Q1:  How many years have you been involved with the wedding Industry?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: I have been in the industry for 30 glorious years!

Q2: How did you find your niche in the wedding industry?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: By doing the unexpected to help make my clients dreams come true.  People attending told their friends and it grew from there.

Q3: How can other wedding professionals find their niche?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: By figuring out what sets them apart from everyone else and bringing that to each wedding.

Q4: How do you make your wedding services stand out?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: I pride myself in being a boutique operation. I am able to have a personal relationship with my clients and I am always there for them.

Q5: How do you differentiate your services from your competition?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: I trust my vendors completely but have worked to have as much knowledge as possible in all categories required for a successful event.

Q6: Can extra services create a way to differentiate yourself?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Yes!  Planning a wedding is a very busy time, so anything you can do for your client and do well to help alleviate stress is an added bonus.

Q7: How can wedding pros use their blog to create outstanding content?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks Using visuals rather than just providing facts; this will also help to alleviate any questions/concerns that their audience may have

Q8: How should wedding pros use social media to stand out?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Social media helps to define your brand.  It’s a way to showcase your unique touch for all to see!

Q9: Should wedding pros try to increase their number of certifications?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks:  Yes, the more involved you are with an industry the more aware you are of changes happening within it.

Q10: What one thing have you implemented has made the biggest change in your event business?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: The word “no” has been removed from our vocabulary. We know we can figure out any situation no matter how complex or grand it may be.

Q11: How do you find the right partners to work with?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Partners that deliver quality products and have a great reputation are key! Be active in the industry and get feedback from your peers

Q12: What wedding trends are you creating or seeing this year?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Destination weddings, a bride’s mother being her matron of honor, and including your family pet in the wedding ceremony. Weddings are moving away from seated dinners.  The look can still be very formal but the energy is more casual than it has been in the past

Q13: What is a normal day like for Sharon Sacks?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: First, I meditate. I use inspiration boards to help with the creative process. At night I list things to accomplish the next day.

Q14: Do you have any upcoming events or interesting projects in the works?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Yes, we have some incredible weddings and events coming up both locally and internationally. We are very excited for the year ahead!

Q15: What was the wedding industry like when you first started?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: There was no industry – no visuals/resources for people to resort to. we CREATED the trends ourselves.

Q16: How have brides changed since you have started in this business?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: Brides are more knowledgeable now because of what is available to them.

Q17: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat?

Answer:

Sharon Sacks: Follow your dreams and be unique to yourself. Make each and every event a work of art. Pay close attention to detail, and you will shine.

#WeddingMarket Audience Questions

@FlowerGirlWorld Have you had any brides who wanted to do something special for their #flowergirls?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: Special jewelry-a heart necklace or bracelet with engraving to make them feel special along with a photo of them w/ bride.

@Vanessa_RaycePR What was the first valuable thing you learned when starting this career path?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: Never taking no as an answer – The sky is the limit!

@WedByJean What do you mean when you say “boutique operation”?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: We have a handheld business – I will not take more than 2 weddings a month – a personal, hands-on operation. Not mass produced.

@FiggieShoes How do you deal with a client who’s difficult to please or has unrealistic expectations?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: Don’t be controversial – hear them out and LISTEN to what they want-help them understand your thought process as the planner.

@FrillsBridal How do you handle it when a client wants you to do a wedding that just isn’t stylistically “you”?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: If they’re headed in a direction we know isn’t the best guide them towards a style they might not know they will love! Remember it’s their wedding.

@FiggieShoes Do you work on set hours/days or are you always “at work?”

Answer

Sharon Sacks: I am always working. Always creating- whether home or in the office.

@WeddingsInJA What can a destination do to stand out in the minds of a couple/the guests/wedding planners?

Answer

Sharon Sacks: Personal touches offered by the venue – no cookie cutter.  Good service is always very important!