Daily Inspiration: Meet Amber Andrew

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Andrew.

Hi Amber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’d like to say, that I planned my wedding (featured in multiple publications) but actually, my mom planned my wedding from start to finish as I was in school to be an elementary school teacher and directing a summer camp at the time. Although my elementary education plan lasted only one semester, there’s a ton of overlap between corralling kiddos and drunk wedding guests, planning timelines and curriculum, and ordering a wedding day or school day. Which is why it’s my current favorite thing to hire organized mamas and teachers.

After college, I launched my marketing agency where I got much experience in running a team, managing people, and juggling client expectations. It was great except that I was terrible at it and frankly hated all the time keeping up with the trends and being on a screen all day. It was good for networking and experience, but not for me.

Received certification in weddings and event planning from the New York Institute of Art and Design and dabbled in event planning here and there – mostly focusing on non-profit fundraisers, showers, and the occasional wedding. Joked with my husband that I would never do it full time because I didn’t want to give up my Saturdays and there would never be enough demand for me to do it full time.

In 2021, we were given the opportunity to partner with The Black Diamond Lodge in managing their venue. This was a perfect fit with Nate’s (my husband) and I have a property management/events/design/marketing/renovation/excavation background. This partnership allowed us to make Durango Event Planners our full-time job and it’s exploded. Bigger office, more team members, more venues to manage. Only up from here.

Took a long journey to my current career but am firmly planted here now. Excited to continue to grow. Can NOT believe I get to do this for my full-time job and that it provides for our family. Currently heading into our 8th wedding season – something like 80 weddings and counting.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The actual events always go amazing. Being on-site at an event is one of our favorites. We’ve honed the inquiry process this year as well. This year will try to work the experience from inquiry/booking to the event.

The time between booking and execution is always our biggest struggle. Sometimes it is quite a long time and since we are mostly doing days of coordination, our role doesn’t begin until one month out. There is often a lull in communication between booking and execution.

We’re growing rapidly (both with several employees, adding another venue, and several overall clients). Want it to be VERY clear what we do and how we do it. Both to the outside world AND internally. Want to be building a brand, not just a business. Something for my team and I to be proud to be a part of.

One of the main reasons, people go with us is that… We call them back first and we highly prioritize quick communication. They like that we have robust experience at their venue of choice. Because we are fun! Our couples are at the center of our work and our genuine excitement for them comes through in our conversations, interactions, and on the day of!

Clients love that we are not time-based and will be there from beginning to end!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What’s a day-of wedding coordinator? Short answer: Think Fairy Godmother, without the midnight deadline, mice, or missing shoes.

Wedding day coordinators have a seamless solution for every snafu, a checklist for every task, and a timeline that puts air traffic controllers to shame. We carry a to-do list 255 items long, know every vendor by name, and don’t let a detail slip by—all so head-over-heels couples (and their family members!) can tune out the stress and tune into every moment.

Every Big Day is packed with critical little details—we pay attention to them all so you don’t have to. We help people Get hitched without a hitch! Our team members have backgrounds in events, hospitality, customer care, construction, logistics, marketing, and education—there is nothing we can’t handle on the day of your event!

Plus, for our larger and more detailed events, we book both a Lead Coordinator and an Assistant Coordinator, so we have every angle and aisle covered. We’re the first one on the scene and the last to leave —from your rehearsal through reception.

Full-service set up and clean up, from before your event to your happily ever after—no matter your guest count! Well-timed and finely tuned orchestration. Custom to-the-minute timelines for every vendor, performer, and special moment. Invisible problem-solving. When the unexpected happens (and it will!), expect us to handle it. We’ll make sure every “Uh-oh…” into an “Oh wow!”

One of the main reasons, people go with us is that… We call them back first and we highly prioritize quick communication. They like that we have robust experience at their venue of choice. Because we are fun! Our couples are at the center of our work and our genuine excitement for them comes through in our conversations, interactions, and on the day of!

Clients love that we are not time-based and will be there from beginning to end!

Who else deserves credit for your story?
GOD | As followers of Jesus, we believe that every call, inquiry, client touch point, follow and event is a chance to share His love and joy with others. We work to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that reflects our faith and honors Him in all that we do.

OUR TEAM | We encourage smart, driven women with a meaningful career that feeds them. Team health matters. We are not afraid of hard work. We celebrate progress often. We use open and honest communication to go through obstacles, not avoid them. Questions are valued. More communication is always better than less. Our team is paid a livable wage. Work/life balance is encouraged.

OUR CLIENTS | We understand that no two weddings are exactly alike, so we stay flexible and adaptable to make sure each one is exactly what our clients want. We know the best way to save money on your wedding or event is to hire an experienced coordinator which means we don’t place restrictions based on CLIENT budgets. We believe that every couple is unique, and we strive to create a wedding experience that is perfectly tailored to their style, tastes, and desires. Our team is intentional, generous, kind-hearted, caring, and helpful.

OUR VENDOR NETWORK | We go out of our way to love and serve our vendors and partners. We are our clients AND vendors’ best advocates. We treat everyone we work with – venues, vendors, and the local community – with the respect they deserve. Our vendors LOVE working with us because we are kind, professional, punctual, and adaptable. We couldn’t do what we do without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.durangoeventplanners.com/

Image Credits
Timberline Photography, Cassidy Gibson Photography, Cara Cavalca, Allison Ragsdale, and David Clumpner