When you hear the word wedding, your mind might automatically think of the bride and groom and maybe even the stunning photos and videos that seem to go hand-in-hand with that special day. Though we don’t blame you for falling in love with glitz and glam, the individuals who actually help plan, design and coordinate a wedding’s execution often go unnoticed.
To get an inside look at the work these unspoken heroes do, we’re kicking off a vendor interview series that details the magic and lengths planners go through to ensure their clients have a positive and memorable experience. Today, we’re speaking with Chicago-based Kia Marie Events for an industry insider scoop on her wedding planning process while she walks around town with Kendra Lynece Photography.
Kia Marie Events Shares Her Wedding Planning Secrets
Tell us about a time you had to deal with a last-minute change or unexpected situation.
Oh, wow, ok. So, there was a time when a bridesmaid was late getting to the hotel and the makeup artist refused to do her makeup. She was only about 10 minutes late but the makeup artist had another appointment. We handled it accordingly. Our focus was to make sure the bridesmaid’s makeup was done professionally and the bride never found out about it.
How do you keep your event budgets on track?
I talk about budgets and money a lot with my clients. We go over the budget often to make sure we are not overspending.
What strategies do you use for dealing with event stress?
For myself, lots of prayer and spa days. For my clients, I’m usually their therapist. I can generally anticipate when that time is coming depending on the type of event. With weddings, it often happens with family and friends causing stress for the bride and groom, so I may send a box of their favorite snacks to try and help the situation.
How do you keep up to date with industry trends and what are you watching out for?
Social media helps us keep up with trends, but Kia Marie Events is not into that. We are about creating gorgeously styled events and amazing experiences that last a lifetime. I’m watching out for amazing food displays because food is a big deal at any event.
How would you describe your brand and wedding planning experience?
Kia Marie Events is a brand that’s focused on modernism, minimalism and femininity. We focus on clean designs. Our planning experience is something we pride ourselves on. Each client is different, but our process fits all client needs. We adjust where needed.
What advice would give brides planning their wedding?
My number one piece of advice is to research. You need to research how much a wedding typically costs and be comfortable setting a realistic budget.
To learn more about Kia and her business, you can visit her site at Kia Marie Events. If you’d like to have your experience as a wedding planner highlighted, you can contact us at [email protected].
Sources
Kendra Lynece Photography|Photo by Natasha Fernandez from Pexels
