Elora Spotlight

Plan It Right Events

Hayley Hopkins on twelve years in, two coordinators on every wedding, and the questions couples should ask before they sign.

Elora Spotlight · Wedding Planners

A Plan It Right Events wedding setup, courtesy of the planner
Photo courtesy of Plan It Right Events

Hayley Hopkins has been planning weddings for over a decade. Before that, she ran not-for-profit, corporate, and fundraiser events — the kind of background that shows up on a wedding day in ways you won't see but will definitely feel. Plan It Right Events is built around a small structural choice that matters more than it sounds: two coordinators at every wedding, not one. We sent Hayley five questions, then a round of conversational follow-ups based on her answers. What follows — on what a second coordinator actually does, why room reveals became a fixture, and what's quietly replacing the candy table — is the conversation in her words.

Before weddings, you ran not-for-profit, corporate, and fundraiser events. What drew you specifically to weddings — and what do you bring to a couple's day that you learned from those other worlds?

The wedding industry spoke to me the most because each couple is unique, and there's a wide range of creativity and fun ideas with each client. We also find it very rewarding bringing someone's most important day to life.

I've learned many things from my corporate days — organizational skills, budget management, vendor connections, how to run large-scale events, and how to work with all different types of personalities.

You mentioned all different types of personalities from your corporate days. Tell us about a recent wedding day where one of those specific skills — reading someone, defusing, redirecting — actually saved the day. The moment, not the general skill.

A recent experience was when the mother of the bride tried to overtake the decor setup. I calmly explained that her daughter and I had established a plan and vision for the day. I respectfully walked her through the package her daughter had with us and told her we would make the room look beautiful — we have twelve years of industry experience.

Later in the day, she got to see how happy her daughter was, first-hand, when they saw the space after their first look.

Your listing says two coordinators on every wedding day — most planners send one. What does a second coordinator actually do that a couple would feel the difference of, even if they didn't know why?

Myself and another coordinator are on site for many reasons. The second coordinator helps with decor setup, managing vendor arrivals, and being available for guests if they have questions — while I focus on the couple.

They also repurpose the ceremony decor for the reception while I execute family photos and post-ceremony activities.

Lastly, my second coordinator stays with the bride during the ceremony line-up to fluff her dress and veil while I cue the processional from the front.

Was that built into the system from the start, or was there a specific wedding where you wished you'd had someone there and decided "never again"?

Built into our system from the start. They get one chance to walk down the aisle and it has to be perfect. It also brings them calmness in the moment.

Ten-plus years in this industry — what's one thing about weddings in 2016 that would shock a couple planning in 2026? And one thing you hope never changes?

Room reveals weren't a thing back then. Couples never got to see their decor vision come to life before allowing guests to enter the room.

One thing I hope never changes is ensuring our couples stay present in the moment and enjoy every second of the day, knowing we have everything under control.

Do couples today actually get a private moment with the finished room before guests arrive, or has it become part of the photography timeline? And who watches their face when they walk in?

It has become an official thing on the timeline — the couple sees the room while the photographer captures it. The photographer, videographer, and content creator are all there to capture their faces and reactions.

We had a lot of criers last year, and it was the sweetest thing to see. It also makes our job so rewarding. We love this — and it only takes five minutes.

Plan It Right Events wedding portfolio
Plan It Right Events wedding portfolio
Plan It Right Events wedding portfolio

Photos courtesy of Plan It Right Events

The "Hot Ones" question: what's one wedding trend right now that you think is overrated? (We promise not to name the vendor who invented it.)

Candy tables and donut walls. I much prefer a plated dessert. We also recommend having the venue serve your sliced cake at the late-night table for extra sweetness.

What drove that era, and what do you see replacing it three years from now?

I think budget-friendly treats and favours became a thing once the cost of weddings increased after COVID. Now we see champagne towers and espresso carts making their debut. Just like fashion, things come and go.

A couple has just booked their Elora venue and is about to start the vendor search. What's the single decision they should make FIRST — before florals, food, or attire?

A coordinator. We book up so fast, and it's crucial to ensure a smooth, well-planned day.

When a couple tries to book you and you're already taken for their date, do you send them somewhere specific — or coach them through finding their own planner? And what's the single question you wish every couple asked a planner before signing?

When we get inquiries for dates we can't accommodate, we recommend two other local planners we love and trust — Maeck Weddings and CK & Co Events.

For couples booking full planning with us, the question I wish more of them asked is: "Is this vision and inspo, for this many guests, actually doable on this budget?" It's sad to let people down when they think Pinterest ideas are cheap or free.

Featured Vendor

Plan It Right Events

Wedding Planner · Kitchener-Waterloo · Serving Elora & Wellington County

Phone

519-998-2606

Hours

Mon 11–2 · Tue–Thu 11–7

View Full Vendor Profile Visit Their Site

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