Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate McClellan.
Hi Kate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I don’t have the typical “I planned my own wedding and fell in love with it” story. In fact, when I started my business, I had only been to one family wedding. After graduating with degrees in psychology and biology, I found myself unexpectedly drawn to entrepreneurship. Around that time, my family planned a trip to Ireland, and I became fascinated by the behind-the-scenes logistics—how each moving part came together to create an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t the idea of becoming a travel agent that appealed to me, but rather the power of thoughtful planning.
That curiosity led me to explore weddings, and soon after, Purple Clover Events was born. For the first five years, I treated it as a hobby while working full-time in healthcare marketing. But over time, I realized I wanted to take it seriously. I dove into industry networking groups, studied the ins and outs of event planning and business ownership, and officially went full time in 2015.
Since then, I’ve helped over 450 couples celebrate their big day—and I still absolutely love it. There’s something incredibly special about helping people be fully present for one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
With that mission in mind, I launched Planning Collective—a virtual wedding planning membership that helps couples ditch the stress and plan their wedding with confidence, without the price tag of a traditional planner. It includes a step-by-step course, customizable templates, weekly support calls, and a community of engaged couples, all designed to make planning more approachable and fun.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I think that’s true for most business owners. In the early years, it was a challenge to balance wedding planning with my full-time job in healthcare marketing. I was working nights, weekends, and basically giving up any free time just to keep things moving forward. When I finally went full-time with my business, I quickly realized that loving weddings and knowing how to run a business are two very different things. I had to learn (sometimes the hard way) about pricing, boundaries, marketing, and managing client expectations.
Then came 2020, which was an entirely different kind of challenge. Navigating the pandemic with couples who were devastated by cancellations and constantly shifting plans was heartbreaking. But it also pushed me to reimagine what wedding planning support could look like—especially for couples who couldn’t afford or didn’t want a full-service planner. That’s what inspired the creation of Planning Collective.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth—but every bump in the road has taught me something important and helped shape the business I’m building today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Planning Collective is a virtual wedding planning membership designed for couples who want expert guidance without the cost (or commitment) of hiring a full-service wedding planner. We specialize in supporting busy, overwhelmed couples—especially those who don’t know where to start or who are trying to juggle planning with everything else in their lives.
Inside the membership, couples get access to a step-by-step planning course, customizable templates, weekly Q&A calls, and a supportive community of others going through the same journey. Whether someone’s deep into Pinterest rabbit holes or just trying to figure out their budget, there’s a clear path forward waiting for them.
I also host the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, where I share planning tips, inspiration, and sanity-savers each week. It’s a free resource for couples who want to feel informed and empowered—without getting overwhelmed by all the noise out there.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how approachable and empowering the Planning Collective has become. I’ve worked hard to create something that doesn’t just look pretty—it actually helps couples make decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and feel like they’re not alone in the process.
What sets us apart is that we don’t believe wedding planning should feel like a second full-time job. We give couples the tools and support they need, but still leave space for them to make the wedding their own. It’s planning made practical, pretty, and (dare I say?) fun.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Absolutely—I’m always on the lookout for tools and resources that help keep me organized, inspired, and somewhat focused (which is a win in itself most days). For the business side of things, I rely heavily on Asana to manage tasks and projects, and I use Aisle Planner for all things wedding logistics. Canva is my go-to for creating templates and visuals for the membership—I’m in there pretty much daily.
I’ve learned so much from mentors like Stu McLaren and Amy Porterfield, especially when it comes to building and growing a membership business. Their podcasts, trainings, and communities have been incredibly impactful for both strategy and mindset.
When I need a break from all things business, you’ll usually find me watching Love Island, anything on Bravo, or listening to Watch What Crappens—basically, anything that gives my brain a little reality-TV vacation.
And I’d be completely lost without Google Drive, Spotify, and my constant rotation of 17 open browser tabs. It’s chaos, but it works.
Pricing:
- “Day Of Coordination” – starts at $2600
- Partial Planning – starts at $4800
- Full Service Planning – starts at $8.800
- Membership – currently $19.97/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.planningcollective.com/membership
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/planningcollectively
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingplanningcollective
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@planningcollectively
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GnKs9rT5wKmeo2KE1jubc
