Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Mulally.
Hi Molly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, I made my way to Austin, Texas, in April 2018 (by way of Oregon, California, and Arizona). I had originally picked Austin because I knew no one here and wanted a fresh start. What I found was a bustling, welcoming and kind event community. I joined an events firm when I first moved here, which was a great transition from my 10 years (at the time) of corporate event planning experience. Having the opportunity to work with such a diverse clientele and so many wonderful vendors, I quickly got settled into the Austin events scene. When the pandemic hit and the corporate events world closed its doors, I took some time to reevaluate my next steps. I knew corporate events would take a minute to ramp back up, so I looked toward venues/weddings. After having a pipe dream for the better part of 10 years of owning my venue, I wanted to find a stand-alone property to learn about the business side of venue management. I landed upon a wedding venue in Austin where I would spend the next two years supporting 110+ couples getting down the aisle, and throwing epic celebrations.
Joining a wedding venue’s team in September 2020 brought anticipated challenges as we were at the height of the pandemic. Weddings were still happening but looked different, smaller, and more intimate. The firehose of weddings that followed in 2021 and 2022 was not something anyone anticipated at the time. The date rescheduling, Covid outbreaks, on-site testing at weddings, and live streaming of ceremonies all became our norm. It was a wild ride, but to work at such a beautiful venue and support so many wonderful couples was a highlight reel. In November 2022, I joined my current company, KMW Weddings & Events. Working with one of the industry’s most talented designers and planners has been a very special journey in to the independent wedding planning industry. I now have the opportunity to see many other venues, work with the vendor friends I’ve made along the way, and continue to do what I do best – plan the most special celebrations for couples who then turn into lifelong friends. This chapter of my life brings great peace, work/life balance, and purpose. I have found a sweet spot in the ever-changing, high-paced world of events. I am grateful for the path that brought me to Austin and this place in my career. My compassion, empathy, great attention to detail, and positive outlook are best used in planning weddings.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Everything happens for a reason, and most importantly, when it’s supposed to. Moving to Austin with a clean slate was both terrifying and exhilarating. I had a chance to build my community and a new life. After making a major career change mid-pandemic, I always felt like I was making the right steps. While a wedding is still an event at heart, there are emotions and dynamics that I naively did not anticipate when I first started. I knew immediately that I was an integral part of the biggest day of each couple’s lives – and I took that very seriously. The most challenging part was seeing how gravely the pandemic affected weddings. Grandparents couldn’t attend and instead watched ceremonies from their computers at home. Large gatherings of people were on hold. Many couples rescheduled their dates two, three, and sometimes four times to have the celebration they had always looked forward to. Managing disappointment and heartache from my couples was trying. Ultimately, however, the end goal was always the same. Two people got married and celebrated (albeit differently than they had imagined). Having the volume of weddings we did in 2021 and 2022 was sometimes overwhelming but always rewarding. Now that I’ve become an independent wedding planner, it’s been a smooth transition. I have fewer weddings, allowing myself to give the 130% still I’ve always given, just with a bit more time. This has made me more motivated and inspired than ever in my career.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Wedding planning (in theory) should be a fun process – finding the right partner in a wedding planner is key to making that happen. I am an event planner at heart, and I’m now a wedding planner. I specialize in Partial Planning, which allows me to support my couples throughout their planning process versus getting involved just a few months out. This will enable me to build relationships with each couple, know what kind of wedding they want, and be involved. What sets me apart would be my #1 goal as a wedding planner, which is to make it feel like you’re planning with a friend, be an advocate and #1 cheerleader, and serve as someone who takes as much off your plate as humanly possible so that you can do nothing but enjoy your wedding day. I am proud to say some of my closest friends are former brides. Having someone who has your back, who will always be honest with you and who will not push you to make decisions that don’t feel right, and who wants you to enjoy every minute of being engaged and newly married – is a game changer.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am an empath at heart. I take my work and role in my clients’ lives very seriously, and I know how much trust is put into my hands to handle the biggest day of their lives to date. I don’t take the responsibility of being a wedding planner lightly. The biggest accomplishment I’ve made out of my entire career is the relationships I’ve fostered over the years, not just with clients but with vendors. Clients may come and go, but the community of vendor friends I have made has stayed intact. I am always a fierce advocate of all my vendors – wanting them to be/feel successful and cared for.
Of all the paths I’ve taken to get to this moment, I’m in the best place I can be – personally and professionally. I look forward to touching more lives along the way.
Pricing:
- $3,500+ – Event Management
- $5,500+ – Partial Planning
- $7,500+ – Full Service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kmw-events.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmwevents/
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/kmw-weddings-and-events-llc-austin-tx-2018659
Image Credits
Eryn Chandler, Lauren Maria Photography, Vitae Photography
