Here at Elevate, we have six wonderful planners leading the charge with a strong expertise of design, organization, and intentionality. We strive to make each of our client’s experiences personal and it’s important to us that you get to know who you’re working with. With that in mind, welcome to our featured planner spotlight blog! Our six lovely ladies each bring something special to the table and we are honored to have them be a part of our team. Please welcome: Kirstie, Mallory, Renee, Kelsie, Katie, and April!
KIRSTIE
Co-Founder and Event Director
Outside of putting the final touches on a lovely event, where can we most likely find you?
When I’m not behind my computer working or out on site producing an event, you can find me leading group fitness classes at the Barre Code, adventuring with my partner, Jesse, and lovable Great Dane, Phoebe, and dreaming up my next vacation. I am a bit more of a home body (sometimes more than I care to admit!), so surfing the web for inspiration, reading a book or drinking some wine in my sweats truly fills my cup!
What’s a good book you’ve read recently?
I recently read “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, and I recommend it to everyone. The book is a story of justice and redemption, and highlights Bryan’s work in founding the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit law office dedicated to defending the poor, incarcerated and wrongly condemned. There is so much work to be done in terms of racial injustice and reading this book made me upset, yet hopeful for those who continue to fight for the vulnerable.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
An all-time favorite is San Miguel de Allende in the Central Highlands of Mexico. The vacation was full of fun activities, we ate delicious food, and the city had so much character. I cannot wait to go back! Next up is Joshua Tree (for a States vacay) and/or heading back to the Bahamas!
Name some vendors on Instagram you are inspired by!
I LOVE following Rhiannon Bosse, Always Yours Events, Moon Canyon, and Carats & Cake for words of wisdom and inspiration!
Cats or dogs?
DOGS, through and through. Added bonus if it’s a big dog!
What does your perfect day look like?
My perfect day consists of waking up before everyone else (mornings are my ME time!) and starting off with some movement or exercise followed by coffee and breakfast, both of those activities usually paired with a podcast. Then, I love to jump into productivity-mode with a mid-day break to catch some fresh air with the dog and read some news. Top it all off with a movie or game night, and some reading before bed, and I’m set!
Name your drink of choice!
A glass of wine – sauvignon blanc, rosé or cabernet sauvignon depending on the time of the year 😉
MALLORY
Co-Founder and Creative Director
What is your best advice to give a bride on her wedding day?
Remember to grab your new spouse, pull them into a corner of your venue, and take a few minutes (with a yummy drink in hand) to look out on all of the people gathered there for YOU – it is truly incredible to take a moment and witness how inspirational your relationship is to others, and revel in the fact that they have all come together because of your love!
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
I hiked the “Inca Trail” from Cusco to Macchu Picchu about seven years ago – a one week excursion with nothing but my clothes and tent on my back! It was SUCH a difficult journey but made our descent to Macchu Picchu so amazingly worth it, and will be a trip I will never forget! Since my husband’s family is Japanese, planning a visit there with him and our children is definitely high on my travel list – once the kids are all old enough to remember it! 🙂
What are some of your favorite florals?
Love this question, especially since I dabble in floral design where it makes sense for our brides! 🙂 Lately I’ve really been loving the daintier, dancier blooms – hellebore, flannel flower, astilbe, sweet pea and lisianthus come to mind, and there are SO many beautiful tulip varieties that can make a huge impact and keep the overall look amazingly delicate!
Go-to coffee order?
Caramel Macchiato with nonfat milk (iced in the summer, hot in the colder months) – yep, I like my drinks sweet!
What sticks out as the most memorable part of your own wedding day?
We wed on October 4th here in Madison – what was supposed to be a beautiful, fall, lakeside day ended up being more like a winter melee – with wind whipping and flurries flying! Thankfully we were able to add sides to our tent, secure tons of patio heaters and generators, and move everything (ceremony included) underneath so everyone could stay a bit more comfortable. Our guests were bundled up in puffy jackets most of the day, and we all went through the warm spiked cider MUCH faster than expected, but it made the day that much more cozy – sort of a fond and funny memory now!
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
I LOVE Asian cuisines – sushi, pho, curries, ramen, udon, you name it, I will consume it! The last few years (when we have the time, that is), my husband and I really enjoy making deeply complex Thai curries and umami-flavored ramens – they take a LONG time to put together as the flavors develop, but are oh so satisfying once you’re able to dive in!
What does your perfect day look like?
Sleeping in just a bit, a brisk walk with an audio book, and a fulfilling day of play, productivity and creativity with my family, all followed by a quiet evening with a glass of wine, fuzzy blanket and something creative to peruse.
RENEE
Senior Planner and Designer / Team Manager
Outside of putting the final touches on a lovely event, where can we most likely find you?
As most already know, I am a mom to two wonderful boys so you can find me Running around with the kiddos – going for walks on the nearby trails, watching soccer games, apple picking, playing board games!
What made you want to become an event planner?
It gives me a creative way to display my interior design background! Design is arguably my favorite part of wedding planning! I absolutely love making a vision come to life!
What is your best advice to give a bride on her wedding day?
