Wedding Planning in Kansas City – a Q&A with Philosofi Celebrations!
Wedding planning in Kansas City is made easy with Philosofi Celebrations!
When you’re planning a wedding, finding Kansas City wedding vendors can be a daunting task. Couples often feel flooded with too much information to sort through. From Google searches to late-night Instagram scrolling. It can be difficult to search for the perfect fit.
When you’re feeling lost, it may be time to consider hiring a wedding planner. Luckily, Kansas City wedding planners are some of the best in the country! Wedding planners are not simply responsible for making sure your day runs smoothly. They are there for you throughout every step of the process.
A wedding planner can help guide you through client meetings.
They can refer you to vendors you may never have found, and make your vision come to life. You may not know the questions to ask during a meeting, This is your first time planning a wedding! With years of experience in planning weddings – your wedding planner has your back!
I had the pleasure of creating an enchanting Scandinavian-inspired styled wedding with Sofi from Philosofi Celebrations. Wedding planning in Kansas City is Sofi’s specialty, and I knew she would be the perfect vendor to work with. Her vision was truly awe-inspiring.
The vendors Sofi reached out to were among Kansas City’s most talented. From florals to gowns, everything was top-notch. Together, we were able to create pure magic to inspire all of our couples planning their Kansas City wedding. Sofi and her team were essential in making this day possible.
After the event, I sat down with Sofi and picked her brain.
Here is a little Q&A where we went through questions that you may have when planning your Kansas City wedding!
What is the first step a couple should take after securing their venue?
I always recommend that couples revisit their budget after securing their venue. It’s often one of the largest items on your budget. If they offer in-house bar services, catering, etc., you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’ll be spending in this area. Make any necessary tweaks to your budget and to-dos before you get too deep into the planning process and duplicate work or misallocate funds.
What are your favorite places/venues in KC and why?
I absolutely love La Villa! The architecture forever has my heart. The size of the space is perfect for intimate, but not small weddings. I appreciate any venue with an on-site getting-ready space, but their Courtyard Suite is next level in size and aesthetic.
Another one of my favorites is Hotel Kansas City! This venue has a variety of spaces with different vibes and capacities, so it’s easy to find one that’s a perfect fit. Hotel weddings are incredibly convenient for couples and their guests, from courtesy room blocks to in-house bar services and catering, and Hotel KC does it all so well. Their team is just as fantastic as the views from the Starlight Terrace!
A newer one to me this year is Oakwood Country Club. Working with their team and Lauren on this Scandinavian-inspired shoot was so much fun! They have some insanely gorgeous architecture. They also offer the convenience of in-house catering, bar, linens, and even an ice cream sundae bar that one of my couples took advantage of this fall!
What’s the most important thing for couples to look for when finding vendors?
Across the board, vetting your vendors to make sure that they are reputable and legally sound is the most important thing you can do. If a vendor doesn’t have you sign a contract, you should run in the opposite direction. Solid contracts, applicable business licenses, and liability insurance are essential to running a legitimate business, even if it’s not a vendor’s full-time gig. You don’t want to hire someone who could ghost you or negatively impact your wedding without any obligation to make things right!
What do couples often forget when planning their Kansas City wedding?
Too many couples forget to have FUN while planning their wedding! Being engaged is not just the time to check off to-dos and make design decisions. It’s a whole new phase of your relationship and one that you shouldn’t rush through without taking time to really enjoy it. Plan dates where you’re not allowed to talk about the wedding, find little ways to celebrate this new phase, and trust that your vendor team will take care of you when the day comes.
(I do also have a “5 Avoidable Mistakes Couples Make When Planning Their Wedding” freebie if you think mentioning it here would be beneficial! The link is https://philosoficelebrations.com/avoidable-planning-mistakes)
What are the perks of hiring a wedding planner or day-of-coordinator?
Hiring a wedding planner, or opting for wedding management/day of coordination, brings peace of mind and keeps your day running smoothly. We take on all the behind-the-scenes work, like managing timelines, coordinating vendors, and handling last-minute surprises, so you can focus on being present with your partner and loved ones.
We also free up capacity for your other vendors so that they can do their best work. Without a planner present, photographers are frequently pulled out of their creative zone of genius. DJs have to coordinate times and people instead of focusing on the flow of the evening. Caterers may have to make changes to dinner time without any heads up from a planner. We handle logistics, field their questions, and keep them updated, so they can focus on what they excel in and deliver you a better end product. Some vendors even offer exclusive rates or bonuses when couples work with certain planners!
What do most couples not know you offer / can do?
During consultation calls, I’m always listening for the specifics of what’s stressing them out and why they decided to reach out to a planner in the first place. From there, I’m able to customize packages and even offer one-off services. Things like venue sourcing or budget creation for couples who aren’t quite ready to commit to a planner yet! If you aren’t sure if the services on our website are a perfect fit for you, reach out! We can look for ways to tailor our services to your needs!
If a couple was interested in Philosofi Celebrations as their wedding planner – what kind of collections/packages do you offer and what do they include?
We offer a range of services and can help you find the perfect fit during our consultation call! All our packages are built on the foundation of Wedding Management, where we focus on the logistics and production of your wedding day – covering timeline creation, vendor coordination, and setup and breakdown oversight. Partial Wedding Planning is highly customizable, with our most popular option being guided planning. You’ll have us in your corner throughout the process while you handle the planning, design, and vendor sourcing. Full-Service Wedding Planning is an even more hands-on experience, where we’re by your side every step of the way, from venue tours to vendor emails, and finally, to sending you off at the end of your incredible wedding day.
Here are some incredible photos from our styled wedding to inspire you while you begin wedding planning in Kansas City!
Philosofi Celebrations is all about weddings with personality, heart, and a focus on fun. Our couples are down-to-earth, big-hearted people who love putting their own unique spin on things—from sharing their love story through meaningful details to making sure their guests have an incredible time on the dance floor. If this sounds like you, reach out today! Let’s talk about how we can make your wedding as memorable for your guests as it is for you.
A huge thank you to all the vendors involved in making this styled wedding possible! If you’re looking for Kansas City wedding vendors – look no further! This team is absolutely incredible!
Planner: Philosofi Celebrations
Photographer: Lauren Benson Photography
Venue: Oakwood Country Club
Florist: Solstice Floral Studio
Bridal Gown: Savvy Bridal
Attire: Hues Floral
Rentals: AAA Party Rentals
Hair & Make up Artist: Lovely Beauty KC
Stationary: Letters by Maude
