Meet Kristina Freeman | Wedding Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my business after being in the event industry for over 12 years. Part of that time was doing city-wide special events for a municipal recreation department and part of it was being a director over catering and special events for a restaurant that hosted weddings. A dream of mine had always been to be a wedding planner, but while raising little kids at home my work life balance wasn’t allowing for that time commitment. While working for the restaurant I worked with a lot of day-of wedding coordinators. I realized that I could combine my love of event coordination and weddings and become a day-of wedding coordinator. It is a great option for some couples that might not have the budget for a full wedding planner, but want help the month leading up to the wedding and the day of with those many small extra tasks that need to get done. In 2019 I was able to start my own day-of wedding coordination business, Perfectly Planned Occasion, and I have loved working with so many great couples on their wedding day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Due to my love of organization I majored in Recreation and Leisure Studies, which included event planning at California State University, Long Beach. After graduation, I worked full-time in municipal recreation for the City of Cypress planning and day-of coordinating city-wide special events, as well as managing venues to host banquets, parties, and beautiful wedding receptions. Once I became a mother, I decided to stop working full-time and went into the wedding industry working part-time for Hidalgo’s at the Villa del Sol courtyard in Fullerton as the Director of Special Events and Catering.

During all of this experience, I witnessed that high-quality and reliable day-of event coordinators can make all the difference. In 2019 I decided to open my own wedding coordinating business so I could combine my years of experience, skills, and love for organization to provide clients with an affordable and reliable day-of wedding coordinator so that they could enjoy their special day to the fullest.

My business started off with a promising year of weddings for 2020, but was quickly halted with all events being cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, 6 short months after I opened my business. I was discouraged, but I was also expecting my third child that year. I decided to keep my business open, but on hold until normal weddings could resume. I embraced the time to focus on my family and young children. In the summer of 2021 I was able to pick my business back up and gradually grow it. This past year, 2024, was my busiest and most successful with 20 total events. I also decided to start my own travel consulting business to add honeymoon and destination wedding consulting to my wedding business services. I’m excited to see what 2025 will have in store!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite places in Orange County is Laguna Beach. I love the small town feel, the yummy restaurants, the artwork, the tide pools and beautiful views overlooking the ocean. I also love to beach camp and two of my favorite campgrounds, Doheny and Crystal Cove state beaches surround that area. I also love theme parks and Southern California offers lots of options. Lastly, my current city of Fullerton offers beautiful nature trails and restaurants and I love checking out new places.

If I had a friend visiting I would take them to ride the trolley in Laguna Beach. We would stop at Heisler Park for the views and eat at Las Brisas for delicious Mexican seafood overlooking the ocean. Then climb to the Pirate Tower and stop to check out the tide pools. Then end the day at the Laguna Art Museum.

As part of their stay I would also take them to Disneyland and California Adventure and eat all of the sweet treats as we rode the rides and then watched the fireworks at night.

We’d end the week in my current home city of Fullerton. We would take a hike along the Panorama Nature Preserve and see the views that can reach to Los Angeles and Catalina Island. Then we would go to Downtown Fullerton in the heart of the city. I love the market lights at night throughout the area, the historic buildings, and the endless options for delicious and authentic food.

I love all that Southern California has to offer!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this ShoutOut to my friend and co-worker Kelly Crosby. She helped me get into the wedding industry with a job offer and she has worked many weddings with me. Also to my husband Mark Freeman who is co-owner of my business and works weddings with me as well. He always supports my crazy ideas and helps me to achieve my goals.

Website: www.perfectlyplannedoccasion@gmail.com

Instagram: @perfectlyplannedoccasion

Facebook: Perfectly Planned Occasion

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/perfectly-planned-occasion-fullerton

Image Credits
Brad Freeman Photography