Let us (Elevate) worry about the details so you can fully enjoy the day 🙂 You worked hard on your big day, so you deserve to enjoy it completely!
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
Isla Mujeres would be my favorite. Aiming for our (very!) belated honeymoon in Australia next!
What are your favorite things to do in Madison/Milwaukee Area?
Milwaukee for me! Walking along the lakeside, check out live music at one of the many breweries, taking the kids and dogs to the dog park, trying out new restaurants downtown.
What is your version of self care?
An hour to myself at barre class – followed by a long steam shower!
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
Chili! I don’t necessarily follow a recipe and it changes every time! I love to add tons of fresh veggies!
Cats or dogs?
Both! I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. Trying to convince my hubby that we should be animal foster parents!
Name your drink of choice!
An Old Fashioined of course! Especially those made by my dad 🙂
KELSIE
Senior Planner and Designer
What made you want to become an event planner?
I love the moment I’m in the middle of an event and I see all of these details that my clients and I have spent months (some even years, thanks COVID 😉 ) discussing come to fruition. It’s beautiful and meaningful. There are so many careers out there that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Although it may be viewed as simple, I’d like to think wedding planners fall in that category as we help our couples’ dream weddings come to life.
What is your best advice to give a bride on her wedding day?
Step away from the timeline and take moments during the day to soak it all in! If you have the opportunity, I went and took a look at our ceremony space before guests arrived to appreciate what was about to happen.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
Italy! Jason and I went on our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. My heart will always have a soft spot for the character and charm of Venice.
Name some vendors on Instagram you are inspired by!
The Crafty Peach always knows how to make me laugh on any given day and her talent is beautiful! I’ve also been dying to have one of our brides select a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown.
What sticks out as the most memorable part of your own wedding day?
It’s hard for me to pick one so I’ll pick two! Our first look – it was SO special to have that moment between just the 2 of us. After our ceremony, we walked down the aisle and I hugged Jason with tear-filled eyes so happy that we were finally married and our bridal party came in for a spontaneous group hug that our videographer captured! I’ll never forget it!
What is your version of self care?
I really enjoy taking my dog Teddy for walks in our neighborhood and listening to music or a podcast! Another pastime of mine is watching a good, old-fashioned Rom-Com!
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
My one recipe I’ve mastered over quarantine is Chicken Tortilla Soup, perfect for this hearty, autumnal season!
Name your drink of choice!
Amaretto sour or Margarita 🙂
KATIE
Associate Planner / Content Manager
Outside of putting the final touches on a lovely event, where can we most likely find you?
When I am not helping put finishing touches on a gorgeous wedding day, you can find me running my photography business and photographing my sweet high school seniors! You can also find me out exploring new places and restaurants with my boyfriend of 8 years, Lucas or spending time with our families!
What is your best advice to give a bride on her wedding day?
Take moments throughout the day to look around and soak everything up. Ask your planner + photographer to help coordinate a little break in the timeline so that the two of you can spend a moment alone together! The day will go by SO fast so I think it is important to slow things down and soak it all up!
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
Lucas and I took a road trip out to Jackson Hole, WY. and we totally fell in love with the Tetons. Up next is Europe! We plan to take a few weeks and travel around France, Germany, Italy and wherever else the train will take us. It will be of our first time out of the States for the both of us and we can’t wait to indulge in the culture, communities, and food + drinks of course 😉
Go-to coffee order?
Vanilla latte with oat milk or an extra spicy iced chai.
What are your favorite things to do in Madison?
Some of my favorite things to do in the summer are visit the Farmer’s Market and attend Concerts on the Square!
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
Do charcuterie boards count? Lucas and I are big cheese lovers and there is nothing more satisfying to me than an aesthetically pleasing (+delicious) charcuterie board and a glass of wine for dinner.
Cats or dogs?
All the dogs, especially the big fluffy ones 🙂
Name your drink of choice!
Wine please! I typically go for a Pinot Grigio or a Syrah!
APRIL
Associate Planner
Go-to coffee order?
Iced Salted Carmel Mocha with Almond Milk
Where is your favorite place you have traveled? Where to next?
London, England! Up next-Seattle and Portland
What quote is speaking to you right now?
I absolutely love quotes 🙂 “Trust the timing of your life” is one that is really sticking out to me currently.
What are your favorite things to do in Madison?
Go to UW Arboretum, visit the many parks in the area, specifically Picnic Point, Lake Kegonsa, Governor Nelson State Park, try new restaurants and places to eat in the city, anything near the lakes, getting ice cream at Michael’s or Chocolate Shoppe.
What’s a good book you’ve read recently?
“Then She was Gone” by Lisa Jewell
What is your best advice to give a bride on her wedding day?
Take some time (maybe even schedule it in) alone with your new husband on your special day to breathe, take it all in, and celebrate with him!
What sticks out as the most memorable part of your own wedding day?
We had a destination wedding in Jamaica, after taking sunset photos by the ocean on the beach, we walked to where our dinner was, which was overlooking the ocean and the beach, all of our guests were up on a balcony watching us walk up, cheering for us, and welcoming us to our dinner.
