We were lucky to catch up with Dana Bacaling recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dana, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

Prior to launching Dana Ashley Events, I worked at an Arboretum executing over 400 events annually ranging from intimate ceremonies, to company picnics, holiday celebrations, and of course wedding receptions. All of which took place across our 1,700 acre property amongst 4 separate venues alongside the education, conservation, research, and countless other programs supported by the institution. In my role, I was responsible for hosting tours, fielding inquiries, submitting contracts, creating floorpans, managing set-up and catering staff, communicating needs to security, gatehouse, and volunteer staff for events, all while being a salesperson, day-of coordinator, and all-around “expert” for my clients. The hardest part of the job was having to make the decision to pull a wedding indoors because of weather. Obviously, being an arboretum, the number one reason most couples chose to celebrate with us was because of the gorgeous outdoor setting. I learned very quickly that I needed to set expectations from the very start, making it clear that we can control almost everything on a wedding day, but the weather is absolutely NOT one of those things. Most couples were understanding and reasonable about this fact, however there was one bride that was absolutely inconsolable about the thunder and lightening storm that rolled in on her wedding day. Every weekend we had the radar pulled up from early in the morning to monitor for our couples. This particular day saw an incredibly large storm set to hit our location approximately 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony through the remainder of the night. I spoke with the bride and the groom and explained that our team would be setting for the indoor ceremony and then we would flip the room for reception while guests enjoyed cocktails in an adjacent space. They were bummed, but ultimately agreed that it made the most sense. About an hour later, unbeknownst to me, the bridesmaids redirected my crew to set for reception, NOT ceremony, as demanded by the bride. When I went to check in on the set-up and realized what had happened, I was completely beside myself! It was pouring outside, complete with rolling thunder, and cracking lightening. The room was perfectly set for the reception with flower arrangements, china, and glassware set on each table. I went to the bride’s suite and had to let her know that our security team was not going to allow an outdoor ceremony in these conditions because it is unsafe. However, there was not time to reset the space for ceremony as guests were beginning to arrive and our set-up crew had moved on to other responsibilities. I was met with a very tearful and angry bride and she accused me of being “unaccommodating” and “ruining” her wedding day. I felt terrible and had to hold back tears as I apologized and reiterated that this is exactly what I was trying to avoid with our previous conversation. Thankfully, at this point the groom stepped in and was extremely embarrassed by what the bridesmaids had done under the instruction of his bride and apologized on her behalf for speaking so harshly to me. They ended up getting married “Oscars Style” with guests seated at their dinner tables while the wedding party stood on the dance floor in front of the floor to ceiling windows (perfectly showcasing the incredible storm outside).
Thankfully, they ended up having a great wedding. The 20 minute ceremony was the only thing that hadn’t been as the bride envisioned, but I learned a few valuable lessons that day. First, always have a contract in place that protects you, as a vendor, from things outside your control “force majeure clause” and make sure procedures are spelled out clearly, include who, what, when, where, and how changes will be made. Second, establishing trust is paramount – this couple didn’t have a wedding planner, I was their venue coordinator. The fact that this bride felt I was doing anything except my best to ensure she had a perfect day was heartbreaking. Now, very early on, I inform my clients that I am ALWAYS going to advocate in their best interest and have their backs, but I need them to trust me implicitly. Third, my team only takes direction from me. No changes can be made to our plan without explicit approval from myself or the lead on-site. This is understood by all the vendors working on a wedding day with me, changes happen but communication is expected to keep everyone informed and expectations met. Lastly, I still can’t control the weather. It’s a discussion I bring in to every planning meeting when outdoor elements are involved. If we’re prepared for anything, everything will be perfect ;)

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Dana Ashley Events is a premium wedding and event planning firm based in Kansas City. We specialize in curating unforgettable events tailored to each couple’s unique style and vision. From luxurious weddings to intimate elopements, our meticulous attention to detail and personalized approach ensure every moment exceeds expectations.

