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About

Looking for a planner that is as excited about your wedding as you are? yep! That would be me!!

Keith Willard Events LLC is a wedding planning business based in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

I have been planning events since I was six years old - seriously! After working for over a decade as a director of Catering for five-star hotels such as Ritz-Carlton Bal - Harbour, I knew it was time to go out on my own. That was nine years ago and every day I know that this is what I am supposed to do.

I start with listening. I love people, and it’s easy for me to get wrapped up in each client’s vision for their wedding. By listening closely to what clients want, I can be their advocate throughout the entire wedding planning process, making sure they get what they want.

It includes budgeting and planning. We all have budgets. Nothing causes stress faster than money, that’s why I pride myself in staying on a budget without sacrificing client priorities.


Getting to know the VIPs. I understand that many weddings are about close friends and family, and not just about couples. Many of these VIPs are advising and counsel the couple. I make it my business to understand everyone’s role and help get everyone on the same page so that the planning itself becomes a fun and bonding experience.
If you’re looking for a planner with valuable industry experience who can stay on budget and make planning stress-free and even fun for everyone involved, give me a call. As a random extra... my brides have my personal cell phone. I find it's not the question that causes stress, it's the time waiting for an answer! So, if it's 8:00 at night and a random question pops in your head, then text me. If I'm up, I'll answer!

About me and the experience that I bring to planning your wedding (In a nutshell)

Previous Experience:
Executive Director of a 501(c)3 - Where every dollar and staying in budget are the rule.
Lead Planner for an international event planning company - I can figure out how to create amazing events long distance, finding the perfect vendors in any city or country.
Director of Catering for Ritz-Carlton - Insider knowledge about how hotels, and their contracts, work. Creation of menus, working with executive chefs, and insight into service needs for events.
Director of Catering for an independent Catering Company - Able to create an event literally anywhere. From rentals to food preparation.
Current President of the National Association of Catering and Events - connections to thousands of vendors so budget and taste can be matched quickly
There is literally no one in the industry that has the previous experience in all areas of event planning that I have… and I will probably be almost as excited, if not more, about your wedding! I love what I do!

  • LGBTQ+-owned
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Frequently asked questions

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

$4,500

What is the starting price for partial wedding planning?

$8,500

What is the starting price for full wedding planning?

$12,500

Do you offer an hourly rate?

No

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
Double Weddings
Elopement
Eco-Friendly
Military
Non-Religious
Religious

Reviews of Keith Willard Events LLC

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Reviewers praise the planner and team for making planning effortless—especially for out-of-town couples—handling vendor negotiations and logistics. They highlight creativity, meticulous organization, calm problem-solving, and beautiful execution on the day, allowing couples to relax and enjoy. Many highly recommend them for a flawless, memorable wedding.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Reviewers praise the planner and team for making planning effortless—especially for out-of-town couples—handling vendor negotiations and logistics. They highlight creativity, meticulous organization, calm problem-solving, and beautiful execution on the day, allowing couples to relax and enjoy. Many highly recommend them for a flawless, memorable wedding.

Ted
Ted Sent on 12/03/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The best of the best

We worked with Keith to plan our February wedding at The Palms in Miami, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better partner. He made the whole process feel easy and fun, and he really understood us from the start. He came up with ideas that were so perfectly “us” — like the Bravo-style confessional video booth and the coconuts with our names on them. Those ended up being some of the biggest hits of the night.

Since we were planning everything from across the country, having someone we could fully trust meant everything. He handled all the vendor negotiations, and every single vendor he brought in was reliable, on time, and clearly loved working with him.

On the actual day, Keith was unbelievably organized. Everything ran smoothly, the flowers were beautiful, and we never had a moment of stress. We’re so grateful we got to work with him.
A
Andrew Sent on 05/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Indispensable wedding planner

Keith Willard is a true professional, and we could not recommend him more highly. He has all the connections, gets to know you as a couple, and will make your day truly magical. The best advice we have: just trust in Keith! We were nervous nellies throughout the process, but Keith was able to put us at ease and help us to relax and enjoy. Ultimately, our wedding exceeded our wildest dreams and so many of our guests told us it was the best wedding they had ever been to. We couldn't have done it without Keith. So grateful! :)
M
Michelle Sent on 02/13/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best Planner

Keith was very organized and had amazing vendor references for our Ft Lauderdale wedding. He helped us create our perfect wedding day and executed every vision expertly. He managed every bump in the road calmly and coolly to help us have the wedding of our dreams. It was so much fun! Highly recommend working with him for your upcoming wedding or event planning.
S
Shannon Sent on 11/20/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend!

After hosting multiple events at my venue, I am compelled to write a glowing review of Keith Willard, founder of Keith Willard Events! He is the most attentive, organized, hands on wedding planner that I have had the pleasure of working with. He anticipates every need and communicates right away to ensure the day is flawless. Keith is my number one preferred wedding planner and I look forward to working with him again!
~Shannon McKenna
Mondrian South Beach
Marianne
Marianne Sent on 10/25/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Simply the best!

Keith Willard and his extraordinary team at Keith Willard Events, particularly the incredible Brook, have left an indelible mark on our lives. Our wedding day, a day we had dreamed of for years, became nothing short of magical, and it was all thanks to their exceptional expertise, dedication, and unwavering support.

