Expert Advice: Kimberlee Bendeck of Boutique Events

Posted by Kate Berry, Senior Style Editor

Photos (from left to right) shot by Noah Hendler and Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Having the help of a wedding planner is a luxury that's worth every penny. When I got married, I enlisted the help of many of my friends, and then some. But if it weren't for my wedding planner, I would have been a mess trying to keep every detail in order.

I met Kimberlee Bendeck of Boutique Events working on a real wedding last year. Naturally, I feel pretty informed about weddings and events because of where I work, but when it comes to the actual event production, Kimberlee was so on top of things and had every source at her fingertips. I had a chance to catch up with Kimberlee last weekend at an event, and here's what she had to say.

What sets you apart from other wedding coordinators?

I find that every couple has a unique vision for their wedding. My focus is to make sure their vision becomes a reality. I'm very hands on in all aspects of the weddings and stay as far away from the cookie cutter wedding as possible. And I really push my brides and grooms to customize their celebrations and think outside of the traditional expectations of weddings today.

How far in advance and how much do you get involved in a wedding?

Usually about 6-8 months in advance but I've had a few incredible weddings that started just 3 months out! No detail is overlooked, from the type of filling in the cake to the color palette of the wedding—I'm involved in it all. Planning a wedding is a very intimate process, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of helping create such a momentous event in my client's lives.

New York is your area of expertise, but are there other places you like to work?

I just took my business bi-coastal this past summer and love working in sunny Southern California, from LA to Orange County all the way to San Diego. I've started to branch out to Santa Barbara as well. It's just a different vibe, and I can create a very different kind of wedding.

What are some last minute decisions you've had to deal with?

A lot of the last minute decisions I've had to deal with are table changes based on guests that cacel at the very last minute due to illness or travel. Between that and working with new escort cards, it's a situation I've become pretty used to.

If a bride is on a budget, what can she do on her own; what are the things you'd be more helpful with?

A few things brides can do on their own to cut down on wedding coordinator hours are managing the guest list, tracking RSVPs, and working on the rehearsal dinner and brunch or showers. Those events take a lot of time, but they can also be less labor intensive.

Any funny behind-the-scenes info you've had to keep from the bride and groom during the wedding, then shared with them after?

I protect my clients from a lot! It typically has to do with guests and family. Once, a mother of the groom drank too much; another time, divorced parents got into an argument over the order of the toasts; often, guests that the bride and groom don't want speaking try to wrestle the microphone away from me. I always share these sometimes not so hilarious moments with the happy couple after the wedding, and by then, they're funny.

Any other expert tips?

I think some couples don't know how to approach the "big, bad wedding budget." I address it head-on to alleviate my clients' fears, providing them with a detailed estimated breakdown based on our initial meeting. This allows them to approach the wedding educated about the costs. This should always be a priority for brides!

Go to our website for more wedding planning tips from our editors and stylists!

 

Comments

[Amy Nelson Hannon]

I was fortunate enough to work alongside Kimberlee in 2006 at a lavish wedding in the Northwest Arkansas metro area. She was amazingly talented! And you could rely on Kimberlee to make things happen! She was a joy to watch in action and I'm delighted to see her success!

[Heather of Vallentyne Photography]

This is so relevant and helpful! Great article:)

[Rena Karakhanian]

I got married in Kennbunkport, ME in July of 2008. Kim was the greatest gift to have in preparing for my wedding. She is so hands on, incredibly detailed oriented and truly makes the most stressful parts of a wedding carefree. She jumps right in and takes care of every single detail. I was so impressed by her expertise, your compassion and her problem solving capabilities. I don't know what I would had done without her. To any bride planning their wedding, Kim is the "DREAM" wedding planner, that every girl would be lucky to work with.

[SJH]

Kim is THE BEST. Period. She has learned from the best like Marcy Blum and Preston Bailey. Kim just spent the last few months as my planner making my dream wedding come true at my parents home. She was understanding of family dynamics and so thorough with every detail. I am thrilled she is being recognized by the Martha editors.

[Rehana McClean Zamfotis]

My husband and I interviewed EIGHT highly regarded wedding planners for our my NYC wedding in May 2009. Because I wanted a loft wedding, I knew that we needed a very hands-on planner. (Taking a raw space and turning it into your dream wedding is a huge project!) I am so happy that we chose Kimberlee--she has close relationships with the best vendors in Manhattan. Kimberlee was a help to me in every possible way: from dress fittings, to selecting the rehearsal dinner location, to finding the right musicians, and even getting the empire state building lit up in my wedding colors! Kimberlee was a joy to work with; both my husband and I were over the moon with the end result--our DREAM wedding!

[linsey]

I worked with Kimberlee for a wedding at the Pierre a few months ago. I work with a handful of really great event planners, but Kim's flair for detail completely stood out. She went above and beyond as far as organization and communication go. She had everything under control and even when plans changed last minute with additional girls who needed makeup applications, Kim took charge and swiftly made it all happen...even with the short amount of time. She was a true pleasure to work with and has a talent that is hard to find.

[Christopher Starr]

When Kimberlee calls, I come running. We appreciate how well she handles the many details, which allows her Vendors to provide her with the best service. I am proud to be one of her Vendors!

[Bridget]

As one of Kimberlee's vendors, I work with her on design- everything from save the dates to favors. She gets to know her clients very well, and then combines their vision with her detail-oriented creativity for end results are always just what the client wanted, but didn't know to ask for. Her thorough knowledge of events and production is always apparent, her patience keeps her cool in any situation, and her organization makes working for her a dream.

[Dina]

Great information! Thanks

[Adee Hendler]

As mother of the bride, Kim made my life so much easier during the four months of planning a home, tented, August '09 wedding for 160 guests. Hurricane Dan was a threat, but Kim had an alternate plan and she executed it calmly and quickly. Her professionalism, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor were always appreciated by our family. She has become our "other daughter" and we congratulate her on her much deserved success.

[Gail]

I can say with confidence that Kimberlee is the BEST wedding planner in the biz. She coordinated my wedding a year ago and it was the most magical, smooth, unique and special day of our lives. I owe so much of that to her honest approach, style advice and detail management. To this day she is a trusted and cherished friend.

[marcy blum]

I have to say Kim is perhaps the only person that I would consider my "mentee"(oh boy how pompous that sounds) but she is truly a delicious person and an exceptional planner AND she is almost as funny as I am (but she is young yet)

[Dana Cohen]

Not only was Kim my wedding planner in NYC at The Pierre but I have since started to hire her and recommend to her to all my wedding clients at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. She is the wedding planner's planner! She is the most organized, detail oriented, proffessional and fun planner I have ever worked with. She goes over and beyond the call of duty. From the moment I met Kim, I knew I had to work with her becasue I loved her so much!