Wedding planner highlight: Courtney of Courtney Jean Weddings

We had the pleasure of working with Courtney on a few weddings and were blown away by her professionalism, attention to detail, and overall demeanor. Not only is she a talented wedding planner, but she is also a joy to be around and truly cares about making her clients' wedding day dreams a reality.

We wanted to get to know Courtney a little better and asked her some questions about her background, experiences, and what sets her apart in the wedding planning industry. We hope you enjoy getting to know Courtney as much as we did and if you're in need of a wedding planner, be sure to give Courtney Jean Weddings a look!

1. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. What is your process for planning a wedding with a couple?

   This really depends on the couple to be honest. I think everyone has different needs, styles, and personalities & that’s what makes this job fun! I try to tailor the experience to each client. Obviously, I have my management workflows (which are very extensive) but everyone needs something just a little different. A small breakdown of how a generic process would go:

   9-12 months before the wedding I would consult with them & really get to know the client. I love coffee so we usually meet over coffee! After they book, I truly take over for them. From the booking moment on - I am just building a genuine relationship with my client to know what they need/want and truly take care of every detail.

2. You recently ventured on your own and started your own company. What inspired you to start Courtney Jean Weddings?

   I believe in marriage. My husband and I are coming up on our 7 year anniversary & it has been the best part of my whole life. I believe in the sacredness of marriage and the reflection of Christ’s love for His people through that relationship. It’s so beautiful & humbling - and to be able to create a day to celebrate such a powerful moment in someone’s life is truly so rewarding.

   PLUS - I’ve always been artistic and it felt like the most meaningful way to combine everything I love. 

3. How do you ensure that each couple’s wedding is unique and personal to them?

   I listen to them. I think this is a dying art. If you just listen to them, you know that every person is uniquely different and you can help reflect that on their wedding day. I also always try to remind them WHY we are celebrating. You can absolutely get lost in the details of trying to “wow” your guests, but this day is about a beautiful union between two unique souls and that’s the true “wow” factor.

4. Who are your ideal couples?

   Couples who are passionate about their relationship and want to intentionally celebrate the beginning of their marriage instead of just throwing a party to impress people. 

5. Amazing! Camille and I feel the same way about marriage! You’re so right, it’s not just another party. I’m sure there are things that don’t always go smoothly in the planning stage. How do you handle unexpected challenges that may arise during the wedding planning process?

   Ha! This could be a whole podcast. I have so many stories! I feel like I have all these secrets about people’s weddings that they don’t even know about! My motto: ignorance is bliss. I try to leave my couples out of challenges, but if it’s something I truly need to discuss with them (like their live band canceling 2 months before!), I will always have 2-3 back-up plans lined up before telling them. They are hiring me to be a problem solver, so that’s what I do! In high stress situations, people don’t want to have to make the decision, they need you to guide them through it and lead them in the right direction calmly. 

   In moments like this, it’s ALWAYS great to have someone with solid connections in the industry.  

6. What do you think is the key to a successful wedding day?

   Two VERY important things:

   1.  Well seasoned professionals for every vendor you hire. Having a calm, fun, and knowledge team makes a huge difference. You’re spending so much time & money on your wedding - you need people you can count on.

   2.  A timeline made by a wedding planner who does this every weekend - full time. A timeline from your venue or photographer are not sufficient. There are so many intricacies to the day they don’t include because it’s not their job to include. My timelines are 10+ PAGES long - so if someone has built something for you that’s only a page long - you should be worried. LOL.

7. We LOVE your timelines. We don’t have to guess what’s next and helps us plan our shots! What about those couples that maybe haven’t thought of hiring a planner? What advice do you have for couples planning their own wedding?

   If you can find it in your budget - at least hire a day of coordinator. They will truly make a world of difference. You want to enjoy getting ready with the people you love and soaking in every last moment. Not being bombarded with questions by your vendors or rushing to set everything up in time. 

   And don’t forget whyyyyy you’re getting married. Slow down, enjoy the process, because this is a once in a lifetime celebration. 

8. Whats the most memorable wedding you have planned and why?

   I have soooo many! But the most memorable one I have was when the client completely trusted me through the whole process. It makes a HUGE difference. When they trusted me to be creative and design something beautiful and handle all the details, it built this beautiful relationship that has lasted well after the wedding. We got to know each other, became friends, and it truly reflected on the wedding day. I was able to know what surprises they would love and tiny details that reflected them. When you allow me into your world to genuinely love you, it shines through your day. I’m a “feeler” so I put a lot of passion and love into my weddings and clients. 

9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? How do you balance work and personal life?

   Mental health is the ONLY way to make it in the industry - Ha! My hubby and I love being outside. It’s something I talk about a lot in my design process and how I’m truly inspired by this big beautiful earth. God made the ultimate form of beauty and it just keeps me inspired & centered. So, we spend a lot of time walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, and reading on our porch. My favorite hobby though is sewing! It’s why I love design so much! I love patterns, textiles, and textures, so I started creating my own clothes about 6 years ago. 

10. Bonus question: If you could have any super power, what would it be and how would you use it to help with wedding planning?

    This is awesome! Probably mind control. If I could get guests to move wherever I needed them to and when - that would be awesome. The ultimate crowd control. LOL.

We had a great time getting to know Courtney, and if you are on the fence about getting a planner, DO IT. You won’t regret it. Highly Recommended, in fact, it’s mandatory! Check out everything Courtney is doing at Courtney Jean Weddings

Hello there! We are Jian and Camille, a husband and wife wedding videographer team based in Springfield, MO. With a background in filming music videos and YouTube content, we discovered our love for capturing the beautiful moments of weddings. We are truly passionate about our craft and are always striving to improve our skills as wedding videographers. Our goal is to provide each couple with a unique and personalized film that reflects their personalities and style.

As a husband and wife team, we understand the importance of love and commitment, and we strive to capture that essence in every wedding film we create. We are honored to be a part of your special day and look forward to creating a beautiful film that you will cherish for years to come. Check out our work here.