The best part about working with Haviland Events was that Kelley knew all the answers to every question I asked. She took charge of planning, made sure we were on track, and managed vendors leading up to the wedding. She is also very down-to-earth, so you feel like you can really be yourself around her. My husband and I felt 100% taken care of from the moment we met Kelley.
Kelley was so organized! She had a Google Doc for everything and always knew exactly where to find the information you're looking for. I still have a copy of all of these, so I can help answer questions from my friends when they're planning small details of their wedding.
One month before the wedding, Kelley took over all communication with vendors. This was a huge help. She fielded questions that I didn't know the answers to and made sure the photographer, venue, etc. all had the correct information. Her taking that communications piece off our plate made it easier and less stressful when we had to complete last-minute tasks before the wedding.
Additionally, throughout the whole process, Kelley was so open and friendly. She encouraged us to ask questions and share any concerns with her. That warm, openness helped us really get everything out on the table. She combatted our problems and assuaged our fears along the planning process. Kelley made sure we didn't feel nervous or stress at any point of the decision-making process.
On the day of the wedding, Kelley stopped by our house where the girls were getting ready on the wedding day to make sure everything was going smoothly. She went over the timeline with us, where I saw the photographer and florist were arriving at the same time. Kelley saw that directing both of them on my own - even though they were both very kind and professional - made me stressed out. She switched her plans around and had her assistant do what Kelley originally had planned on doing at that time so she could be with me. She's able to work on the fly and rearrange things to ensure easy transitions and low stress levels. Kelley was able to direct the photographer, makeup artists, and hairstylists and kindly direct them to work in a way that Kelley knew would fit my and Kyle's styles. She was a calm in the storm of our wedding day, I'll never forget how relieved I felt when she said she'd stay to orchestrate a little bit longer.
Also, a bonus thing she did for us was help me stay cool at the reception. I got really hot while everyone was dancing, and Kelley knew exactly what to do. She suggested that we cut out one of the layers of my dress to make it cooler. I immediately said, "YES PLEASE!" She grabbed some scissors and altered my dress on the spot. The minute she removed that layer, I felt significantly cooler. It did not change how the dress looked, and it helped me enjoy the reception so much more because I wasn't overheating and could dance the night away.
Over and over again, when people ask me and my husband for advice when they plan their wedding, the NUMBER ONE thing we both say is to get a wedding planner. Of course, each venue and place you deal with has a contact person who is in charge of everything, but it is so nice to have someone who can coordinate all of them. Knowing that we could turn to Kelley to ask her anything at any time or ask people to contact her when you weren't sure about something gave Kyle and me a sense of peace and comfort during a wild time. If you have the opportunity and ability to work with Kelley, jump on it. You will have significantly less stressful time planning and carrying out a wedding, and you will have someone you can forever turn to for advice. read more