Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacie Carver.
Hi Stacie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I took an interesting path to get where am I today. I was not one of the planners who planned her wedding, loved it, and made a business out of it. Instead, my path had more twists and turns. Growing up I watched the ever-popular Gilmore Girls. I dreamt of growing up to be Lorelai Gilmore and opening my own Inn. I went to school at Colorado State University for Hospitality Management to achieve this dream.
I needed to work during school, so I gained experience in my field at the front desk, catering, housekeeping, and almost all roles in a hotel. After working in over 4 different hotels with a variety of services, I made the difficult decision that this was not for me. Being a junior in college at this point, and not wanting to “waste” my degree, I looked into the other arms of hospitality, restaurants, or events.
I knew from my high school jobs that restaurants were not the fit I was looking for, so events it was! I got a job working in the CSU Events and Donor Engagement office, helping to put on large events in a supportive role like a homecoming, Founders Day, and the 1870 dinner. It was a lot of fun and very interesting. Upon graduation, I applied for a job at The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins without knowing then that it would play a pivotal role in my career now.
I worked my way up through 5 positions while there and acted as what I now refer to as “the venue coordinator”. It was there that I evaluated what I wanted to do with my career and what would make me happy. After some thought about what that facility offered, and the MANY types of events that took place, I realized that I enjoyed wedding days the most. It was work that felt the least like work. This was when I first began my company, Carver Coordination.
I have owned Carver Coordination for 5 years, helped 65+ couples celebrate their love, and started a team of planners with my company. I am very grateful for the path that I took to get here. I believe that it has taught me lessons of understanding, given me a strong background in the industry, and broadened my people skills.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship is always a little bumpy. Although I had a business minor, there was still much to learn about how to run my own company: classification, taxes, accounting, marketing, and all of the brainy stuff that we creative brains dislike. Luckily, I have had some great mentors and community along the way, including my parents, both entrepreneurs at one time.
Discussing the challenges of starting and keeping a business running has been invaluable. For the last few years, once I took my company full time, I have been living and breathing weddings, digesting education, webinars, and industry podcasts to better my company. While also attending networking groups and conferences to grow within this industry and stay on top of trends.
I have been very fortunate to have the full support of my sisters, their partners, family, and friends to promote my company with anyone in their circles who is getting married. This has provided me with couples to gain experience with who further spread the word about my company.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In short, I am a wedding planner. However, I find that that entails SO much more than people think. It is more than showing up on the wedding day with a fanny pack of items that save the day like JLO in the movie, the Wedding Planner. It also requires lots of time, energy, planning & vendor coordination, and the work differs for every couple and every wedding.
I offer packages that are similar to most wedding planners in the area: Full-service planning, Partial Planning, and Wedding Management (similar to a day of service). I am involved at different levels with each of these packages and services can be customized to the couple’s specific needs. However, one way that I stand out from other planners is my true and intricate love of the details. This helps support my clients by making sure there is a cohesive design, rock-solid logistics, and near-perfect setup on the day of.
Many of my clients also say my calm demeanor throughout the planning and especially on the big day is a point of strength. My company was founded on the motto, Creative Composed Coordination, which speaks to that composure and cool cucumber manner that my clients love. “Stacie was the absolute best decision we made and easily the best investment we made for our wedding. She was very helpful with clear, simple, direct, and prompt communication from before we hired her to after our wedding was complete.
She managed our many complications and obstacles with grace and creative resolve. She managed our vendors like a boss and responded to all of our family’s requests with service and a smile. Her price is more reasonable than other providers that will not do nearly as much to bring your wedding vision to life. We cannot recommend Carver Coordination enough! 10 stars!” – Patrick (married 12-28-22)
As a personal goal, I aim to focus on the other piece of my motto and to start providing even more creative and unique design ideas. We have a few planned for this wedding season and I can’t wait to share them!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned that every couple is different. They all have different priorities for planning, for the wedding day and the marriage. Some want high-class food, a hot air balloon, a dance party in a barn with friends, and an open bar.
No matter what it is, letting the couple have enough control in the planning process that the wedding is a reflection of them is my end goal. As a planner, I can adapt my methods to the design and needs of their wedding to truly celebrate their love story.
Pricing:
- Wedding Management starting at $1800
- Partial Planning starting at $2600
- Full-Service Planning starting at $4600
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carvercoordination.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carvercoordination/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarverCoordination
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carvercoordination
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/carvercoordination/
Image Credits
@laurenfinchphotography, @leahgoetzel, @the.irisphotography, @hillarysheddphotography, and @juniper.ink
