I Do… Weddings

I do...wedding | The Magnolia venue

Q&A with Kenzie Carlson

contact: idoweddings.kenzie@gmail.com

What is the overall experience of working with you like. 

I’ve been working in weddings since April 2017, so I’m newer to this industry, but I’ve done so much in such a short amount of time. I am also 23 years old, meaning I’m right around the age of a lot of my clientele. It makes it easier to keep up with the trends when people are getting engaged around me all the time. I’m constantly in a wedding planning environment. Being in that environment, I also know how much a wedding can cost. I am budget-friendly myself and with the vendors I recommend. I am a very intentional and thorough person. I hate doing things last minute so I always ask a gazillion questions up front so the expectation of everyone is clear throughout your planning process and on your wedding day. I also have a team of coordinators that helps me with so much! They have all worked with and trained under me, so having anyone on our team as your coordinator will be the complete I Do… experience!

What sorts of services do you offer (month-of coordination, full-service planning, or à la carte planning)?

All of the above! I have a Coordinating, Semi Planning or Full Planning package. With any of those, I will be the main point of contact but as the wedding approaches, we will also loop in your day-of coordinator so you’re working with both of us. We have an A La Carte planning menu which brides are welcome to construct a Custom Package. We will always have an initial consultation where I can ask about your vision for your vendors. I will make sure a couple’s package fits their needs.

Do you offer different package options or is everything customized based on what a couple is looking for?

Yes! Like I said above, packages are very customizable. For the most part, a package is going to be cheaper than building one from scratch but you can always add-on or take off little elements of a package to slightly modify the prices if needed.

Do you offer decor to your brides?

Exciting news – we are working on it!! We have started an inventory and plan to offer it to our brides for rental. As of now, the decor is included in the Full Planning prices, but anything can be rented A La Carte with our Coordinating or Semi Planning packages.

What is your favorite part of planning a wedding?  

I love being the vessel to connect brides with the amazing vendors that I work with. When a bride says “Everyone you have recommended has been amazing,” that makes me so happy. I’m also a spreadsheet nerd so being able to check off vendors and items off our to-do list and help the bride with the finishing touches of a wedding is so satisfying. Overall, seeing everything come together and the bride & groom so happy and dressed up is by far the best part that makes all the hard work worth it.

Do you work with a team?

DO I EVER. My girls are literally the best. I have 4 coordinators on my team that could be a bride and groom’s day-of coordinator. One of those coordinators, Allie, also helps with planning. We have divide up weddings so the bulk of the tasks can be split up. If she works as your planner, you may be working with me, Allie, and whoever your day-of coordinator is. It may seem a little overwhelming to have so many people involved, but if anything, that just means you have more people to confirm details and not just one person getting overwhelmed with too much work. We all communicate constantly so we all stay on the same page about details.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMMUNICATION STYLE/PROCESS IN INTERACTING WITH COUPLES THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS

We will always start with an initial consultation before you book. We will go over your vision for your day and I’ll recommend a package or two for you and give you a quote. I’ll send over a contract and wait for you to book. Once you book, we get to work. We will send over documents via Google Docs so they’re interactive for anyone who needs to work on them. We will then start recommending and researching vendors for you until the month before the wedding. We’ll finalize all the details, send them to vendors, then wait for the big day! I’ve heard of some planners limiting the communication with a bride, but I’m not like that. Everyone of my brides can think of me more as their “friend who’s a wedding planner” than just “the wedding planner.” My phone and email are always open for any questions or random trains of thoughts. My responses may be slow at times, but I will always reply as soon as I can!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ABOUT YOUR PLANNING SERVICES!

Part of why my prices are a little bit cheaper is because while I consider running a small business a full-time job, I am also a full-time grad student at UT. That’s why I have enlisted a team, so my brides are well-taken care of even on a week where I have exams or a lot of school work. We are fully committed to making your wedding day amazing but I am also committed to finishing my degree so I will have to balance! BUT since I have a team and based on testimonials from past brides, it’s never been an issue in the past because we’ve gotten a system!

Covered Patio

We see most of our couples utilize the covered patio space for cocktail hour following their ceremony. It’s a great spot to set up cocktail tables, or even beautiful lounge furniture to give your guest a relaxing place to hang between your ceremony and reception. The other great thing about this covered space is that it gives our couples an additional backup rain plan for smaller groups! 

Knoll

We have created our semi-private knoll area to make for the most breathtaking photo spot. Where the natural wooded trees and mossy rocks meet the spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains.

Bridal Suite

Enjoy your morning getting ready with your best friends in our elegant bridal suite. Equipped with your own private deck, vanities for getting ready, and a place to soak up the views of the Smoky Mountains. 

Grand Hall

Give yourself, and your guests, a night to remember with great food, dancing and fun in our amazing indoor/outdoor reception hall. Here’s a peek at our beautiful reception hall here in the Smoky Mountains.

Patio

Getting married in the Smokies? You won’t find a better view of the mountains for your wedding here in Pigeon Forge. Scroll through our  images below to see the amazing views from our outdoor patio space. Overlooking Mt LeCounte, our patio is the perfect place to say “I Do!”