samantha burke events summer internships

Have you always wanted to learn what it’s really like to be a Wedding Planner?!?!

Well this summer we are offering the awesome opportunity to do just that!

What’s involved?

Between September and December 2023 you’ll be exposed to a range of different weddings all over Sydney. From some of the CBD’s most iconic venues (think MCA, Sydney Opera House) to the beauty of the Northern Beaches. You’ll get the chance to shadow Samantha Burke and her team in delivering gorgeous weddings on the day for our amazing clients.

By attending these live weddings you’ll learn:

  • How we manage a run sheet on the day - driving things to stay on time and ensure everything happens as planned

  • How to execute a pre-planned styling concept. Getting hands on in setting up wedding styling elements for both the wedding ceremony and reception

  • Working with the wedding party on brides and grooms entrance to the ceremony (a key moment!), ensuring perfect and seamless delivery with other vendors such as Celebrants and Musicians

  • How to liase and communicate with suppliers on the day running venue briefings, F&B briefings, MC briefings, band / entertainment briefings etc.

  • How to run a wedding reception - many of our clients don’t have a professional MC (just a friend or family member fulfilling this role) so they rely on us to make sure everything runs to schedule, that speeches and formalities are delivered to perfection and that everything works seamlessly with food service and entertainment

  • You’ll also learn think on your feet - as well as we plan there’s always something unexpected so you’ll see us problem solve in the moment!

In addition to experience on the day you’ll also take part in a series of workshops over September - December with Samantha Burke to learn how we plan weddings including:

  • How to find the perfect wedding venue for your client

  • Finding the best wedding vendors how to quote and present options to couples

  • Wedding Styling including learning about the latest trends, designing mood boards and concepts, quoting and executing wedding styling ideas in real life

  • Setting and Managing Client Budgets

  • Creating Wedding Run Sheets

  • Top tips for supplier and Client Management

  • If you’re available (and would like to attend!) you’ll be invited to site visits as well as client and supplier meetings to maximise your learning

The Commitment

Our internship is designed to work around other employment and learning commitments and so is very flexible. To complete the internship program you do need:

  • To be able to attend at least five of our live weddings between September and December 2023.

    • You will be on site for up to eight hours each day so you can see the full day come together.

    • Please note this could include a late finish but would normally be afternoon - early evening.

  • To be able to commit around 16 hours per month to attend the workshops and then to put your learning into practice by working on live and mock briefs with Samantha Burke.

The Weddings

Please indicate which of these you can attend when applying. We ask you to attend at least five to get a well rounded experience as every wedding will be different but please indicate all that you’re available for so we can ensure a good mix for you

  • 22nd September 2023 - Lindesay House, Darling Point (day time wedding)

  • 28th September 2023 - Pasadena Church Point

  • 7th October 2023 - Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Opera House

  • 21st October 2023 - MCA Sydney

  • 4th November 2023 - Eastern Suburbs

  • 11th November 2023 - Centennial Park & Centennial Homestead

  • 18th November 2023 - Sydney Opera House

  • 25th November 2023 - Bennelong Restaurant and Watersedge

  • 9th December - Bangarra Dance Theatre

  • 17th December - Zest At Point Piper

About you…

  • You should be an events enthusiast! We love what we do and we expect the same of any new team members

  • You’re hard working, well presented, can think on your feet and happy to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in on event days

  • You show initiative and are happy to complete tasks on your own as well as teaming up with other planners to execute weddings to perfection. Attention to detail is key

  • You’re bubbly and upbeat, you enjoy working with people and you should be a good communicator. You should be confident and friendly when dealing with our clients, their family, bridal party and other vendors on the day

  • Some experience in events would be beneficial, or an educational background such as a degree or diploma in Event Management but this is not essential

Please note this is an unpaid internship. Travel expenses such as petrol / tolls / parking and meals on site will be covered.

How to apply

Email Sam at info@samanthaburkeevents.com telling us a little about you.

We want to hear about your educational and experience background, what you love about events and weddings and most importantly why you’d love this opportunity.

Please ensure you list all the dates you are available to attend on site and attach your CV. You can also note the dates and venues you’re most keen on

Applications Close 7th August. We will be shortlisting applicants for Zoom Calls which will be conducted early-mid August. Please note due to the anticipated volume of applications we will only be contacting successful candidates.