Both Val and Tommy Saunders are entrepreneurs at heart, making them the perfect fit for Wed Society! As a former wedding vendor herself, Val ran a spray tan and photography business, frequently working with brides in the Savannah area. Tommy served in the military for eight years and then transitioned to sales, where he became the #1 sales associate in the nation at his company. With her creative spirit and his business mindset, this dynamic duo is dedicated to enhancing the Savannah wedding industry by connecting local couples with the best wedding vendors the city has to offer.
Wed Society: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Val Saunders: Tommy and I are married with four children between us, plus two doggies, Izzy and Josie. I love antiquing, concerts, Diet Coke, and desserts. As a creative individual, I truly love every aspect of the wedding planning process. We are so excited for the opportunity to be a part of the beautiful weddings of Savannah by connecting the amazing couples in our community with the top local vendors.
WS: Tell us about your professional background.
Val: I was in medical/clinical management in the corporate world for 15 years, and I also previously worked in marketing and professional relations. Later, as a business owner, I worked to empower women through my spray tan and photography studio. With these two businesses I frequently worked with brides, and being a part of the Wed Society franchise was a great opportunity to be a more integral part of the wedding community in the Savannah area. Tommy is a veteran, who served in the Army for eight years. After that, he transitioned to a sales management position where he became the #1 sales associate in the nation for that company.
WS: What inspired you to become a Wed Society franchise owner?
Val: I love the wedding industry, being involved in the process through the spray tans and photography, and I always wanted to be more involved in some way. Tommy and I looked at multiple franchises before Wed Society and knew this would be a perfect fit as soon as we saw it. The platform, the people, and the product just drew us in right away. Having curated luxury content from the beginning of a bride’s journey is so inspiring, and being able to connect couples with the best of the best was a standout point for us. We both have an entrepreneurial mindset and, after so many years, had become tired of working for corporate America. Being the owners of Wed Society Savannah + Coastal Georgia gives us the opportunity to build something for ourselves and help our community along the way.
WS: What are you most looking forward to in your ownership journey?
Val: Tommy and I are thrilled to be running a business that will create a legacy for our children and our future. Mostly, we are excited to build a community within the Savannah wedding industry. From our vendor networking events, to seeing our first Book of Weddings – we are looking forward to it all!
