Kaitie Gill Weddings

Kaitie Gill said “I do” to the wedding industry in 2017, and let me just say, you can feel her excitement and energy when speaking with her about her Saline County-based business, Kaitie Gill Weddings.” With over eighty weddings, various wedding trade shows, and multiple wedding magazines under her belt, this girl knows her stuff!

With the ever-growing demand for knowledge, expertise, and management that couples need for their big day, what sets her apart? Kaite shares, “My knowledge and heart for the industry. Because of my previous employer, [Fred Jacob at The Pink Bride in Tennessee], I had to be knowledgeable of the ins and outs of every aspect of a wedding. I immersed myself in knowing the logistics of every vendor involved in a wedding day. And, if I didn’t know a specific answer, I knew how to track down an answer.”

Kaitie has also trained under mentor Meredith Corning, an award-winning PR agent, who is also a Saline County native. Under her guidance, Kaitie began wedding planning on her own and she attributes much of her success to Meredith.

Kaitie explains her motivation is simple: “My family is the driving force behind everything I do. I am a family-oriented person to my core. When I first launched my business, it was named Sailboat Weddings, as a way to honor my late grandfather who passed in September of 2009.”

There are three things Kaitie says you need to know about her Papa:

He never, ever met a stranger.

His goal was to always make things easier for his family.

He loved Jesus, his family, and—you guessed it—sailboats.

“Even though my company has had a name change, it is still a daily reminder that this business of mine can make the world a better place one day at a time by loving people like Christ, just like Papa did…his legacy lives on and inspires me daily.”

Kaitie loves this community and considers fellow “wedding vendors” some of her very best friends. She shared with me, “We have laughed together, prayed together, and our kids even play together. Watching the success of my peers is a highlight of being in this community. I can only pray that I provide a glimmer of the positivity and encouragement that I receive from my fellow planners in the industry.”

Kaitie does have certifications in wedding and event planning, but attributes her “hands-on” training to be the best teacher and is continuously trying to learn, grow, and find better ways to serve her couples after every single event. When asked about special weddings or events that stood out to her, she simply said, “Every wedding is special.” Goosebumps, y’all.

Of course, she shared a few stories that gave me a chuckle, and quoted the famous insurance commercial, “We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.” Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

Featured in Southern Bride, Weddings in Arkansas, Arkansas Bride, Wedding Chicks, Elizabeth Anne Designs, and other well-known wedding blogs, Kaitie sweetly gave more attention to the reviews of her brides. That is the good stuff. For example:

“Kaitie is not only a phenomenal wedding planner, but also a precious person who cares about making all her clients’ dreams come true…. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you x1000 for being there for us on the best day of our lives!” – Morgan & Reece

While I had Kaitie’s attention, I could not help but bend her ear for a few tips of the trade. Here are a couple of items to ask about when choosing a planner:

“Do you have a contract? Do you have insurance? What qualifies you to help plan my wedding? What are your relationships like with fellow vendors? Have you planned a wedding at my venue before? What does our communication look like throughout the planning process? What are your office hours? Do you have someone onsite to assist you on wedding days? The list literally could go on.”

Once you choose a planner, then comes choosing a package. Kaitie explained the typical breakdown:

For full planning, usually the couple includes either a.) a full-time student b.) one or both with a high-demanding job or c.) they live out of the state.

For my design brides (what most would consider partial planning), these couples usually can handle the mundane parts of planning but want help in bringing all their design ideas together in a way that represents their love story and fits within their budget.

Then for my wedding management couples, this package is for your Type-A bride (or sweet mommas!) who can do all the planning but want a professional who can execute the day so they can truly savor every moment.

Of course, Kaitie offers all of the above! 

Together, we played the “name three” game:

Top 3 Must Do’s:

1. Hire a planner! (Go ahead and give Kaitie a call! Her website is kaitiegillweddings.com.)

2. Hire a videographer. One of her biggest regrets is not having video footage of her wedding day.

3. If you’re not doing a first look, I recommend two things. One, have a cocktail or social hour so guests don’t get antsy while they are waiting for you to take pictures. Two, make sure to set apart a lot of time to get groomsmen group pictures and bridesmaid group pictures before the ceremony, so afterwards you just have to get the big group shots. 

Top 3 Don’t Do’s:

1. Sparkler Exits with Alcohol. Enough said.

2. Spending money just because you think you “have to!” It is your day!

3. Invite “trouble guests.”

Top 3 Must Do’s:

1. Hire a planner! (Go ahead and give Kaitie a call! Her website is kaitiegillweddings.com.)

2. Hire a videographer. One of her biggest regrets is not having video footage of her wedding day.

3. If you’re not doing a first look, I recommend two things. One, have a cocktail or social hour so guests don’t get antsy while they are waiting for you to take pictures. Two, make sure to set apart a lot of time to get groomsmen group pictures and bridesmaid group pictures before the ceremony, so afterwards you just have to get the big group shots. 

Top 3 Don’t Do’s:

1. Sparkler Exits with Alcohol. Enough said.

2. Spending money just because you think you “have to!” It is your day!

3. Invite “trouble guests.”

Top 3 Budgeting Tips:

1. Postage. Don’t forget to factor in postage stamps in your overall budget. 

2. Transportation. Consider transportation from Point A to Point B (or any other Points), especially if having an out-of-state wedding.

3. Wedding Insurance and Security. 

Kaitie gives us one final piece of advice: “During wedding planning, it’s important to have date nights that don’t revolve around wedding talk. I remember my husband would ask if I could talk about anything but our wedding for a moment? It’s an exciting season, for sure, but it’s only a season and not even the greatest one to come.”