Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsie Thomann
Hi Kelsie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
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Let’s take it back to where it all began: college. After switching majors a few times, I eventually found myself in a class designed to help you find a career path. In all honesty, I took this class to snag an easy credit and didn’t think much about how it would shape my future. We were tasked with interviewing someone in a career field we were interested in and giving a presentation on them. I’ve loved curating events from a young age so I decided to interview a family friend who was a wedding and events planner. I did the project, gave the presentation, and continued on with my life. Fast forward a few weeks, I got a call from her offering me a part-time job. I jumped at the chance to get some experience.
At first, the role wasn’t exactly glamorous—I was doing all the behind-the-scenes work like setting up tables, tying bows, and all the little things that go into event planning. Before I knew it, I was leading my own events at just 19. That hands-on experience was everything, it gave me the skills I needed for when I eventually started my own business. I stuck with her throughout college, but after graduation, I landed a job at one of the biggest music and event venues in my hometown. They threw me in the deep end with little to no guidance, but hey, I’m a fast learner and was ready to tackle anything. I did it all—sales, event planning, you name it.
Unfortunately, the work environment became a bit unbearable. My boss and I didn’t see eye-to-eye—at all. His values were outdated, and he had some serious micromanaging tendencies despite the success I was bringing to the company. It became difficult to stay motivated in such a toxic environment where my efforts went unnoticed. About a year after working at the venue, my partner and I had plans to go to a music festival but it got canceled because of the pandemic. Since I had the time off, we decided to visit Austin, Texas. What was supposed to be a quick visit to see a friend turned into us looking at places to live. When I got back to Kansas City, I put in my two weeks’ notice, packed up my life, and moved to Austin a week later.
The job hunt wasn’t easy with the pandemic still going strong, so I took a serving job while I figured things out. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that event planning was where I truly belonged. I had the skills, the passion, and the drive to start my own business, so I went for it and launched The Groovy Wedding Co.
Starting out was tough, though—like any new business, there were a lot of growing pains. I had to figure out the logistics, find clients, and stand out in such a competitive market. With lots of patience and determination, everything eventually started to click. Once the ball started rolling, it was like a snowball effect—the momentum built, and I haven’t looked back since. I think what really got me here was having blind confidence. I’ve never let doubt creep in because, honestly, if you don’t believe in yourself, who will? That mindset has truly been a game changer for me!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride, but honestly, the silver lining is that I’ve learned so much along the way—not just about my business and the industry, but about myself too! Being an entrepreneur is such a journey of self-growth, and I’m loving the ride (even on the bumpy days).
One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out all the different hats I need to wear as a business owner. I can plan weddings all day long, no problem! But all of the other aspects of running a business? That’s been a whole other adventure. I started my business with minimal financial investment so I had to figure out how to do everything on my own. For instance, while I’ve always loved using my personal Instagram, I had to teach myself how to manage a business account. With social media being my main platform of attracting clients, I had to learn how to detach emotionally and approach it more strategically.
And let’s be real—imposter syndrome has been a major hurdle too. I’m not your average wedding planner. I like to think outside the box and do things a little differently, I take a very laidback approach to wedding planning and am not a high stress person. For a while, I felt like I didn’t quite fit the mold. But over time, I’ve realized that those differences are actually what make me stand out. Embracing my uniqueness has become one of my biggest strengths, and it’s helped me attract the most amazing, badass clients who vibe with my approach and style.
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?
At The Groovy Wedding Co., we’re all about crafting weddings that are as unique as the love stories behind them. I specialize in crafting celebrations that truly reflect each couple’s personality and journey. Whether it’s thinking outside the box with bold designs or embracing the unexpected, I love helping couples create a wedding that feels 100% theirs.
While design is a huge passion of mine, I’m also really big on guest experience. To me, it’s not just about how beautiful the day looks (although we definitely love that part too!); it’s about making sure every moment feels personal, meaningful, and totally authentic. I believe the best weddings are the ones that feel like a true reflection of the couple—their journey, their quirks, and their love for each other.
I absolutely respect wedding traditions, but I’m all about encouraging couples to think beyond them when it feels right for them. My goal is always to help create a celebration that feels like their wedding—one that showcases who they are and what makes their love so special. At the end of the day, the most memorable weddings are the ones that celebrate the connection between two people in a way that feels real, fun, and uniquely theirs!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Honestly, I’m not much of a podcaster, blogger, or bookworm—I’m definitely more of a hands-on and visual learner. When it comes to staying up-to-date with trends and industry insights, my approach is a little different. I’m all about Instagram. It’s my main source of inspiration and where I stay connected with other planners, vendors, and creatives. Since it’s such a visual platform, it’s perfect for me—I thrive on seeing ideas come to life in real-time!
For me, Instagram isn’t just about the pretty pictures. It’s about tapping into a creative community. I follow so many incredibly talented planners, florists, photographers, and venues who share both their work and their process. It’s inspiring to see how others approach challenges and bring fresh ideas to the table—it always pushes me to think outside the box for my own clients.
I’m always keeping an eye on the latest wedding trends as they unfold on Instagram. Being ahead of the curve is super important in this industry, and Instagram lets me gain new inspiration and innovative takes on wedding experiences as they happen. It’s such a valuable resource for me and my process.
While books and podcasts aren’t really my jam, I believe there’s an incredible amount of knowledge to be found in the visual world, and Instagram is my go-to resource for that.
Pricing:
- My services start at $3,100 and go up from there based on the package and level of services required.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegroovyweddingco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroovyweddingco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegroovyweddingco/
Image Credits
Taylor Friedman Photography
Valerie Thompson Photography
