Inside the Wedding Industry with Sky’s the Limit Events

Welcome to Inside the Wedding Industry, where we uncover the latest insights, trends and stories from seasoned experts! Today, we’re thrilled to share an interview with Stephanie, owner of Sky’s the Limit Events and talented wedding planner with over 15 years in the field. Since 2009, Stephanie has been guiding couples through the highs and lows of wedding planning, turning dream days into reality and navigating countless changes along the way. In our conversation, she offers a behind-the-scenes look at how weddings have evolved, the trends defining modern celebrations, and the key details many couples overlook. From unique Halifax venues and personal touches that make weddings unforgettable, to advice on staying calm amid the planning whirlwind, Stephanie’s wealth of experience shines through. Get ready to be inspired as she shares her top tips for couples seeking elegance, joy and authenticity in every aspect of their wedding day.

The Evolution of the Wedding Space

1. Stephanie, you’ve been in the wedding industry since 2009! How have you seen the industry change over the years? Since 2009, the industry has changed tremendously. Weddings and wedding events have taken on a much larger role in our clients’ lives. Gone are the days of church hall or legion weddings, planned and executed by a team of family and friends for a one-day event. Nowadays, budgets have grown, visions have expanded, wedding days have turned into wedding weeks and weekends, guest experience is well thought out (and usually executed by an experienced planning team). Also, much more value is placed on things like photography and videography, knowing that these memories deserve to be preserved and cherished forever.

Also, since 2009, not only has there been the introduction of social media, there was also the introduction of Pinterest – a creative hub that opened up an entirely new world of potential for wedding planners, designers, and those getting married. I’m aging myself here, but when I began in the industry, the only thing we had besides our own creative minds were magazines! How times have changed.

Inside the Wedding Industry with Sky’s the Limit Events: Popular Trends

What wedding trends have you noticed are popular with couples getting married in the 27-40 age range right now? Are there any trends you expect to see more of in 2025? I feel that couples are placing more value on the parts of their wedding that give guests all the feels – the parts that they will experience and remember, such as food, drink, music, and atmosphere. I find that couples, while planning a wedding in the years directly after a pandemic, have somehow refocused on what matters and they’re not losing sight of it – which is, their union, and celebrating with family and friends – those that matter most to them. This isn’t so much of a trend, but something I feel will be here to stay as a wedding staple. What I’ve been seeing with most of our client base is that they’ve stuck to elevated basics, a less-is-more approach with hints of their personalities, such as having a friend or loved one perform part of their ceremony, signature cocktails, individual love notes to each guest, favourite snacks and desserts, thoughtful late-night snacks, and the list goes on.

Inside the Wedding Industry with Sky’s the Limit Events: Unique Venues

What are some unique venues in Halifax or the surrounding areas that couples might not immediately think of for their wedding day? If you ask me, the restaurants in our city are incredible. I love them for a couple of reasons – the food is always guaranteed to be delicious because it’s a restaurant! The staff – management, serving, and bar teams are always on point because this is what they do day in and day out! A wedding at a restaurant is easy! Also, there’s already a solid base for design, with, in most cases, fantastic lighting.

This year, we’ve done some weddings at Agricola Street Brasserie and Lot Six Restaurant. So unique, with such an urban vibe, steeped in Halifax’s history. But don’t sleep on the newer restaurants located on the waterfront, such as Salt& Ash or Cafe Lunette. They present an incredible opportunity to inject a bit of flair into your design!

What Do Couples Overlook?

When it comes to planning a wedding, what do you think is the most overlooked detail that couples often forget or underestimate? Something that’s often overlooked when couples begin planning their wedding that I’m consistently trying to prepare my clients for, is that every detail of their actual wedding day takes a lot longer than you think – especially travel from point A to point B. This is why we create a custom timeline for each and every client. These days, especially on a weekend, traveling into the city, or anywhere in HRM for that matter, can be a hassle. However, if you prepare, hire transportation and don’t overlook this detail, things will be fine!

Not only that, but hair, makeup, photos – they do take longer than you’d expect, so preparing with buffer time eliminates that stress! We always make sure of this for our STL couples.

Inside the Wedding Industry: Advice

Planning a wedding can be stressful! Do you have any advice for couples on how to stay calm and enjoy the process rather than getting overwhelmed? Absolutely, as mentioned above – don’t lose sight of what the day is about. It’s about the couple, celebrating their love. It’s not about the smaller details people tend to get hung up on, it’s not about being perfect, it’s not about what everyone else wants! This is your day. Plan your wedding together as a couple and share responsibilities to ease the overwhelm. This will also make a huge difference.

Overcoming Obstacles as a Seasoned Planner

With your years of experience, you’ve no doubt dealt with unexpected challenges. What’s one of the most memorable wedding-day surprises you’ve had to handle, and how did you manage it? We’ve encountered countless unexpected surprises from wedding to wedding, but it’s our job to always be on our toes, ready to solve any issue that arises, and we do so very quietly in most cases. However, our most unexpected challenge was a wedding day in September 2023. If you live in Nova Scotia, you know that September is hurricane season, and we were sure to be hit with a big one on the day of a sweet couple’s wedding. We prepped our Plan B, but sometimes even a Plan B doesn’t work out as planned.

In the span of 48 hours, our venue closed due to the impending weather, and we received word that their wedding would no longer be taking place on-site. So, within 48 hours, I booked a new venue, planned new meals, canceled accommodations, helped book new accommodations, redesigned the space with what we had decor-wise, notified all vendors, and did all the things and more to help make it happen! To this day, it was our biggest challenge yet, and we made it through rather successfully. A day I’m so proud of.

Wedding Planner VS. Wedding Coordinator

A lot of couples I’ve spoken to don’t realize the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator. Can you help break down the differences? There’s a big difference between wedding planning and wedding coordination – especially when it comes to day-of coordination! When clients hire us for a full planning service, we’re involved in every step of the wedding planning process. We help with vendor and venue selection, we regularly communicate with chosen vendors, we assist with budgeting, and fully develop a design and timeline. We also attend meetings and schedule regular/unlimited meetings with our clients (usually once a month). For coordination, I like to say STL is here to guide you in the right direction – your wedding planning big sis, if you will! We make recommendations on vendors and venues, help with budget, timelines, and decor, as well as meet a handful of times to keep you on track. So… similar to planning, but the client will have a much more hands-on approach with their big day planning. The major difference comes in when you’re hiring us for day-of coordination only. This is a service that focuses on STL stepping in as day-of management only, after the client has fully planned their wedding on their own.

Inside the Wedding Industry: Design

I’ve always admired your ability to make even the simplest of weddings feel incredibly luxurious. What tips do you have for couples wanting to add a little elegance to their day without blowing the budget? Thanks so much, Janelle! A major aspect of the STL brand is timeless elegance. Therefore, in our design process, we like to focus on elements that are classic and understated, so that our couples look back on their wedding day with admiration forever! In today’s world, we can easily be overwhelmed with trends that quickly fade, that are flashy and expensive, and gone by the next wedding season – after it’s been oversaturated. It’s a rare occasion that a decor element will become a classic these days. My piece of advice is to focus on elements that will never age – candlelight, superior quality florals, colour tones, and shades that will forever be in style, such as black, white, navy, gold, and so on. Professionally designed day-of stationery, and luxurious fabric and quality of linens.

As we wrap up, a huge thank you to Stephanie for taking the time to share her insights and expertise. Her advice truly offers a guiding light for couples embarking on the wedding planning journey, helping them turn their dreams into a day they’ll cherish forever. If you’re looking to connect with Stephanie, be sure to check out her website, Sky’s the Limit. She’s one of my preferred vendors, and it’s always a pleasure to collaborate on creating beautiful experiences with our shared couples together.

---

Adding Some Expert Tips from Sky’s the Limit

To give even more insight into Stephanie’s expertise and what Sky’s the Limit offers, we dove into a few key highlights from her business to showcase just how much value her team brings to weddings and events:

16. What makes Nova Scotia an ideal destination for weddings, and how does Sky’s the Limit capitalize on these unique venues?

Nova Scotia’s breathtaking landscapes—whether it’s the rugged coastline, serene wineries, or charming rural settings—provide stunning backdrops for weddings. Stephanie uses her deep local knowledge to help couples find venues that fit their dream aesthetic, while also introducing them to hidden gems throughout the province ​(Sky’s the Limit).

17. How does Stephanie Brown’s 10+ years of experience as a wedding planner influence her approach to creating flawless events?

With over a decade of experience, Stephanie knows the ins and outs of wedding planning, from logistics to design. Her ability to foresee potential issues and smooth them out before they arise ensures her events run like clockwork. She’s continuously refining her process, ensuring each couple gets the best version of their wedding day​ ( Sky’s the Limit).

18. What are some key tips Sky’s the Limit recommends for ensuring a perfect wedding ceremony?

Stephanie emphasizes the importance of rehearsals, making sure the bridal party knows their roles, and coordinating with musicians or DJs to prevent awkward transitions. Attention to these small details creates a seamless flow throughout the ceremony, ensuring everything is smooth and meaningful ​(Sky’s the Limit).

19. How does Sky’s the Limit integrate personal moments into their wedding planning to create unique and intimate experiences for couples?

One of Sky’s the Limit’s specialties is curating intimate, personal moments that allow the couple to pause and take it all in, away from the crowd. Whether it’s a private toast after the ceremony or a special dance under the stars, these moments make the wedding experience even more special​( Sky’s the Limit).

20. What services does Sky’s the Limit offer beyond wedding planning, and how do they tailor events to client needs?

Beyond weddings, Sky’s the Limit also plans corporate events.