Meet Adrien Harding of RSVP Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrien Harding.

Hi Adrien , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a Grand Rapids native, my passion for the wedding and events industry began over twenty years ago. I took a pivotal step in my career by joining the team at Frederik Meijer Gardens as a wedding and event planner, where I coordinated more than 500 events over six years. My experience also includes roles at several other respected event planning companies throughout West Michigan.

Eight years ago, I became the proud owner of RSVP Events. Since then, I have significantly expanded the business, which now serves clients across both Michigan and Ohio.

I specialize in planning weddings, social celebrations, and corporate events of all types, budgets, and sizes. My work has been featured in Carats & Cake, The New York Times, and Grand Rapids Magazine. With a strong background in traditional, multicultural, and fusion weddings, I have successfully executed events ranging from intimate gatherings of 50 guests to large-scale celebrations with up to 600 attendees.

I am honored to have received The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award nine times and to be recognized as one of the “Top 3 Wedding Planners in Grand Rapids” by Three Best Rated for three consecutive years.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I look back on a two-decade-long journey in the event planning industry marked by growth, perseverance, and countless lessons. When I began my career 20 years ago, it was with passion but not without its challenges. Purchasing RSVP Events required long hours, gaining trust from clients without an extensive personal work portfolio, and learning to navigate high-pressure environments where attention to detail was critical.

Early on, one of the most significant hurdles was proving myself in a competitive field dominated by experienced professionals. I had to work harder, often taking on smaller roles for less cost to build credibility and learn the nuances of the industry from the ground up. Financial uncertainty was also a constant companion in the early years with RSVP Events, especially when working freelance or during off-peak seasons.

Transitioning into business ownership brought a new set of challenges. From managing a team and developing scalable processes to balancing creative vision with practical operations, I quickly learned that being a talented planner wasn’t enough—strong leadership, business acumen, and resilience were essential. There were moments of growth and recognition, but also periods of slow bookings, economic shifts, and personal sacrifices.

Despite the ups and downs, each obstacle taught me something valuable and reinforced my commitment to delivering exceptional events. Today, I’m proud to own a successful event planning business that serves clients across Michigan and Ohio. The path wasn’t always smooth, but it shaped the experienced and resourceful planner I am today.

We’ve been impressed with RSVP Events, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Experience matters.

We only offer the best with our staff. Our team is, simply put, experienced. We are creative in having planned well over 700 weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations since 2005. With diverse professional backgrounds, we bring a thoughtful, customized approach to every event—combining fresh design, flawless coordination, and industry insight.

What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service, attention to detail, and staying ahead of trends in design, cuisine, and entertainment. Trust is very important. We take pride in earning our clients’ trust and delivering events that are not only beautifully executed but truly memorable. Every event begins with listening. We collaborate closely with our clients to ensure their ideas are heard, their goals are prioritized, and their vision is fully realized.

We are also proud to set a limit to the number of events we take on to ensure each client receives our full attention and a tailored planning journey, no cookie-cutter solutions here and no coordinator burn out, which we and our clients love!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how Grand Rapids continues to grow while staying grounded in values. It has a mix of creativity, community, and culture. Offering the charm of a small town with the energy and opportunity of a growing city—making it the perfect place to plan unforgettable events.

Parking and accessibility can be limited downtown, which adds a layer of planning complexity. It sometimes lacks the scale and variety of vendor options you might find in larger metropolitan areas.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.events-by-rsvp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsvpeventsgr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsvpeventsgr/