Last week I met up with Sumer Schmitt, the wonderful person behind Simply Perfect Weddings. I had been looking for Pittsburgh wedding planners whose style was fresh and modern. When I found Sumer’s website, I knew she was the type of wedding planner I’d love to work with. So, I had to meet her.
Over lunch she told me about how she came to Pittsburgh (she’s another Southern transplant!) and about how she loves helping brides plan the wedding of their dreams. I was impressed by her willingness to go the extra mile for her clients–literally–running errands and doing the ground work so her clients can have a stress-free wedding. That’s so important, especially for brides planning their weddings from out of town. I definitely recommend checking out Sumer’s work!
1. How did you get started in wedding planning? Did you always know you wanted to do this kind of work?
“Throughout college I would plan events for my university and local businesses. I never realized at the time that I could make a career out of event planning, so I went on to pursue my degree in business management and finance. After a few years in the finance field, I just knew it wasn’t for me. I’ve always had a passion for events, and after beginning the planning of my own wedding in the fall of 2007, I realized that this is what I was meant to do with my life! I combined my previous years of event planning experience, along with my business minded background, and started my own company. I wanted to take my personal happiness in my own hands and do something that made me want to jump out of bed every morning! I know it sounds a little cliché, but there is really nothing else I love more than seeing events come to life!”
2. What do you love most about what you do?
“Simply put, I am passionate about helping people plan the biggest day of their lives! There is absolutely nothing better than at the end of the night, when I see that my clients and their families have huge smiles on their faces! What else could be more rewarding than helping two people in love plan the biggest day of their lives?!”
3. How would you describe your style?
“In 3 simple words…Fresh, Stylish, Modern.”
4. Where do you find inspiration for your event plans?
“First and foremost, my clients are my inspiration. I’m a big advocate of couples who personalize their wedding so that their wedding truly reflects their personality and style. Beyond my clients, I find a ton of inspiration in fashion, interior design, photography blogs, and occasionally wedding magazines. I don’t subscribe to a great deal of wedding magazines, but there are a few like Martha Stewart Weddings and Southern Weddings Magazine that I will utilize for design ideas.”
5. We know that wedding planners help the wedding day run smoothly, but what specifically do you do that enables a bride and groom to just relax on their wedding day?
“We coordinate and oversee the entire wedding day beginning with the setup of both venues and ending with the cleanup at the reception. We provide all of our clients up to 12 hours of service on the wedding day. In between those 12 hours of setup and cleanup, we oversee all vendor deliveries, line up & direct the bridal party for their walk down the aisle, assist their florist with pinning boutonnieres and corsages, coordinate with their DJ or band leader to direct the significant events at the reception, and are on hand to remedy any problems that should arise.”
6. I’m a bride who just got engaged. What should I look for in a wedding planner?
“I encourage you not to make a decision based solely on price. A professional wedding planner (and I don’t use the term “professional” lightly) is not going to be the cheapest in town. It’s important to remember that more often than not, you get what you pay for. Take a close look at what services they are offering to you in their proposal or service description. Do you feel like you are getting value for your dollar, or just an individual who will show up on the day of your wedding for $350 and send your bridal party down the aisle? I encourage you to shop around, ask for references of previous clients, and most of all don’t be afraid to ask questions. You need to be able to trust your wedding planner. After all, you’ll be spending the most time with your wedding planner than any other vendor you hire. That all important “connection” with your wedding planner is crucial to a seamless wedding planning process.”
7. OK, I’m a bride who’s in the middle of wedding planning and can’t handle it anymore–is it too late to contact you?
“Absolutely not! Many of our clients come to us in the middle of planning if they are feeling overwhelmed, or their schedules don’t necessarily allow them to devote a large amount of time to the wedding. When that is the case, we sit down with the bride to talk about the details already completed, and then we devise a plan of items to tackle next. We’ve had brides contact us up to 1 month before their wedding, and we are always happy to help!”
8. How did you come up with the name, “Simply Perfect?”
“My husband actually came up with it, believe it or not! I knew I wanted something simple and to the point. A few brainstorming sessions later, my husband suggested “Simply Perfect Weddings”. From there, I was hooked!”
(Sumer, you are beautiful.)
9. Do you have a dream wedding theme you’d love to implement but just haven’t yet?
“Yes! I’m originally from the South, so I’d LOVE to design a Southern Garden Soiree here in Pittsburgh. Any takers?! ; )”
10. If you weren’t a wedding planner, what would you be?
“Hmm…that’s a tough question because I truly cannot see myself doing anything else; however, if I had to choose another profession, it would probably have something to do with animals. I’ve loved animals as long as I could remember. I’m a sucker for dogs, but I would probably work with wild animals in some capacity. I don’t think I could necessarily be a veterinarian, but I think it would be neat to be a trainer/care taker at a zoo. If you know me, you probably know that I am obsessed with polar bears and penguins. I really have no idea why, but they just have a soft spot in my heart! : )”
11. What is one thing you absolutely can’t live without?
“If we’re speaking material-wise, I’d have to say my iPhone. On days that I schedule appointments, my iPhone is my best friend! Some days I will have meetings with clients and vendors that will require me to be on the road for 8+ hours. On any given day, I probably send/receive 75-100 emails; therefore, having access to my email while I’m on the road is absolutely essential.”
12. If you could only give one piece of advice to a newly engaged couple, what would it be?
“I’ll keep this short and sweet. Don’t lose focus on the real meaning of your wedding day – the marriage.”
Thanks Sumer for taking the time to sit down with me!
by mary
Sumer Schmitt - Thank YOU Mary for inviting me to lunch and snapping a few photos! It was such a pleasure getting to know more about you as well! 🙂