As a Kansas City wedding photographer, I had the privilege to sit down with Cass Clark, owner of My Beloved Weddings, to get the scoop of the importance of hiring an experienced wedding planner or coordinator for your wedding.
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting experiences of your life, but it can also be overwhelming. From managing vendors to ensuring every little detail is in place, a wedding planner is the key to making your day as stress-free and magical as possible. Today, we’re diving into the expertise of a seasoned Kansas City wedding planner who shares insight into the value of hiring a professional to bring your dream wedding to life.
Continue reading to get all the tea!
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting yet overwhelming experiences a couple can go through. From choosing vendors to ensuring every little detail is in place, it’s easy to feel lost in the chaos. That’s where a Kansas City wedding planner comes in. Cass Clark, the owner of My Beloved Weddings, believes that every bride deserves a stress-free, seamless day—and she’s here to make that happen. With years of experience in the Kansas City wedding industry, she’s sharing her expertise on why hiring a planner is the best investment you can make for your big day.
A wedding planner is more than just someone who helps plan an event. As Cass explains, “A Wedding Planner knows the ins and outs of the local wedding industry, has a wealth of knowledge and experience with vendors, including general knowledge of different vendors’ pricing and style.” They guide couples through the entire planning process, making personalized recommendations and handling logistics to bring their dream wedding to life. A Wedding Coordinator, on the other hand, steps in closer to the big day to handle vendor communication and event management, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Cass is firm in her belief that every bride needs at least a coordinator. “This helps your family, your bridal party, and all of your vendors to work together for a most seamless day,” she explains. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the planning process, hiring a planner is a smart move. “If a bride has little experience or knowledge with every single logistic and detail that goes into a wedding day, they should definitely have a wedding planner.”
From making sure the correct number of chairs are set up at tables to ensuring sparklers are out of their packaging before the send-off, a planner’s attention to detail is unmatched. “A wedding planner/coordinator will think of everything you need before your wedding day so the day itself runs as smoothly as possible,” Cass says. They also handle vendor coordination, ensuring the photographer is in place before the first look, speeches happen at the right time, and even making sure the champagne is poured for toasts. Their goal? To allow you and your guests to focus on the moment without worrying about logistics.
It’s a common misconception that a venue coordinator and a wedding planner serve the same purpose. Cass clarifies that a venue coordinator’s focus is strictly on the venue itself. “They handle the venue set-up, whether that’s adding another chair, managing a room flip, cleaning up a spill, or giving your DJ the WiFi password,” she explains. While they may help with minor details, they aren’t there to ensure your overall wedding vision comes to life—that’s the job of a wedding planner or coordinator.
Some couples assume that hiring a Kansas City wedding planner means they won’t need other vendors for specific tasks. However, Cass emphasizes that planners are not substitutes for caterers, florists, or hair and makeup artists. “A general misconception might be that planners/coordinators can or will do the things you may not want to hire another vendor to do—whether that’s food set-up, cutting your four-tiered cake, or doing hair and makeup.” Instead, planners work alongside other talented vendors to bring your vision to life.
For most couples, communicating with multiple vendors can be overwhelming. Cass makes it easier by acting as a liaison. “I love communicating with vendors, making sure they have all the information they need and we have everything we need on our end,” she says. This streamlines the process, allowing brides and grooms to focus on the excitement of their wedding rather than juggling logistics.
With so many beautiful venues in Kansas City, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but The Hawthorne House holds a special place in Cass’s heart. “It’s so beautiful, classic, and timeless,” she says. In fact, her love for weddings began there when her uncle got married at the venue years ago.
Beyond planning weddings, Cass has a passion for creativity. With a background in graphic design, she enjoys calligraphy, painting, and designing invitations. She’s also a huge Harry Potter fan, having attended LeakyCon and visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando six times. Additionally, she’s a proud Swiftie, having seen Taylor Swift perform songs from her debut album back in 2007 and most recently attending the Eras Tour. When she’s not planning weddings, she loves traveling the world, with past trips to China, Uganda, Benin, Belize, and the UK.
Cass Clark isn’t just a Kansas City wedding planner—she’s a passionate advocate for her couples, ensuring their day is as seamless and stress-free as possible. Whether you need full-service planning or day-of coordination, she offers a range of packages to fit your needs. If you’re looking for a planner who will truly care about your wedding as much as you do, My Beloved Weddings is the perfect choice.
Ready to make your wedding planning experience effortless? Reach out to Cass Clark at My Beloved Weddings today!
So if you are in need of a Kansas City wedding photographer who is able to capture the big, intimate, and authentic moments while also allowing you to feel comfortable in front of the camera, don’t forget to reach out to me! Would love to document your day the way that it played out and allow you to relive your big day for years to come.