Hey guys! I’m Kelsey Hollinger – owner and founder of Hollihock Event Planning and Coordination. I am so excited to start my journey as an event planner and coordinator for all your wedding and social events. My introduction and love for event planning started with my mama. She was the go-to gal for hosting family events, and would always put on the best parties. She is a creative woman that has great taste in all things related to design. I can’t forget to mention that she also is a FANTASTIC cook. I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “like mother like daughter.” It turned out to be true for me. I aspired to be just like her, and learn all that I could.
Early on, I came to realize I enjoy working with people. A nine to five desk job crammed in a cubicle would never fulfill my heart. Having to stare at the same four walls every day is more demanding and exhausting on my body than me lifting an elephant. Seriously. I have a creative mind that needs to be constantly stimulated. And so I thought, “what can I do that allows me to use my creative mind while working with people?” A few things actually came to mind.
For those of you who don’t know me, here’s a fun fact: I am a vocalist, and I’ve been singing for as long as I could talk. So naturally, I decided to do it professionally! I also went to school for music. I obtained a certificate in music, and my associates in music as well. While I went to school (both high school and college), I got a job working in the restaurant industry. The job came with ease, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I got to work with people AND food! Who doesn’t love food?
During that time, I gained a great deal of knowledge in regards to food, beverage, and service. I found joy in trying new recipes and learning about different culinary techniques. I explored, studied, and tasted many wine varietals, beers, and spirits. I also learned how to provide excellent customer service and hospitality. I still have much to learn, but I feel that it has helped me pave the way for my future endeavors.
My passion for event planning officially started March 2, 2017 when my boyfriend of six years finally popped the question! I’ve always dreamed of planning my wedding, and I was so excited and eager to take on the task. We set our date for June 9, 2018. Once that was in place, I hit the ground running.
I will honestly say, I probably took on WAY more than most brides do for their wedding. I coordinated everything down to the very last detail. I researched and selected all my vendors, as well as hire my own personal serving staff. I took on several DIY projects like designing and constructing a self-serve beer bar (which poured our personal wedding day craft beer). I learned how to solder so I could make 150 light up wands as my guest favor/keepsake (huge Harry Potter nerd). Even the garnish of lime on my guests’ cocktails were sliced by yours truly. Of course, I had the help of my bridal party as well as family members and friends. I can’t thank them enough for that.
Why would I practically kill myself over all these details you ask? Because I wanted to create the ultimate guest experience. And, like any bride, I was balling on a budget. I also wanted to make it personal. I wanted those details because they reflect who my husband and I are as a couple. But being in charge of all those details came with its consequences. There were a lot of moving parts to my day, and I wanted everything to be perfect. It was hard for me to just let go and be a bride.
This is where I come in. I don’t want anyone feeling stressed about hosting a perfect event. I want you help you with that. That way, you and those who mean most to you can enjoy themselves. So choose Hollihock Event Planning and Coordination to help you with your events, and let’s create something beautiful.