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About

On WeddingWire since 2011

Alena Swanson, Wedding & Event Planning, is a wedding planner and coordinator located in Branson, Missouri.

Falling in love and getting married is life’s greatest adventure! I’m Alena, an acclaimed wedding planner who specializes in alleviating your stress and overseeing all the details, so you can savor this once-in-a-lifetime event!

My journey into wedding planning began in 2009, and my numerous 5-star reviews showcase my passion and dedication to my craft. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of orchestrating an array of weddings, from intimate gatherings to lavish affairs. Each event is a canvas, and I take pride in assisting you in painting your unique love story with creativity, professionalism, and personal touches that draw your guests into that narrative.

My portfolio boasts planning hundreds of weddings, including published events in the Rocky Mountains and along Route 66. I particularly relish collaborating with couples nationwide to arrange destination weddings in the landscapes I call home. My team of planners and I are based in two picturesque locations: the stunning state of New Mexico and the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri. Whether you opt for my services or one of my colleagues, I am confident you will be in some of the best hands in the industry.

I firmly believe every couple deserves a wedding as extraordinary as their love. That's why we take the time to understand your vision, get to know you, and bring your dream to life through meticulous planning and flawless execution. We do not take over and plan for you. We hold your hand and plan WITH you. This is your wedding, not ours.

Every couple books our base package for day-of coordination and can add on tailored planning time (partial or full service) at an hourly rate. Once you hire us for the day of, we are “on the bench and ready to be called into the game” for extra planning at any time. If life takes an unexpected turn or planning is consuming your life more than you’d like, just call or text. We are here to listen, advise, and accompany you through every aspect of the planning journey.

As your wedding planner, I vow to be your confidant, your advocate, and your greatest support. Whether you dream of a rustic countryside wedding, a glamorous city celebration, or a 3-day, non-stop wedding weekend to remember, let’s start planning the event of your dreams today! Reach out to schedule a complimentary Zoom consultation, and let's embark on this beautiful journey together!

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

What is the starting price for day-of wedding coordination?

$2,000

What is the starting price for partial wedding planning?

$3,500

What is the starting price for full wedding planning?

$9,000

Do you offer an hourly rate?

Yes

What is the hourly rate?

$100

What wedding events do you provide services for?

Ceremony
Reception
Rehearsal Dinner

What wedding planning services do you offer?

Day-of Coordination
Full Planning
Partial Planning

What weddings do you have experience planning?

Civil
Cultural
Destination
Elopement
Military
Non-Religious
Religious

How many planners are on your team?

2
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Any other questions?

Reviews of Alena Swanson, Wedding & Event Planning

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
71 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Tess
Tess S. Sent on 09/14/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding ever!

We had the best time working with Alena! She has a lot of experience planning weddings and it clearly shows through her skill in managing the details and all the great suggestions she was able to provide. Alena went above and beyond to help us plan and we seriously could not have done this without her. Her responsiveness was very much appreciated and honestly my (now!) husband and I felt almost none of the stress we expected to feel leading up to the big day. Even when it did end up raining, Alena was right there to make sure everything was taken care of. Our wedding day was fantastic, and we are so thankful for all of the work Alena put in to make sure it was exactly what we dreamed of!
Jamie
Jamie B. Sent on 05/06/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Could not have done it without her

For context we were not only based out of State we were based outside the US which is why we looked for a coordinator/planner who would provide month of service. Alena was incredibly flexible in finding ways to speak to us factoring in the time difference. From our initial conversation we had a strong feeling that this was a professional who had a strong understanding of what we wanted, matched with her understanding of what we neeed and what we should consider (often thinking of things we hadn't thought of). Hiring her the best decision we made, she was able to talk to vendors far more easily (particularly ones we found awkward to get hold of) and present us information in clear, informative way with clear guidance on things she needed to know to get on with her role. We arrived in Albuquerque 9 days before the wedding. Alena was ready with a timeline and all the outstanding tasks we needed to think of, she offered solutions, she took responsibility for certain tasks off our hands and came back to us with fixes. She attended a venue runthrough which was invaluable in focusing the wedding parties minds on the details that you don't think of but are essential, like where are you when the guests arrive, how do you leave this location to get to that location etc etc. She also attended the rehearsal and kept everybody focused and on track. The day itself she was invaluable in ensuring everything happened as we wanted it. Alena has an incredibly calm nature and a brilliant mind for retaining huge amounts of information which is what you need. Your planner has to be someone who can tie together all the different vendors, have a handle on all the logistics, keep everything to time and do it in such a way that it's invisible to your guests. That person is Alena. She works hard to ensure your day goes as planned. She will help make that day special to you, her packages are tailored for your needs and in no way feel "off the shelf". The end result is the best day of your life, a fun time for the guests, and everything happening as you wanted it to. Cannot recommend highly enough.
B
Britney Sent on 01/16/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Alena is beyond AMAZING!!

When I was planning my wedding, I didn’t think I would need a wedding planner but after speaking with a friend who recently got married; not hiring a planner was her biggest regret and now I see why. I was so fortunate that I found Alena; hiring a wedding planner is a must, but picking Alena was probably the best decision I made when it came to picking vendors. Alena’s sweet nature and incredible organizational skills were a huge part of our wedding’s success, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her! There is a reason she is the best!!
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Awards

71
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner

Real Weddings

Chris & Helen
22 photos · 09/25/2016
Will & Chelsea
17 photos · 05/04/2016

Deals

Team

Alena Van Dyke
Alena Van Dyke
Owner

Professional Network & Endorsements

17 Endorsements
Abundant Blessing Wedding Officiant Abundant Blessing Wedding Officiant Wedding Officiants

Alena Swanson is one of the best wedding and event planners in Albuquerque and the area, and I have known Alena through her wedding planning services. She is professional, attentive to details, and very personable. Alena cares about each bride or groom she deals with, and seeks the best professional the need to make their dream wedding come true. Alena is a gem of a wedding planner.

Mon Amis Personal Chefs Mon Amis Personal Chefs Wedding Caterers

Really quick to respond and always professional

Funky Olive Design Company Funky Olive Design Company Wedding Invitations

Alena is a wonderful planner who truly cares about the experiences she provides to the couples that she works with.

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