Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel May.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My career in wedding planning didn’t begin with a business plan or a goal sheet; it began by happenstance, while planning my own wedding.
I quickly discovered that I didn’t just enjoy the process—I was truly captivated by it. Every vendor meeting, every tiny detail, and every discovery about the inner workings of the industry was genuinely exciting. My husband, seeing my passion, encouraged me to take the leap, and thus, Rachel May Weddings was born.
A few years later, I had someone refer to me as a “successful wedding planner.” It absolutely floored me. When I first started out, I truly didn’t know what would happen. I thought, “This will be fun!” Boy, did I underestimate what it takes to launch a company, let alone run a successful one. Here we are 12+ years later and still thriving.
This industry is so big yet so small. It is really a tight knit community. I’ve met life long friends in this industry. We cheer each other on and help each other out. Seeing all the passion and creativity from fellow vendors as we come together to create the most amazing day is not comparable to anything I can think of.
From the first meeting to the last, every detail is planned out. Bringing my client’s vision to life and allowing them to truly relax and enjoy their day is the ultimate goal. Whether it’s orchestrating butterflies flying out at the right time during a ceremony to being under a bride’s dress placing 10 safety pins because her bustle was ripped out while dancing the night away. I had a father of the bride once refer to me as a duck on a pond. You see that duck gliding on the surface of a pond but under the water you see those little feet rapidly paddling along. It has stuck with me for years now because it’s true. It is the most beautiful, silent and organized chaos.
The most rewarding element, however, is the relationship I build with my clients. They don’t just hire me, they become family.
There’s nothing better than saying, “See you next time,” because I always do. My definition of success isn’t tied to revenue; it’s seeing my clients return, asking me to help their sister, brother, cousin, or best friend plan their own celebration.
That deep, unwavering trust is, to me, the ultimate measure of success.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ll be honest: it’s hard. It’s a 24/7 commitment that has meant missing countless family events and friendship gatherings. It’s answering emails and texts at 10 o’clock at night. It’s finding that “just right” color of green napkin. It’s helping a bride navigate the family dynamics that come into play while planning a wedding. It’s helping the families stay in budget without losing the quality of their vision. It’s honesty. I tell my clients that I will always be honest. Sometimes you will love what I have to say and sometimes you won’t but it will always be honesty.
On the business end it’s hard running a business in an industry that is constantly evolving. It’s finding and utilizing new ways to make your business more efficient. New ways to project who you are and how you run your business. New ways of getting your business out there in the social media world this industry has evolved in to. You just take one step at a time and keep going and evolving with it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rachel May Weddings?
I am a wedding/event planner. I do everything from small 40 person micro weddings to 300+ formal wedding/events. I travel to destination weddings outside of the Houston and surrounding areas as well. Branding has always been my Achilles heel LOL but I’m working on it! I love this industry and I wouldn’t change my career choice for anything. I’m proud of what I have created through all of the blood, sweat and tears. The wedding/event industry is my home.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Vacations. I loved the road trips we would take every year. Some were annual and then some new places were thrown in here and there. I remember loading up on snacks and hitting the road. I still do that to this day. Whether it’s with my husband or my girlfriends or my mom or all the family. It is my reset. My recharge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rachelmayweddings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelMayWeddings/
Image Credits
Picture This Forever Photography
Heather Purvis Photography
Erika Geier Photography
Mollie Jane Photography
