Last spring, I got caught up in a conversation with Heather Pasko at a Bridal Show. Not only was I bursting with ideas for my September 2015 wedding, but I was a little more than excited to talk to someone about what it really was like to be a wedding planner, a job I had dreamed of having since I was young. As soon as I mentioned that, she invited me to be a part of her Event Planning Class - a one year adventure of monthly classes and real-world experience.

To put the cherry on top of this fantastic year, the students of our class took a trip to NYC to soak up the culture of one of the most iconic cities in the world. We started off the amazing weekend when we were picked up in a beautiful, white limo (courtesy of Rhoads Limo).

Once we arrived, one of the first things we secured was dinner. Fortunately, there was Rin Thai, a beautiful little restaurant within walking distance of our new digs. Not only was the food delicious and stunningly plated, but the people were friendly, and the prices reasonable. We can personally recommend the Crunchy Dumplings, Crab Fried Rice, Pad See-Ew, Mango Rice, and the Black Pearl (a warm, flourless chocolate cake served with green tea ice cream).

We followed this with several great adventures. First, there was Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, where we snapped a few pictures with the likenesses of several celebrities.

Following that, we glimpsed an actually celebrity trying to hide when he brought his son to see Matilda. We nearly missed him, since we were so caught up in the precocious and delightful Roald Dahl tale brought to magical life on a stage made up of moving blocks and energetic (and ridiculously talented) child actors.

After the show, we warmed up with giant cups of hot chocolate, a couple of burgers, and cheesecake at the famous Junior's Cheesecake. Although the burgers are not to be missed, my personal favorite was the Matzo Ball Soup - the perfect thing for a slightly rainy day.

Finally, we spent almost an entire day at the Museum of Natural History. Although the fossils caught our eye for a large portion of our trip, there was nothing that could match the awe-inspiring size and beauty of the life-size blue whale in the middle of the two story Marine Life Hall. It's no wonder this place is a popular spot for people looking for unique event venues!

In between all our adventures, we stopped by a few places that were famous for their contributions to the wedding industry, including Empire Cakes, local flower shops, and the illustrious Kleinfeld Bridal Shop.

Despite all the wonders we experienced in the course of a single weekend, the thing that has been the most fulfilling has been the opportunity I have had to be part of this amazing group of people. I have learned so much, and I can't wait to use it all in the real world of Event Planning!