Why Matters Most Weddings + Event Management Makes Your Day Effortless

Imagine this: It’s your wedding day. The air is filled with excitement, your guests are arriving, and everything is running smoothly. You’re sipping champagne, laughing with your bridal party, and soaking in the moment—completely stress-free. Why? Because you made one of the best wedding decisions possible: hiring a Kansas City wedding coordinator or planner.

At What Matters Most Weddings + Event Management, Kristi Stuart and her team specialize in ensuring that couples experience a seamless, stress-free wedding day. Whether you’re deep into the planning process or just getting started, here’s how having a wedding coordinator or planner transforms your wedding experience and why it’s an investment you’ll never regret.

As a Kansas City wedding photographer, it is important for me that my couples are relaxed and enjoying their day. Continue reading to see the tea on what Kansas City wedding coordinator or planners do, the important of one, common misconceptions, much more!

What Exactly Does a Wedding Coordinator or Planner Do?

Many couples wonder if they really need a wedding coordinator or planner. The answer? If you want a smooth, stress-free day, absolutely.

When you invest in What Matters Most Weddings + Event Management, you’re getting more than just someone who keeps track of the timeline—you’re gaining a dedicated expert who ensures that every single detail is covered. Here’s what Kristi and her team handle:

• Planning Document Portal – Your one-stop shop to keep all wedding details organized.
• Guaranteed Check-ins – 90, 60, and 30-day check-ins to ensure everything is on track.
• Vendor Coordination – Confirming all vendors, collecting rentals, and ensuring seamless collaboration.
• Setup & Teardown – From setting tables to boxing up decor at the end of the night.
• Timeline Management – Ensuring every moment of your wedding day runs on schedule.
• Family & Bridal Party Assistance – From pinning boutonnieres to making sure Grandma gets to her seat on time.
• Last-Minute Problem Solving – Any unexpected hiccups? They’re handled before you even notice.

Wedding Coordinator/Planner vs. Venue Coordinator: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest misconceptions couples have is that their venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator or planner serve the same purpose. In reality, they have very different roles.

A venue coordinator ensures that everything within the venue runs smoothly—lights, climate control, restocking supplies, and sometimes even handling unexpected issues (yes, they have been known to unclog toilets!). However, a venue coordinator is not there to assist with your personal wedding details, like steaming dresses, running your timeline, or ensuring your bridal party knows where to be at all times.

A wedding coordinator or planner focuses entirely on you. They make sure your vendors are on the same page, your decor is flawless, and every detail you envisioned comes to life. With What Matters Most Weddings + Event Management, you’ll have someone ensuring you don’t have to lift a finger—except to say “I do.”

Can You Afford a Wedding Coordinator or Planner? (Hint: Probably!)

A common misconception is that hiring a wedding coordinator or planner is out of budget. However, planning services vary in price, and Kristi emphasizes that there are planning packages to fit almost every budget.

When you consider the investment you’ve made in your venue, photographer, and other vendors, hiring a wedding coordinator or planner ensures that none of that investment goes to waste. Plus, a planner can help you avoid costly mistakes, negotiate vendor contracts, and make strategic recommendations that may even save you money.

The Magic of Vendor Coordination

Your wedding is a collaboration between multiple vendors—photographers, florists, DJs, caterers, and more. Coordinating all of them can feel overwhelming. That’s where a wedding coordinator or planner steps in.

Kristi believes in the philosophy that “Great Vendors Make Great Weddings.” With over six years and 125 weddings of experience, she has built strong relationships with Kansas City’s best vendors. She ensures that every vendor receives consistent messaging and knows exactly what’s expected so that your vision comes to life seamlessly.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

A wedding coordinator or planner doesn’t just execute logistics—they help craft a day that reflects your style and priorities. Whether it’s Pinterest boards, sample tables, or collaborating with top florists and rental companies, What Matters Most Weddings + Event Management ensures that what matters most to you is at the forefront of your day.

Kristi’s secret? Gathering as much information as possible ahead of time, so that every element—from your tablescapes to your first dance—feels like a natural extension of your love story.

More Than Logistics: A Planner’s Hidden Value

Wedding planning isn’t just about schedules and centerpieces—it’s also about managing people. Tensions can arise on a wedding day, but with a seasoned planner, you’ll never have to handle them yourself.

Kristi and her team have expertly navigated everything from keeping family disagreements under control to handling intoxicated guests with discretion. They also serve as a voice of reason when too many opinions threaten to override your vision. At the end of the day, your peace is their priority.

Fun Facts About Kristi Stuart

If you’re going to trust someone with one of the most important days of your life, you’ll probably want to know a little bit about them! Here’s a peek into Kristi’s world:

• Passionate About Performing Arts – Her sons are active in theater, and she’s a longtime season ticket holder at Starlight Theatre.
• TV Enthusiast – She’s a self-proclaimed TV snob and watches all the Emmy-nominated shows each year.
• Audiobook Addict – If she’s setting up your wedding, chances are she has an audiobook playing in her AirPods.

Kristi’s Biggest Wedding Day Pet Peeves (AKA: Let’s Avoid These!)

Even the most organized weddings can have little hiccups. Here are two things that drive Kristi crazy (so let’s make sure they don’t happen at your wedding!):

1. Dessert Before the Cake Cutting – Wedding etiquette dictates that guests should wait until the couple has cut the cake before diving into the dessert table. Patience is key!
2. Buffet Line Hoarders – Taking multiple entrees before everyone has gone through the line can lead to guests missing out. Let’s make sure everyone gets fed first!

Finding the Right Venue for You

Kansas City is packed with incredible wedding venues, and Kristi has worked with many of them. While she has a soft spot for venues like The 1890, The Brim, La Villa, Firehouse KC, and Union, she believes that the best venue is the one that truly fits your vibe and vision.

Ready for a Wedding Day That Feels Effortless?

At the end of the day, your wedding should be joyful, stress-free, and unforgettable. Hiring a planner like Kristi Stuart ensures that instead of worrying about logistics, you’re fully present in the moment. From vendor coordination to timeline management, she and her team at What Matters Most Weddings + Event Management will handle it all—so you don’t have to.

If you’re ready to invest in a seamless, beautiful, and truly enjoyable wedding day, reach out to Kristi today. After all, the only thing you should be focusing on is celebrating your love story!

And 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.