We must give credit where credit is due. We surely have a lot of superstars walking among us here at LIUNA Gardens and LIUNA Station (more on that later!) and we are always awe-struck by their sensational talent, passion and kindness when working with our clients. Simply put we could not do what we do without your heart and hard work. This week we have highlighted LIUNA Station’s very own magic maker and planner extraordinaire – Nicole our fabulous in-house event coordinator! We asked her a few quick questions, and this is what she had to say about her role, experience and why she loves what she does at LIUNA Station.

Photographer/Videographer: Lisa Marie/Marc Mikhail Photography | Flowers and Décor: Art of Celebrations | Coordinator: Westview Events

What is your most favourite part about the job?

My favourite part of the job is building relationships.  The relationships I build with each client can be very different because some clients use wedding planners, or some are very much DIY kind of people who choose not to share all the details until day of. I personally love hearing all the details and being part of the story behind the planning – seeing pictures of the dress, hearing the stories of how it was found, or checking out Instagram and Pinterest inspiration boards. I go into every event with the same enthusiasm and hopefulness that something I did or said makes planning their event a little easier. To me, the greatest compliment I can receive from a bride and groom is knowing they are going into their wedding day excited, happy and not stressed about their big day. My job is to get them to the wedding day and then we have a wonderful team of people at both LIUNA Station and LIUNA Gardens that execute all the details. If LIUNA as a team have done a good job, the bride and groom would return for a baby shower or recommend their friends to us for their wedding and other family events through the years.

Photographer: David and Kara’s Wedding Imagery

What has been the most outrageous request you have received?

A groom wanted to arrive by canoe to the ceremony at LIUNA Gardens, however while a very romantic gesture the flaw in the request was how would he get from the canoe, over the break wall of Lake Ontario and arrive gracefully (and dry!) for the ceremony.  

Photographer/Videographer: Hush Hush Photography & Film | Florals: Jennifer Baxter – Luv With Flowers

Why did you become an event coordinator?

I became an event coordinator a little by default. I have been working in the Hospitality Industry since the age of 14. I even went to school to achieve my degree in Hospitality Administration. For several years, I had worked for many different restaurants and hotels within North America, but later chose to work part-time for a couple years raising my daughter, eventually landing in Stoney Creek where I applied for a part-time job at LIUNA Gardens. I worked as a supervisor (our day of coordinators for weddings) at LIUNA Gardens for six years, working as one of the team of people that execute the day for the event and sales team. I gained a lot of experience and insight into what the expectations on event day were and what you would endure. Later I moved to LIUNA Station, first starting in the office and then later the opportunity of event coordinator became available and I applied for the position and here I am seven years at LIUNA Station. I am always looking for new ways to grow and learn! I hope chasing new knowledge will keep me feeling young.    

Photographer: Have Heart Photography

Stay tuned for weekly blog updates and make sure to follow us on LIUNA Station’s Facebook and Instagram and LIUNA Gardens’ Facebook and Instagram as we deliver fresh content to inspire, excite and assist as you plan your dream event.

From all of us at LIUNA Events, thank you for following along!