Tiffany Siladke
A Splendid Occasion, Chicago
ASplendidOccasion.com
How do you guide couples on the first steps to take when planning their wedding?
When I first meet with clients, we start by chatting about what they already have in place, determine their budget and rate each category of vendor (photography, floral, caterer and so on). This rating system is an excellent starting point because it forces each couple to dig deep and determine where their priorities are for their celebration. For instance, maybe his priority is excellent food and entertainment and hers is florals and paper goods. If this is the case, they need to work together to place these items in order of importance together.
What’s the biggest mistake to-be-weds make when they start planning?
Using the exact same vendors that their friends did. This leads to a lot of cookie-cutter weddings that no one gets excited about. Do a little online research to see if there might be a better fit for you—you’ll be surprised at what you find!
Any tips for couples who want a fabulous wedding without busting their budget?
Focus on the core elements: venue, florals, entertainment and food. Strip out all of the frills and concentrate on getting these details right. Wedding favors, personalized candies and themed tchotchkes should be the first on the chopping block. Use the money you save to book better pros. Also, limit your guest list since the idea is quality, not quantity. Don’t want your entire extended family at your wedding? Then don’t invite them. It might not be a popular option with family members, but ultimately it’s your day.
What’s the best reason to hire a planner?
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Wedding planners provide a neutral, professional opinion and have great relationships with trusted pros. Their experience, advice and recommendations are a huge asset throughout the planning process because they know how to solve problems quickly.
What’s your best tip for planning a wedding in less than six months?
Time is your biggest enemy, so hire a planner because vendor and venue research takes a while. A well-connected planner can nail down a venue and line up vendors that are trusted and work well together. Sometimes a specific pro who was once unavailable magically becomes free when the right planner calls!
What should couples keep in mind when choosing a venue?
The availability, capacity and your budget. If those first items don’t line up at any point in your venue search, then it’s time to look in a different direction. If a venue fits your first three criteria, then consider their rules and regulations, guest access and whether or not it fits within your theme. Rules are especially important since it’s something couples often forget. Some outdoor venues in Chicago don’t allow music on their rooftops, which is a deal breaker if you want a rooftop ceremony. Just be aware and ask lots of questions.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you find yourself sharing throughout the entire planning process?
Most of my clients get pressured to have traditional elements like a bouquet toss, guest book and other items that don’t ring true to them. If a detail isn’t important to you or has no meaning at all, then don’t do it. Take it entirely off of the checklist and forget about it. Your guests are there to celebrate your marriage, not whether or not you have a grand entrance.
What’s the most important thing to ask yourself when choosing wedding pros?
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The most important thing to consider would be whether or not you get along. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your vendors either in person, over the phone or over email. If your personalities clash, I can guarantee it’s not going to be a fun planning process. Secondly, consider whether you like the vendor’s style. Chances are they’ve worked long and hard to perfect their brand, so asking someone to do a total 180 isn’t going to yield the best results. If you aren’t a fan of what you see online, then they won’t be a good fit.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Don’t do a themed wedding since that attracts all sorts of kitschy items. Instead, try to create a specific feeling surrounding your day. If you and your spouse met abroad and want a French theme, skip the berets and miniature Eiffel Towers in favor of French food in a venue with a Parisian feel.
