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

Valarie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?

I’ve learned many lessons throughout my journey, but I’d like to highlight four that I believe have been instrumental in the success of Kirkbrides over the past 20 years. These lessons fall into four key categories: management, growth and success, marketing, and customer service.

Positive Leadership is Essential.
A successful business or team thrives on strong, positive leadership. I learned early on—through my experience in my OU sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta Zeta Chapter, and various business school projects—that people are motivated by encouragement, not constant criticism. Leadership means celebrating successes, jumping in to help when needed, and guiding with a coaching mindset rather than a boss mentality. I always tell my team, ‘I’m your coach, not your boss. The client is the boss, and we are all working toward the same goal.’ This philosophy has created a motivated, supportive, and high-performing team at Kirkbrides.

Authenticity Drives Success.
I firmly believe that success comes from embracing what you truly love and being authentic in how you pursue it. Passion and continuous growth are key, and when you show up as your true self, people recognize and respect that. Alongside this, creative problem-solving is the foundation of success in any endeavor. In wedding planning, challenges arise constantly, and the ability to remain flexible, think quickly and find solutions is invaluable.

Relationship Building is Everything.
When I chose to attend OU—a school known for its vibrant social scene—my family questioned my decision. But looking back, I learned as much about relationship-building at sorority mixers as I did in my business classes. Genuine connections are the foundation of any successful business, and at Kirkbrides, we prioritize authentic relationships with venue event managers and fellow wedding vendors. We celebrate their talents, respect their boundaries, and take pride in our collaboration. As a result, 70% of our bookings come from referrals—a testament to the power of strong, meaningful professional relationships.

Owning Mistakes Builds Trust.
One of the best lessons I learned came from my Accounting 102 professor: ‘You’re going to make mistakes. When you do, just say, “I’m sorry.” Don’t make excuses—listen, learn, and move forward.’ That advice has stuck with me for over 25 years. A mistake only becomes a learning opportunity when you acknowledge it, understand what went wrong, and use it to improve. Clients and colleagues appreciate honesty and accountability, and this approach has helped build trust and long-lasting relationships in my business.

These four lessons—positive leadership, authenticity, relationship-building, and accountability—have shaped Kirkbrides into the successful company it is today, and they continue to guide how we operate and grow.”

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?

With a last name like Kirkbride, it almost seems destined that Valarie would find her calling in the wedding industry. Her journey in wedding and event planning began in 2002 in Los Angeles, where she trained in the world of private mansion events and discovered her true passion for creating unforgettable celebrations. Her experience took her across the country, working on events in New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Cleveland before she ultimately returned to her hometown in 2005 to establish Kirkbrides.
Over the years, Valarie has meticulously built strong relationships with top venues and vendors in the Cleveland area, developing a signature planning process that ensures each wedding is flawlessly executed. Today, she oversees the operations, marketing, and financial aspects of the business while continuing to lead her team with a hands-on, client-focused approach.
With a background in investment, marketing, and project management, Valarie brings a business-minded perspective to wedding planning. She holds a Master of Education degree from John Carroll University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a Business Minor from Ohio University. Beyond her career, she finds joy in yoga, theater, Walt Disney World, and making memories with her two daughters—fellow Swifties, Sadie and Sienna.
She is incredibly grateful for the talented, dedicated women who make up the Kirkbrides team and deeply honored to be a part of each couple’s most special day.

At Kirkbrides, we specialize in full-service wedding and event planning, design, and coordination to bring dream weddings to life. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or an extravagant affair, our team ensures that every detail is executed with precision, creativity, and care.
Our services extend beyond the wedding day itself, offering expert planning for rehearsal dinner, post wedding brunches and bridal and baby showers. From the first consultation to the final farewell, we provide a seamless, stress-free experience that allows couples to fully enjoy their celebration.
What Sets Us Apart?
Planning a wedding is an exciting yet overwhelming process, and that’s where we come in. At Kirkbrides, we solve common wedding planning challenges with a well-structured and personalized approach:
Exclusive Venue & Vendor Connections – Our extensive network of trusted partners ensures your wedding vision is brought to life with the best professionals in the industry.
Complete Event Design – Every detail is curated to reflect your unique style and personality, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.
Budget Management – We help clients maximize their budget, ensuring no sacrifices are made when it comes to quality and experience.
Wedding Weekend Coordination – From the welcome dinner to the farewell brunch, we oversee every event to guarantee a seamless celebration.
Expert Advice & Consultative Support – Wedding etiquette, timeline planning, and problem-solving—our team is with you every step of the way.

