Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Kern. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for my wedding planning business was born the week after my own wedding. My husband and I threw a full-blown 70s-themed celebration—think vintage family photos, disco balls, funky attire, and a playlist filled with our favorite hits from the decade. We went all in, and so did our guests. It felt like we stepped right into a modern-day disco movie. I had so much fun planning every detail that when it was over, I found myself asking, “What now?” That’s when it hit me—I didn’t want the planning to end. One week later, I officially launched my business, and I haven’t looked back since.

Professionally, my background is in video production. I’ve spent over a decade as a producer, managing all the moving parts of commercial shoots—from logistics to timelines to creative direction. Turns out, producing a wedding is a lot like producing a commercial… just way more fun!

From day one, I knew I wanted to bring color, personality, and a little funk into the wedding space. Sure, I’ll plan a classic white wedding—but I encourage my couples to ditch the cookie-cutter and make their day truly reflect them. My goal is to create unforgettable experiences, not just for the couple, but for every guest. It’s a one-night-only show—so let’s make it epic!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the founder of Dancing Queen Events, a boutique wedding planning and design company that thrives on color, creativity, and non-cookie-cutter celebrations. I officially launched the business shortly after planning my own 70s-themed wedding, which was one of the most joyful, personal, and creatively fulfilling experiences of my life. From the disco balls and vintage family photos to the funky outfits and soul-fueled soundtrack, every detail of that night told our story—and I knew I wanted to help other couples feel that same magic.

Before I became a wedding planner, I spent over 10 years as a video producer in the commercial world, which gave me a deep well of experience in logistics, timelines, client communication, creative direction, and on-the-fly problem-solving. I’ve always been the person who thrives on juggling details behind the scenes to pull off something spectacular—and now I get to do that for people on one of the most meaningful days of their lives.

At Dancing Queen Events, I offer everything from full-service planning and design to day-of coordination. Whether a couple needs someone to guide them from start to finish, or just wants a steady hand to bring all their ideas together in the final stretch, I’m here to make the experience seamless, stress-free, and honestly… really fun.

I work with couples who want their wedding to look and feel like them—people who care about creating an experience that tells a story, makes guests feel something, and leaves a lasting impression. Yes, I can do timeless and elegant—but I also love weaving in bold colors, unexpected themes, or quirky personal touches that make guests say, “This is SO them.”

What sets me apart is my mix of professional experience and playful spirit. I bring an organized, producer mindset to the planning process, but I also show up with heart, humor, and an open mind. I truly believe weddings don’t have to follow a specific mold—and I’m here to help my clients break out of that box, while still keeping everything on schedule and under control.

What I’m most proud of is how many of my clients feel seen and celebrated throughout the process.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Instagram has definitely been the best source of new clients for me. In the beginning, I poured a ton of time, effort, and money into it—posting constantly, trying to be “relatable,” and even putting ad spend behind a few posts. But honestly, it started to feel like a full-time job, and not in a fun way. Eventually, I shifted my mindset and decided to treat my Instagram more like a curated portfolio than a social hub. I stopped trying to beat the algorithm and started using it simply to showcase my work.

Since making that shift, I still get great traction—people find me, scroll through my feed, and then click over to my website, where they usually reach out through my contact form. It’s been a much more sustainable way for me to engage with potential clients. Social media is definitely a beast, and some people are amazing at it… I’m just not one of them. So I’m super grateful it still works its quiet little magic for me behind the scenes.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the best examples of resilience in my journey came from the very first wedding I ever planned. I had an assistant with me that day, and—like with any event—there were a couple of moments that didn’t go exactly as planned. Nothing major, but enough to cause a little behind-the-scenes stress. My assistant started to get visibly flustered, and I found myself calmly telling them to take a breath and trust that everything would work out.

Thanks to my background as a producer in the commercial world, I was used to the pressure of live timelines, moving parts, and unexpected curveballs. So even when things weren’t perfect, I kept my cool—and most importantly, no one at the wedding ever knew anything had gone awry. The event turned out beautifully, and the couple had an amazing experience. That’s what mattered most.

For me, resilience isn’t about powering through with grit alone—it’s about staying level-headed, having a sense of humor, and knowing how to problem-solve quietly and efficiently when things don’t go according to plan (because let’s be real, they rarely do!). Whether I’m producing a commercial or a wedding, the goal is always the same: to make sure the client feels confident, cared for, and walks away with a joyful memory—not stress over the details behind the curtain.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dancingqueenevents.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingqueenevents

Image Credits
Photographers: Aldous Photo & Film – https://www.aldousphotoandfilm.com/
Madeline Barr Photography – https://www.madelinebarr.com/
Mercedes Lou Photography – https://mercedeslou.com/