Top 5 Wedding Planners in Mississippi
-
Editor & Publisher -
Client Services Leader
- May 15, 2026
- 16 min read
- Events
Source: Peerspace
Mississippi boasts the antebellum grandeur of Natchez estates, the vibrant energy of Jackson’s arts districts, and the sun-soaked shores of the Gulf Coast—offering wedding backdrops unlike anywhere else. The people, landscapes, and traditions make every celebration feel personal and joyful.
That rich event culture means couples have access to wedding planners who understand the nuances of planning in Mississippi. These professionals know which Gulf Coast venues have hurricane-season backup plans, which Jackson caterers can handle 300 guests without breaking a sweat, and how to navigate the logistics of a rural ceremony followed by a downtown reception. Their local vendor relationships and regional expertise translate to smoother planning, better pricing, and fewer surprises on your big day.
Whether you’re envisioning a moss-draped garden ceremony, a lively Biloxi beachfront reception, or an intimate Oxford gathering, the right planner makes all the difference. We’ve carefully vetted every wedding planner on this list so you can feel confident that each name here represents the best Mississippi has to offer.
How we curate our list
Every planner on this list has been evaluated through a multi-step process designed to surface the professionals who consistently deliver outstanding results for their clients.
Here’s what we look for:
- Client reviews across multiple platforms: We analyze feedback from couples on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, Zola, and social media to ensure consistent satisfaction. Every planner on our list maintains an average rating of 4.0 stars or higher.
- Industry recognition and awards: We look for planners who have earned accolades from respected publications, industry organizations, and local media—evidence that their peers and communities recognize their work.
- Professional credentials and associations: Certifications, memberships in professional organizations, and ongoing education signal a commitment to the craft that goes beyond casual event coordination.
Best wedding planners in Mississippi
Here are the five wedding planners in Mississippi who earned a spot on our list. Each one brings a unique perspective, deep local knowledge, and a proven track record of creating unforgettable celebrations.
1. Gooch Consulting and Event Services
Company name and founder/lead planner: Gooch Consulting and Event Services / Dr. Zetella Gooch
Specialty/niche: Gooch Consulting and Event Services provides complete consulting for special events and celebrations, covering corporate events, parties, promotional affairs, weddings, and reunions with strategic planning, design, organization, and supervision from start to finish. Their consultation is professional, backed by many years of event planning and leadership experience. Now in its 25th year, the company brings a multi-generational, family-driven approach to every celebration.
Notable projects or signature style: Zetella and her team create dream events where clients have little more to do than show up with their peace of mind. What makes Gooch Consulting stand out is the family-driven approach to event design. After inventorying the combined skills family members bring—design, floral decor, marketing, and leadership—they’ve built a steady clientele through word-of-mouth advertising. Zetella’s mother is an accredited florist, and her daughter, Q’Essence Walker, joined the team as Public Relations and Marketing Consultant after graduating with degrees in Public Relations and Marketing, plus an MBA.
Pricing: The Ultimate Décor Package starts at $4,875; Platinum Décor Package starts at $4,275; the Gold Décor Package starts at $3,700; and the Silver Décor Package starts at $3,275. Contact them through their website for a consultation and quote.
Why we love them: Dr. Zetella Gooch holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University, an MBA from Mississippi State University, and a BS from Jackson State University. She’s also an Accredited Event Designer through The Institute of Wedding and Event Design. She was named a finalist for The Top 50 Leading Business Women in the State through The Mississippi Business Journal and a Top 10 Finalist for Mississippi’s Businesswoman of the Year. That combination of academic rigor, industry credentials, and real-world recognition is rare in the Mississippi wedding planning scene.
Connect with them: Follow @zetellagooch on Instagram.
2. Bamari Event Planning
Company name and founder/lead planner: Bamari Event Planning / Abbi Adkins
Specialty/niche: Bamari Event Planning is a full-service event planning and design company that brings your vision to life through extensive planning, coordination, and research. Based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Abbi relocated to the area in 2018 and—thanks to long-standing relationships across the state—the team proudly serves all of Mississippi, along with select areas of southern Louisiana, Alabama, and West Florida.
