Tips from The Silo in the Square’s new wedding coordinator, Michael Gilligan.
Meet Michael Gilligan, an event planner, venue coordinator, actor, and artist who has found his home
in the hills of Morgantown. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he worked for years in both event planning and acting, blending the lines in his work to use the best attributes of both to create new perspectives—and add a little more sparkle to the coordinating. When it comes to weddings, he fosters an atmosphere that feels less like a formal meeting and more like sitting on the phone with a best friend while sharing your dream wedding day. Because who doesn’t want to feel a little frilly and fun when it comes to the planning process? Michael believes in bold statements, timeless memories, and seamless executions.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING PLANNING AND COORDINATING PROCESS?
I love connecting more personally with the people whose dream day I am helping make a reality! Really connecting with the couple means understanding the “Why?” behind all the details: Why the linens have to specifically be Wedgewood Blue—“Because it was my grandmother’s favorite.” Why the cake has to have a raspberry filling—“Because any other berry is downright nasty.” Or, my favorite, why giving the bride a rock before going down the aisle makes the day go from 10/10 to 100/10. It will always be those small cherries on top that let the couple know you listen and keep me loving the world of weddings.
WHAT CURRENT TREND IS YOUR FAVORITE OR ONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF?
I would love to see more of this new spontaneity in color schemes and mixed patterns. I am a tried and true traditionalist when it comes to the signature white dress—or white suit, and that means adding more of that personal flair and layering throughout other aspects is a dream. If the bride in her dress is the painting, we need a vibrant frame to match that wonderful personality! I also believe it dives deeper into a cultural aspect as well. When we look at many other countries outside of the United States, vibrancy in color schemes and patterns signifies joy and prosperity to the couples. The mixing of these traditions also means modernizing the wedding planning perspective to create entirely new focuses, setting the tone for new trends and creations. Or maybe I am a hopeless romantic who loves color—who knows?
WHAT IS AN OLDER TREND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE COME BACK?
This brings me back to tradition: using previous generations’ wedding items. Cutting one’s cake with their grandmother’s utensils, adding their great-great-aunt’s veil, or borrowing the family’s sword to place it on display—cool and scary simultaneously—showcases a layered appreciation for the loved ones who have sculpted the couple into who they are today.
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD PEOPLE COME PREPARED TO ASK AND/OR ANSWER?
There are two questions I think every couple needs to ask themselves and their coordinators, vendors, and planners much more often: “What have you seen in this circumstance that works well for any occasion?” and “What can I do to stand out and do something differently that no one has done before?” Not only will you get some of the most shining and exhilarating responses out of this, but you may also be steered in directions you didn’t realize were ever there. Furthermore, this sets the tone for your relationship with these people and how you can work with them to create your special day. You’ll understand their personality more, how they share excitement with you on the big day, and whether you mesh well from a personal standpoint. There are always layers!
