My Wedding Planner

24/07/2024

Three cheers to day. Not all parents are supportive - your cheerleaders, your support system, and your confidant - especially during the planning process. And sometimes, our parents are taken from us far too soon.
On this National holiday - we support and celebrate the wonderful parents we've had the pleasure to work with (like this sweet couple) - we've been lucky with some amazingly wonderful parents (of our clients) over the years. Cheers to all of you!
Photo by Kate Phelps Photography

22/07/2024

A little client love on this Monday morning!
We loved working with Susan, Jenn, and Matt on their intimate backyard wedding in late June. It may have been the hottest day of the Summer, but it was the perfect celebration of all the things that made them the perfect couple.
Thanks for the love, Susan!

15/07/2024

A personal touch.
Your wedding should be about, well... YOU. This seems like a "duh" moment, but we spend a lot of time reminding clients that their wedding is about them, and to make decisions accordingly. As such, we LOVE when a couple incorporates personal touches into their day. What does this look like?
- branded items (your logo, icon, monogram, initials, etc.)
- your favorite things (foods, cocktails, music)
- custom anything (jackets with your wedding date on the inseam, branded beer with your wedding date, custom embroidered napkins at the reception - the list goes on!)
- guest-involved activities (wine bottles for each table, which matches each year you've been married - have the guests write notes which you can read each year when you open the wine!)
- favors (we LOVE when a favor ties into the couple and their favorite things. Give them treats from your hometown, a special blend of honey you made together, your favorite baking spices, a custom beer - the sky is the limit!)
- and one of our favorites.... if you have a pet - their face or name goes on EVERYTHING!
What ways are you incorporating personal touches into your special day? Tell us in the comments!
Photo by

10/07/2024

Vendor Spotlight: DARAE & FRIENDS CATERING 👩‍🍳 🥘

DaRae & Friends Catering not only has delicious food, they have a wonderfully delightful team. They can create any menu or meal service - and they make it magical. We love working with them because they are flexible and they aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when events or timelines shift (which happens a lot in our industry).

If you are looking for a catering partner for your next event, give their team a call!

08/07/2024

Wedding Anniversary Celebration.
We had the pleasure of helping celebrate FIFTY YEARS for Ray and Donna in early June. Their celebration was perfect, and included small touches from their wedding like colors, some flowers from the original wedding, and Donna brought her wedding dress and other memorabilia from the special day.
It's not every day you get to celebrate 50 years of marriage - this was extra sweet!
VENDOR LOVE:
Extended Stave Events
With My Whole Heart Photography
Dadgum Sweets Bakery
Stems LLC.
The Cookie Social

26/06/2024

Insurance.
Make sure wedding day is easy breezy.... and cover yourself, just in case it's not. Yep, we are talking about insurance. It's not sexy like photography or signature cocktails - and it's not fun like song choices and cake design. BUT - insurance is a necessary part of planning your wedding (or any event, really).
Why? Let us tell you a story about a wedding on a horse farm with a table made from a 100 year old tree from that same farm. A guest accidentally leaned into the table and it crashed to the floor - a very expensive fix. Who did this repair cost fall on? The client.
Or, how about the time a vendor (who wasn't insured) accidentally dropped some sheers on a glass floor - which shattered and had to be replaced? That $20k+ repair.... it fell on the client.
So how do you prevent this? Two answers:
1. Hire vendors who are insured, and ask for a copy of this insurance. Make sure that it is the correct coverage for the type of service/event they are providing. Make sure the dates are valid for your event date, and that the coverage limits meet the need.
2. Get yourself a day-of insurance policy. This would cover any potential issues from vendors, guests, etc.
Spend a couple hundred dollars on the front end, to save you tens of thousands later. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Unfortunately, you cannot retroactively purchase insurance.
(P.S. - neither of the two stories mentioned above are connected to the client in this photo. )

20/06/2024

Let's raise a glass for the first (official) day of Summer!
Feels like we've been doing this "Summer" thing for years now....but they say today is the first official day.
Looking forward to more Summer cocktails, pops of color, and perfect event weather!
Photo by Rollins Studio // Purdon Rentals // Stems LLC.

13/06/2024

Wedding Day Signage
We've been talking a lot lately with clients about wedding day signage, as we have some weddings coming up in the next few weeks.
We thought it might be helpful to post a blog with a list of common signage, and some notes or tips around each. Check it out!