Notable projects or signature style: Abbi and her team bring over 10 years of experience in the events industry. Bamari is very much a team effort—behind the scenes, you may work with any of their dedicated team members, each committed to going above and beyond. The company also hosts the annual Bamari Wedding Expo in Biloxi, connecting engaged couples with top local vendors—a sign of real community leadership in the Mississippi wedding industry.
Pricing: Bridal day-of coordination starts at $800 and full event coordination packages start at $1,200. Schedule a consultation through their website to request a custom quote based on your needs.
Why we love them: Bamari has been voted Silver in Best Event Planner for Sun Herald’s Best of Coastal Mississippi for 2023 and 2024, and Bronze for 2025. The name “Bamari” was inspired by the Swahili word for “ocean” (bahari), with the “h” replaced by an “m” to honor the first letter of Abbi’s maiden name—blending personal history, cultural influence, and a deep connection to place. That thoughtfulness carries through to every event they plan. Clients consistently praise the team for going above and beyond, specifically highlighting their high-quality decor, customized timelines, and flawless execution of themed events. Testimonials highlight that Bamari “exceeded all expectations,” cementing their reputation as a top-tier choice for a stress-free celebration.
Connect with them: Follow Bamari Event Planning on Instagram.
3. Darling Details Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Darling Details Events / Sasha Lafferty
Specialty/niche: Darling Details is an event design and production company servicing Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Western Alabama, providing full-service planning and creative design for non-profit events, weddings, and social gatherings. Their services span venue scouting, creative direction, event styling, and logistics. Sasha is a wedding and event planner from Oklahoma City who recently relocated to Quitman, Mississippi, giving Darling Details a broader creative perspective than many local planners.
Notable projects or signature style: At Darling Details Events, they believe every event is worth celebrating—and that every detail should be absolutely darling. Sasha’s design-forward approach means each wedding gets a cohesive visual identity, not just a checklist of tasks completed. Her portfolio includes styled shoots featured in wedding publications, including work with The White Wren and Brides of Oklahoma, showcasing playful pink accents and whimsical garden aesthetics.
Pricing: As of May 2026, Darling Details Events’ bookings are currently closed. Check back on their website later to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Why we love them: Sasha doesn’t just coordinate logistics—she approaches each wedding as a creative project with a distinct visual story. Her background in business administration combined with her design instincts means you get both organizational rigor and artistic vision. The fact that she offers complimentary consultations to all interested brides shows a genuine commitment to finding the right fit. Clients consistently praise their exceptional organizational skills, personal rapport, and responsiveness, with one reviewer noting, “we quite literally couldn’t have done it without her.”
Connect with them: Follow Darling Details Events on Instagram.
4. Team Bride
Company name and founder/lead planner: Team Bride / Gina Castillo Alvarez
Specialty/niche: Team Bride specializes in destination weddings, particularly in Cartagena, Colombia. Gina Castillo Alvarez is the design heart of the company, bringing extensive experience and innovation with a background in design and event planning. She worked for over eight years at the Cartagena Convention Center as an event planner and coordinator—experience that has been key to her wedding planning expertise.
Notable projects or signature style: What sets Team Bride apart is Gina’s art history background. She holds a degree in Art History and Studio Art from Wesleyan College and a Master’s degree from Wright State University. She attends numerous training seminars every year to maintain her requirements for the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) and stay at the forefront of industry trends. Each wedding she designs is a true testament to the couple’s vision, blending cultural richness with modern wedding design.
Pricing: Team Bride creates custom packages for each couple. Reach out to the company directly through their website for a personalized quote. Gina works out of her office in the United States and travels to Colombia for weddings at no extra cost to the couple.
Why we love them: If you’re a Mississippi-based couple dreaming of a destination wedding in a stunning international location, Team Bride is a standout choice. Gina’s ABC membership, formal art education, and deep roots in Cartagena’s event scene give her a unique ability to craft culturally rich, modern celebrations. Her team includes on-the-ground coordinators in Colombia who handle local vendor relationships and day-of details. Check out client testimonials on their website.
