READING TIME: 4 min 39 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/14/2024
UPDATED: 11/14/2024
When it comes to weaving stories into unforgettable celebrations, few do it with the elegance and vision of Always Yours Events. With over 15 years of experience, Always Yours Events has perfected the art of creating weddings that are not only beautiful but genuinely meaningful for each couple. We sat down with the team to delve into their journey, inspirations, and the philosophy that drives their work in the world of luxury weddings.
The passion for event planning has been a lifelong journey, starting on Cape Cod, where Keri Ketterer Walter grew up next to her family’s boutique hotel. The foundation of hospitality was ingrained early on, sparking a love for weddings and events that would shape her career.
"I quite literally grew up in the hospitality world from day one," she recalls, sharing how working at her family’s inn from the age of fourteen led her to pursue a degree in Hospitality and Event Management at Boston University.
From there, she gained invaluable experience working for luxury event planning firms and catering companies in Massachusetts, handling everything from intimate dinners for dignitaries to 800-person galas. This background in intricate, high-profile events instilled a deep understanding of how to craft moments that resonate.
In 2014, Always Yours Events was born, a result of Keri Ketterer Walter's desire to create her mark in the industry and offer a more personalized, immersive wedding experience. With a commitment to detail and originality, the team quickly established itself as a leader in tented weddings and private estate celebrations.
Since then, Always Yours Events has grown into a respected firm, recognized by Boston Magazine as Boston’s Best Wedding Planner in 2019, and has assembled a dedicated team, including production managers Hannah and Elyse, bridal concierge Jackie, and event producer Erica.
The guiding principle behind Always Yours Events is a simple but profound one: “You belong in your own wedding.” This philosophy underscores their commitment to creating celebrations that reflect each couple’s unique style, love story, and dreams.
“A wedding should be more than a conventional celebration,” the team explains. “Our expertise lies in engineering experiential events filled with originality, elevated design, and deep meaningfulness.”
Always Yours Events specializes in a private estate and tented weddings, where they can build an entire vision from scratch, tailored entirely around the couple. This approach allows them to craft experiences that feel deeply personal and immersive.
With a signature service dedicated to private estate and tented weddings, Always Yours Events offers full-service planning, design, and event management. Their approach combines a meticulous eye for detail with an unparalleled dedication to hospitality.
“Our firm offers full-service planning, design, and event management for weddings and events hosted anywhere from tents at private residences to venues in destinations worldwide,” they share, adding that “all couples are welcome at Always Yours, and we are inspired by couples who have unique, bold, and meaningful visions for their celebrations.”
For those who desire a one-of-a-kind experience, Always Yours Events specializes in building custom packages tailored to each couple’s specific needs, ensuring that every detail aligns with their vision.
Each wedding planned by Always Yours Events leaves a lasting impact, but two celebrations, in particular, stand out.
The first was Rebecca and Zack’s Cape Cod wedding, where the team transformed a tennis court into a black-structure tent—a pioneering design choice that was unprecedented at the time. With bold choices like a custom two-piece wedding dress, lounge setups reminiscent of an edgy club, and pops of magenta and fuchsia, this wedding broke conventional molds.
“Rebecca and Zack’s wedding changed the way I approached weddings forever,” they reflect, “it solidified our philosophy that the most important thing is that our couples belong in their own wedding.”
Another standout celebration was Carolyn and Nick’s lakeside wedding in Maine, a nostalgic event at their beloved summer home, “Garcelon.” With elements like a wooden boat send-off, golden hour light, and heartfelt toasts, this wedding felt intimate and deeply personal.
“The end result exceeded all expectations. It was a wedding that ultimately felt like home to me,” the team shares.
Central to the Always Yours Events experience is a focus on building genuine relationships with their clients. From in-person meetings and site visits to dining together and understanding their favorite spots, they immerse themselves in each couple’s life to bring their unique personalities into the wedding.
“We get to know our couples and their families as much as possible,” they explain. “Face time with our couples is imperative. Conversations with them completely unrelated to weddings and focusing on their lives are key.”
This close-knit approach allows them to craft weddings that go beyond aesthetics, creating celebrations that feel like a natural extension of the couple’s identity.
As a specialist in tented weddings, weather is always an unpredictable factor that requires flexibility, quick thinking, and problem-solving skills.
“Mother nature is unpredictable, and weather requires you to be nimble, flexible, quick on your feet, able to roll with the punches and a very fast and laser-focused creative problem solver,” they say, revealing the kind of resilience and adaptability that define their approach.
Always Yours Events understands the importance of budgeting in wedding planning and approaches it with transparency and education.
“Discussing how budget and expectations are directly correlated is a key and crucial conversation at the time of booking a couple,” they note, explaining how they work closely with clients to allocate funds toward elements that hold the most meaning for them. Their strategic approach includes repurposing decor, prioritizing high-impact elements, and leveraging their network of vendors to maximize value without compromising quality.
For couples currently navigating the planning process, Always Yours Events emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey.
“Do whatever it takes to have fun and enjoy the process,” they advise. “This is a milestone celebration, and you should enjoy the journey of planning your wedding!”
When asked about a dream wedding venue, the founder of Always Yours Events shares a vision as unique as her approach to planning: “My dream tented scenario is to build a custom tent structure on a barge on a lake or body of water at a private property for one of our clients.”
Beyond the ordinary, her dream also includes transforming a ski lodge in Montana or Colorado into a wedding weekend, complete with guest skiing excursions, a mountain view ceremony, and a cozy lodge reception.
With a blend of passion, creativity, and a dedication to genuine connection, Always Yours Events brings an extraordinary depth to wedding planning. For those who seek a wedding experience that is as immersive as it is personal, this team offers an approach that promises to turn dreams into unforgettable moments.
