Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Diaz.
Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The joy of wedding planning started when I started planning my own wedding. I loved outlining the details, choosing dress colors, building relationships with different individuals with businesses, etc. But one thing I noticed was that the same photographers were always highlighted, the same Houston venues popped up on the internet, and the same caterers were always at every open house. I felt like my options were limited. And of course in the wedding industry, businesses that are well known don’t necessarily fit everyone’s budget. I continued my research to find companies who offered quality service but who were also affordable for real life people. I discovered amazing people that gave my husband and I an amazing wedding experience AND it didn’t cost our life savings. I wanted to do the same for other brides. It’s a rewarding feeling to not only help out a bride but also represent up and coming local businesses and show off their talent.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve learned to embrace “there is a time for everything.” There is a time to fail and get back up. There is a time for a new opportunity to be a part of. And there is a time to stay still. For me, my struggle was getting started. I had wedding planning experience but I didn’t have a website or business cards. I didn’t have an action plan in place. I didn’t know about branding and legal contracts. A lot of the things, I did not know because I never needed them in my life. I never had to create a website from scratch. I looked over contracts but I never had to write my own. So I did feel overwhelmed and frustrated when I first started out. So of course I did some research. I attended networking events, business workshops, branding classes, etc. I soaked up as much information as I could and still do from others in the Houston community. When starting anything new, we really have to be patient with ourselves and give ourselves grace for the progress we’ve had. Once I finished setting up, I still thought “oh but my site isn’t done because it doesn’t look as cute as so and so’s site” and “oh this event planner has done so many events and I’ve only done a few”. So I have had to constantly remind myself “look how far you’ve come.” Progress over perfection all day everyday is what I always say.
So Sweet Bridal – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So Sweet Bridal specializes in wedding planning and sweet events planning such as Quinceañeras and vow renewals. I plan these sweet events by researching and collaborating with local businesses to create a beautiful experience for women/men celebrating a special moment in their life. I coordinate events as well. So I’m the person in charge of your special day so you can relax and enjoy your day. A lot of people always ask what is the difference between a wedding planner and coordinator and it’s basically this. A wedding planner plans your wedding and does everything for you. If you want to plan your own wedding and research etc. but need help on the last months leading to tour big day, then who would hire a coordinator. But essentially they are both intertwined, the difference is the service you need.
The thing I’m most proud of as a company is my mission. I am a strong supporter of showing love to others and that’s my purpose with So Sweet Bridal. Showing love is helping a woman who works a 9-5 job and wants to plan her wedding day but is too tired by the time she gets home. Showing love is making sure both sides of the family feel comfortable and happy on the wedding day of their son/daughter. Showing love is supporting local vendors and making connections with them through sweet hospitality and relationships. I think every business has something special that sets them apart. Mine is just that there’s only one So Sweet Bridal and one Kelly. We are all wonderfully made and I think that’s what make local businesses special. We are all different.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment was the 1st wedding that I helped in. I was just very proud that I was physically there because all that was real were my thoughts and plans about being a wedding planner. I was proud of being a part of the bride’s special day and her telling me she couldn’t have done it without me. I was setting up flowers, making calls, organizing ceremony outline, etc. It was just a nice moment to stand there and say “wow. I did this.”
Pricing:
- Wedding planning begins at $1,500
- Wedding coordination begins at $600
Contact Info:
- Website: Sosweetbridal.com
- Phone: 8323032341
- Email: sosweetbridal@gmail.com
- Instagram: Sosweetbridal
- Facebook: So Sweet Bridal
Image Credit:
Inez Lara Studios, Inez Lara Weddings
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
