Teshika Burnside shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Teshika, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that wedding and event planning is just ‘making things pretty.’ People see the Instagram-worthy moments and think it’s all flowers and champagne—but the truth is, I’m not just designing a party, I’m orchestrating an experience. Behind the scenes, I’m managing logistics, timelines, budgets, contracts, vendor relationships, and—most importantly—people’s emotions.
I’m the calm in the chaos, the problem-solver no one sees, and the advocate who makes sure my clients can be fully present for their milestone moments. Chic Soirées isn’t just about pretty tablescapes; it’s about creating intentional, meaningful, and seamless events that feel effortless for my clients because we’ve done the hard work behind the curtain.
So yes, I can make your wedding look like it belongs on the cover of a magazine—but my real magic is in making sure you actually enjoy it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Teshika Burnside, Founder and Lead Planner of Chic Soirées Weddings & Events—an Atlanta-based wedding and event planning company with roots in Baltimore. I create beautiful, intentional, and stress-free celebrations that feel like they were made just for you.
My journey began over a decade ago, planning milestone events for friends and family. That passion turned into a business built on creativity, organization, and connection. I work with couples, venues, and organizations to design events that are as seamless behind the scenes as they are stunning in person.
Sustainability is woven into everything I do—from partnering with eco-conscious vendors to repurposing décor and minimizing waste—because I believe beauty should never come at the cost of the planet.
What makes Chic Soirées unique is that I don’t just plan events—I craft experiences that tell a story. I blend my love for hospitality with proven systems that keep my clients organized and confident from day one, so they can be fully present and enjoy every moment.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For me, it’s the ‘do-it-all-myself’ mindset. In the early days of my business, wearing every hat was necessary—I was the planner, the designer, the marketer, the admin, and sometimes even the cleanup crew. But that version of me has served its purpose.
Now, I’m learning to release control in the best way possible—by trusting systems, processes, and the right people to help carry the vision forward. Letting go of the need to be everywhere and do everything frees me up to focus on the parts of the business that light me up: designing experiences, nurturing client relationships, and creating moments people will never forget.
It’s a lesson in trust, delegation, and making space for growth—because even the ‘hostess with the mostest’ deserves a seat at her own table.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of not being ‘enough’—not talented enough, not connected enough, not experienced enough—used to live rent-free in my head. In this industry, it’s easy to compare yourself to planners with huge teams, massive budgets, or picture-perfect Instagram feeds and think, ‘Who am I to play in this league?’
That fear kept me playing small for a long time. I’d hesitate to pitch big ideas, go after dream clients, or take up space in rooms where I absolutely belonged.
What changed was realizing that my unique voice, my creativity, and the way I care for people are my superpowers—and no one else can do it exactly like me. Once I embraced that, the fear lost its grip. Now I walk into every event knowing I am enough, and that confidence shows in the experiences I create.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely heavily on the ideas of my clients and my creative partners. My clients bring the vision—their personalities, cultures, and love stories are the heartbeat of every event. My vendors and creative partners bring the expertise—florists, caterers, photographers, and designers who know their craft inside and out.
I see my role as the conductor of an orchestra: I may guide the flow, but the brilliance comes from each person playing their part. The best ideas are often born in those collaborative moments where someone says, ‘What if we tried this?’ and suddenly we’ve created something no one’s seen before.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say, ‘She made everyone feel celebrated.’ That I wasn’t just a planner who created beautiful events, but a person who made you feel seen, valued, and cared for—whether you were my client, a guest, or a stranger sitting next to me at brunch.
I want my story to be about more than the parties I planned. I want it to be about the joy I sparked, the communities I built, and the way I showed up for people in both big and small moments. If they say, ‘She made life feel like a celebration,’ then I’ll know I did it right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chicsoirees.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicsoirees
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicsoirees
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicSoirees
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chic.soirees
Image Credits
Alina Stepanenko
Tonia Diaz
