As one of the top luxury destination wedding and event planners, Stacie + Co. realizes that the key to creating truly extraordinary experiences is building authentic relationships and partnering with like minded organizations. We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Destination Weddings by ALHI, a company that represents a carefully curated portfolio of some of the finest, most luxurious properties in the world. This exciting new partnership will enable clients of Stacie + Co. access to some of the most renowned wedding venues in the world plus give them additional perks and incentives because of the relationship Stacie + Co. has established with Destination Weddings by ALHI. We’re excited to continue our Wedding Vendors We Love Series, chatting with Kimberly Richmond of ALHI!
Name + Business Name:
Kimberly Richmond of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
Service Offering(s):
ALHI represents a selective and curated portfolio of independent, luxury resorts and hotels worldwide. We offer a complimentary venue sourcing service that is designed to help wedding planners find the perfect destination and ideal wedding venue for their clients. In addition to coming up with a list of properties based on the criteria we are given, ALHI can also assist with setting up and coordinating site visits and work with the wedding planner through the end of the contracting process.
What do you love most about serving couples?
There is something truly extraordinary about being such an instrumental part of one of the most special days in someone’s life.
Why is having a wedding planner and designer so important for couples?
Oh, my goodness, so many reasons! Planning a wedding is a full-time job, which is why there are pros out there like Stacie + Co. who have made a career of it. Hiring the right wedding planner and designer will ensure that the planning process is seamless and that nothing is missed along the way. Having a planner also typically saves couples money in the end, because usually the planner will have relationships with vendors which equate to better pricing and will also have the negotiating skills to ensure their clients are getting the best possible deals. Last, but certainly not least, having a planner be onsite to execute all wedding events will allow the couple to be guests at their own wedding. They can focus on spending time with family and friends vs. making sure vendors are showing up on time.
Favorite way to spend the day with your family:
My fiancé and I just got an adorable puppy named Piper. These days we spend most of our time navigating puppyhood and all it entails. I love getting outside with her as much as possible whether it’s hiking, hitting up a dog park or exploring new sites in our hometown (Washington, D.C.)
How do you spend your free time:
I love to travel so whenever given the opportunity; I’m off exploring some new place. I’m also a huge animal lover and work/volunteer with local animal rescue organizations to help get homeless pets adopted. I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a foster, but I fear that if I do, I’ll end up with 17 cats and 8 dogs! Yoga is also a biggie for me. I find that it’s the only time I can actually “shut” my mind off and zone out for 60 minutes which is worth its weight in gold!
What do weekends look like when you don’t have a wedding?
Weekends are pretty busy for me. I’ve found that I don’t really know how to relax! I love hosting a good dinner party, checking out wineries with friends, exploring parks with Piper or working on projects at home. I love DIY stuff like refurbishing old pieces of furniture, tiling the backsplash in my kitchen or working in the garden. If I do stop to take a “breath”, I’ve most likely got HGTV on in the background.
Favorite wedding moment of all time:
If a couple is doing a “first look”, this is my absolute favorite moment of the day. It’s the first time they are seeing each other and that private moment they share is priceless. The rush of nerves and excitement are palpable. If they don’t do a first look, then the first time they see each other while walking down the aisle is top of the list!
Best piece of advice to couples planning their wedding:
Three pieces of advice. The first one would be to hire a wedding planner! The second one would be to TRUST the planner you hire. Third piece would be to keep a sense of humor throughout the planning process and remember not to lose focus on the big picture – getting married to the person you’ve chosen to spend your happily ever after with.
Looking to get caught up on our Vendor Highlight Series? Head here for the first post. And, don’t forget to check back as we continue to share more of our vendor friends in the weeks to come!