5. Beloved Getaways
Company name and founder/lead planner: Beloved Getaways / Mindi Phillips
Specialty/niche: Mindi is a certified Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist who works with clients all over the US. She specializes in honeymoons, destination weddings, leisure travel, family trips, groups, and escorted women’s travel. She travels extensively to resort properties in the Caribbean and Mexico to gain firsthand knowledge and build relationships with key people at each destination.
Notable projects or signature style: Throughout her 20 years in the event and travel spaces, Mindi has cultivated relationships with a variety of resorts. She doesn’t just recommend them blindly—she visits the properties, gets to know the key team members, and connects with the right vendors. She started Beloved Getaways because she wanted to help couples have the destination wedding of their dreams. After getting her start in event decorating and becoming a certified wedding planner, she fell in love with travel planning and never looked back.
Pricing: Beloved Getaways creates custom packages for each couple, so contact Mindi through her website for a complimentary planning session.
Why we love them: Beloved Getaways is an award-winning travel agency serving couples nationwide with offices in Mississippi and New Jersey. Mindi is a certified wedding planner, a member of DWHSA and IADWP, a Sandals Certified Gold Agent and Weddingmoon Specialist, and holds multiple resort-specific certifications. If your dream wedding involves a beach, a resort, or an international destination, Mindi’s combination of wedding planning credentials and travel expertise is hard to beat. This expertise is echoed in their stellar reputation; according to customer reviews, clients consistently praise Mindi for her exceptional personalization and comprehensive care for both the couple and their guests. Testimonials highlight her ability to craft detailed itineraries that exceed expectations, with one client stating, “Mindi took such good care of us and our guests.”
Connect with them: Follow Beloved Getaways on Instagram.
Choosing a Mississippi wedding planner
With so many talented professionals across the state, narrowing down your options takes a bit of strategy. Here’s how to evaluate planners and find the one who’s truly right for your celebration.
1. Test their knowledge of Mississippi’s regional differences
Mississippi is a big state with distinct regions, and each one comes with its own logistics. Ask prospective planners specific questions like: “What’s the parking situation at venues in the Fondren district of Jackson on a Saturday evening?” or “Which Gulf Coast venues have indoor backup options for hurricane season?”
A planner with real Mississippi experience will answer immediately and offer alternatives. Vague responses like “we’ll figure it out” are red flags. Ask them to walk you through how they’d handle guest logistics between specific areas—their answer reveals whether they’ve actually managed events across the state.
2. Evaluate their vendor network depth
Ask: “Which caterers, florists, and rental companies do you work with regularly, and why?” Strong planners will name three to five vendors per category and explain the relationship. Then ask: “What happens if they’re booked?”
The depth of their backup list matters. Request introduction calls with two or three key vendors. During those calls, gauge the vendor’s enthusiasm—do they light up mentioning this planner? That chemistry translates to better service, priority scheduling, and problem-solving on your wedding day.
3. Assess their crisis management for Mississippi-specific challenges
Mississippi weather can be unpredictable. Summer heat and humidity are intense, and Gulf Coast weddings face hurricane season risks. Ask about backup plans: “What happens if a severe weather warning hits the week of our event?”
Experienced Mississippi planners have protocols ready—relationships with indoor backup venues, vendor cancellation policies they’ve negotiated, and guest communication templates. Listen for specifics: Did they have climate-controlled spaces secured as backup? Their answer should include vendor names, timeline decisions, and cost implications they managed.
4. Review their portfolio for Mississippi events specifically
Don’t just ask for their general portfolio—ask for events specifically in Mississippi or in venues relevant to your celebration. Request three to five examples similar to yours in event type, size, budget range, and venue style.
During portfolio review, ask: “What was the biggest challenge in executing this event?” Strong planners will cite Mississippi-specific obstacles—outdoor heat management, rural venue logistics, vendor scheduling during peak spring wedding season—and explain solutions. Follow up by asking: “May I contact this client?”
