We meet Silvia Pacitto, a renowned Italian wedding planner who tells us a little bit about her work
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN TO HELP SOMEONE CREATE THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF THEIR LIFE?
BEING A WEDDING PLANNER is not just a career for Silvia Pacitto, she says it is her passion. "I have been in the business for almost ten years and from when I was young I had a great enthusiasm for flower decoration and organising parties. I began working in the business as a collaborator for a flower decorator and wedding planner in America but I also cooperated with catering, banqueting and event management in different cities in Italy. The company has grown, as three years ago I started S.P. Eventi in Milan and now I'm delighted to say that I have partners in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Umbria, Tuscany and Lake Garda".
If Silvia wasn't planning and coordinating weddings what would she be doing? "If there were no weddings involved then surely a flower decorator and event coordinator. Then perhaps if this job didn't exist I would have to invent it here! In fact when I started my wedding coordinating job in Italy many people did not know or understand what it was and often people would ask "What do you do exactly?" Only a month ago I was the guest to Radio 105 in Milan to talk about my "strange" work as it's not really 9am to 5pm I guess! In particular, she loves the creative side of her job. "When I get to know the couple better, I can give them advice about all they need to make the day spectacular. If we are far apart geographically, I am able to set out all the plans with them by e-mail: I send photos and samples about every single detail. Obviously if it is possible, it is preferable that they come once to visit the venue and the location, to taste the food and to decide together if all we've planned is what they are really looking for. When the bride, the groom and their families, are confident with what I'm doing for them it's a fantastic feeling. What could be better than to help someone create the most important day of their life?"
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
A big part of Silvia's job is to make sure that everything goes smoothly on the big day. So what advice does she give brides to keep them calm and happy? "Well it depends on the character of the bride or the groom so it's always personal and different for each couple. Often I say her something like: "This is your day so you must be confident that everything will be perfect, don't worry yourself about anything: be happy that you are around the people you love and just enjoy every moment of this wonderful day!" says Silvia with a smile. "I also say to them if you feel like crying because you're excited, then cry... we can visit the make-up artist again!"
There is no routine for Silvia during her working day. One day she could be discovering great locations, others she could be sourcing the best bomboniere (favours) or picking out the exquisite flowers. If the wedding is during the weekend then Silvia doesn't get much of a private life obviously but she loves the work so doesn't complain. Meeting the bride and groom to discuss details depends on when they are both free and Silvia fits in around them. "We decide together when the best time to meet is to talk about the wedding or to give them any recent updates on any of the wedding details". Every day, it would seem is very different from another? "Yes it surely is!" she says with a chuckle.
...first of all be very sure what the budget is
THE FIRST STEP
Silvia is flexible when working as a planner in the fact that she can organise absolutely everything for the bride (which is obviously important if she doesn't live in Italy and know where to go) from dress fittings to hair stylists and make up artists - I work with great people. However if the couple only needs part of the day organised then that's absolutely fine too. For couples that are slightly hesitant about ringing planners abroad then Silvia dispels any anxieties they may have. "The tip I would give a couple looking to tie the knot in Italy is to first of all be very sure what the budget is. Then just call or drop me a line. It doesn't matter if they end up using another agency but we all need a starting point. So they need delay no longer!"
With a wealth of beautiful places to choose from, what are Silvia's favourite wedding venues? "Well the truth is that venues must be the favourite of the wedding couples, not me. If I'm giving some advice for a couple that do not know Italy at all then I would say first off try Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast and always Rome. Remember too that the season in which the couple will get married is an important factor in making the right choice. To decorate the chosen venue Silvia will listen carefully to the bride's wishes. "If she says that she prefers one flower to another then I will give advice on how to work that into the day", Silvia explains. "I always make sure that the couple is comfortable with the budget and I find that sometimes some fantasy and good taste are enough to have an amazing result with a lower cost".
The creative side of Silvia ensures that no wedding couple has the same decoration. "It's also important that the wedding follows a theme that the couple agrees on", she continues "Then when we've established what that is - be it contemporary, classic, traditional and so on - we can work on making the ceremony and the reception with all its glorious details unique to their special occasion. Another little unique touch that Silvia has is to personally make the bouquet for the bride. "I find out the kind of flowers that she loves as well as the flowers that her fiancè likes because traditionally the groom will be presenting the bouquet to her as a gift and he'll need to give the thumbs up!." www.weddingspacitto.net Email: s_p_eventi@yahoo.it Tel: +39 (0) 338 759 9333
