Have you ever eaten sweet + spicy candied bacon before?
Well if not, you must head to Ignite, where you can eat something the gods like to call “Man Candy.” Unfortunately, this is not Channing Tatum on a stick, but instead huge, thick strips of candied bacon in a bucket. Yes, my friends, it is as amazing as it sounds, and I had the good luck to try it the other day while brunching with Kell Kaiser-Diaz, owner of a wedding and event planning company here in Denver, Utopian Events.
After we devoured the giant chunks of sweet meat and some jalapeno-infused deviled eggs, we (of course) got to talking about the wedding industry and the idea to start running regular “Industry Interviews” on the blog. I’ve always wanted to connect with different wedding vendors in Denver — florists, DJs, hair and makeup artists, planners, you name it — and chat about their role in the wedding industry and what it’s like to do their job. I told Kell about my idea and he indulged me, so he, Adam (his spouse-to-be and also co-owner of Utopian Events) and I went downtown after brunch to take some quick photos to accompany a little mini-interview for the very first volume of my Industry Interviews series.
It is with great pleasure that I bring to you the first installment in this new blog series! And it is also exciting to announce that Kell and I have partnered for the incoming wedding season! Brides- and grooms-to-be, if you book an event with Kell and mention that Urban Safari sent you, you’ll receive 15% off your planning services with Utopian Events. If you’d like to know more about our partnership, don’t hesitate to hit that contact tab above.
Without further delay, on to the interview! Thank you for stopping by, as always!
Urban Safari: How did you get into wedding/event planning? How long have you been a planner?
Kell: I planned my very first big event 2002. It was housewarming party for myself and it was huge. I was fresh of out high school and starting college. It quickly turned into more than just a “kegger” as I was focusing on little details that most college kids wouldn’t even notice. That’s when I realized I loved planning parties. After that I started planning more and more parties and events for myself, my friends, and eventually found myself working as an apprentice part time for a dear friend who owned her owned event company. I have been planning weddings and events off and on for over ten years.
Urban Safari: What is your favorite part of planning?
Kell: My favorite part of planning is the look on my clients face when they see their dreams come to life. There is absolutely nothing like that moment when someone sees their imagination in real life and you know that you did that for them.
Urban Safari: What is the hardest part of your job that your clients may not always realize is tough?
Kell: One of the greatest reasons to hire a professional is the fact that we can get a lot more for your money than you can. We can keep you on budget and make sure that you get the most from every dollar. The hardest part of my job is having to tell a client that something they really want is quite simply too expensive for what they want to spend. Luckily, I am creative and work with great people so I am good at coming up with great alternatives, but it is still hard to be the budget gate keeper sometimes.
Urban Safari: How would you describe your personality? How does that mesh with being a planner?
Kell: I like to think that I am easy going, unique, fun and open minded. I love people for who they are and embrace people who embrace themselves. I love individuality and encourage people to be themselves even if that goes against what society wants them to be. I think that this makes me a great planner because I plan my clients events each and every time, I don’t just push my dream event on my clients over and over again like so many planners. My philosophy is it is their day, their event, and their guests. Not mine.
Urban Safari: What advice would you send out to spouses-to-be while planning their wedding?
Kell: As a long time planner and a spouse-to-be myself, I have a lot of valuable advice to share. I would say first and foremost to speak up and be heard. Don’t decide to get married just because it is the next step in what seems like the right relationship. If you are supposed to marry your partner you will know without hesitation, and when you do speak up during the planning process. Be sure that when the day arrives it represents both of you equally. Not just one.
More Industry Interviews from Urban Safari: MENTE Freelance Beauty Troupe // Peteybird Ice Cream Sandwiches // Knotty Tie Co. // Lotti Clothing
