Why do I need a wedding planner?
Weddings are fabulous, wonderful, emotional, fun, and exciting celebrations of your new life together. However, planning a wedding is a ton of work! Wedding planners help bring the dream of your wedding to life, while keeping you on track and within budget. We handle every detail, so you can enjoy the experience of your engagement and wedding instead of stressing about it.
How do I know which wedding planner is right for me?
Your wedding is one of the most important days in your life, you want to trust the person taking care of everything. I can’t stress highly enough: do your homework. Not all personalities mesh, so it’s important to get to know your potential planner before you start working with them (at Sweetchic, we have an initial consultation so you can get a “feel” for me before you jump into anything).
In the months leading up to your wedding, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your wedding planner. You’ll want to get along, trust me! Long story short? The right wedding planner for you is the person or company you feel most comfortable with.
Do you have a specialty?
While Sweetchic can handle all types of weddings, we especially love multi-cultural ceremonies. It’s so much fun highlighting the personal history and culture of each individual while celebrating a new union and the new traditions on the horizon. When you include important customs in the wedding, the entire event becomes deeply personal because there’s a sense of history.
So, why the name “Sweetchic Events”?
OK, to be official here are the definitions of both words:
sweet |sweet| -adjective: delightful, sentimental, precious
chic |sheek| -adjective: stylish, sophisticated, elegant
I named my business Sweetchic because every wedding should be a little bit sweet... and very chic!
How long have you been in business?
I officially started Sweetchic Events in the beginning of 2008. But my actual adventures in event and wedding planning began in 2000 when I planned numerous events at the University of Illinois, and took my first summer internship with a Chicago wedding planner… so this calling has been in the making for a long time!
Are you a legal business and are you a member of any trade associations?
Yes, Sweetchic Events, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Illinois, and I am a Professional Bridal Consultant™ with the Association of Bridal Consultants, one of the most respected organizations for wedding planners in the world.
Is this your full time job?
Yes! It sounds so cliché, but I am lucky to love my job each and every day!
Is there a fee for the initial meeting?
Never! This is our time to get acquainted and to decide if we are a good fit for each other!
Do you charge an hourly rate, flat fee or percentage of the budget?
Typically after our initial meeting, I will pull together a package and customized quote with a flat rate based on everything we discussed.
Will you provide vendor recommendations, even if I book your Wedding Day Management package?
Absolutely! Some planners keep their Preferred Vendor list under lock and key unless you book their Full Service level package. But when you work with Sweetchic, every client automatically receives the Favorite Vendors list upon booking! These are vendors that I know, adore, and have worked with in the past, so I trust in their quality and service. It’s in everyone’s best interest to give ALL Sweetchic clients the opportunity to work with some of the best vendors in Chicago!
Can you come with me to vendor meetings? Do you help with negotiations?
I love vendor meetings and am happy to attend! (Probably because I love vendors) Even if these are not a part of your Sweetchic package, individual meetings can be added at the rate of $100 per meeting. And yes, I can certainly help you negotiate and review your contracts prior to signing.
How involved are you in the wedding planning process?
I can be as involved as you need or want me to be! All actual decisions are made by you. I hope you’ll see me as a friend and coach who’s there to facilitate and make the whole process easier and more efficient for you and your fiancé. So please review the various levels of Sweetchic services and let me know how involved you want me to be involved in your wedding.
Photo by Steve Koo Photography
What happens if for some unforeseeable reason, you are unable to be at my wedding?
Sweetchic has three Associate Coordinators who are trained on all things wedding, and would step in if absolutely needed (this has never happened, *knock on wood*!!)
Do you run the ceremony rehearsal?
Yes, it is crucial that we attend and run the ceremony rehearsal in conjunction with your officiant, so it is automatically included in every package. Have you ever participated in a ceremony rehearsal where there was no one in charge and no one knew what they were doing? It can be utter chaos, and very stressful for the couple, so we arethere to make sure that it goes smoothly and everyone knows what to do.
Do you work with an assistant?
Yes, for weddings of over 75 guests, there is always an additional event assistant, and sometimes more than one depending on the size of the wedding. I wish I could be in two places at once, but they haven’t created that technology yet!
What is my wedding day like when I work with Sweetchic Events?
Smooooth sailing! You’ll be able to truly relax, enjoy your day, and be the bride, without wondering if the limo is going to show up, if the ceremony is going to start on time, or if the escort cards and dessert table are set up perfectly. You, your fiancé and your parents will be able to take your rightful place as V.I.P.s.
How would you describe yourself?
Approachable, fun, organized, detail oriented, wedding obsessed, and lover of all things pretty!
Are you married?
Yes, I have a wonderful husband Borton, who is a constant source of encouragement and cheers me on in everything I do! Sweetchic Events would not exist without his support and assistance. I am also “mom” to a retired greyhound, Gia, who spends her days sleeping by my side as I work.
What don’t most people know about you?
I used to moonlight as blogger “Miss Emerald” on the web’s most popular wedding blog, Weddingbee.com. To this day, I am still a daily visitor to the “hive” and remain friends with many of the past and present Bees!
Depends on my mood! As a self-professed DVR junkie, I love to relax on the couch with one of my favorite shows: Grey’s Anatomy, Glee, Nip/Tuck, So You Think You Can Dance, ANTM, Top Chef, Project Runway, Dinner Impossible, just to name a few. I also love to entertain at home with friends (game night is a popular choice). Of course I can’t forget shopping, eating, reading, hanging out in bookstores, home decorating and organization.