A little bit of housekeeping before I give my two cents about an event planner who doesn't plan her own parties (which I'm guessing you already figured out I was going to blog about given that is the title of this post - shocker). Anyway, last week, the other Working Girl Karen Burns interviewed me and WG1 for her blog. You should all check out our interview here and also check out Working Girl's new book "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl". And one more thing - be sure to check back later because after we finish reading her book we plan on interviewing her as well (and let me tell you she has some GREAT advice!).On to our regularly scheduled blogging...
This may be old news to some of you, but back in June NY Mag wrote an article about Vogue's new event planner, Sylvana Soto-Ward [pictured to the right]. It was just recently announced that she will be taking the place of former Vogue event planner Stephanie Wilson Wolkoff.
And some "naysayers" are apparently pissed off about this Soto-Ward being the new event planner since this means she'll be running the Met's annual gala next year (which Wolkoff has made beyond fabulous this past few years) and also because she used to be Vogue's accessories editor.
Here's the thing - I obviously can't judge whether her appointment to this position was a good move or not since I don't know her background (though it does seem weird that an accessories editor is now going to be an event planner) and I don't know Wolkoff's background compared to hers.
What I do feel like I can put my two cents about is the fact that an insider at Vogue is angry about Soto-Ward's promotion because she "didn't even plan her own engagement party". Which to I respond, 'whoa nelly'.
My main job at work is to plan our corporate events and I run two major ones in a year and during the rest of the year I manage special projects and help host other smaller corporate in-house events and parties. During my off time, I admit I do pretty much run the show in terms of other parties. I just love to plan - it's in my blood. So yes, in the past I have planned my own extravagant birthday parties, coordinated Spring Break trips, and I'm even planning my family's trip to Europe in August.
But I can whole-heartedly say that when (or rather if I suppose haha) I get married, I do not plan on planning my own engagement parties or even my own wedding. It's my special day people! I plan on not being stressed. Beacuse I'm an event planner and I know that events are stressful - especially when you're a perfectionist and watch Bridezillas. And the stress does not end until after the meeting/party is over and you sit back and go, "Wow, yes, it is over and it was amazing." And this potential future bride does not want to be stressed. So you bet your ass I will be hiring a wedding planner and not planning my own engagement or bachelorette parties.
So yes, maybe Soto-Ward shouldn't have been promoted, but just because she didn't plan her own engagement party doesn't mean she shouldn't be Vogue's new event planner.
Also, if Anna Wintour wanted to hire a team of peeps to plan my engagement party I would say, "Hell yes, Anna!".
[Photo Credit: NY Mag]
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18 comments:
Who wouldnt want to plan their own parties... ahhhh xxxoo
Amen, sister! As an event planner, I've planned hundreds of events ranging from some of the largest conferences in the country to funerals and weddings. But I HATE planning my own events. I'm not a good hostess, I hate dinner parties, and I can't do it for myself personally. Any good events planner knows better than to try to do it all.
I LOVE to plan events - birthday parties, supper clubs, trips with friends, trips over seas, etc. but by no means did I want to plan my engagement party or wedding. One of the very first things I did was hire a wedding planner. She was great at incorporating my ideas and I didn't have to stress about anything. It was fabulous! :)
As an Event Manager - I second that notion!! :)
I'll bet that insider was gunning for her job and is now just bitter.
I am pretty sure traditionally the bride & groom are not suppose to plan the engagement party (I think the parents are suppose to do this one.) The only thing they should plan is the wedding itself.
Anyone who can work, get married, AND plan the engagement party/wedding is, in my book, a Superwoman.
Me, I hate planning events. Also trips. I like going to/on them. But, planning...not so much.
Maybe she was promoted for how great she looks in that dress....
I was under the assumption that it's a faux pas to plan your own engagement party,just like you aren't suppose to plan your own wedding shower or bachelorette party. Planning the actual wedding is stressful enough without having to plan all the other events surrounding it.
I've been married more than once. I planned my weddings. After the first time I have no idea what I was thinking. Then I did it again. The second time was worse than the first. I made all of my own decorations, decorated EVERYTHING myself. Planned the menu and had someone cook all of the food. Made the music lists etc etc. I LOVE parties. LOVE THEM. I'm too much of a perfectionist to have anyone plan anything that is all about me. And if I were a planner, I wouldn't want to plan anything for. That's just me though. I don't blame anyone for not wanting to do it.
Just wanted to say that I loved the interview from Karen Burns
CasadyNYC@gmail.com: Right on, Working Girl! I came across this entry & immediately had my fingers poised to type back an angry rebuttal to any jealous naysayer who dared question Ms. Soto-Ward's taste or competence. Hence, I was SO relieved to find you sympathetic to the position of a professional woman who allows herself to be taken care of by others during life's most special occasions such as her pre-nuptials! What next? Will some hater insist that a female obstetrician be discredited for not performing her OWN C-section? Get a grip, people. Just because we women CAN do it all doesn't mean we have to. A smart leader knows how and when to DELEGATE. Knowing Sylvana personally, I assure you: this woman can not only raise the sow, cut the bacon AND fry it up herself but she also knows EXACTLY how much to put on her plate. I mean, just look at her figure. Nuff said. Anyway, you do not last as long as she has in the office of Ms. Wintour unless you are DAMN capable. And I assure you: this young woman is.
i really enjoyed your blog. I emaild this to my boss here at Red Thread Events. Maybe i'll get the day off
For an all-day meeting, don't choose a resort. It is very frustrating to see a wonderful golf course, beach, or spa and know that you will never get to enjoy them.
i read a piece on you in bazaar this month. i am sorry... but it made me absolutely nauseous. your materialistic life of disgusting furs and your massive "troubles" of all that hermes!!! my goodness! how can you trudge through life with such burdens pray tell?? i am sorry...but your vapid life spurred me to write you, not of jealousy...call it profound sadness...for you and yours. stephanie...i hope you reread that article and see how you are painted in such a horrid, shallow light. i know there is so much more to you with your talents. there MUST be more.
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Yeah dear, there are many people who do not plan their own parties. I am also not that bad with party planning but still for all my events I prefer to hire event planning company as I find event planning stressful and a tedious job.
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