From the very first moment we met Keith, it was evident that we were in the hands of a true professional. His warm and friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease, and we knew we had found the perfect partner to bring our wedding vision to life. Keith's impeccable attention to detail and wealth of experience were apparent as he guided us through the planning process, making it feel effortless and enjoyable.

Brook, however, was the unsung hero of our wedding day. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything went off without a hitch. Her organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and calm demeanor were simply remarkable. We had complete confidence in her, which allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the joy of the day without any concerns or worries. Brook, we cannot thank you enough for your dedication and for making our day absolutely perfect.

On our wedding day, every element was executed flawlessly. From the beautiful decorations to the seamless coordination of the ceremony and reception, it was as if Keith and his team had a magic wand, making our dreams come true. Our guests were in awe of the stunning arrangements and the impeccable timing of each moment. We were able to savor every precious second of our day because we knew Keith and Brook had it all under control.

What sets Keith Willard Events apart is not only their professionalism but also their genuine care for their clients. They took the time to understand our unique preferences and desires, ensuring that our wedding was a true reflection of our love story. It wasn't just an event for them; it was a labor of love.

We are forever grateful to Keith, Brook, and the entire team at Keith Willard Events for creating a day that exceeded our wildest dreams. Their passion, dedication, and commitment to perfection transformed our wedding into one of the most incredible days of our lives. It's a day we will cherish forever, and we owe it all to this remarkable team. If you're looking for the best in the business to make your wedding unforgettable, look no further than Keith Willard Events!!
L
Laura Sent on 08/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Don't look for anyone else.

Keith is a master and makes throwing a party a breeze. We are from out of town and knew we were in great hands with him. Great resources, always available, fun to work with. Wish I had another party to throw just to work with him again.
Candelario
Candelario Sent on 03/17/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Dreams Came True Because of Keith!!

It's been three months since our wedding and I'm still living in the clouds. When we were doing our research on possible wedding planners, we knew we wanted someone that would understand us as gay men--in fact we wanted to support someone from the LGBTQ community because we wanted to make sure that they had expert knowledge with respect to LGBTQ friendly vendors. Keith's name came up and when we met with him, we immediately knew that he was the person we wanted to hire, and we have no regrets of doing so. We originally had a location in mind and were working on securing that on our own, but when things didn't go as planned, Keith stepped in and helped us find a great location. One of our fears with planning a wedding in Florida and living in Charlotte was that we'd have a hard time making sure that all our dreams came to fruition. Keith seriously made sure that everything was taken care of. He was constantly available to chat, especially in times when we started stressing, he looked for the best deals but kept in mind the vibe we wanted to give at the wedding. He always had suggestion on vendors and had great relationships with them. I can not emphasis enough how thoughtful and caring Keith is!! One thing that I really loved about Keith was the fact that he allowed us to visualize everything we wanted and then made sure it actually happened. He took the stress out of planning...well there was still stress but that's because it's a wedding but he made sure to listen and ease the stress. On wedding day...he took charge. He was there and made sure that all the stress was on him and not on us nor our guests. He handled everything perfectly. Only thing I wish we had done differently, was getting a picture with him on our wedding day! Post wedding, we had some issues with the Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour not delivering the level of service that they're known for and also over charging us on our bill (their computer system was doing the math wrong, and it was Keith who figured that out), and Keith was there to help with the conversations and advocate on our behalf...even when his job as our wedding planner was over!! He is truly one of the best professionals out there and HIGHLY recommend him. If you're ever looking for a planner for any event make sure to reach out to him. You won't be let down!! Additionally, one thing that's also helpful is that he has an award winning show on Youtube with many of the topics that come up when wedding planning, so if you're ever wondering about something you can go listen to him and his guest speakers talk about these topics!! LOVE THIS MAN AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!
D
Dion Sent on 02/28/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Wedding thanks to Keith

Keith was amazing from the start. He was recommended to us by two different people in the same day. He listened to our ideas and brought them to life. Invitations, venue, food, and entertainment were top tier. He also set us up with a great photographer, videographer and dj. Our friends still talk about how fun our wedding was to this day. He can plan any event but he is a god send for couples who want to plan an amazing wedding but may not have the time to dedicate to every detail. Leave it in Keith’s hands!
Annie
Annie Sent on 12/23/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Top notch planner!

Keith was SO amazing!!! My family met him when he was working at the venue for my sister's wedding 10+ years ago; he stuck out so much then that we sought him out again for my wedding! He was truly instrumental in securing many of our vendors and ensuring no detail was missed. His vision really brought the ideas that I had for my wedding to life! It would not have been the same without Keith and his incredible team! He's the best!
Natalie
Natalie Sent on 11/05/2022
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding planner ever!

One of the best wedding planners in Ft. Lauderdale, Even after the wedding everyone was raving about how great our wedding planner was! Stop looking for planners and book him now! He helped us with so many decisions and knows the industry very well. We had monthly phone calls with him leading o the wedding and felt at ease every step of the way. On the day of our wedding, his staff was soo attentive to us and the wedding party. I had an amazing wedding and it was partially due to him.
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Awards

35
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

10 Endorsements
Total Exposure Band Total Exposure Band Wedding Bands

Very Professional and Highly Recommended.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Weddings Fort Lauderdale Beach Weddings Wedding Officiants

A magnificent wedding venue with dramatic Intracoastal water views

Joined Together Wedding Specialists Joined Together Wedding Specialists Wedding Planners

I hosted an event at the Hyatt Regency, it is a beautiful place for a wedding and the staff are great.

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