Hi! My name is Stacy! I’m the owner of Sylver Weddings & Events. I started as an event planner back in 2000, got my ordination in 2004 and started this company in 2009.
I started with NOTHING. Like, literally, the old $300 desktop I’d had since high school and a passion. You see, my own wedding to my first husband was such a disaster. Not because I couldn’t plan it, but because I had no support system. I knew what I wanted, but no clue how to get it. I’d never been married before, I mean, I was only 18! That experience became my driving force. I spent several years learning and gaining knowledge before I ever charged a single cent.
Now, I have teams of extremely talented event planners across the country ready to help you create your perfect event. You can still find me though, both behind every single team helping them be a success, as well as still working with couples – on my hands and knees, fixing torn bustles, or running my timeline, from setup to strike.
Sylver Weddings & Events is now a Powerhouse company in the Wedding and Event Planner Industry.
Having been featured in over 100 publications in both Print and Digital formats, including such big names like Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, ABC News and in over a dozen countries from Italy to France, we are THE go-to spot for wedding and event planning and styling.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced has actually occurred a few times, pulling together a client’s details and making sure their event is phenomenal when hired at the very last moment. The first time it happened, I was hired 5 days prior to the event. I pretty much put everything on hold and laser-focused on my new client. Imagine being handed a dozen household items, and having to immediately walk out on a stage while balancing everything perfectly on your head, while staying calm and collected. LOL. It’s all about finding that center point and keeping it balanced.
That client had this to say afterward – “First of all I have to begin by saying there are no words for how truly AMAZING and invaluable Stacy was on our wedding day. We were impressed with how affordable and professional she was from the first time we met her. It wasn’t until about a week before our wedding after our original contracted DOC stopped returning all phone calls and emails that we hired Stacy with Sylver weddings for Coordination services. First off, she had a week to do over a month’s worth of work. My wedding was like my firstborn child, and it took a lot for me to “hand over the reigns” to someone else. I spent over a year planning every single detail of my wedding, and after spending just a few short hours with Stacy I knew our wedding was in good hands. As with any wedding, things go wrong, and we had some catastrophes at our wedding. If we had not hired Stacy I honestly have no idea how we would’ve made it through the day. Our cake stand was un-level and wouldn’t hold our cake, bridesmaids were going rogue, our caterer contracted to have servers showed up solo to prepare and serve 150 guests….. on top of other issues. In every situation, Stacy hopped in and handled things making them go as smooth as possible. Although at first I was bothered that our original DOC flaked, it was a blessing in disguise! No matter how organized, detail-oriented, or a perfectionist you might be, on the day of your wedding you need someone else who can handle issues (and there will be some that arise). HIRING STACY WITH SYLVER WEDDINGS WAS THE BEST DECISION WE MADE IN THE ENTIRE PLANNING PROCESS OF OUR WEDDING! Hire Stacy, I promise you it will be the best money you spend on your entire wedding, after all, can you put a price tag on peace of mind on one of the biggest days of your life? – Leslie Trujillo”.
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
The push towards smaller, more intimate “micro” weddings, as well as more customized and meaningful events, are my favorite new trends. It allows couples to be more intentional with their wedding, and enjoy them far more than the giant lavish affairs with 400+ guests of yesteryear.
What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?
Go all out on one thing. Make it a focal point and you can cut back on other areas. For instance, splurge on a fabulous cake or a fancy coffee cart, and you can cut back a bit on table decor, etc.
If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?
My dream clients are those who are flexible, who are real, love to laugh, be silly, have fun, travel…
My dream events always have lots of flowers, usually outside, or in interesting spaces. They are romantic and yet glamorous, with sparkle and shine.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
I am nothing without my vendors, so maintaining a good relationship is paramount. I do this by supporting them in their endeavors, even so far as working for them at other events when I am not at one of my own. This helps them out and allows me to better understand their specific needs and challenges, which in turn helps me be a better Coordinator.
What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?
I am very excited to say that I am preparing to open several more branches around the US, as well as having recently partnered with a fabulous photography company to provide fully planned and all-inclusive Elopements around the world.
Personally, I am extremely proud of my children – my son who recently graduated, and my daughter, who as a junior in high school, is already taking college classes, is on her school’s swim team as well as the water polo team. Both of my children also work with me on events, and my daughter runs our birthday party division for SoCal.
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?
When I was barely out of high school, I got married. It was a DISASTER. I had all these great ideas, but no idea how to carry them out and no support system to help me figure out the intricacies of planning such an affair. I ended up helping my sister, and many of her friends with their weddings over the next 9 years, when I was quite directly told by a friend that I should be charging for my services. 4 months later I launched my company, and I booked my first event a month later.
What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
My first paid event was a Quincenera. I built all the centerpieces, on my living room floor, went early, stayed late, did all the decor myself, and charged WAAAYYYY too little for what I did. But it was a success, and business increased quickly over the next few years.
What are some things you wished you knew before starting your businesses?
I wish I had known more about the expos and seminars available and had attended some prior to opening my doors.
What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?
I was recently asked to officiate a wedding that was a full-on Viking ceremony, complete with ritual sacrifice. After a few moments of silence as I processed that request, I declined the event. I have no trouble working my magic to make dreams come true for my clients, but I will never ever compromise my principles.
