Meet Savannah McGovern | Alternative Wedding Planner

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

Hi Savannah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first decided to open my business, I told several people about my idea to cater towards a more unique and quirky type of wedding clientele to which they understandably had their doubts. But, I had noticed for a long time, that there is a severe lack of inspiration in the wedding market with regards to couples who want to celebrate their wedding day differently whether that be a big & bold festival theme, an ode to all things nerdy, a cottage core mystical dreamland, or an all black gothic affair. As an individual who herself is interested in all thingsd off beat and unusual, I remeber feeling ‘restricted’ when deciding on my own wedding day, in that I I felt had to cater to what was ‘normal’. I never realized I could do something edgy and different. I love it when wedding guests approach me excitedly to let me know ‘they didn’t know weddings could look like this!?’. I won’t deny that there are other wedding vendors out there that work in this niche but we are such a rarity. I only know of one major bridal magazine in the western world and a handful of blogs that dedicate themselves to the odd, unusual, and quirky type of weddings. So, when I saw Southern California didn’t have a planner out there that covers it all, I knew I had to jump right in. I’m very happy to announce that since my business has been open, we’ve struck a cord with many awesome couples and have so many wonderful themed weddings on the way for 2022 and 2023. We believe every couple deserve to have a wedding that accurately represents them and are so excited for what the future has in store with many more amazing clients.

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?
While our path to where we are now has been an exciting one, it certainly wasn’t easy. Our books opened back in the summer of 2020, when COVID appeared to be ending…and then it didn’t, which caused another complete halt in the wedding industry. We went many months with just the odd inquiry here and there but because of the uncertainty of the world, no one was biting. Then, in the fall of 2020, we collaborated with some fabulous vendors to really show potential clients what we are made of. Working alongside some of Southern California’s top vendors not only helped to push my own designs but validated what I was doing. Up until then, doubt had a grip on me. But, when I spoke to these vendors, they all seemed so excited about the colors and concept. The pictures from that shoot still make me so proud today and I couldn’t have done it without them. It is because of their collaborative help, something I wasn’t aware existed in our industry, that I was able to really launch my business. By the time the vaccine roll-out started, we were well on our way to where we stand today.

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?
When my family and friends get together, we mostly like to just hang out and catch up so a loungy beach day would be a must. My husband and I particularly like this little secret beach in Laguna Beach (no, I’m not sharing its name) so we’d take our friends or family member there for the day to swim and follow it up with a nice dinner to follow at one of the local restaurants. We’d also probably take them on a bike ride to the coast and eat at one of my favorite restaurants in the area, Sol in Newport Beach. Their Mexican food is amazing! Other than that, we honestly would just hang out at home and catch up, though I might coerce someone to go to one of the fun themed bars around here like The Cauldron in Buena Park or Strong Water in Anaheim!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes!! I would love to shout out Ashley with Herb + Ritual, a florist local to Southern California. She and I found each other through Instagram and have become fast friends. She is an incredible florist whose arrangements are so artfully put together, you’d think it was a classical art piece fit for a museum. If you don’t believe me, her tag line is: Where Nature + Art collide in the magic of the wild.

Website: www.moonbeamweddings.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/moonbeamweddings

Image Credits
Photos by: Sara Keefe Photography, Michael Dadula Photography, Alyssa Renee Photography, Tom Valdez Photography