Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Downing.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started in the wedding industry in 2021 while planning my own wedding! The wedding industry wasn’t something I had thought much about before this and quickly fell in love with it. I started off working for a downtown KC venue as a Venue Manager and quickly learned I wanted to be more hands on with the couples and have a bigger impact on bringing their dream day to life. I then spent 4 years working as a Lead Planner for another KC planning company. I always had the bigger goal of being a business owner and in 2025 I officially started the transition to Downing Events & Design!
Alright, 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?
Starting off in the wedding industry was definitely a journey in itself! I started as a venue coordinator working every weekend while also working my full time job as a Project Manager for a website design & development company. Once I was finally offered a full time position, it felt like all of the work was worth it. While my time with the venue brought a lot of challenges in itself, it also allowed me to connect with other likeminded professionals in the industry. When making the switch to wedding planning, it was hard to find a company willing to take a chance on me. I really had to put myself out out there and make my value known! Then after multiple “no’s” I connected with a planner who could see the impact I would have on her business and she ended up being the best mentor I could ask for!
We’ve been impressed with Downing Events & Design, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The heart of Downing Events & Design comes down to my love of love. As an empath, I want every couple I work with to feel like they have a best friend and confidant throughout their journey to wedding day. Wedding planning brings up a lot of emotions. Some couples come from a broken family, some have lost a parent, some are going through health issues, while others are going through money struggles. Truly, everything feels heightened during this season of life and that’s where I come in. I’m here to bring the joy and fun into wedding planning! I’m here to bring more humor and light! I’m here to remind you that regardless of what linen you choose, you are still marrying the love of your life in room full of your closest friends and family. At the same time, we’re going to make the day beautiful and true to the couple. The more personalized the better!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It’s so hard to say! With social media, we’re constantly seeing more. Bigger, better, more extravagance. But at the same time, we’re seeing more couples deciding to elope. Not wanting to spend the money on a wedding day and going against the “norm”. At the end of the day, I truly believe that love should be celebrated and not just be about the image.
Pricing:
- Full Planning
- Partial Planning
- Day-of Planning
Contact Info:
- Website: downingeventsdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downingeventsdesign/
