Student Feature: Camasha Isaac
Name: Camasha Isaac
Location: Toronto, Canada
QC Courses she’s graduated from:
- Event and Wedding Planning Course
- Event Decor Course
- Luxury Wedding and Event Planning Course
- Destination Wedding Planning
Her Website: www.roselleandco.com
Social Media:
You’re the winner of QC’s first Styled Shoot contest! Can you share your #1 tip for a successful styled shoot?
You have to let the vendors do what they do best. For example, let the makeup artist choose the lipstick they think would go great with the mood board. When everyone shines in their own areas of expertise, great things happen.
At the same time, you have to be open-minded. Listen and consider what your vendors suggest or offer. No one knows everything. Sometimes, the most amazing things happen by fluke.
This styled shoot was a labor of learning and love. It’s actually the very first styled shoot I have planned, decorated, and styled. The theme is Old Hollywood. Think James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s world”. This shoot is mostly about the groom and his groomsmen in a classic/industrial-style setting.
Vendors that participated in this shoot:
Co-Creative Director, Producer, Stylist & Concept Creator: @roselle_and_co
Co-Creative Director , Florist & Planner: @byfrancescaxoweddings
Hair & Makeup: @torontobridalstyle
Photography: @photographybymw
Calligraphy, Stationary Design & Signage: @blossomsandink
Bridal & Formal Wear: @oneloveonedreambridal
Cake & Confectionary: @samanthas_cake_shop
Jewelry: @edwardsanddavies
Florals: @byfrancescaxoweddings
Decor & Specialty Table Top Rentals: @Roselle_and_co
Gifts & Favours: @weddingstar
Groom: @fady_zablouk
Bride: @looloo_d
Groomsman: @anthonymbaptista
Groomsman: @dylanleifso.icon
You have a fine china and tabletop event decor rental business. How did you start your business in this particular niche?
Tropical Minimalism Styled Shoot
I’ve always been passionate about vintage items. I love the history they tell and how you can feel the craftsmanship. My grandmother was a big influence. She had a huge cabinet with all sorts of pretty china in it. I used to admire it as a little girl but was never allowed to touch anything.
In 2006, I came across a very pretty teacup—it was love at first sight. I absolutely had to have it. Then I had to have one more and another one after that. Now, I’m at over 500 sets and counting.
When I was getting married in 2015, I couldn’t find a place to rent fine china for an entire wedding. I thought that I couldn’t be the only one who wanted pretty china instead of basic plates for her wedding. So I started collecting sets with the thought of someday starting my own business and renting china out to other vintage brides.
Why are you transitioning from china rentals to event and wedding planning?
In 2011, I came across Pinterest and discovered weddings and styled shoots. I started pinning my dream wedding. I’m a very organized, detail-oriented and social person. With my passion for weddings and my best traits, I thought professional wedding planning might be my calling. I also wanted to be my own boss and run my own event planning company.
In 2016 I had an opportunity to help out a fellow wedding planner with a few events. After that, I thought, “This is what I want to do for a living!” I love weddings and still get excited about the first dance, when the couple walks in as newlyweds.
Every aspect of the wedding planning process excites me. From meeting the bride and hearing her ideas to putting together a mood board for the client, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s more like helping someone out.
Getting your work featured on Wedding Chicks and Hitched Magazine is a big accomplishment! How did you catch their attention?
By working with other great vendors. We all wanted to be published in a major publication, and I feel like we all gave 110% into the shoots. All magazines have guidelines on what they are looking for. Try and do your best at your shoots. And if it doesn’t work out, learn from your mistakes and try again. We have learned and grown from every single styled shoot we’ve done so far. Not every photo shoot is going to be published, but take your lessons and apply them to the next one.
Why is it important for you to become a certified event planner?
I wanted to earn my event planner certification because I wanted to do it the correct way and get the proper training from professionals with expertise and experience. I also wanted to earn my clients trust. My certification says that I went through the training and am qualified.
What made you choose QC over other event and wedding planning schools?
Flexibility. I started taking my event and wedding planning course shortly after I had my baby. It fits into my lifestyle and my schedule. Also, QC is the only event planning school that offers International Event Planning, which is something that I was interested in.
What was the hardest part about starting your event decor and event planning business?
Tropical Minimalism Styled Shoot
The hardest part about starting my wedding planning business is the financial aspect. Don’t expect to make any money in the first year or two. You should always have a strong Plan B when it comes to finances. Every single penny I have earned so far is being put back into growing my business further.
Something I still struggle with in regards to the event planning process is saying no to my clients. I’m making improvements by trying to set boundaries and limitations.
