I am a big fan of being as efficient as possible so we are excited about the software and training we are working on to better our processes.

Kelsey Connor

Owner/Lead Planner

Location: Memphis, TN

We are a full-service wedding planning, design, and floral company. We are about 4 years old and have grown to 3 planners doing about 50-60 events a year. When it comes to planning your party, designing your flowers, creating a custom installation, or managing your wedding, we will pull design inspiration from your passions. We love creating slightly unorthodox, yet timeless celebrations that are as approachable as they are elegant. We are planners for the new fashion bride.

Building from a background of project management, interior decorating, and event planning in the Memphis area, we want to harness the things that make you unique and mold it into an occasion that expresses your personality in a classic and romantic way.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?

This COVID-19 outbreak has definitely been one for the books. We are postponing as many couples as we can and working with the ones that needed to get legally married to get that arranged. It has been really awesome seeing the community come together and help everyone out.

What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?

I love the cocktail receptions, the really laid back ones that have soft seating and it just makes you want to relax and stay awhile.

I also love and I’m a big fan of experiences whether it is a photo booth, Santa at Christmas, or Elvis crashing your reception. It is always fun to see the personal touches people incorporate.

What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?

Definitely cut your guest list as much as possible. Focus on a few statement pieces such as food or a floral display and save where you can.

If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?

I would love to do an over the top wedding in the UK. I would lose it for a castle wedding in a beautiful garden. I am such a sucker for hats and the fact that it’s basically required for weddings makes me so happy.

How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?

It is imperative to build great vendor relationships! We always try to go above and beyond to make sure our vendors are taken care of throughout the process and on the wedding day!

What advice would you give someone who needs to plan a fundraiser but isn’t sure where to start?

Events are always a great way to benefit fundraising. Auctions and galas are great, pro bono speakers that pull in donations. It will totally depend on your fundraiser to determine the best course of action.

What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?

We are working on a lot of technological developments for our company. I am a big fan of being as efficient as possible so we are excited about the software and training we are working on to better our processes.

What inspired you to launch your own company in the event industry? How long did it take from initially having the idea to setting up and starting to attract a client base?

I always knew I wanted my own company. Events fell into my lap when I was in high school and I have never looked back.

I planned and coordinated events for other companies for about 5 years and it took probably 2-3 years to pull everything together with my business and get it officially launched. We have been in business for 5 years now but it took a minute to get it going.

What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
Wow, the first real one I remember was a destination wedding. It was very DIY. I ended up dropping my phone in a flower bucket full of water, it died and I had to drive home without a GPS. But the wedding was definitely one of my favorites, and it went really well thankfully. And I was so thankful for that sweet family believing in me.

What are some things you wished you knew before starting your businesses?

What I was getting myself into basically. It was a lot of time, money, heartache, and trial and error to get where we are today. I wouldn’t trade it for anything but my advice would be to be prepared for the journey.

What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?

We get a lot of nontraditional brides so I don’t consider much surprising. But my favorite was a bride that had a 3 ft wedding cake that looked like baby Groot. Oh, we pulled it off – it was amazing.

We had a bride that wanted a polka dance, we made that happen. We had a money bouquet made for the bouquet toss, that was fun.

We thrive with unconventional wedding details!

Kelsey Connor
Author: Kelsey Connor

Share on Twitter:

Facebook
LinkedIn