CT, NYC + Destination Wedding + Engagement Photographer | Shaina Lee Photography | Rowayton Darien, CT Engagement Session at Farm Creek Nature Preserve | Kate & Company Events

I'm so very excited to be featuring a very special wedding pro in today's Vendor Love series post! Kate of Kate & Co. Events is an event planner and designer based in Westchester County, New York. Not only is she SUPER sweet and so much fun to work with, but she's incredibly talented! I had the pleasure of working with her on a recent engagement session and was blown away by the smallest of details which she thought of and brought to life. Kate focuses her attention on multiple types of events, including weddings, anniversary and birthday parties, and more. I can guarantee that she'll have you laughing and smiling within minutes of meeting her! Without further adieu, I'm happy to introduce you all to Kate!

1. What do you enjoy most about being an event planner & designer?
"There are so very very many things that I love about being a planner and designer! It would be unfair to choose just one, so I'll give you my top tier favorites:
A. I believe we were created for relationships, so what better way to cultivate meaningful relationships than at an intentional, personal and beautiful event?
B. I LOVE love, no matter the form. Whether it's displayed through a wedding celebration, a 50th anniversary or a parent's doting on their baby's first birthday, I want to be right there alongside my clients creating and celebrating their most memorable life moments.
C. I enjoy having clients and new vendor relationships that turn into fast friends. It's true - the "& Company" of Kate & Co. is ever expanding and I couldn't be more thrilled about all the opportunities for new friendships!"

2. What led you to becoming a planner & designer?
"Ever since I was a little girl, I planned tea parties for my Barbies, which evolved into "designing" romantic dinners for my parents. Before I knew it, I was planning masquerades and soirees for all of my closest friends. But a girl has to be practical sometimes, right? So I studied engineering in college, knowing I'd have good chances at landing a stable job after school. I knew there would be a stopping point in my engineering career when I would finally pursue something I loved. I just didn't realize how quickly that time would come! Fast forward through a couple of career years of construction management, soul-searching and being inspired by so many of my creative friends pursuing their dreams, when I had still been planning events as a hobby. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how perfect a fit event planning would be for my left and right brain needs, my extrovertedness and for a really flexible family schedule. It took some number crunching, business planning and a whole lot of husband-convincing, but in the end we decided it was time for me to make the leap!"

3. What attracted you to the wedding industry?
"Honestly, I never thought I would be primarily planning and designing weddings. They're so full of passion, emotion and perfectionism that I was a little intimidated by them! But that's also what drew me so deeply to weddings. As a bride myself a few years ago, I know how intimate they are, how powerful and unlike any other celebration. Plus, I've always turned towards a challenge rather than shied away. I dove right in and have been blessed with absolutely amazing couples that have never once made me doubt my decision to dedicate so much of my company's resources to weddings! As a bonus, I'm a huge proponent of marriage and choosing love, so I get to be part of building up my clients' relationships as they make the most important commitment of their life to get married and celebrate that incredible union."

4. What is your favorite part about working with a couple to plan their wedding?
"This might not technically be a direct answer to this question, but it's definitely a favorite of mine when the groom is actively involved in the wedding planning process. Since traditionally brides are the ones who take the brunt of the wedding planning on themselves, and it's refreshing to me to see a couple working as a team. For one, marriage is all about being a team, compromising and coming out stronger than you could be by yourself! Plus, there are definitely some things that each person will be better at or have more passion about, so it's good for them to take on that responsibility, even during wedding planning!"

5. What (or who) has inspired your creativity?
"Creativity comes from an endless supply of places, but for me it starts with my faith and my family. My husband and I spend a lot of time in nature, hiking, kayaking, gardening and generally just appreciating creation. It is so full of vibrant life, new color palettes, wild florals and stunning textural juxtapositions, which provide a limitless supply of inspiration! Then there's my family who feeds my soul and are all so talented and creative themselves that it constantly rubs off on me!"

6. As an event planner, what is one tip you would give brides for their wedding day?
"My biggest tip is to always remember that the wedding is truly about the union with your partner and the marriage that comes afterwards. Don't ever get too swept up in plans and details that you forget why you have this amazing day to plan for in the first place! If you find yourself becoming too focused on the wedding rather than on building your relationships, take a day or weekend off of planning, go out on a date together and talk about your future and your fondest memories. Take this time to get re-centered! A bonus tip I might add is to set a deadline for yourself one week before the wedding to get all the plans finalized by then. Let yourself have that entire week off before the wedding to relax, de-stress and enjoy everything for more than just the wedding day itself!"

If you haven't already, go ahead and follow Kate on Facebook and Instagram!