We are day-of wedding management coordinators looking to help alleviate the stress and worry of your wedding day. We pride ourselves in providing a service our clients find essential on their wedding day. It’s imperative that our connection is instant, as you allow us into a very personal and special moment in your lives. We don’t take this responsibility lightly and treat each wedding as if it was our own.
Sposini Weddings is a labour of love and is dedicated to the service and attention of its clients. We work hard to ensure all the worry and distraction is taken away on your wedding day. You can rest assured that we’ve come prepared to work and see to it that your wedding day is remembered as the ‘best day ever’.
- Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) Certified
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?
Once we had a bride rip her wedding dress while riding on a golf cart to take photos. She was pleasant about the experience and didn’t seem too phased. We knew we needed to call in reinforcements to help us to make this right. We reached into our contact list and had a seamstress waiting at the hall upon arrival. The seamstress fixed what could be fixed in the dress, and she had something to put back on for the reception. While it was a touch and go moment, we pooled our resources and worked hard to deliver for our client.
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
I’m excited about micro-weddings and how intimate and special they will be as a result of COVID. Sometimes the planning gets so big we lose touch with what is important, or close to our hearts. Micro-weddings means we have to be strategic and thoughtful in our decision-making as every detail impacts this small yet mighty experience.
I’m also really excited for vow-renewals for all the couples who had to sacrifice their wedding dreams for COVID. This is a unique and fantastic opportunity to reflect, and bring in your family and friends who missed the first experience, to deliver in a way that is memorable. By the time this gets going, people will be so excited to be back on the dance floor and in the party. It’s going to be great and open up the door to new and exciting opportunities at the reception.
What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?
To focus on one to three elements that are a must, one to three elements that compliment the ‘must items’ and invest in one element you cannot live without. Wedding guests should be doing two things when they come to a wedding, eating or being entertained. Your guests should not be feeling bored or ignored, so remember to consider them when you plan.
Align your budget with realistic expectations. Get your hands dirty with some do-able and tangible DIY projects but leave the larger and more important elements to the professionals. They are professionals in their field for a reason. Remember, in the wedding industry, you pay for EXACTLY what you get, so if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?
All my clients are my dream clients. My goal is to bring to life their vision. This isn’t about a budget but about the experience. Reminding my clients that this is a day to a journey into a lifetime, so it should be looked back upon without stress or frustration. That’s why having a wedding planner on site for your wedding day is the best gift you can give yourself.
A planner makes sure you are present in the moment and that you are really enjoying your friends and family who have come to celebrate your love and union. Let the planner worry about all the other things that need to be fixed. A couple should focus on each other and enjoying the day.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
So important. I make it a habit to always send a thank you note to all my vendors after every event. This isn’t about competition or doing better than the other planners. It’s about providing the experience to the client, and part of that is working well with all the vendors that are there for the same goal and objective.
Working cohesively is how you align your business objectives and purpose. I find being genuine with my vendors and being realistic in my budgets and expectations, removes any hiccups in the process. I’m so fortunate that I’ve created a lot of great friends in this business.
What advice would you give someone who needs to plan a fundraiser but isn’t sure where to start?
Start from the basics. Rally those around you who want to help and call upon those who you think could contribute. People are genuinely good, and if you ask they will step up. So don’t be afraid to go into your contact list and ask around. A fundraiser can be as minimal or as glamorous as you want it to be. So know your audience and their budget.
Create a persona and give that persona a realistic name and journey in your fundraiser. You’ll know what fits and what doesn’t based on your persona. And don’t be afraid to negotiate. Be respectful but know your budgets. Have a plan and budget for every aspect and stick to it. Don’t be talked into things that don’t matter to compromise things that do matter.
What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?
Right now I am diving into the virtual world and learning how to engage an audience into a virtual setting for future experiences. I am also working on some micro-weddings for some couples.
Personally, I am enjoying being a mom to two little girls, and just taking this time to be present and grateful for them.
Sposini is moving in a great direction and my clients are cultivated through past couples, so I’m so lucky to be here and be invited into these moments.
What inspired you to launch your own company in the event industry? How long did it take from initially having the idea to setting up and starting to attract a client base?
My daughter inspired me. I knew that I wanted more, but wasn’t sure how to attain it and I thought, what a great way to exhibit some of my creative energy without having to take away time from her. She inspired me and continues to inspire me.
Sposini is almost 7 years old, and I love all the relationships and friendships I have made as a result of it. Thanks to my Ava for pushing me and thanks to my Angelina for inspiring me.
What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
I planned a wedding at a very high end golf course, and it was amazing. I worked double/triple time in my head to ensure it went off without any hiccups and it was by far the most exciting thing I did for myself. It gave me the courage to push through and keep going.
What are some things you wished you knew before starting your businesses?
Not every opportunity is right. Not every client is a fit. And that’s ok.
Chemistry is an important part of how I do business. I never take on a client over the phone and we have to have a cup of coffee together to see if we connect. This is a very important and emotional period for a couple, so if they don’t trust me from the onset, our relationship won’t cultivate to a positive experience.
So chemistry and trust is a big part of how I do business. I trust my gut instincts. In the end my reputation is more important than any amount of money someone could pay me.
What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?
I once had a client ask me to carry around a full size (8×10) mirror so she could reapply her makeup with a mirror and see her full face throughout the day. It was a little odd to carry it around all day, but it made her happy and more confidant as the bride, so that’s really all that matters.
Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?
I often get asked what the word ‘Sposini’ means. This word ‘Sposini’ is a combination of words taken from the Italian language.
Let me explain…
‘Lo sposo’ – translates to ‘the groom’ in Italian
‘La sposa’ – translates to ‘the bride’ in Italian
‘Gil sposi’ – translates to ‘the newlyweds’ in Italian
‘Viva gli sposi” – translates to ‘cheers to the bride and groom’ in Italian
‘Sposini’ – a combination of all of the above to say “Cheers to the newlyweds’
Photo Credit: Silvana Marshall Photography
