Manager Spotlight: Justine
This week on our Manager Spotlight Series, we’re chatting with Justine, Logistic Lead and Onsite Manager in New York! Justine is THE ORIGINAL onsite manager and has been with TGT since the very beginning! Justine is enthusiastic, hilarious, and on top of every detail! She’ll become your best friend very quickly! Justine specializes in joy-filled, DIY infused, dance-heavy weddings where having fun and getting hitched are the two goals of the day. Learn more about Justine below:
Oh heeeeeey party people! Justine here, TGT Logistics Lead and Event Manager based in Brooklyn, NY! I am a born and bred NY city kid, and grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan!
What was the path that led you to The Get Together Events?
Lauren Schaefer was my literal and figurative path to TGT. We were college friends, turned NYC buddies, turned life long besties, and when she started TGT (originally Your Wedding by Lauren) I came on as her first guinea-pig onsite manager. Three cities, three logistic leads, one dog, and fifteen onsite managers later... I'm still following Lauren's expert lead. Except when we're on the dance floor... that's where I take over :)
What is your favorite moment of the wedding?
My favorite moment at every wedding might be the smallest little moment of the whole day, but I find it to be the most meaningful. At some point after the ceremony has happened and the couple is officially married, I will throw in a "Your husband/wife is looking for you," and without fail I will get an "OOOMMMGGG did you just say husband/wife!?!?!?!?" Seeing the look of shock and sheer joy on my client's faces is my EVERYTHING!!
Most useful item in your supply kit?
The most useful item in my Mary Poppins bag of tricks is, hands down, my bag of different kinds of tape. Duct tape, white duct tape, double sided tape, scotch tape, painters tape, electrical tape, permanent tape... you name it... tape will fix it. Frickin' LOVE tape.
What's your favorite dance floor song?
September by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Somehow that song never. gets. old. Whenever that song plays, wherever I am, I'm suddenly on an imaginary dance floor living my best life.
Where can we find you the day after a wedding?
In my comfiest of clothes either fully horizontal on my bed or on my couch, with an ice cold La Croix in one hand, apple TV remote in the other, and my fluffy lil dog Toby in my lap.
What is the greatest compliment you’ve ever received?
I was personally thanked during a speech made by the father of the bride during his welcome toast. He thanked me in front of all their guests and said how the wedding could not have happened without me. He then asked me to come out from wherever I was (ooooobviously I was hiding so I wouldn't be in any of the speech photos) and take a bow. All of their guests started clapping and I did not know what to do with myself! I turned bright red, waved, almost peed my pants, and then walked awkwardly back to where I was hiding. It was SO SO nice, it just took me COMPLETELY by surprise!
What do you love to do on weekends when you're not working?
I love hanging out with loved ones, going dancing, taking long walks through Prospect Park with my lil dog Toby, visiting friends out of town when I can, and I beach it reeeeeeeeal hard during the summer.
Any recent cause for celebration?
MY BEST FRIEND LAUREN JUST GOT MARRIED!!!! YAAAAAAAY!!!!
An accomplishment you are most proud of?
Getting through teaching Kindergarten, online and in person, during the pandemic, while running weddings on the weekends AND going to grad school. That may not sound like much to some, but I consider it quite an accomplishment. Also, you may think teaching and wedding coordinating have nothing in common, but a group of five year olds is basically a bunch of drunk, wedding party people in cuter, tinier bodies. Shout out to teachers everywhere and thank you for everything you do! If you can hear my voice... clap once :)
Favorite TV show you binged?
Dead to Me. It's the only show I've ever started rewatching from the beginning RIGHT after finishing the last episode of the series. The very last show of the series is maybe the best 45 minutes of television ever created. Ever.
Any advice for future clients?
I think the most important piece to remember while planning a wedding is to keep reminding yourself that this is YOUR wedding day! It will be a day unlike any other, and a wedding unlike anyone else's. It can get exhausting trying to please family and friends, so keep asking yourselves what do YOU want, and let the people who are supporting you know your intentions for the day.