I saw my first wedding when I was 17. I had just gotten a job with a catering company, and my first big event was a wedding. I will never forget the hustle and bustle, the attention to detail, the beautiful décor set up, and the fast paced “go, go, go” attitude of everyone working the event. I was in awe. Everyone was moving in sync as the bride made her way down the aisle, and I couldn’t help but shed a tear because she was just that beautiful. My boss told me to cut it out and get back to slicing lemons-and that is when I knew I was meant to be in the wedding industry. Since then, I have had my hand in about 500 weddings-and I have cried at every single one of them. Yep, every single wedding I work I get emotional at one point or another. Sometimes it is when the bride gets in her dress, or when the couple does their first look, or during a father daughter dance. Sometimes it is mid-ceremony, as the couple is leaving, during a pre-wedding meeting or during toasts. But only one wedding has made me ugly cry, and only one wedding has led me to cry in my car on my drive home after it was over. That is how I knew I had just executed my favorite wedding.
I first got in contact with Vianna and Danny from Facebook, she had seen my work and sent me a message. Within 2 hours we had emailed, hopped on a phone call, and had a contract signed. They had been together close to 10 years, were high school sweethearts, and were ready to get married! Their love was so evident, and every decision they made, it was clear that I was helping to plan the party of the year. We just clicked, and our styles totally meshed. Anytime she would send me a Pintrest post, a photo idea, or a color pallet, I would be in love. From her moody florals, her dress, makeup and hair, to the rustic wooden touches through out the room, everything was perfect. Her bridesmaids all wore the same color, but they wore dress styles that best flattered them. They had a donut wall, killer food, and of course-an open bar with perfectly personal signature drinks. Personalized shot glasses were favors, and their music choices were so perfectly them. Her cousin officiated the ceremony and knocked it out of the park. She picked vendors that fit her style, and we all worked amazingly together. Throughout our planning meetings, I felt like I was chatting with an old friend.
Weddings are an incredibly personal event, filled with unique family dynamics, relationships, and a lot of feelings. It’s an emotional day for not just the bride and groom, but their whole family. For the 48 hours of their wedding weekend, I felt like I was a part of the family. At the end of the night, Vianna and I looked like crazy people crying in the lobby of her gorgeous venue. We had grown so close-planning the biggest event of her life, and it was over. All the texts, floral revisions, vendor referrals, seating chart freak outs--over. Her day was perfect.
Looking back, maybe it wasn’t the florals, or her color palate that made me fall in love with her wedding. It was the fact that two kick ass people got married and allowed me to be a part of the biggest day of their lives. Weddings are tough, but if you surround yourself with a killer team—you can make an unbelievable day. Vianna and Danny’ wedding was my favorite to date, but I am eager to see if anyone can top it!
Kendalyn is a wedding coordinator based in Ventura, California-but loves to travel! www.kendalyngraysonevents.com