We were lucky to catch up with Emily Wren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In my former life, I was part of the corporate machine, specifically tasked with planning my team’s presence at our company’s annual client event. My duties included everything from organizing the booth layout to scheduling presentations. It was a stressful but exhilarating experience that revealed a passion I didn’t know I had: leading and creating memorable events. I discovered a deep satisfaction in bringing a vision to life, meticulously planning every detail, and seeing it all come together.

This newfound passion led me to a part-time job with an event planner who specialized in the non-profit sector. I was completely unaware that this niche even existed. Simultaneously, I was volunteering as the Director of Events for a local non-profit in Kansas City, further honing my skills. I was living and breathing events. But then, the world as we knew it ground to a halt. When COVID-19 hit, all gatherings were put on hold, and the event industry went dormant.

After a few months of navigating the new normal, I got married and moved to Arkansas. With a fresh start, I decided to take a leap of faith. I would start my own company.

With Great Love was born from this decision, a name that embodies the passion and dedication I pour into every project. The business took off almost immediately. In our first year, we booked an incredible 36 events and have continued to grow ever since. While we specialize in weddings, our roots in non-profit work remain strong, and we still dedicate time to helping organizations with their annual fundraisers.

Looking back, the path was not a straight line, but every experience—from the corporate event to the non-profit work—prepared me for this journey. With Great Love isn’t just a business; it’s the culmination of a decade-long passion, a dream realized, and a testament to the power of following your heart.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At With Great Love, we partner with couples who are not just looking to create a memorable experience but are also open-minded, desiring an event that authentically mirrors their personalities and leaves an everlasting impression.

We understand the importance of engaging skilled vendors to ensure the seamless and secure execution of your special day, allowing you to focus on the joyous moments that matter most. With Great Love is more than a wedding planning business; it’s a commitment to turning your dreams into a celebration filled with love, joy, and cherished memories.

How’d you meet your business partner?

One of the biggest assets to my business is that my husband, Justin, is my business partner. While the idea of a husband being so involved in wedding planning might seem surprising, it’s our different strengths and weaknesses that create a powerful and well-rounded team.

Justin has a strong background in marketing and financial planning, which brings a crucial logical and problem-solving perspective to our business. He handles the numbers and the strategic side of things, allowing me to focus on my creative strengths. This yin and yang of our skills has been a huge advantage.

But his contributions go beyond the office. Justin is present at nearly every event, where he provides essential support and a calming presence. His ability to make quick, clear-headed decisions on event days is an incredible asset. When unexpected issues pop up, he’s the one I can rely on to help find a solution, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

Having Justin as my partner, both in life and in business, means we have a shared vision and a deep level of trust. This foundation of respect and understanding allows us to tackle challenges together and celebrate every success, making our business stronger and our marriage even more fulfilling.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

One of my biggest assets for gaining new clientele is a two-pronged approach: networking with and building relationships with local vendors and providing a valuable and reliable service to my clients.

First, networking with local vendors gives me a direct line to potential clients. Think about it—vendors (especially venues and photography) are often the first point of contact for someone planning a wedding. By building strong relationships with these professionals, I become their trusted referral partner. When their clients need a service like mine, they don’t have to search for a new company; they just turn to me. This gives me a steady stream of high-quality leads from people who already trust the person referring me.

Second, I ensure that every client has a great experience, so they become a source of referrals themselves. A satisfied client is the best form of marketing. When I provide a valuable and reliable wedding planning service, my clients are not only happy with the work but they also feel confident recommending me to their friends and family. Positive word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly powerful because they come with a built-in layer of trust. People are far more likely to hire a planner recommended by someone they know than to choose one from an advertisement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Wglevents.com
• Instagram: @wgl_events

Image Credits

Count in Threes Photography
Caitlin Wilson Photography
Julia Stroud Photo
Loren Bullard Photography
Tanner Burge Photo
Anne Marie’s Collective