Member Spotlight: Wendy Markum-Scanlan of The Savvy Bride

Meet Wendy Markum-Scanlan, the owner and lead planner of The Savvy Bride. Wendy created The Savvy Bride six years ago because she wanted to offer couples some levity during the planning process. It's so easy to feel the pressures of creating perfection and that can lead to unnecessary stress and frustration. Her focus of planning requires developing a personal relationship with her clients allowing her to translate their unique personalities into a wedding celebration that's authentic to the couple's love and life together. She tells her couples that a successful wedding is when their guests walk away and say, "That was so them!" Keep reading to learn how Wendy entered the wedding and events industry and how Aisle Planner helps keep her connected with her clients every step of the way.

What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
If you had asked me this question my first year, I would've said I just fell into it. After a few years and some reflection, it became clear that I had been paving the path to owning my own wedding planning business for the past seventeen years. My degree is in technical theatre and directing, and I worked as a high school drama teacher for about eight years. While working on my MFA in arts management, I immersed myself in the non-profit arts by doing fundraising events and banquets but still wasn’t finding the artistic satisfaction or economic freedom. I had a friend who was getting married and asked if she could put me in charge of “directing” her day. As it turned out, wedding planning is not much different than directing a theatre production. We have sets, costumes, lighting and sound, props, an audience, and of course, the cast of stars. It was the most natural fit for my talents and my business training

Why did you start The Savvy Bride?
I wanted to give middle-class couples the chance to have a planner and work with couples on limited budgets to have the best possible day they can. I work to educate my couples of budgets and priorities and help them find ways to incorporate their personalities into their wedding style.

If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?
Less about the industry and more about how I perceive things. I used to get really intimidated by social media posts and podcasts and things that some planners were posting because I felt like I couldn't do that. I'm learning to compare myself to myself and no one else.

How does using Aisle Planner help you deliver the client experience you want to?
Connectedness! It allows me to work with and keep tabs on my couples throughout their whole planning process. Even if they're coordination clients and I don't jump in until a few months before, being able to connect with them through the software keeps my "catch-up" work and time to a minimum. It also allows us to foster a relationship and this makes them more comfortable turning over their plans to me.

What's your favorite Aisle Planner feature?

This is a hard choice. I guess I'd say the ability to comment within so many of the sections. It allows me to stay connected to my clients in real-time and takes them directly to the areas I need them to focus on at that moment. It helps that feeling of “connectedness” that I strive to give my clients.

If you weren't the Owner of The Savvy Bride, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
I don’t want to even imagine. I guess I'd still be working in non-profit and looking for opportunities to exercise my artistic side in other ways. It's such a sad thought to me.

What are three things you never show up without on event day?
1. My event binder. I'm old school and like to have everything printed out and in a prompt book form. I also carry my phone so I have digital access as well, but the binder is my "blanket." 

2 My diaper bag/ER kit! I have no children, but I carry a diaper bag during the wedding season because I can store any and everything in all the compartments. I also have a 3' rolling ER kit that stays with the wedding party for their easy access.

3. Protein shakes and water. During event days, I can go eight hours or more before I have a chance to stop and eat. The protein shakes keep me energized and healthy.

What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner? 
Humility and perseverance. Acknowledging that you don't have all the answers is the key to being open to knowledge and new experiences. I've learned not to fear failure as I did when I was younger. I understand that while our success give us our confidence, our failures give us our wisdom.

What’s your trademark in the client or event experience?
I think the thing that makes me stand out is that I try to form real relationships with my clients. I don’t put restrictions on their communication with me during their planning process. Even my lowest package price comes with the same level of genuine excitement for their wedding. By the time their wedding day arrives, I'm not just a vendor, but the bride’s biggest ally for that day. She knows in her heart I have her best intentions in everything I do for her.

Is there anything you're particularly excited about working on this year?
I'm looking forward to doing more designing and hopefully more florals. I feel like I have a good grasp on the coordination aspect of my job so I want to branch out.

Want to see more from Wendy? Check out her website savvybridestl.com!