We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Blessinger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what do you attribute your success to?
When I first started my wedding planning company, Kindred Weddings and Events, I very much fell into the trap of believing I needed to be everything to everyone! I needed to have the best message, I needed to paint broad strokes to get as much business as possible, and I needed to never say”no”. These lies were revealed to me during my first case of burnout. I had completed my second year working with couples and realized that I couldn’t keep doing it all, I was exhausted. I needed to find what set me apart in the wedding industry and focus on that specific niche. Branching out with many offers brought my business opportunities, but niching down brought my business consistency and quality. Being able to share with couples exactly what I have to offer, how it is so unique and different, has made all the difference in consistent inquiries, quality of bookings, and joyful celebrations!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The biggest thing that sets us apart from other wedding professionals is our foundation. When we plan a wedding, we start with a focus on your (the couple’s) relationships. We love getting to know who you truly are as individuals and as a couple so we know how to best show up for you during your planning process, and how to best support you on the big day itself. Your love story is integral to the ambiance of the wedding day, and when we start with this in mind and make decisions from this planning foundation everything falls together. We see weddings as a minimalist affair. It is less about the decor or color-scheme and more about the people and relationships involved.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever anyone comes to visit us, the first places on my itinerary are full of natural beauty. Outdoor spots like Descanso Gardens or Huntington Library and Gardens top the list for their relaxing aesthetic and grounding abilities. Of course, after taking in all plants, trees, flowers, and sky I want to bottle it all up and bring it home with me. Time for a stop at one of my favorite plant shops Folia Collective to pick up a new snake plant and of course another peperomia obtusifolia. I’d suggest a casual lunch or dinner at a quaint spot like Harvest Moon in Sherman Oaks, Olive and Thyme in Burbank, or Granville!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
2 things come to mind as the secret to my success… 1) My patient, loving, and supportive husband who at one point or another has been my marketing consultant, my graphic designer, my day of assistant, my food delivery guy, my financial supporter, my delegator, and my backbone. 2) The Your Best Year planning workbook. Without this tool, I would have never discovered the common thread behind my favorite + most successful weddings. It was the intimate nature of the wedding celebration and the small guest counts!

Website: www.kindredweddingsandevents.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kindredwedevents/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kindredweddingsandevents
Other: Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/kindred-weddings-and-events-north-hollywood/f5f371e54800b109.html

Image Credits
Photography: Haley Rynn Ringo Photography (www.haleyrynnringo.com), Becca Murray Photography (www.beccamurrayphoto.com), XO and Fetti Photography (www.xoandfetti.com)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.