If you are planning a Virginia wedding, finding the right Southwest Virginia wedding planner is the first step! There are SO many incredibly talented Virginia wedding planners, so I thought it would be fun to feature some of the best here on the KWP blog! Meet Kayla with August & Ivory: Southwest Virginia wedding planner. When she’s not working, you might find Kayla getting a facial, watching a rom com, or shopping (obviously we need to be bffs). Let’s get to know her!!
Describe your dream wedding day:
I have fallen completely head over heels for Charleston, SC in recent years, so my dream wedding would be there. It would be at a plantation with live oak trees and Spanish moss everywhere. Very light and airy with a pastel color scheme and florals arrangements galore. Southern, elegant, and timeless.
What makes a dream client for you?
A dream client for me is a client with an open mind, but very clear on what they want. They don’t need to be very organized and have everything figured out (that’s where I come in), but it’s great when they have a clear vision and allow me to execute that vision. I love when my clients just want to have fun through the process and let themselves soak in what a special time it is.
What is the most popular service you offer?
A very popular service I offer is Day-Off Coordination. This is for clients that aren’t in need of full or partial service planning, but need someone on-site on the wedding day directing vendors, guests, wedding party, family, etc., setting up and taking down decor, executing the ceremony/reception, and being the official go-to that day.
How many weddings do you take on per year? How far outside of your location do you serve?
I am still growing, so right now I take on as many weddings that I can physically handle (as long as I have the availability). I typically service the SWVA, Southern WV, and Eastern TN regions, but I am absolutely open to travel farther if the opportunity arises.
Do you specialize in any particular type of weddings?
Nope! Any and everything! I love taking on new challenges and experiences, so I am open to weddings of all kinds.
Do you offer any services outside of full planning?
I offer Day-Of Coordination services and Partial-Service planning. Partial-Service planning includes everything within the Day-Of Coordination bundle, in addition to vendor correspondence start to finish, and decor planning, budgeting, purchasing and management.
Do you offer services on non-wedding days?
Yes! A close second favorite of mine to weddings are bridal showers. I am absolutely open to planning showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties, etc. I also offer decor services for homes, businesses, etc.
What are your top 3 favorite venues and why?
That’s tough because I have enjoyed each venue that I have worked with. I would say my top three are The Virginian and The Bristol Train Station, both in Bristol, VA, and the Crooked River in Hiltons, VA. The staff and owners at each were wonderful and so incredibly helpful, and each venue is absolutely stunning.
What would your advice be to brides who don’t currently have a planner?
My advice to brides without planners is that you don’t realize it now because you haven’t gone through it yet, but there are a million little details you aren’t thinking about and won’t think about until it’s too late. Things are going to go wrong. Balls will be dropped. You only have so much capacity to remember everything and while you can delegate to family and your wedding party, the truth is, you get the best out of the experience when you, your family and your friends can relax and just take in what a special day this will be. Would you rather be getting ready in a gorgeous bridal suite, drinking a mimosa in the cutest pajamas, laughing and listening to music surrounded by your favorite women in the entire world thinking about how lucky you are in this moment, OR, running around in full panic mode looking like a crazy lady until the last possible second? Imagine looking back on your wedding planning process and your wedding day thinking, “wow, I was a tense ball of stress the entire time and hated every second of that.” That’s a no from me dog. Get a planner, and at the VERY least, a day-of coordinator. I know a girl.
Why did you decide to be a wedding planner?
I was introduced to this industry through my very own wedding. I went to college, got a business degree, and have been working in HR since 2016. When I began planning my own wedding in 2017, I realized what a blast it was and how it perfectly combined two of my favorites – spreadsheets and pretty things. I unofficially planned and coordinated weddings for family and friends until 2021, when I made the decision to face my fears and get this thing off the ground. It’s been one of the best decisions and so incredibly fulfilling.
What is your favorite part about wedding planning?
My absolute favorite part is the moment my brides walk through the doors of their ceremony and start down the aisle at the perfect time. There is no better feeling than executing a ceremony entrance flawlessly. Everything the couple and I have worked for all leads to that moment, and it is pure magic.
I also love just getting to know new couples and their families, making friends out of the process.
#1 piece of advice for current brides wedding planning:
Let go and let others help you. I was the bride that internalized my stress and wouldn’t let go of control, and trust me, that is good for no one.
Favorite current wedding trend:
I have so much fun with new wedding trends so picking one is so difficult. I think grandmothers for flower girls is the sweetest thing I’ve seen yet. I also LOVE a last dance after guests leave the reception.
This might not necessarily be a trend, because I think it’s going to be around for a while, but I have so much fun creating Reels and social media content for my business. It adds an entirely new level of creativity to a business and I have a blast with it. I would love to grow in that area and find additional time to devote to that.
Favorite drink:
I love my hazelnut coffees in the morning and a good Coke on ice every once in a while. I’m also a champagne girl, naturally.
Favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I work another full-time job, so there isn’t a ton of extra time, but when I do have free weekends, I love spending them with my dogs, husband, friends and family. I love watching all my guilty pleasure shows – Real Housewives, Southern Charm, the Batchelor, etc. I’m a huge girlie girl so you can also find me getting my nails and hair done, getting a facial, watching a rom com, shopping or redecorating my house.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share, Kayla!!
Brides, are you looking for more wedding inspo? Check these out:
Vintage Inspired Tented Reception
With love,
Katelyn Workman
xoxo,
Katelyn Workman