5. Measure budget realism for the Mississippi market
Share your budget range and ask: “What’s realistic for a wedding in Mississippi with this budget?” Good planners will be honest about what your money can buy. They should offer two or three cost tiers with concrete examples and suggest specific strategies for saving—like booking a unique Mississippi wedding venue through Peerspace instead of a traditional hotel ballroom, choosing an off-peak month, or exploring emerging venue areas outside the most popular cities. Warning sign: promising everything without discussing tradeoffs.
Planning a wedding in Mississippi
Event planning in Mississippi is all about timing. Here are the key factors to keep in mind as you plan your celebration.
Weather patterns and best seasons: Mississippi has a subtropical climate, which means hot, humid summers and mild winters. The most popular months for outdoor weddings are March through May and October through November, when temperatures are comfortable and the scenery is gorgeous. Summer weddings (June through August) require serious heat management—think fans, shade structures, and plenty of water stations. Gulf Coast weddings should account for hurricane season, which runs June through November. Check the National Weather Service Southern Region website for localized forecasts and seasonal outlooks as you plan your date.
Marriage license requirements: In Mississippi, no blood work is required, there’s no waiting period, and once the license is issued it doesn’t expire. Both applicants must appear before the Circuit Clerk in person, and the license fee is typically $36-$38 depending on the county. If you aren’t yet 21 years of age, you must have parental consent to marry in Mississippi. Contact your local county Circuit Clerk’s office to confirm current requirements before your visit.
Major events to plan around: Mississippi hosts several large events that can affect hotel availability, vendor pricing, and traffic. Keep these on your radar:
- Mississippi State Fair (October)—Jackson
- Natchez Pilgrimage (March–April and October)—Natchez
- Juke Joint Festival (April)—Clarksdale
- Double Decker Arts Festival (April)—Oxford
- Cruisin’ the Coast (October)—Gulf Coast
- Mississippi Blues Marathon (January)—Jackson
- Biloxi Seafood Festival (September)—Biloxi
Check the Visit Mississippi events calendar and the Coastal Mississippi tourism site for up-to-date schedules that may impact your planning timeline.
Transportation and parking: Mississippi is a car-dependent state. Most guests will be driving, so make sure your venue has adequate parking or arrange shuttle service. For weddings in downtown Jackson, Oxford, or the Gulf Coast casino district, parking can be tighter—plan accordingly. The Visit Jackson tourism site offers helpful resources for navigating the capital city.
FAQs: wedding planning in Mississippi
When should I hire a Mississippi wedding planner?
Aim to hire your planner at least six to 12 months before your wedding date, especially if you’re planning a spring or fall celebration during peak season. Popular Mississippi planners book up quickly, so the earlier you start, the better your options.
How much does a wedding planner cost in Mississippi?
Costs vary widely depending on the level of service. Day-of coordination in Mississippi typically starts around $800, while full-service planning can range significantly higher based on event size and complexity. Most planners charge either a flat fee or a percentage of your overall wedding budget (typically 15-20%).
Do I need a planner if my venue has a coordinator?
Yes—a venue coordinator focuses on the property itself (setup times, catering logistics, facility rules), while an independent wedding planner manages your entire event vision, vendor selection, design, and timeline across all locations. They’re complementary roles, not interchangeable ones.
Why hire a local Mississippi planner versus bringing someone from out of town?
Local planners know Mississippi’s vendor landscape, weather patterns, permit requirements, and regional logistics intimately. They have established relationships with caterers, florists, photographers, and rental companies across the state, which often translates to better pricing, priority scheduling, and smoother problem-solving on your wedding day.
Great weddings start with the right planner and the perfect space
Mississippi’s wedding planning community is full of talented, passionate professionals who understand the unique beauty and logistics of celebrating in the Magnolia State. Whether you need a full-service planner to manage every detail, a day-of coordinator to keep things running smoothly, or a destination wedding specialist to take your celebration international, the planners on this list have the experience, creativity, and local knowledge to make your vision a reality.
Pair their expertise with the right venue, and you’ve got the foundation for something truly extraordinary. Browse unique wedding venues on Peerspace and start building the celebration you’ve been dreaming about.
If you have feedback on our list, our team would love to hear from you. Reach us anytime at [email protected] with suggestions, corrections, or additions.