There are so many directions you can go with wedding day signage - and it can be an overwhelming task. We’ve had a lot of conversations lately about what signage you do or don’t need, how it should look or read, where it should go, and how much of it you should have. We are here to help! We’ve

11/06/2024

Love is All. ❤️🩷🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🩶🤍
We believe that everyone deserves to love and be loved and to be their true selves, always.

Happy Pride Month, y’all. We see you, we support you, we celebrate you. 🌈

05/06/2024

Wedding Tip: Compare apples to apples.
We hear it a lot, "why is this vendor A more expensive than vendor B". The category doesn't matter (venue, catering, entertainment, photo, etc.) - make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at the price.
For example, when comparing caterers (and looking at price) you might ask if both quotes include:
- staffing (and the same number of staff)
- china versus disposables (and glassware, flatware, etc.)
- extra rentals
- the same food (if one is quoting beef tenderloin and the other is quoting chicken... there will be a significant price difference)
- non-alcoholic beverages
- bar

If all of these areas are equally included on both quotes, you might ask both caterers about the specifics. Without providing the competitors quote - you might ask "Why are you so much less expensive?". I'd be equally as curious about a really low quote as I would a high one. After that, it comes down to quality, experience, and service. That's not to say that the highest priced vendor is always the best - but there is something to be considered when it comes to experience, quality, etc.
Have more questions about comparing vendors? Shoot us a DM! We are happy to provide some guidance on comparing vendors/quotes - at no charge!
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30/05/2024

The Night Before.
The night before load in looks a little different for us than it does you. While you are gathering with family and friends, putting the finishing touches on your hair, outfits, and guest gifts - we are pouring over all of the details with a fine-tooth comb.
- Load in details / times / instructions
- The overall timeline
- Decor details and notes
- What equipment do we need to check and re-check (like, how is that sign being hung on that thing and is a ladder needed and where is that coming from)
- Who are the "problem people" and who can we lean on if we need guest help or have questions for the family
And so much more. The list of questions we cycle through in our head changes from event to event, depending on the details. But the process the night-before looks the same. We review, and review again - we talk through it with our team, and review one more time. We've planned, we've anticipated - but it doesn't hurt to have one final check.
So before anything gets loaded in, you can bet that we've walked through every step on your behalf before the "big day" ever arrives. But that's why you've hired us, after all. To make sure it all runs smoothly and that we have a back up plan (and a back-up for the back-up), just in case.

Cocktail sign design by Wild Joy Studios

28/05/2024

Emily + Thomas
There are no words needed. This is the second wedding we'd been a part of for the S family, and we are so honored they called! E+T (and momma LE) were so wonderful to work with and the day was just perfect (including the weather!!) . Plus, we love the clean, soft, elegant look of these details. Swoon!
VENDOR LOVE:
Kate Phelps Photography
Cathedral of Christ the King (ceremony)
The Signature Club of Lansdowne (reception)
Malone's Prime Events & Receptions (rehearsal dinner)
Stello Studios
DaRae & Friends Catering
Stems LLC.
Nadia's Elegant Events
Cakes by Bebe
Gold Shield Limos
Boogie G and the Titanics
Hair By Maddie Woff
Beauty Lou
Paper designed by the bride

17/05/2024

Three cheers for ! We have a seriously wonderful "baking" community in and they make events so much sweeter!
Shout out to some of the bakers & sweets makers we work with often (but certainly not an exhaustive list). What local sweets makers do you just LOVE? Tell us in the comments!
- Batter & Buttercream (RICH)
- Busken Bakery (NKY/CIN)
- Bourbon Bonbons (LOU)
- Cakes by Bebe (NIC)
- The Cookie Social (LEX)
- Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream (LEX)
- Graeter's Ice Cream (LEX / LOU )
- La Petite Delicat (LEX)
- Martine's Pastries (LEX)
- MERTS CAKES (LOU)
- Plehn's Bakery (LOU)
- Sorella Gelateria (LEX)
- Sweetsbymillie (LOU)
- Tinker's Cake Shop (LEX)
- The Comfy Cow (LOU)
- Wiltshire Pantry Bakery and Café - Highlands (LOU)

06/05/2024

What if it rains?
We don't like to say the "r" word around here.... but we wouldn't be good at our jobs if we didn't have a plan B (and sometimes a plan C and D......).
So what do we do if it rains? First - don't panic. Second - plan in advance. You should always think through (in advance of wedding day)
- The Back Up Plan. Where are you moving things? How will you adjust? When will you make the call?
- Communication Pla n. How will you communicate to guests and vendors of the change? A plan should be in place to send out communication if they location changes, the details change, or if there is information guests need to know.
- Financial Plan. Between insurance, reserve funds, and more - you should have a plan in place to be proactive in adjusting for the back up plan. This way there aren't any surprises and you can reduce stress when it comes to adjusting in real time.

