Stephanie Forte

​SUCCESSFUL WEDDING & EVENT SHOWCASE PRODUCER. WEDDING PLANNER. WIFE. MOM.

Stephanie Forte is a powerful woman that wears many hats. Though she constantly juggles a lot between work & home life, she remains on top of things and is highly successful due to her passion, ambition, tenacity, organization, and planning skills. Forte states, “I’ve always loved planning. I’m a planner.” She would attend wedding planning events throughout the midlands, and would take pieces from the weddings and keep them. “Though I was a wedding consultant for years, I’m planning to move away from that to focus more on the wedding expo. Weddings are just a lot of work.” Although, I have persuaded her to do mine, as I adore her taste, and told her not to worry as mine will not be too much work. 

Savvy Soiree Wedding & Event Showcase is a wedding & event expo that consists of some of the best wedding vendors all under one roof. The wedding expo was birthed 5 years ago between two wedding professionals, Stephanie Forte & Andrea Knapp, whose relationship originally began online in a wedding group for event planning, followed by their first business date at a restaurant in Florence, South Carolina. It was then that they discovered that they were the perfect “business match made in heaven”.  From there they took on the task to produce their first wedding expo in the late summer of 2015 at a small venue. At the time it was only 1 showcase a year. The bridal show market changed 5 times before they entered the market as Savvy Soiree. They have seen the shows in Florence change producers that many times since she became a part of the wedding industry. Though there have been constant changes, Forte remains up to date by visiting other bridal showcases, indulging herself in the market. Her and her partner have studied the market enough to know when to hold their expos, as they have now moved forward in producing 2 expos a year, a January expo during engagement season in Florence, SC and a summer showcase in Lake City, SC. Both seasons, are considered the booming seasons for bridal businesses.

Though the showcases always run smoothly and appear glamorous, as Forte gracefully carries a rather calm demeanor while working the floor of the event, she confesses that the day of the expos can be a stress as it’s not only a lot to put together, but a lot to hold together on the day of the show. Forte is in charge of the vendors & models. Her task for coordinating the vendors includes, invitations, access codes, building access, price adjusting, sponsors, and more. As for her duty in coordinating the models, her task list consists of bridal fittings, modeling roster, and the beauty teams. I have had the pleasure of modeling in her expos and working under her supervision, and I must say, she is very organized and professional at what she does. Forte claims that usually after the expos, she has to break away and decompress as it take a lot out of her, and I can totally relate.

Forte goes on to talk about the bridal fashion industry and bridal designers that are taking off in the fashion industry, creating fashion shows for their apparel. One mentioned designer, Juliet’s Bridal and Formalwear, is one of her favorites. Her designs are of the Asian market that are cheaper in price, but are very high end. You never know where business may take you, as it’s been suggested to Forte to consider the Atlanta market as far as expos, or referring their bridal designers to the Atlanta fashion industry. Her expos have always been so successful, wth rich bridal vendors and fashion, that I feel it will boom in the Atlanta Market! To learn more about Stephanie Forte and Savvy Soiree Wedding & Event Showcase, go to www.savvysoireesc.com!

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She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ship; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet nigh, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
​-Proverbs 31: 13-16