Olivia Steingraber and Megan Kronser are the co-founders of new wave wedding and event consultancy, Coulee Creative House. Before that, they were impromptu co-planners of their friend's wedding. Before that, they were simply best friends.
Friends to co-founders is not an unusual story, but a heartwarming one all the same. What is entirely unique is the pair's approach to event planning and their method of weaving a distinctly modern style with the traditional beauty of weddings.
We spoke to Olivia and Megan about their journey into the wedding industry, the joy of building a business with your bestie, and the creation of Coulee Creative House—"a home for celebrating all things beautiful!"
How did Coulee Creative House come to be?
The journey into wedding planning began unexpectedly for us, sparked by the impending nuptials of our dear college friends back in the fall of 2021. At that time, Megan was immersed in project management for a company in New York, while Olivia had always harboured a keen eye for design.
As our friends deliberated over the perfect timing for their big day, we found ourselves naturally stepping in to offer our assistance. Megan seamlessly transitioned into the role of the day-of coordinator, leveraging her organisational skillset, while Olivia's innate talent for design flourished as she took charge of creating floral arrangements and crafting the aesthetic vision for the event.
The experience was transformative, yet challenging. In the whirlwind leading up to the wedding, we poured our hearts into assisting a dream day for our friends,, from coordinating logistics to transforming a simple pavilion into a reception venue. As the night before the wedding approached and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm us, we found ourselves lying awake, fuelled by adrenaline, staring at the ceiling, pondering the question: "Were we made for this?"
In that moment, through the chaos and excitement, clarity dawned. The joy of creating something beautiful, the satisfaction of seeing our efforts come to fruition, and the deep sense of fulfilment we derived from helping our friends celebrate their love—it all resonated with us on a profound level.
From that night onward, there was no turning back. Our journey into the world of wedding planning had begun, ignited by an opportunity and fuelled by our passion for creating memorable experiences. Looking back, we are filled with gratitude for that pivotal moment and the path it set us on—a path where we have found not only a profession but a purpose, and where we continue to build our business surrounded by the people we love.
From best friends to business partners—how has your relationship evolved?
Going from childhood besties to business partners has been quite the journey for us. I mean, we've practically been best friends since we were seven, so you can imagine the evolution of our friendship over the years has been pretty remarkable.
What's really cool about our dynamic is that while we share the same overarching goals and dreams, our individual strengths and skill sets couldn't be more different. Liv's the visionary, the creative powerhouse who's always buzzing with new ideas and thrives on making connections. Meanwhile, Megan is more of the executor, the one who thrives on organisation, creating systems and seeing projects through to completion.
Our partnership really started taking shape back in high school when we found ourselves teaming up on community projects and co-leading various clubs. Looking back, those early collaborations were like the training ground for what was to come. They laid down the foundation for us to seamlessly transition from being a dynamic duo as young teenagers to tackling bigger ventures together in the world of business.
Sure, there have been bumps along the road, like any partnership, but we've learned how to navigate those challenges by playing to each other's strengths and communicating openly. It's all about finding that balance between our shared vision and our individual strengths, and I think that's what makes our partnership so strong.
What advice would you give to other best friends considering going into business together?
First and foremost, make sure you're on the same page when it comes to values. Having common values that you both hold dear is like having a compass that keeps you grounded and rooted in truth, especially when things get tough.
Next, be prepared to put in the work—both in and out of the business. Building a successful partnership requires effort, communication, and a whole lot of patience. But it's not just about the business stuff; it's about nurturing your friendship too. Take time to laugh together, support each other's personal endeavours, and just enjoy each other's company outside of the business realm.
And finally, carry love, joy, and patience in your hearts. It might sound cheesy, but trust us, these qualities are like the secret sauce that keeps your partnership strong. Celebrate each other's successes, lift each other up during the tough times, and never lose sight of the joy that comes from doing what you love together.
What sets Coulee Creative House apart from traditional wedding planning services?
What sets Coulee Creative House apart from traditional wedding planning services? Well, it all boils down to our commitment to connection and understanding.
At CC House, we're not just about checking items off a wedding planning checklist. We're all about getting to the heart of what our couples truly want and need for their special day. That means taking the time to really connect with them, to understand their vision, their values, and their dreams. We want to be more than just planners; we want to be partners in bringing their unique love story to life.
But that's not all. We're also laser-focused on meeting the needs of Gen-Z brides. We understand that today's couples have a whole new set of expectations and priorities when it comes to their weddings. They want experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and reflective of their personalities and values. And that's exactly what we're here to deliver.
So, whether it's our dedication to deep connection or our focus on serving the needs of the modern bride, Coulee Creative House is rewriting the playbook when it comes to wedding planning. Because we believe that every love story deserves to be celebrated in a way that's as unique and beautiful as the couple themselves.
How do you want your clients to feel?
Above all, we hope our clients feel at ease and truly excited for the present moment and the season ahead. Whether it's the anticipation of their big day or the joy of bringing their vision to life, we want them to feel a sense of excitement and possibility in every interaction with us.
Ultimately, our goal is to make our clients feel seen, understood, and cared for. We want their experience with Coulee Creative House to be not just about the end result, but about the journey itself—a journey filled with connection, creativity, and unforgettable moments.
How did you begin to craft your brand identity?
Our brand identity isn't just about looking cool—it's a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. From the get-go, we knew that our personal brand and values would be at the core of everything we do. We wanted our branding to feel like an extension of ourselves, authentic and genuine.
But we also knew that to truly connect with today's audience, we had to stay ahead of the curve. That's why we made it our mission to understand what Gen-Z wants and needs. We're constantly strategising and innovating, keeping our finger on the pulse of emerging trends and cultural shifts.
As a creative agency, we're not just followers of trends; we're trendsetters. We're always pushing the boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, and providing inspiration to anyone who comes across our content. Whether it's through our vibrant visuals, our engaging storytelling, or our innovative approach to problem-solving, we want our brand to be a source of inspiration and excitement.
So, when it came time to craft our brand identity, we didn't just look outward for inspiration—we looked inward. We tapped into our own passions, values, and vision for the future, and let that guide us in creating a brand that's distinctly fresh, forward-thinking, and uniquely us.
What's next for Coulee Creative House?
While our focus right now is on wedding coordinating, planning, and floral design, we have dreams of the evolution of CC House. One of our key strategies for evolution is through content creation. We believe in the power of storytelling and inspiration, and we're committed to leading the industry with trend-forward content that captivates and delights our audience.
Drawing on our background in marketing, we're uniquely positioned to create content that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of wedding planning. Our goal is to offer a holistic approach to wedding preparation, providing resources and advice that cover everything from styling tips to wellness practices. We want to be a trusted source of information and inspiration for brides at every stage of their journey.
But our vision doesn't stop there. We're also exploring new avenues for growth and innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of wedding design and planning. Whether it's through new services, collaborations, or innovative approaches to client experiences, we're committed to staying at the cutting edge of our industry.
In short, our journey is just beginning, and we're excited to continue evolving, innovating, and inspiring couples as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Follow Megan and Olivia's journey on Instagram and be sure to bookmark the Coulee Creative House website (coming soon!)