What sets Dana Ashley Events apart is our unwavering dedication to exceptional design and our deeply rooted focus on building meaningful relationships. Our team of talented designers possess an unparalleled eye for detail, transforming your vision into a breathtaking reality. From stunning floral arrangements to exquisite tablescapes, every element of your event is carefully curated to reflect your individual style and personality.

Beyond our design prowess, what truly distinguishes us is our commitment to fostering genuine connections with our clients and community. We believe that understanding your unique story, preferences, and aspirations is essential to creating a wedding that feels personal and meaningful. That’s why we prioritize open communication, collaboration, and trust throughout the planning process, ensuring that your journey with us is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Dana Ashley Events is firmly rooted in the local community of Kansas City, allowing us to offer insider knowledge and access to the area’s most coveted venues and vendors. Our strong relationships with top-tier suppliers ensure that you receive the highest quality service and products.

At Dana Ashley Events, we don’t just plan weddings- we cultivate unforgettable experiences infused with beauty, meaning, and heartfelt moments. Trust us to bring your dreams to life and create memories that will last a lifetime.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My family and I made the move from Chicago to Kansas City in August of 2019. We didn’t know a single person here, but my husband got a job offer, and after visiting, it felt like the right move for us. I knew I loved my job in the wedding industry, but was also ready for a change. Never one to shy away from a challenge, I jumped in with both feet and became the new planner in town. After settling into our new home in Overland Park, and getting my kids enrolled in their new schools, the time had come to start networking. I started emailing, calling, and meeting up with venues, florists, rental companies, anyone who was willing to meet for coffee really. Part of me just wanted to meet people, but the bigger part of me wanted to prove that I actually knew what I was talking about and could bring value to this market.

Little did I know, 2020 was coming, which was not a good time to be in the event industry. Thankfully, I had started the process of connecting with fellow vendors before stay at home orders were in place. But at the time, it felt like I was never going to be successful in my business. How would anyone ever book with me when no one could get married? Why would any new contact refer me to their clients when someone they’ve known for years is struggling too? The fear of the unknown was terrifying.

I decided that the only option was to dig deep, get creative, and stay connected any way I could. I created an all-inclusive micro wedding package that allowed couples to celebrate their weddings within the parameters of what the local and state guidelines allowed. I planned styled shoots that celebrated local vendors, gave couples inspiration and maybe even a little hope. I was interviewed on the news about being in the event industry during a pandemic. I continued engaging with vendors and the local community on social media. There was nothing I wasn’t willing to try, honestly failure was not an option.

Somehow, we made it through to the other side. I was so ready to celebrate couples again. Thankfully, I had some bookings that transferred over from 2020 to 2021 and before I knew it my 2021 was fully booked. It was quite the rebound year for my business and I am so grateful that I didn’t give up when the times were hardest.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is something I’ve always been interested in. We’ve come a LONG way from my high school coding days on myspace! The ever-changing algorithms are something I hope to become better at understanding, but in the meantime the one piece of advice for growing an audience is consistency and authenticity. I believe that showing up is important, sometimes that’s really all it takes. Being consistent shows the audience that you’re relevant, you haven’t gone away, and you aren’t planning on going away. Showing up authentically gives your audience a chance to know you. In this business, couples want to know who they are working with. This is the most special day of their lives, they want to know who they are sharing it with and letting into their happiness bubble. There’s no point in pretending to be someone you’re not because it’s going to come out eventually (sooner rather than later. most likely). Couples are very savvy, they don’t want a perfectly curated feed with calculated posts 100% of the time, they want behind the scenes, silly reels, honest experiences. Social media is just another opportunity to connect – so be yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: DanaAshleyEvents.com
• Instagram: @dana.ashley.events
• Facebook: Dana Ashley Events

Image Credits
Melissa and Beth Photography, Mon Photography, Hattie Elizabeth Photo, Hallie Fry Photography, Delaney Hady, Savvi Moots Photo, Mitch and Rachel Visuals, Jefferson May Photography, Bailey Pianalto Photography