Interviewer:  And how long have you been working in this business?

 

Catherine Porterfield:  About seven and a half--eight years now.

 

Interviewer:  Great, great; so are there any particular career highlights that you’re especially proud of?

 

Catherine Porterfield:  There’s definitely some; there are--you know it’s--what’s really special about wedding planning and I--I used to do corporate planning and what’s nice about doing something is that it’s so personal and you really are giving--you know no matter how crazy it may get and you know months and months of planning, it really is a reward when you do see a couple and you’re giving them a day that they’re always going to remember. And it’s such a special important day for not only them--and for their family and that your role is there to help take the stress off the family and off the bride and groom so that they can really enjoy the day and focus on what’s really taking place. You know they’re starting their lives together. So with each wedding there’s definitely a special moment when you get to watch especially when they--you know exchange with their vows or--or whatever kind of ceremony that they have, it’s just really nice to watch the couple really be able to enjoy the day.

 

         I will have to say that one you know--just because it’s personal--would be one of my friends who got married and just--I was--she actually hired me as--I was in her bridal party but she also did hire me as the wedding coordinator and that was actually my first [destination] wedding that I planned; so it was a bit of a challenge. It was up in Cape Cod and having to do everything from being here in DC and having to coordinate over the phone and not see everything was a great challenge but it was also you know just perfect and the day went off without a hitch. That’s one of my most special memories.

 

         And then there was another one that was at the Mayflower here that was just a spectacular, huge event that was just beautiful and again everything just kind of went off without a hitch, so that was just really special as well.

 

Interviewer:  That sounds great; when you--there’s a personal touch to it.

 

Catherine Porterfield:  Yeah; it’s--it’s very, very nice.