At Kirkbrides, we take immense pride in the reputation we’ve built over nearly two decades. Our business thrives on referrals, with 70% of our bookings coming from past clients, venues, and vendors who trust our expertise. We are honored to have received countless glowing reviews, a testament to the care, dedication, and passion we pour into every event.
But beyond the logistics and design, what truly matters most is the impact we make. We don’t just plan weddings—we create cherished memories, build lifelong relationships, and bring joy to not just our couples, but their families and friends.
At the heart of it all is a strong, educated, and dedicated team that works tirelessly to ensure each couple’s vision is not just met but exceeded. Our innovative planning process helps navigate this exciting yet often overwhelming time, providing clarity, organization, and peace of mind.
In the end, we are in the business of love. We feel privileged to play a role in one of the most significant days in our clients’ lives, and we are grateful for the trust placed in us to make their wedding day truly unforgettable.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I started Kirkbrides in November 2005, I was single, unmarried, and fully immersed in building my business. Fast forward to 2014—I was one of two planners at Kirkbrides with a full book of my own direct clients, was married and had a young daughter who was diagnosed with a rare limb deformity affecting her right hip and femur. Her legs were unequal with a large difference between them. After extensive research, I found a pioneer doctor 1,000 miles away who could offer her the best treatment, but it required months-long stays where I needed to be fully present as her caregiver.
At that point, I realized I couldn’t continue serving my wedding clients in the same capacity. Couples need a planner who is available in person, regularly and reliably. Rather than stepping away from my business, I made the decision to pivot and evolve my role—working ON the business rather than IN it. I consulted with trusted industry colleagues, conducted extensive small business research, and transformed Kirkbrides into a company that could thrive without my direct involvement in day-to-day planning. I shifted my focus to operations, finance, and marketing, ensuring our planners had the resources and support to continue delivering exceptional service to our clients.
This change not only allowed me to care for my daughter during her treatment—where we have successfully improved her joint function and lengthened her leg by 10 inches over the past 11 years—but also created wedding planning career opportunities for others on my team and strengthened Kirkbrides as a whole. Looking back, this pivot was a defining moment. It taught me the power of adaptability, delegation, and resilience, and ultimately allowed me to grow a business that provides both invaluable services for couples and a meaningful livelihood for my team.

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

At Kirkbrides, our social media presence is more than just a showcase of beautiful weddings—it’s a reflection of the creativity, dedication, and personalized experience we bring to each event. We use our platforms to highlight not only stunning designs and innovative trends but also real client reviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and our team in action on wedding days.

We also believe in the power of community. We regularly tag our clients and wedding vendor teams, allowing them to reshare special moments on their own accounts. Additionally, we support fellow vendors by engaging with their content—liking, commenting, and reposting—to help showcase their incredible work and strengthen our industry connections.

Recently, we collaborated with our talented vendor friend, Making the Moment Videography, to produce a special series of videos featuring interviews with past clients and industry colleagues. These videos, paired with footage of our team in action, aim to capture the depth of our services in a way that photos alone cannot. We’re excited to share this project in 2025—stay tuned!

Through authentic storytelling, collaboration, and engagement, we continue to grow our online presence in a way that truly represents who we are, what we do, and the impact we have on our couples’ most special day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kirkbrides.com/
• Instagram: @kirkbrides
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirkbrides/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kirkbrides-wedding-planning-and-design
• Twitter: @kirkbrideswp

Image Credits

AM92124.- TIFFANY JOY PHOTOGRAPHY

ALL OTHERS: LAUREN GABRIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY