Today we’d like to introduce you to Keely Hall.
Hi Keely, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always adored weddings. When I was ten years old, I picked up a mega copy of “The Knot” with my best friend Georgia, and the wedding obsession began. I loved the big dresses, fun color schemes, and the beautiful flowers. As I grew older, my interest in weddings remained steady.
I attended the University of Texas at Austin and majored in Public Relations. I always knew I was interested in the hospitality field, but being a wedding planner didn’t really cross my mind early on, despite my love of weddings. During my sophomore year, I joined the on-campus event planning group, Texas Belles. During one of the meetings, a wedding planner came in and talked to us, and I could see my future flash before my eyes. I continued to be involved in the Belles and even started my own organization at UT. Planning meetings for that group solidified that event (and wedding) planning was my future.
After I graduated in December 2023, I got my current job event planning for an HOA in Buda. One of my previous co-workers hired me as her day-of wedding coordinator in April 2024, since she knew I was interested. I loved it! I was exhausted and got about 25K steps that day, but I was in love with wedding coordinating. Flash forward to August,
my best friend Georgia got married. I was overjoyed to be her maid of honor. Her wedding was one of the most fun times of my life. When I flew back to Austin I realized that I wanted to be involved in the wedding industry as soon as possible. For next few months, I assisted with a local wedding planner, The Moore the Marry Her, and with a florist, Poppy Layne. I researched my target market, created my branding and image, and launched my website in November 2024! I booked my first client that following January.
Since then, I have coordinated a couple of weddings and have seven on the books for the rest of 2026 alone! I am balancing day-of coordinating with my day job of planning events, so I am booked and busy! I can’t believe that I am actually achieving the very thing I worked so hard for these past few years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
All things considered, it has been relatively smooth! It is surprising to say that, but I think it’s confirmation that this is the road I’m meant to take. The main struggle for me has been learning how to network and advertise effectively. Although my degree was in Public Relations, the advertising side is a bit foreign to me. It is one thing to know how to use social media, but to know how to use it to market my business is an entirely different beast!
I started by just replying to Facebook group posts. It sounds silly, but I got quite few leads that way; in fact, both of the weddings I did this year were booked thanks to Facebook. I started dabbling in Facebook/Instagram ads, and that helped, but not as much as creating a TikTok for Keely Kate Weddings. Ever since I started that account (@keelykateweddings), I am getting 1-2 inquiries per day. That surprised me, but it is clearly working!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a wedding coordinator, specifically a Day-Of or Month-Of Coordinator! Something I didn’t know before entering this industry is that there is full service wedding planning as well as day-of coordinating. I am not a full service planner, meaning I don’t help people book vendors or get them started in the planning process. Instead, I come in either six weeks or two weeks prior to the wedding day, depending on which package people book. Many people prefer this since they want to plan the wedding themselves, but not have to manage the wedding. I am the point of contact and I troubleshoot anything that comes up during the wedding day so my clients can just relax and enjoy the hard work they have put in.
Before the big day, I take over vendor communication, help finalize the timeline and final layout, do venue walkthroughs, and help with any last minute questions! On the day of, my tasks usually include set-up, communication with all vendors, timeline management, lining up and dismissing the bridal party, coordinating with the DJ for the reception, grabbing the couple for important events, and more! I also do any random tasks, like grabbing coffee, setting up a beer pong table (real example!), running to grab extra napkins, etc. At the end of the night, I break down, send decor off with people, and am the last to leave the wedding. I like to say that anything you can use me for, I will do!
I believe what sets me apart from others is transparency, authenticity, and dedication. I pride myself on being transparent with my services and pricing. You would be surprised with how many vendors don’t list their prices on their website. As an event planner, I don’t go with vendors who aren’t up front with pricing, especially when I can find someone else who is. It is extremely important to me to tell potential couples exactly what I offer and how much it will cost them. When I hop on a client call, I lay out exactly what they will get and how the coordinating process will work from start to finish.
I am authentic to myself from the start, showcasing my fun personality and creative tastes. I decided to use hot pink and funky colors in my branding, as I feel it is true to me, to Keely Kate Weddings. It also distinguishes myself from others, as many within the wedding industry will go with pastels and “softer” branding. I want to attract couples who are bold and who think outside the box, much like myself. I dedicate myself to my clients and will go above and beyond. I hear horror stories of wedding coordinators who sit around and do nothing, and that will never be me. I average around 25K steps on a wedding day and am constantly in motion. Before the day even starts, I have already put in countless hours of work into making my couples happy. I will do whatever it takes to make my client’s day as amazing as it can be.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
How can I answer that question? Is “everything” an acceptable answer? I think what I love most about Austin is the individuality. I have never been anywhere else that feels like Austin. It is such an amazing mix of kindhearted people, beautiful landscapes, and a uniquely home-y feel for such a large city. Every time I go for a walk around Lady Bird Lake, I am in awe of the skyline, the greenery, and I love people watching. I love that in Austin it feels like I can be anyone I want to be and I will be accepted for it.
My least favorite part definitely has to be the constant construction on our highways! I live in South Austin, so depending on the construction, it can take me anywhere from 15-40 minutes to get downtown! It can be extremely inconvenient at times.
Pricing:
- $700 for Day-Of Coordination
- $1000 for Month-Of Coordination
- $100 for Rehearsal Dinner Management
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keelykateweddings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keelykateweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569256975003
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keely-kate-weddings-2b1b2633b/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keelykateweddings?lang=en
