We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Irene Katzias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Irene below.

Irene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Opening our Salt Lake City office was, without a doubt, one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. We were well-established in Connecticut and New York with incredible relationships and a solid foundation. But when COVID hit, we were faced with the reality that we needed to expand and create more opportunities to keep doing what we love: planning and designing weddings. Utah, with its stunning mountains and vibrant wedding community, felt like the right place to build our next chapter.

Moving across the country and starting fresh wasn’t easy. Year one saw only two Utah brides, while the rest of our couples were still in Connecticut and New York. It was a slow burn at first, but we kept showing up, actively participating in the local community, and learning everything we could about the unique wedding culture here.

By year two, things started picking up. We began to gain traction, and suddenly, we were thriving. Year three brought with it recognition and awards, and we officially became one of the top wedding planners in Salt Lake City. Now, year four is already 3/4 booked—faster than we’ve ever filled our calendar before.

It wasn’t without its challenges. The uncertainty, the time it took to adapt, and the sheer willpower it took to break into a new market was no small feat. But this risk was absolutely worth it. Looking back now, it’s clear that stepping into the unknown gave us the space to grow and expand our reach, all while staying true to the heart of what we do.

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.

I’m Irene, founder of Irene + Co Events, and I’ve been working full-time in the wedding industry for over a decade now. It all started when I realized how much I loved not just the beautiful moments but the stories behind them. Weddings are so personal, and I wanted to create a planning process that focuses on telling a couple’s love story—one detail at a time.

Our team plans weddings all over the country, with a strong presence in Connecticut, New York, and Utah. We offer everything from full-service wedding planning to design, and destination planning, and we love putting together those little details that help you float through your day and fully experience every feeling. What sets us apart is that we don’t chase trends for the sake of trends—we focus on making each wedding unique to the couple. We’re all about putting visuals to your wedding vocabulary and creating a day that feels like *you* in every sense.

The problems we solve? We take the overwhelm out of wedding planning, flex and figure out solutions for anything that comes up, and ensure that our couples can truly enjoy their day without worrying about a thing. Whether it’s inheriting vendors, timelines, or design dilemmas, we’re steady and ready.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how much we’ve grown while staying true to our roots. Opening our Salt Lake City office was a huge leap, but now we’re a top wedding planner in the region. We’ve won multiple awards, been featured on The Knot, Utah Bride and Groom, and other notable publications, and I’ve even had the chance to share our journey through platforms like TEDx and my podcast, *Peak Perfection.*

The main thing I want potential clients to know? We’re not just here to plan weddings—we’re here to tell your story, to create a day that feels deeply personal, and to be your calm and confident guide through it all. And I’m not kidding when I say we’ve mastered the art of making the entire process feel effortless, so you can truly enjoy the experience.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that as a planner, I’m not the “boss” of the wedding—I’m a leader and collaborator. Early on, I thought my role was to take charge, manage every detail, and make sure things went perfectly according to plan. But I quickly realized that weddings aren’t about my vision; they’re about the couple and the team we build together.

The backstory? Like a lot of planners just starting out, I thought being in control was the key to success. But after a few experiences where things didn’t flow as smoothly as I wanted, I realized that it’s not about having the final say. It’s about being a leader who collaborates with the couple, the vendors, and everyone involved to bring the vision to life. When I stepped into that role of collaboration—listening, guiding, and empowering others—the weddings became more cohesive, more personal, and honestly, more fun.

Now, instead of thinking I need to have all the answers, I focus on being the steady and ready leader who brings everyone together. I create space for vendors to be their best, for couples to have their input heard, and for the day to flow naturally. It’s all about creating that balance between leading with confidence and allowing everyone to shine.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, Irene + Co Events started as my weekend gig while I worked a 9-5 planning social, non-profit, and corporate events. It was still events, so in my head, it felt like I was pursuing my passion—but my heart was always in weddings. I dreamed of being a full-time wedding planner, but making that leap was a massive risk.

Then life threw me a curveball: twins. When my daughters were born, I had this moment of clarity—going back to a 9-5 wasn’t the path anymore. I knew I had to invest in myself and my business, so I went all in. I created a marketing strategy, developed a selling strategy, and hit the ground running to book as many weddings as possible. And you know what? I did it. My first full-time year, I was fully booked.

From there, I refined everything—crafted the perfect marketing cocktail to reach my dream couples. Suddenly, I wasn’t chasing work anymore; clients were coming to me, asking for me to plan their weddings. It all started clicking, and as the demand grew, I brought on assistants to make sure we were giving every wedding the attention it deserved.

Now, we plan 30 weddings a year across New England and Utah, with a team that’s just as passionate about telling each couple’s story as I am. The journey has been wild, but taking that leap was the best decision I ever made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.irenecoevents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenecoevents?igsh=MWlnOHY5MmdwNHFpOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenekatzias?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LoMvV4aKueSJGt6Ktlstz?si=QlD7mSA8RaalekoPzrqoQQ

Image Credits

Pepper Nix, Morgan Leigh Photography, Ashlee Brooke Photography, Karen Osborne, Sabrina Photo Co, Lauren Perry Photography,