At The Hawthorn, we’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some of New England’s most talented event planners, and one who stands out time and again is Lindsey McKitterick, founder of Lindsey M Events. Lindsey brings the perfect blend of refined style and impeccable organization, striking that rare balance between artistry and precision. Having coordinated more than 200 events in her career, she knows how to make a wedding not just beautiful, but beautifully run.
We recently sat down with Lindsey to talk through her best advice for couples planning their day. Whether you’re just starting your planning journey or fine-tuning the details, her insights are spot-on for planning a wedding that reduces stress and ensures a flawless event from start to finish.
Your guest list is the foundation of your entire budget. As Lindsey explains, “Every person you invite affects nearly every line item – food and beverage, rentals, florals, even your floorplan. Before diving into design ideas or menu tastings, take time to determine who’s truly on the list. Then, estimate how many of those guests will actually attend.” Rule of thumb: approximately 80% of guests invited will attend a wedding. Having those numbers early will make every budgeting and design decision that follows much more accurate – and far less stressful.
Lindsey encourages couples to establish a clear budget before booking a single vendor. “Your venue, catering, and bar are the biggest pieces of the puzzle, and typically make up about 50% of the total cost of the wedding” she says. “From there, decide what’s most important to you and invest accordingly.”
Speaking of what matters most, Lindsey recommends each couple identify their top three priorities for the wedding. Maybe it’s the dance floor energy, the food, and the photos. Or maybe it’s ambiance, florals, and design. “The key,” she says, “is making sure you and your partner are aligned at the onset of the planning process, so you’re spending your energy – and your money – on what brings you both the most joy.”
It’s tempting to leave the floor plan until later, but Lindsey urges couples to create it early on, even if it evolves as guest counts shift. A working floor plan is the foundation for so many other decisions: it helps determine how many tables, chairs, and linens you’ll need; where bars, buffets, and entertainment should be placed; and how guests will flow comfortably through the space. It also ensures that vendors, especially caterers, florists, and rental companies, can plan accurately and avoid last-minute surprises. Lindsey often finds that couples who skip this step end up scrambling just weeks before the wedding, when every detail feels urgent. Her advice: “collaborate with your planner or venue team early to create a preliminary layout – it’s one of the simplest ways to stay organized and keep every part of the planning process on track.”
Feeling overwhelmed by Pinterest? You’re not alone. Lindsey’s advice: pin with abandon for the first couple of months, saving anything that speaks to you. Then, go back through and edit ruthlessly. “Delete anything you no longer love,” she says. “You’ll start to see a clear theme emerge.” If your inspiration still feels scattered, that’s where a planner shines. They can help refine your vision, suggest impactful details, and introduce textures or color palettes you’d never have thought of.
Lindsey’s final piece of advice might be her favorite: “You’ll spend months, sometimes over a year, collaborating with your vendors. Choose people whose company you genuinely enjoy.” A strong working relationship makes the process not only smoother but infinitely more fun. After all, wedding planning should feel like a creative partnership, not a transaction. “If you’d grab a coffee or a cocktail with them outside of planning,” she says, “you’re doing it right.”
Whether you’re planning an intimate reception or a full weekend celebration, Lindsey’s philosophy stays the same: thoughtful planning leads to freedom on the day itself. When the details are handled with care, you get to focus on what really matters – being fully present with the people you love.
