Southern Affairs Wedding Planner Interview
Southern Affairs Wedding Planner Interview
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Southern Affairs Weddings and Events many times over the years. I always look forward to any event they are a part of. Their signature is giving clients intentional design and a stress free day. Owner/designer Robyne is all about the creative process behind the scenes. She mixes classic and artistic elements that represent the essence of her clients. I love working with her because she considers every little detail. Associate planner Brittany is also a joy to work with. She focuses more on making sure all the events of the day run smooth. If any problem arrises, she takes care of it without bothering the client.
Southern Affairs Owner Robyne Swink
Hi! I am Robyne. An extroverted introvert who found a love of weddings! I am Owner of Southern Affairs weddings and events. We are a full-service planning and design firm with a diverse team. Our mission is to provide our clients perfection in planning, with a splash of southern hospitality. When I’m not designing events, you can find me with my husband on our farm. We enjoy traveling and finding the next best restaurant to dine at.
Southern Affairs Clients
Our ideal clients are couples who are truly in love. Our couples are lovers of life. They have an urge to travel and appreciate artistic, creative outlets.
Style of Weddings
As a designer, my purpose is to curate weddings to our client’s specific taste and style. Even though each one of our weddings is unique, we always choose elegance over opulence. There is something very beautiful in a understated approach to luxury. Our signature style is a marriage of classic and refined elements. We assure that every little detail comes together to create something unforgettable.
Approach to Wedding Planning and Design
We enjoy making the planning process a couple’s experience. The Bride can’t marry herself. It’s about the both of them and their love story. From the very first meeting we take the time to get to know our clients. We dive into their cultures and histories, as well as personal tastes and preferences. This ensures that we are creating an event that is authentic to who they are.
Our team tailors the planning process to each couples’ individual needs. At the same time, we create a visual design story that will set the tone for their wedding day. Once their wedding day arrives, we pride ourselves on the fact that our couples and their families can relax. They get to take in every moment of the day, while we handle the flawless execution behind the scenes.
We plan and design with this in mind. We don’t only organize wedding vendors or the beautiful details. We craf an experience that embodys all the special moments that happen on a wedding day. Meaningful, authentic occasions that feel natural and un-forced are what we aim for. Remaining true to the nature of the people involved is what our clients appreciate about us.
Favorites
We aren’t the planners that are into trends, but cultural traditions are always a favorite of ours. Infusing a couple’s culture into their weddings is key to making their wedding theirs! A personal favorite is the cultural wedding attire during ceremony or reception. Usually these outfits are colorful with beautiful patterns and headdresses! Always an instant wow when the couple walks into the room.
Dislikes
Trends! We really do try to avoid them because they often can “date” your wedding. We want to design an event that you look back on in 10 years and still love, not say “What were we thinking.”
Advice for couples starting the wedding planning process
With all the love and attention that goes into planning a wedding (and we love it!), we encourage couples to always remember; the wedding day is only the beginning of your journey together. So enjoy your day and don’t let stress steal your joy. Keep things in perspective because life doesn’t slow down to wait for us. All we have is the present, so always take the time to enjoy it.
Dallas Weddings
Dallas weddings embodies true Southern Hospitality. Our couples don’t only want a beautiful event. They care about making sure their guests feel welcomed and enjoy themselves. Things like personalized welcome gifts, delivered to hotel rooms upon arrival, and late night snacks. Every detail is carefully thought out so guests have the best time.
Oregon Weddings
While my family roots are Southern, I was born and raised in the Pacific NorthWest. What West Coast girl doesn’t love the outdoors?! That is what makes an Oregon wedding so amazing. Oregon has so many scenic and breathtaking venues and locations to offer. You can get married in front of a waterfall or in the hill country at a winery with amazing views. The options are endless.
Favorite Dallas Wedding Venues
The Four Seasons, Nasher Sculpture Center, Hotel Crescent Court, and The Adolphus Hotel.
Working With The Wedding Photographer
All photographers we select for our couple’s to work with (like you Jeff!) know how important it is to us to capture the couples entire story in the images. This includes all the little details on their wedding day. And we know how important it is for a creative to have some freedom to deliver their best work. We insist that our couples go out to lunch or have drinks with their photographer. This is so they can connect with the person that will capture their wedding. We also talk with the photographer before the wedding. They will know about all the important details we have planned so nothing is missed.
Weddings during the Pandemic
The main change for me is hosting all meetings via phone and video calls instead of in-person. This also includes hosting our client’s venue tours.
I do believe the pandemic will result in more intimate weddings and elopements in next few years. Everyone at this point is seeing life from a different perspective. We are focusing more on what makes us happy.
Having a Diverse Vendor Team
We are a black owned business and we want to uplift our community as much as we can. Right now, Black owned businesses have an opportunity to not just speak up but to actually be heard. We want to share the beautiful work of so many talented black and other minority businesses.
I have made it a mission to always have a diverse team of talented women of all skin tones. We encourage our couples to hire a team of the most talented vendors of all backgrounds.
A Few of Robyne’s Favorite Dallas Wedding Vendors
Bridal Salons – Lovely Bridal
Caterers – Vestal’s Catering & Blue Fire Catering
Hotels – Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Florists – Haute Floral
Bands – Jordan Khan Band
MUAs – Melisa J. Beauty
Cake/desert – Fancy Cakes by Lauren, Elena’s Cakes & Sugar Bee Sweets
DJs – Next Level Entertainment
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