it’s always received with a smile! I am there from the moment the door opens until the final guest departs, and stay after to clean up and break down. When all is said and done, I work over 12 hours on wedding days!
Q: What do you love about the wedding industry?
I love helping couples plan a wedding that reflects their personality. The wedding industry (and by extension, wedding planners) sometimes get a bad rep, but a wedding is whatever you want it to be. There is no right or wrong. I’ve planned everything from a backyard pizza party at Choderwood, a glam black tie affair at the Carnegie Museum of Art, and everything in between. They are all beautiful in their own way.
Q: Do you have any tips for women in business starting out?
Yes! Tip 1: Know your worth, and don’t sell yourself short. Figure our your rate, and stick to it! Tip 2: Be who you needed when you were younger. Some of my favorite wedding moments are watching my assistants and interns grow into leaders. If you have the capacity to take on interns, do it!
Q: What do you love about working in Pittsburgh?
I love how inclusive the Pittsburgh wedding planning community is! I’ve worked with so many talented, funny, and creative vendors, and we all become a big family on our clients’ wedding day. It feels great to confidently recommend a local vendor you can trust to your client. I also learn so much from each vendor I work with, and at the end of the night, we all want the same thing: A happy newlywed couple! I have to give a shout out to some of my favorites: Bistro to Go, All Occasions Party Rental, and Mosaic Linens, who are all wedding superstars!
Q: What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice comes from my mom: ” Always present your clients with solutions, not problems.”
Website: dayofpgh.com
Instagram: @dayofpgh
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