This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on October 16th, 2013 with Sharon Sacks from @SacksProds . The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different. 

Sharon Sacks

Sharon Sacks, an internationally sought after event planner and lifestyle guru,  understands the importance of life’s precious moments. As President and Founder  of the Los Angeles-based event production company, Sacks Productions, Sharon  dedicates herself to making each and every event “its own piece of art” and has  applied this unique perspective to create memories for hundreds of clients  worldwide.
Princes and presidents, athletes and actors, entertainers and innovators, and  countless Hollywood elite rank among her impressive clientele. Rockers and royalty  alike have entrusted and engaged Sacks with their most precious memories. Sharon  has worked on behalf of President Clinton, President Bush, Al Gore, Prince Andrew,  Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Lamar  Odom, Lily Aldridge and Caleb Followill, Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey, Tyson  Chandler, Rudy Gay and Ecko Ray, Jennifer Lopez, Norman Lear, Alan Horn, the  Jenner Family, the Olsen twins, Madonna, Ben Affleck, Katherine Kallinis (DC  Cupcakes) and Ben Berman, Keyshia Cole and Daniel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Denzel Washington, Rob Thomas, and Rebecca Romijn, in addition to many other luminaries.

As Sharon’s reputation, business and acclaim have grown, she has become a sought-after guest television personality. Sharon not only predicts current trends, but also sets the stage for them. Frequently appearing on shows including Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, EXTRA, TV Guide,  Access Hollywood, and E! TV, Sharon has since become a spokesperson representing luxury products as well. A true visionary

See More Information at: http://sacksproductions.com

 

Q1:   How did you get involved with planning weddings?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: My mentor Jerry Perenchio’s Wedding.

 

Q2:  What was your first paid event?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Definitely my first advice is to sit down & prioritize. Figure out what aspects matter most to you and your partner…then assign the most energy and money to your top 3-4 priorities. Figure out what you can eliminate, too. To save money. so for instance, if you care most about food, music and fashion, put the most of your resources there…and don’t worry so much about the small stuff. Don’t be pressured into caring about things that don’t float your boat   in the end, make it say something about you and your relationship. Let your guests know what makes you guys special! and try to involve your guests as much as possible. Make them participants rather than just spectators. It adds so much!
Q3:   What are some of the current wedding trends?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Mixing Styles to create something unique: Modern Chairs & Rustic Wood Tables. It is LIMITLESS!

Q4:   What advice do you have brides who has just got engaged?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Enjoy & hire a wedding planner. having someone help you through everything will make the process stress free!

 

Q5:   Will you be planning the wedding for Michaele Salahi (The Real Housewives of D.C.)?
Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Yes and SO EXCITED – it will be their dream.

 

Q6:   What are some of the important questions brides should ask vendors?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Will you be on site the day of my wedding? Have you worked in this location before? and REFERENCES!

Q7 :   As far as wedding traditions are they going away?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Traditions are what we make them and what we need to keep.  It is a personal need. Create your own tradition!  Use heirlooms in bouquets.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

 

Q8:   What has been the biggest change in weddings over the last decade?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: My Brides & Grooms now are involved more than ever. Parents invited to meetings instead of setting them.

 

Q9:   What was it like to work with Madonna? Bill Clinton?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: So Amazing. Madonna is a woman who knows exactly what she doesn’t want. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the greats.

 

Q10:   What advice do you have for up and coming wedding planners?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  Follow Your Dream. We are the dream makers and remember that in those challenging moments.

 

Q11:   How do you manage your social media?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks:   Social media is managed in-house. It adds the personal touch so people can see our team in action!

 

Q12:  What are some of the challenges in planning a destination wedding?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Time difference, shipping of goods (if you can’t find locally), language barriers – however, we always find a way! Fun working abroad!
Q13:   What are some of your favorite wedding destinations?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks:  France, Italy, Germany, Necker Island, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico…the list goes on and on! Love Nashville!  You can make a beautiful wedding ANYWHERE!

Q14:   What has been your most difficult task in planning weddings abroad?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: We were in the BVI – humidity was unbelievable. Not a good place to make a wedding cake! Delicious but not the most beautiful!

 

Q15:   What do you do with wedding cakes being outside in humid conditions?
Answer:

Sharon Sacks: You consider mini cakes instead of one large – individual wedding cakes.  Keep them refrigerated as long as possible!

 

Q16:   Any exciting new project or events coming up?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Many new exciting projects coming up. Stay tuned…

 

Q17:   How do you work through difficult wedding situations?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Plan when you are hired – do not wait.  You will have all of your i’s dotted and t’s crossed!

 

Q18:   How do you deal with outdoor weddings?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Have a back-up plan in place i.e. have a weather contingency plan!

 

Q19:    Where do you get your inspiration from?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: I love looking daily at my inspiration boards. Nature offers great insight!  As I sit and drink my coffee at my koi pond, color, movement, nature and sounds inspire me.

