Exploring Life & Business with Annamarie Gansheimer of Satin & Slate Weddings and Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annamarie Gansheimer.

Hi Annamarie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I went to Arizona State University undecided and was still determining what I wanted to do or study. In my sophomore year, I applied for an internship with the wedding venue Villa Siena in Gilbert, purely based on the fact that my mom and I would watch Say Yes to the Dress on TLC, and I thought, “Wow, I would love to see all the brides in their gowns!” That internship made me fall in love with weddings, and over the next 3 remaining years of college, I proceeded to intern with other wedding venues, events companies, and wedding planners. While working and learning alongside several wedding planners in the valley, I knew I had found my passion and niche in the hospitality industry. After graduation, I entered a full-time events job while still working as a lead planner with local wedding planners as my side hustle. COVID hit and shut down most event work, but I still took on as many weddings as possible under the resilient wedding planners who fought hard to keep their businesses alive. During those years, as we slowly crawled out of the pandemic, I decided it was now or never to start my own wedding planning business. Satin & Slate Weddings and Events was born!

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to starting my own business has been far from smooth. But from those bumps along the way, I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. I am the first in my family to start my small business from scratch, so there was no blueprint to follow or person to turn to that had all the answers. I had to research and learn how to get my business off the ground – like creating an LLC, purchasing insurance, navigating taxes, the best way to bookkeeping, and deciding how to price my services – the list goes on and on! You also learn about the incredible maintenance that goes into ensuring your small business continues to succeed. Even how you interact with social media is vital in our industry, where potential and current clients consume so much online! I’ve had to understand that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Learning how to manage my time and continually reminding myself that each challenge is an opportunity for growth has helped me keep moving forward to know that I love what I do!

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Satin & Slate Weddings and Events is a full-service wedding and event planning company. We offer curated wedding planning services to couples wanting a logistically sound, fun, and stress-free day. Whether you are planning an epic, all-out, 200+ person bash with every guest partying on the dance floor – or an intimate and cozy dinner reception with your closest loved ones, we are here to help create and design an exceptional celebration. Our packages range from Day of Coordination, Partial Planning + Design, to Full Service. We help guide our couples through this incredible experience while providing top-notch service, professional advice, and a friend to turn to when questions arise. What sets us apart from the rest is that we recognize that you are a unique individual, which means how you want to celebrate will differ from anyone else. You are more than just a number to check off on our list of completed weddings. We get to know your “WHY” to take your vision and make it a reality.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved to organize. I would line up my plastic zoo animals as they prepared to enter my brother’s LEGO spaceships. I would color coordinate my Barbie’s outfits in her closet so she knew what to wear daily and for each occasion. The stuffed animals on my bed were arranged from smallest to biggest. So, as silly as it seems, I always knew I would be organizing something when I grew up. It took me a while to figure out how that would translate into a career, but wedding planning truly highlights and compliments one of my talents, and I love that I can share that with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.satinandslateweddings.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satinandslateweddings/

Image Credits
Moorehouse Creative, Alyssa Phillips Photography