Planner - Kendra Nixon
- Business: Nomad Nixon
- Location: San Francisco, California CA
- Experience: 5 Years
- Profile: Nomad Nixon
- Website: www.nomadnixon.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hello! I'm Kendra Nixon, owner and lead coordinator for Nomad Nixon. I have always had a passion for life events, small details, and organization. For as long as I can remember, I have always been the "go to" friend or family member when someone was planning an event - from baby showers to weddings to birthday parties. If you wanted to bring your Pinterest dreams to life, you called Kendra.
After the birth of my son, I was at a crossroads with my career path. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I decided to take the leap and start my own wedding planning business. I made a website during nap time and signed up for every wedding platform imaginable to put myself out there. I didn't have set packages or a framework at the time, but developed it as I went along based off my couples needs and inputs. Every couple is different and the way people organize information is different, I learn so much from every experience and my business is constantly evolving.
2. What's your experience as a wedding planner? How many weddings have you planned?
After networking with a few different planners in the beginning stage of building my business, I decided to set a goal of ten weddings a year. Even with a baby and one on the way, I did it! Since then I have continued to coordinate ten weddings a year and try not to do more than two in the same month.
3. What sorts of services do you offer (month-of coordination, full-service planning, or à la carte planning)?
My packages range from full scale coordination to month of. I typically refer clients to full scale planning when they are in the very beginning stages of planning. Partial Planning is great for couples who might've set a date and chosen their venue, but aren't sure what the next step is. Together we collaborate on making sure the rest of the details come together. For Month-Of Coordination, I like to do this a little different than just the month-of. I jump in and support couples wherever they may be in their wedding planning journey. I create to-do lists with check in points to keep couples on track and offer suggestions and vendor recommendations along the way. A sort of wedding planning "guiding light."
All packages include a design moodboard, complete floor plan, detailed timeline and unlimited communication.
4. How do payments work (a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee etc.)? What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
I work with a flat fee. Transparent pricing has always been of utmost importance to me. In my own wedding planning experience, I felt blind sighted by bills and unexpected costs. My final bill had items like "tape" on it - I bring at least five kinds of tape to every wedding I coordinate and you're never ever going to see a bill for it!
My most popular package is Partial Planning, it's a great balance for couples that want to be involved in the wedding planning process, but don't want their inbox overloaded with quotes and vendor proposals.
5. Who else is in your team and how many people on your staff will be at the wedding?
As owner and lead coordinator, majority of the work is done by me. Depending on the size of the wedding, venue, decor setup, I will have an assistant join me on the day-of.
6. What happens if you're sick or otherwise unable to be there on the day of the wedding?
I get asked this question by couples often! I like to answer by telling them that I birthed a 10+ pound baby at home, so not much gets me down! I think I have called in sick one time in my adult like. However, in an effort to keep guests safe and healthy, I would not attend a wedding if I was feeling ill and I would send an assistant in my place.
7. How many meetings will you have with the couple and how will they be involved?
For me, there is no such thing as too much communication. The more we can be on the same page, the better I can execute your vision. I'm an open book and willing to accommodate whatever communication style fits you best. Does your mom want to be cc'd on all emails? Let's do it. Emails feel too overwhelming? Let's chat over coffee. Need to text me a question? go for it!
I invite couples to be as involved in the planning process as they'd like. My main job is to make this fun, easy, and enjoyable for you. If talking about flowers for hours on end is what makes you happy, let's do it. If you'd like me to find you three options and you check a box, that works too! This is a special time and I want couples to be focused on each other and all the magic that makes up your unique story.
8. Will you handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing? What about guest list coordination and RSVPs?
I most definitely can! However, I've found most couples like to handle this task on their own. Who doesn't love getting mail?! I typically assist in helping couples decide on invitation suites, offer wording examples, and proofread. I'm currently working with a client on a completely custom suite, down the the hand drawn illustrations, I can't wait to show you the final product!
9. Do you handle rentals? Will you coordinate delivery, arrival and set up times with the photographer, the florist, the musicians and the caterer/banquet manager?
In most situations, I handle all rentals. The couple and I (and sometimes catering) will work together to create a rental order. I will serve as point of contact for the day-of for all rental deliveries and vendor communication.
10. Can you create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process (other pros, members of the wedding party, to-be-weds and families) what to do and when to do it? How will you make sure everyone sticks to the schedule?
I like to say that my timelines are so detailed that if you were to find a copy of it, you could easily pick it up and run the wedding yourself! If friends or family members are involved in the wedding day, they're name will be included in the timeline in bold. I also create a digital version of the timeline that can be easily saved to your photos and texted to those who need to be in the know.
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