Geneva 'Wedding Planners' Get Ready for Big Season

Engagement season is almost here, believe it or not.

And if you've ever seen the movie, The Wedding Planner, you know what a big deal that is.

Geneva has its own versions of Mary Fiore, played by Jennifer Lopez in the movie, and they're getting their game faces on for 2012. With almost 50 years' experience between them, the  Deanne Mitchell and Tina Droznek have seen it all.

Mitchell began her catering career at the Ambassador West Hotel in the mid '80s, and has been The Herrington Inn & Spa’s “Director of Romance” for the past 12 years. She has retained strong bonds with her brides and often plans the baby showers and anniversary parties of previous wedding reception clients.

Along the way, she has endured a few bridezillas, a missing groom who was found fishing in the Fox River to calm his nerves, a tornado during an outdoor ceremony and a dive bombing Red Winged Black Bird protecting her nest. Mitchell is known for keeping her composure through all of it, and putting brides and grooms at ease.

Droznek worked in private country clubs prior to her arrival at Riverside Receptions in 1999 and has also overcome her share of adversity. Some of her wedding challenges include getting red wine stains out of a wedding dress 15 minutes before a ceremony, calming a crying flower girl with the promise of ice cream, fixing hair do’s that just didn’t and subbing as a DJ who didn’t show up.

Having planned more than 1,000 weddings during her career, there are not too many situations that Droznek hasn’t experienced and perciveered through.

“I love turning challenges into beautiful memories," she said. "Those are the weddings I remember the most.” 

No matter how much time is spent planning and preparing, crazy things happen, said Paul Ruby vice president of operations for Shodeen Hospitality.

Ruby says having a seasoned wedding planner at your side with safety pins, breath mints, hair spray and tuxedo buttons at the ready makes his job a lot easier. Thanks to Mitchell and Droznek, none of the guests will ever know that the rip in the bride’s dress was just fixed with a stapler.

“These two have a way of making sure guests have no idea that the trellis under which they were watching the nuptials were being exchanged, had been floating in the river after being blown over by a wind gust an hour earlier,” he said.