We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Collins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I decided to career transition from talent acquisition to wedding planning, the reason was very simple: my journey kept steering and leading me to do it, no matter what. Since I was young, I always dreamed of working in music, fashion/beauty, and owning my own business. I have always enjoyed making others feel amazing and my purpose always seemed fulfilled knowing that I was able to uplift or assist someone when they need it. During junior year, I knew that pursing Management Information Systems was not what I wanted to do. I was still reserved and was always fearful of not being accepted or failing in the entertainment or beauty industry, though I knew I had amazing talents. Even with this knowledge, I graduated Albany State University in 2019 and started working in corporate as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant.

During the height of COVID-19, a theme with all of my interview candidates that were looking for job placement was that it was time to turn their passions into their career. I was actually inspired by my candidates for making such a huge jump in the middle of a pandemic! I told myself that if my candidates can do it, I can too! After parting ways with my last corporate position in 2021, I entered into the bridal industry starting as stylist, working in both affordable and luxury styles and I have not looked back since! Now I have a newly owned wedding planning business, For Her Weddings & Events, offering full-service wedding planning with full service event planning and full-service bridal styling services to add on January 2024! I will also be working on more music and cultivating my social media presence going into the next year!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Part of the reason I started For Her Weddings & Events is because I had so many bridal styling clients who needed wedding planning or wedding attire assistance but could not pay pricing that was offered in the city. With our current economy and the bridal industry changing, and I decided to make my mark in Atlanta! I believe that I am more than just a planner and stylist…I am my client’s personal assistant, confidant, and everything in between!

What makes my wedding planning business different is that I believe in creating high quality moments, but working within YOUR budget. Whether the category is DIY or by vendor, yes it can be done! Having worked with budgets as low as $2,000 to as high as $80,000 starting, I provide packages that can be customized for your needs, and creating a custom investment quote for each client based on several factors including venue, guest count, number of hours needed on the day, etc.!

As I am beginning to take on more new clients, I am super excited about the future of For Her Weddings & Events. I have started to collaborate with other fellow wedding and event planners and gaining more exposure on social media. Starting a business from the ground up is not easy, ha! I still work as a Sales Lead Generator full-time, along with taking more certification classes as I want to continue to develop my skills. I have had a few moments to myself where I thought, “What did I get myself into?” or “Is it not the right time financially?” If not now, then when?! I believe my entire journey so far has helped me grow in my confidence and test my faith as an entrepreneur and I am ready to take it head on!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an Atlanta native, there are TONS of things to do! First, I’d book a hotel room at the Marriott Marquis Downtown Atlanta, one of my favorite hotels in the city! I would get a CITYPASS for the aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, and Coca-Cola World. Then we would check out some historical or local places like the Underground Atlanta, Piedmont Park, The M.L.K Center and follow up with some good eats at J.R. Crickets, the Busy Bee Cafe, or a spot on The BeltLine. We have to check out Lenox Mall or Phipps Plaza of course, and visit TRU Foods or The Cheesecake Factory right outside of the mall. And last but not least, I would have to take her to North GA into Helen to see the amazing nature and wineries that are up there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I can thank anyone, it would be my parents and sister, Halli. My mother passed away due to complications with pancreatic cancer two weeks after I graduated college in May of 2019. My parents raised my sister and I to believe in God and in ourselves, and that we can do all things through God. She was also a singer and fashionista, and I see how much alike we are now! In her final moments, I promised her that I will continue to make her proud and I feel that I am. With every day that passes, I feel I am able to fulfill her dreams at the same time as mine, which makes everything worth it. My dad, sister, and I are the closest we have ever been since her passing and their support means the world to me as a new business owner.

I want to thank my closest friends, Ariana, Jordaine, Jhamarri, and Marquis for always being there for me. And last but not least, Alexis Rose, my very first client for giving me that final push and for allowing me to make your special day one to remember!

Website: www.forherweddingsandevents.com

Instagram: www.instgram.com/mischellerayne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091774248309

Other: www.instagram.com/forherweddingsandevents

Image Credits
Gray Filmz Photography & Videography
Grace Loves Lace

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