REAL WEDDINGS, REAL TALK

Carolyn Johnson 6/10/26 Carolyn Johnson 6/10/26

AELO Alumni | Kellie + Drew, 5/2/26 - PHOTOS

What an incredible night. It’s no secret that we love our unconventional weddings, and a couple of cuties getting married at the city’s best dive bar was no exception. Kellie + Drew wanted a casual, fun wedding at their favorite place, and that’s what we delivered. Drew carefully curated their music, the “Pope” officiated, and everyone had a blast. Born to Run, indeed. We love you guys. Congratulations!

Carolyn Johnson 5/20/26 Carolyn Johnson 5/20/26

YOU MUST HIRE CATERING.

What does a serving staff need to take care of when you’re just having food dropped off?

Listen, not to call anyone out, but your wedding planner/coordinator is NOT a caterer. We’re not licensed to deal with food and it’s NOT why you hire a planner.

We totally understand the need to save money. But you’re going to have catering dropped off for nearly two hundred people, you must hire catering and serving staff. There are so many other things we need to be doing while expert caterers are doing their thing.

What does a serving staff need to take care of when you’re just having food dropped off?

-Throwing linens
-Setting cutlery, napkins, flatware, glasses
-Setting up the buffet, including plates and sterno
-Replenishing food, plates, etc.
-Bussing tables
-Cutting cake and serving it
-Setting up dessert and coffee
-Taking out all trash
-Sweeping and mopping per venue instructions

Absolutely none of that is what we do. Please think it through before you decide not to hire an event caterer. We know price tags can be shocking but in the end, you may spend just as much hiring outside staff. Okay? Okay. Thank you.

Carolyn Johnson 5/18/26 Carolyn Johnson 5/18/26

PLEASE be cringe on your wedding day.

What do you mean you don’t want to be open and earnest and deeply in love and goofy on your wedding day!?

What do you mean you don’t want to be open and earnest and deeply in love and goofy on your wedding day!?

Please please please shelve all feelings of “I must be cynical and over it and too good for it” all the time, but especially on your wedding day.

Smile big, laugh out loud, and most of all, be so in love everyone in the room can feel it.

Carolyn Johnson 5/15/26 Carolyn Johnson 5/15/26

What does a Day of Coordinator / Event Manager do?

Let us lead the team you’ve assembled leading up to and on the day of so the that experts you’ve hired can do their jobs.

We are here to take all the stress off your shoulders! Planning your wedding goes well beyond hiring your vendors.

Let us lead the team you’ve assembled leading up to and on the day of so the that experts you’ve hired can:

- focus on their important jobs
- stay on the same page
- eat!
- stay in the moment with you
- not worry about coordinating the whole event (photographers should be focusing on their art, not their watches!)

We also do about a million other things, but leading the vendor team is a big part of our job. And then you get to relax and enjoy your day, your people, and your love.

Carolyn Johnson 5/6/26 Carolyn Johnson 5/6/26

What is the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator?

An Event Coordinator (that’s us) is NOT the same as a venue coordinator! And we LOVE our venue coordinators. But they don’t do what we do. If you want your event to run smoothly without running around yourself, we independent Event Coordinators are what you need. What do we do?

An Event Coordinator (that’s us) is NOT the same as a venue coordinator! And we LOVE our venue coordinators. But they don’t do what we do.

If you want your event to run smoothly without running around yourself, we independent Event Coordinators are what you need.

What’s the difference?

Venue coordinators are in charge of the building—making sure it’s open, making sure everything from the venue is correct. That can include chairs and tables, but not always, lighting, temperature, bathrooms, etc.

What about us? We:

🩷 Lead the vendor team, including the venue coordinator! It’s a collaborative effort.

🩷 Create the full wedding day timeline, from styling to the end of the night

🩷 Contact all of your vendors and are the POC for them, so we’re all on the same page

🩷 Make sure all of your deliveries come correct and fix them if they don’t

🩷 Are a one stop shop for you—ask us anything and we’ll get the answer! You don’t have to wonder who to ask.

🩷 Manage the flow of the day, fix logistical issues, and handle the rare emergency

🩷 Make sure you EAT.

🩷 Make sure that everyone is ready for every event from the ceremony to the family dances to a surprise flash mob

🩷 Set up your personal items and pack them up at the end of the night.

But mostly, we protect your peace, making sure you have little moments to be alone and you stay worry-free and can enjoy the day you’ve been planning for so long