And, as always - it helps to have a planner. They can not only help plan for this in advance, but who can help facilitate these changes in real time on your behalf.

01/05/2024

We've been nominated for "best wedding planner" via Kentucky Event Company - Lexington Event Company . You can vote! Once a day, now through May 10th, you van visit the link below, go to the "services" tab and vote for us!
Thank you to those who nominated us! https://www.votelexington.com/

30/04/2024

Yes, please! We are on board for most of these 2024 trends, released by The Knot .
What are your favorites?!

Don't take our word for it, just take notes.

29/04/2024

That 30-day feeling! 🩵🤍🩶
Messages like this make us love our jobs even more than normal! We can't wait to celebrate K&D's perfect day in May!

24/04/2024

Buffer time.
We spend the last few months before a wedding honing in on the timeline for the day. It's an interesting task - we try to have every detail lined out, but also know that on event day - things can (and will) change on a dime, so we must be flexible.
We like to laugh that we must be the most uptight, laid-back people in the room. How can we accomplish this, when every minute counts? Buffer time.
There are so many places where buffer time can be added:
- hair/makeup (if applicable)
- pre-ceremony photos
- formalities
- meal service

and more.

Why would we add this? To prevent things from running behind. When you add buffer time in the ROS, you give yourself a cushion and in turn it provides the ability to stay on track. And, if you don't need the buffer time? You just move things up.
What tricks have you found that help you keep things on track?

22/04/2024

On this we celebrate sustainable wedding trends!
We think all events and event producers should be earth-conscious when planning, designing, and executing weddings and wedding related events. There are so many ways to do this.... but here are a few of our favorites:

- evergreen es**rt cards - potted plants (like these mini succulents) double as an es**rt card and a gift/favor for guests to take home. Bonus points: print the name and table number on seed paper that can be planted and grown into flowers.

- re-useable items - including re-useable or recyclable items instead of single-use plastics (such as plates, cups, etc.) helps minimize waste and items sent to the landfill. There are some beautiful compostable and recycled options available these days - especially if china isn't in the budget or feasible for your venue or event type.

- favors - limit single-use items for guest favors, and instead use items that can be re-used or consumed. We also think this adds a special touch to the wedding, as it is an easy place to incorporate a nod to the couple and their families.

- limit food waste - being mindful of ordering and portions to ensure there is minimal food waste. If excess food is unavoidable, try partnering with a local organization to "rescue" the food, allowing it to be given to those with food insecurities.

This is a short list, and certainly not exhaustive. What are your favorite ways to incorporate sustainable practices with event/wedding planning?

08/04/2024

Content creators at a wedding - what is your stance?
We have some thoughts on our blog...... and I bet it's not what you're thinking! (Link below for the post)

Hear us out. A “content creator” or a “creator of memories”. It doesn’t have to mean paying a bunch of money to have someone follow you around and create reels from your big day…..but it could. It could also be assigning a close friend to use your phone for photos and videos and behind-t...

01/04/2024

OOO
Our team is OOO this week as we rest and recharge to gear up for the official wedding season! Emails will be monitored for emergencies, and current clients can message via their client portal. All other emails will be answered upon return to the office, 4.8.24.

29/03/2024

Happy National "Mom & Pop Business" Day!
Did you know..... most wedding vendors are small, family-owned / operated businesses? They don't often have massive teams of 100+ people - they work crazy hours for their small business to create magic for your event because it's what they love! Most of them quit a 40~ hour a week job, and now work an 80+ hour a week job.... and they wouldn't go back!
Supporting small "mom and pop" wedding businesses sends kids to college, creates a livelihood for their families, and allows them to build a life they love.
Thank you, for supporting small biz!
Photo by Scott Hayes Productions / Glass by The Crazy Bunny Lady

25/03/2024

Wedding Tip #2: Start with the venue, but remember..... there's more.
This means more than just "book your venue first". That is of course the first step, yes. But when booking your venue, you need to consider more than just the venue rental costs. What other expenses are incurred by booking this venue? Things to consider:

- what other fees are required that aren't included in the venue rental? Staffing, cleaning, security, service fees, admin fees, etc. - these all contribute to the actual, total cost.
- what is included? If you need to rent tables, chairs, linens, etc. in addition to the venue rental fee, that estimated cost needs to be included in your venue rental total.
- what is required? Are there vendors you are required to work with? If yes, you'll need to get estimates from those folks before signing on the dotted line.

