There’s nothing like the first one.
On July 12, I planned my first official SL Creative wedding for Megan and Kyle—and I already know I’ll be talking about it for years. It was vibrant, joyful, and full of heart. Think: a garden party with disco flair, set against Alaska’s summer light and mountain views.
I walked away with a full heart, tired feet, and a head full of takeaways that made me even more excited for the weddings ahead.
The Vibe: Mountain Views, Wildflowers & Disco Balls
The wedding took place at Lazy Mountain Acres, which is just as peaceful and stunning as it sounds. The couple kept things deeply personal—Megan made her own wildflower bouquets (she literally picked them herself), they filled the reception with color and polaroid’s, and every piece of the day reflected them.
- Entertainment: The Alaska DJ kept the energy high all night
- Photos: Brisa Breeze Photo captured the day beautifully
- Video: Mathew Rhoades Photography filmed the highlights
- Photo Booth: Rented a setup from Photo Emporium and handled the install—guests were obsessed, and it stayed busy all night.
- Catering: Main Event Catering served up a crowd-pleasing meal that was both delicious and beautifully presented.
- Dessert: Alaska Coastal Catering created a stunning dessert spread that looked almost too pretty to eat, but was completely gone within 20 minutes.
- Extras: A live tattoo station with Beth from Noble Nature Tattoo (!!) added a seriously cool and memorable touch
They wanted the day to feel like a fun, laid-back celebration with their favorite people. And it absolutely was.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
As a wedding planner, my job is to bring calm clarity to your celebration—from your vision to the final toast. Whether you hire me for full planning or day-of coordination, I bring styling guidance, timeline management, and vendor communication that lets you stay present and in control.
What I do:
- Styling help to make your vision feel cohesive
- Timeline management to keep things moving without stress
- Communication with vendors, family, and the wedding party
- A calm presence when things go sideways (because they always do at least a little)
What I don’t:
- A team of movers, decorators, or teardown crew
- The capacity to manage full installations or be everywhere at once (I’m one person, sometimes two if I recruit my husband) 😉
This wedding helped me clarify exactly where my presence matters most—and how to best serve my couples without burning out or overcommitting. That clarity helps everyone.
What I Learned
- Always add time buffers. Setup takes longer than you think.
- Pre-event communication is queen. The better the prep, the smoother the day.
- Vendor teamwork is gold. I’m not here to do it all—I’m here to lead it well.
- Energy matters more than perfection. The details are sweet, but how the day feels is what people remember.
For Future SL Creative Couples
Whether you’re dreaming of a full weekend wedding or just need strong day-of support, here’s what you’ll get when we work together:
- A wedding planner who’s organized, warm, and real
- Someone who collaborates with your vendors, not replaces them
- A calm presence who brings your vision to life without the stress
- And someone who genuinely cares about how your day feels—not just how it looks
“Sami Jo was absolutely amazing to work with! From the very beginning, she brought excitement, passion, and a sense of calm to the entire planning process. Leading up to the wedding, she regularly checked in, offering to take things off my plate and making sure I never felt overwhelmed. She was there for the rehearsal, helping everything run smoothly and keeping everyone in the loop.
She coordinated with vendors, kept everything on track, and always made sure I felt supported and happy—right up through the wedding day and beyond. On the big day, she was calm, collected, and completely in control. She managed the timeline, worked with the vendors, and made sure everything flowed exactly as it should. I truly believe I couldn’t have pulled off such a perfect day without her.
Sami Jo’s attention to detail, her genuine care, and her passion for weddings shine through in everything she does. If you want someone who will go above and beyond to bring your day to life and make you feel at ease the entire way—she’s the one.“
– Megan Militello
Megan & Kyle—thank you for trusting me with your day. You made my first wedding one I’ll never forget, and I left even more sure that this is exactly what I’m meant to do.
xo,
Sami Jo
SL Creative – Your Day. Your Brand.
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