 

Q20:   What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  Hopefully I’ve Given Some Helpful Tips To Make Our Brides of Today & Upcoming Planners More Successful in the Future. I love being able to talk to everyone. Remember, you are the dream maker and how lucky you are a part of memories!

 

#WeddingMarket Questions From Twitter:

1. @Sweetestevents_  How do you handle DIY Brides?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Keep it to a minimum and small and PERSONAL.  Think favor.

 

2. @Wed_Developer How do you deal with  How do you deal with #brides who want it all? 

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Create clarity and ALL may not be unreasonable.

 

3. @PlanShaadi  Have you planned any fusion/inter-cultural weddings?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Color acts as a strong statement and touches of food – cocktails maybe?

 

4. @Wed_Developer What do you consider to be some of the hottest trends for weddings in 2014?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Everything old is new again.  Quiet elegance.

 

5: @asaenz_87 ‏ How do you handle couples that have NO idea of what they want?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  I ask open ended questions and welcome personal discussions – it all becomes clear!

 

6: @DurandBridal How much of the wedding budget do you recommend the bride spends on her dress?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Gowns are personal and we don’t normally incorporate those in our budget.

 

7. @Sweetestevents_  What do you think about the trend of, placing candles on top of wedding cakes vs. a cake topper?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: I don’t like it. It is a wedding cake not a birthday cake.

 

8. @TaylorWed Did you start out solo and then put your production company together?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: No. We are a team and it is best that my client understands the support that we offer.

 

9. @Wed_Developer  What do you see are some of the common challenges couples face when planning their #wedding?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Losing sight about what the night represents and staying strong to their dream.

 

10.  @MyHotelWedding What do you think couples struggle the most with logistically while wedding planning?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: How to be assured that their guests will not be inconvenienced in their travel.

 

11: @ILoveMyPlanner How do you communicate with the decision makers (paying parents) when making the bride happy is priority?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  If parents are paying, budget belongs to them and décor and mood to my Bride and Groom. Clarity with budget.

 

12: @Sweetestevents_ What do you suggest if the Bride & Groom insist on utilizing their own vendors for the wedding?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  It is their choice – it is their wedding. It is your job to direct.

 

13: @asaenz_87  What do you do when the bride and the groom want completely different things?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: You need to find a common ground and then build.

 

14. @Wed_Developer  With so much competition in Wedding Planning arena, how do you make yourself standout from the crowd? 

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Just remember: humility is what will keep you ahead.  You are only as good as your last event.

 

15. @SweetestEvents_ How do you gain new Bridal leads..

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Social media is a wonderful avenue and there is nothing better than word-of-mouth!

 

16. @SweetestEvents_ I was told when working abroad sometimes supplies are limited, is that true?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: No – there are INCREDIBLE suppliers all over the world.  Some of our grandest designers are from ???

 

17. @ILoveMyPlanner  Where can you find out a destination’s marriage requirements & if US recognizes a marriage there, besides online?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  Check with the location – talk to their local government offices. In Europe – the Embassy.

 

18: @TaylorWed ‏ Have you done any marriage proposal planning?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  Yes and absolutely LOVE IT!!  How about going on a ski lift at sunset and down below in candles are “Will you marry me?”

 

19: @ILoveMyPlanner How do you start planning weddings abroad?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Site visit is imperative.  No guessing and meet with the preferred vendors

 

20.  @asaenz_87  What do you think is the criterion couples look at when choosing a destination for their wedding?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks:  Cost, location, travel access, weather limits, COST!!

 

21. @SweetestEvents_  How do you feel about providing a bridal questionnaire for the Bride to complete prior to the initial consultation?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: No, it removes the personal touch.  Your personality is not on paper – share it in person!  It is all a personal preference. I’m able to draw more in discussion.

 

22. @CaseyFPhoto  How do you find new vendors that you recommend? Cilents choose themselves & you work with them?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: I have a wonderful source of vendors – budget determines who is appropriate.
23. @SweetestEvents What wedding planning software do you recommend? 

Answer:

Sharon Sacks:  We create our own!

 

24: @TaylorWed Well that is interesting!! Do you have in-house techie??

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: We do have an IT person in-house!

 

25: @SweetestEvents_ Do you use Pinterest? And if so in what way?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: I use Pinterest and look for color, style, architecture and it takes me to where I need to go daily!

 

26: @Wed_Developer If there was one thing a #bride could do to make your life easier, what would that be?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember it is about her and her future husband.

 

27: @SweetestEvents_ When the wedding is over do you follow-up with the couple with a survey, gift, card, etc. ? 

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: The wedding may begun their marriage but our relationship stays for baby showers, anniversaries etc.

 

28: @SweetestEvents_ Do you send a postcard or have the couple subscribe to a newsletter to keep in touch?

Answer: 

Sharon Sacks: I believe reaching out is much more powerful.