You should not - we repeat, NOT spend the bulk of your budget on your venue. There are a LOT of other things to consider in the budget, and if you use it all on the location, you'll be scrapping for the rest. It does not make for a fun planning experience, trust us. What else should be considered?

- Food & Beverage
- Bar
- Desserts
- Florals
- Other Decor
- Insurance
- Printables (invitations, signage, day-of printing, etc.)
- Hair & Makeup
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Overnight Accommodations
- Officiant
- Ceremony Location (if different than the reception)
- Transportation
- Attire
- Entertainment
- Photo & Video
- Wedding Planner / Coordinator
- Ceremony Music & PA
- Miscellaneous Items

19/03/2024

Happy first day of Spring!
We are excited to kick off our season in a couple of weeks - these warmer temps are getting us in .... and so are these muted yellow roses!
Photo: Keith & Melissa Photography
Flowers: Fields in Bloom

18/03/2024

T+J were the sweetest and we truly loved working with them to plan their wedding. We only wish they lived closer so we could still hang with them!
[Full review: "We live out of state while my wife and her family are from Kentucky so we wanted to have our wedding there. Being out of state we knew having a coordinator would be extra helpful.
Finding Kaelyn and the My Wedding Planner team was a lifesaver! We sought Kaelyn's help initially for feasibility, and that experience went so well we knew we wanted to work with her for full coordinating services.
About halfway through our planning, my wife's mother was diagnosed with cancer that changed our lives and of course our wedding plans as well. Kaelyn didn't blink an eye, and went above and beyond to help advise us during an incredibly difficult time and pivoted plans brilliantly.
Kaelyn was so supportive during all this, I don't know how we would have gotten through the planning during this incredibly emotional time. Kaelyn and her team helped us achieve a wedding that was perfectly us, with unique requests and tastes.
We are so, so grateful to have found Kaelyn and her team. When we said goodbye at the end of our reception, the first thought we had was that we were going to miss our check-ins with Kaelyn because we just enjoyed her so much."]

15/03/2024

Vendor Spotlight: M U S T A R D S E E D H I L L 🏠
This venue has multiple spaces, stunning backdrops, and flexibility. Bonus: overnight rooms! The folks from have spent the last few years putting all the love into this venue, and it is perfect!
Ceremony could be in the front paddock,the grassy area to the right, or inside the house. Cocktail hour is perfect in the house and the beautiful brick porch on the back. Reception easily flows into the tent on the back of the house. Go check it out!

14/03/2024

Happy Pi Day, y'all!
Things we love: a pie bar at a wedding. Pie, ice cream, and other mini desserts are a great alternative for those who don't love cake.
You don't need a reason to have some pie, though. Enjoy a slice or a jar today to celebrate

11/03/2024

Plated Salad.
Hear us out. There are SO many "pros" to a plated salad, and very few cons. We are BIG fans of a plated salad, and here are a few reasons why:
- They look great on the table. It "finishes" the place setting, in our minds.
- It gives guests something to do / eat while they wait for the entree.
- Faster speed of service - it's one less course to serve.
- It gets guests to sit down. If you're needing everyone to be seated, giving them something to eat is a great way to do so!
Are you team plated salad?! For or against?! Tell us in the comments!

07/03/2024

Spring is here.... or mostly here!
These photos from a brunch shoot at Mustard Seed Hill get us so excited for those rich colors, floral notes, and all the fruity desserts coming our way.

05/03/2024

Custom Beer.
We loved working with Mirror Twin Brewing Co to create this custom canned beer, and two custom draft brews for Emily & James' wedding at Mustard Seed Hill.
This brew - named for their dog, Rye - was the perfect blend of the couple and their favorite things. Even better, it could be consumed during the event (via draft) but the cans doubled as favors and were sent home with guests. (Can design by Connor Query Art )