Exceptional Weddings: A Conversation with Tom Kehoe

Event Design and Décor Company in Chicago - Kehoe Designs

Do you have a personal technique for getting to know a couple as you go through the design process, in order to ensure every detail connects to the couple’s narrative?

My goal is to make our first meeting fun – and NOT to feel like a meeting! I hope to create a natural interaction – getting the couple to feel both excited and at ease so they share more effortlessly and honestly. We cover the basics, but I want to know: what do you enjoy doing together? How is your home decorated? And importantly, how do you like to entertain together? I get a feel for their dynamic by seeing the ways they interact – these learnings allow me to genuinely present their special moment to the rest of their world.

What is your favorite way to transform a space which is frequently used for similar events, giving it immediate recognition as a Kehoe Designs event?

The truth is – I never want someone to walk into an event and recognize Kehoe Designs! What I aim for is personalizing my clients’ event from every detail to the overall feeling so that when their guests enter the space, their immediate reaction is, “this is SO them.” I design the event to reflect the couple, so that even a space as large as a ballroom feels like they are still hosting their guests in a way that is consistent with their personal style. Once guests feel enveloped in that sentiment, then they want to know, “who did this?” – that’s the impression I hope to leave. Working in events, you do see a lot of venues repeatedly. My approach to this is looking at it with new eyes every time – and not my own, but from the POV of my clients. What made them choose this space, and how do we enhance those aspects, even before we consider changing anything? I want to highlight what appeals to them, and that’s what makes something feel new.

What role do you see technology playing in the future of wedding design, and how are Kehoe Designs and BlackOak Technical Productions embracing these innovations?

In both design and onsite, technology changes as fast as the tastes of the people working with it. Technology is vital these days, but you have to pair it with the human side of design - twining them both together can deliver results greater than the sum of its parts, so we foster an experimental attitude when it comes to tech. Beyond that, the actual pieces we use onsite grow in subtlety and complexity every month it seems - if you want to deliver the highest quality, and be adaptable to your clients’ needs, you need to stay ahead of the curve.

As an industry leader in wedding design, how do you stay ahead of trends while maintaining a timeless aesthetic for your clients?

Staying constantly curious so you know what’s going on and can be knowledgeable is so important – but trends are never something I force during the process. It’s a key part of our role to be able to share trends and cool ideas – whether that’s a seating configuration, cake presentation, or general ways to evolve the traditional concept of a wedding – but then I really gauge their reaction in determining if and how to proceed. I’m never pushing a trend unless it truly aligns with and moves the couple.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to bring to the wedding design industry in the next five years?

The heart of a wedding brings two people, two families, together - uniting in love and hope for a lifetime of memories. That will never change, but as technology evolves the landscape, the emotional aspect will play a larger role than in the past. In line with the idea of truly fitting the concept of a wedding to the couples’ story, I envision experiencing weddings in unique locations such as an airport where the two loves met, for example – and blending it with design, food and entertainment. I do feel sustainability practices and being good to the world are important to our clients and will allow our dedicated team of artisans to think out of the box. I anticipate floral being larger than life, particularly with the incorporation of 3D modeling, projection mapping and truly designing an immersive and personalized wedding experience. Kehoe Designs inspires clients to push the boundaries of what’s possible, while still maintaining the artistry and human touch that makes weddings so special. Who doesn’t love a happy ending!

CONTACT INFO: [email protected] | www.kehoedesigns.com | 312.421.0030 | @kehoedesigns