First Class to Paris Nilufer Emine Saltuk moved from Istanbul to Rhode Island when she was four years old and until the age of 21 had only flown internationally. Maybe that’s why she “always wanted to be an international flight attendant (like first class to Paris) and to speak five languages.” She currently speaks two languages - Turkish and English. Who else do you know that speaks Turkish?
Nil attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study biotechnology. After graduation, she spend seven years in the corporate world until deciding to make a career change. She joined a wedding networking group and began working as an event assistant under experienced planners to get her feet wet in the industry before starting Two Doves Wedding Planning in 2003.
Guest Comfort Should Be Paramount Nil was inspired to start Weather or Not Accessories (formerly Splendor for Your Guests) in 2009 by the custom of hospitality from her Turkish roots. “In my homeland,” she says, “hosts offer shawls to their guests to keep them warm. Thus, I was inspired to start the same trend here.” She believes guest comfort should be paramount when planning an event and that “planners should always consider whether or not guests will be hot, wet, blinded by sun, or sinking into grass.”
Nil credits her success as a wedding planner and event-industry business owner to her involvement with the International Live Events Association. Nil believes the ‘industry is filled with creative, fun, connected, thoughtful, hospitable people.” What’s her favorite way to stay connected to the industry? “ILEA Live. It's the best conference in the industry. It’s such an incredible experience; it's where I've met some of my lifetime friends and also where I've received valuable business advice.”
Who in the Industry Do You Follow?
Frank J. Andonoplas - Frank Event Design
Tami Forero - Forte Events
Kate Patay - Patay Consulting
Monica Richard - Mon Amie Events (and her daughter - Cook With Sabrina)
Malbec For the Win Aside from graduating from a prestigious engineering school, planning weddings, and being a successful eventrepreneur, Nil has written a children’s book (and is currently looking for an illustrator, if you know any…). She spends her time making Turkish delicacies like Sigara Borek (think Turkish taquito) stuffed with cheese and mint. If you are looking for good conversation, you “might” find Nil at her favorite Denver spot on Mondays enjoying mussels and red wine, Malbec to be exact, no white wine allowed! Otherwise, she loves being a mom and spending time with her 9-year-old daughter, Sofia, who is fluent in three languages, working on her fourth. Wonder where she got that?
Get Inspired by Turkish Hospitality Nil’s event must-have this season is the off-white, faux fur throw. “It’s so luxurious and posh. I love seeing it at fire pits and over lounge furniture.” As you plan your next event or help clients with the important details, get inspired by Turkish hospitality to enhance the comfort of your guests with Weather or Not Event Accessories.
At Weather or Not, we help you celebrate comfortably. We rent and sell various products, including umbrellas, blankets, throws, shawls, fans, parasols, and heel guards. With them, you can offer both style and creature comforts to your guests. Shawls indoors for that chilly conference room or hand fans for hot churches because not one wants to be sweaty until the dance floor!
