Hello! Wondering What We are All About? hit play.

You imagine, we illuminate! We can't wait to meet you.

Here's what you really need to know:

Illumination Events Studio is a Wedding and Party Planning service based out of Richmond, Virginia. We specialize in day of wedding coordination and party planning, and take a very limited number of full-service planning clients each year. Serving couples and hosts from all over the country, IES believes that "Virginia is for party lovers," in particular... and yes, we love dressing up just as much as rolling our sleeves up!

We can't wait to help you tell your story through the beautiful, creative details that will color your gathering, and the overall flow of your event. We consider ourselves merrymakers, timeline architects, curators of innovative party ideas, and lovers of special occasions. Let's celebrate! It all starts with you and your imagination.

 

What gives us that spark?

at IES, WE KEEp these four guiding principles close to our hearts...

Serve Joyfully. We are constantly on-the-go, getting details together, daydreaming about new possibilities, cultivating connections with talented vendors, and meeting clients. We do it all with love and an intense sense of purpose. Because at the end of the day, nothing makes us happier than seeing our clients experience their dream celebrations.

Keep it Pretty. Life is messy, but that doesn't mean your Big Day has to be! We strive to keep everything beautifully organizedβ€”from timeline to tablescapesβ€”so our clients can look around at their events and smile with abandon. We may love flowers, classic lines, glowing light, sparkles, and confetti, but the beauty our clients radiate when they're blissfully caught up in the moment is what we adore most.

Create Carefree Moments. Life is made up of moments, and your Big Day is undoubtedly one of the most important. That's why we handle all of the details, so our clients and their friends and family members can be present with each otherβ€”never losing a second worrying about logistics. After all, it's much more satisfying to concentrate on how beautiful your bride looks while walking down the aisle than worrying about when the DJ is going to show up. Let us take that stress away from you!

Transform Dreams into Treasured Memories. We know you have dedicated so much thought to your eventβ€”imagining, dreaming, and looking forward to the Big Day. Let us help you transform those fantasies into perfection, so you'll have magical moments to look back on. 

Where you can find our work...

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Click the β€œMeet the Team” button above (or keep scrolling!) to read more about the Ladies of IES!

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our services

For those who know they can't do it all on their own...

You've come to the right place.


wedding Coordination service

  • Initial Consultation

  • Planning Folder

  • 2-4 Months Out Walk-thru

  • Timeline and Ground Plan Development

  • Walk-thru, Week & Day of Vendor Coordination

  • Final Details Call

  • Rehearsal Ceremony Direction

  • 10 hours of Service on Wedding Day

  • Execution of Timeline

  • Set-up & Clean-up Assistance

  • 2 Assistants on the Wedding Day


partial wedding planning service

  • Initial Consultation

  • Customized Planning Timeline Checklist

  • Up to 8 Monthly Planning Check-ins

  • Planning Folder

  • 2-4 Months Out Walk-thru

  • Timeline and Ground Plan Development

  • Walk-thru, Week & Day of Vendor Coordination

  • Final Details Call

  • Rehearsal Ceremony Direction

  • 10 hours of Service on Wedding Day

  • Execution of Timeline

  • Set-up & Clean-up Assistance

  • 2 Assistants on the Wedding Day

Full wedding planning service 

  • Initial Consultation

  • Monthly Planning Check-ins

  • Customized Planning Timeline Checklist

  • Budget Development

  • Venue Sourcing

  • Vendor Sourcing

  • Event Design and Styling 

  • Decor Sourcing and Production

  • Planning Folder

  • 2-4 Months Out Walk-thru

  • Timeline and Ground Plan Development

  • Walk-thru, Week & Day of Vendor Coordination

  • Final Details Call

  • Rehearsal Ceremony Direction

  • 10 hours of Service on Wedding Day

  • Execution of Timeline

  • Set-up & Clean-up Assistance

  • 2 Assistants on the Wedding Day


ASSISTANT

Required for parties over 150, having an assistant on your planning team is perfect for events being held at multiple locations, for setting up and breaking down more complex event designs, and for putting your mind at ease. Let us do the heavy lifting!


Q&A CONSULtATION

Have questions about the whos, whats, and wheres for your event, or simply need help with wedding planning etiquette? This hourly consultation option may be just the thing you need to get you back on track with your planning.

Facilitated Consultation

Need a little extra assistance when meeting a vendor? Not sure what questions to ask, or what truly fits in with your vision for your event? This facilitated consultation allows us to attend meetings with you and your vendors to represent your best interests. 


Please note, travel fees apply to services performed 40 miles or more outside of Richmond, VA.

 

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ies couples

we firmly believe that we have the best clients in the world! see what our couples have to say about their experience. 

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MEET THE LADIES OF ILLUMINATION EVENTS STUDIO

Chelsea Moring

lead planner and CEO

I am a checklist-addict, an avid do-it-yourselfer, and Illumination Events Studio's Lady Boss since its creation in 2011. I'm all about getting things done, and done well, and there is no greater satisfaction than taking a step back at the end of events to admire our happy couples. My ultimate goal is to ensure all my clients are present in the moment during their special day, because, as Audrey Hepburn says, happy girls are the prettiest, and it is so true!

EVERY GIRL NEEDS HER SQUAD! HERE IS MINE:

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ABBY MECHLING

LEAD planner

Abby adores organizing, planning, and decorating, so being part of the IES team is a perfect fit! A recent graduate from VCU, she is currently planning her own wedding to her long-time sweetheart. Fun and energetic, she feels right at home working behind the scenes at weddings and events, and has been known to shed a tear or two during toast speeches. They are her favorite part!

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CARICE COLEMAN

assistant planner

Carice has the biggest smile in the group, and always brings positivity and joy to both the team and our events. A weekend warrior for the company, she spends her weekdays working in catering service, so she knows a thing or two about hard work and customer satisfaction. Participating in beauty pageants on the side, the sparkle she brings to each wedding is second nature.

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GRACE KELLER

LEAD DESIGNER

Grace believes that with the right outfit, a detailed checklist, and good music, no job is too big to handle. A lover of making things pretty, preferably in neutral color palates, she takes pride in styling clients' event spaces and leaving no detail unattended. On her days off, Grace loves to plan vacations abroad, rearrange her furniture, and chase after her adorable little boy.

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Erica Hinkle

Associate Lead planner

Erica, a former big-city Jersey girl, now a reformed small-town county girl, has devoted her professional and personal life to planning, organizing, and re-organizing. She can handle most anything thrown her way when working at events. Erica's mantra is "dream, plan, celebrate," in that order! 

 

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CONTACT US

Email US at: chelsea@Illuminationevents.com

Interested in bringing out the shining potential in your event?

Drop us a note!

We'd love to grab a cup of coffee with you to get to know each other, in-person or virtually.

Many of our clients live all over the country, so please know that phone calls, Zoom Calls and FaceTime meetings are entirely possible and encouraged.

We can't wait to meet you, and hear all about what you've been dreaming up.