Skip to main content
Weddings

About

Southern Skies Events is a wedding and special event planning company operating out of Cary, North Carolina. Owner and lead planner Jen Shaefer and her team of talented event experts go above and beyond to create unforgettable celebrations for their cherished clients. With a keen eye for detail and endless creativity, they work diligently to provide stress-free planning experiences to nearlywed couples.

Services Offered

The team at Southern Skies Events provides clients with a wide range of services to choose from. The team will work collaboratively with you to ensure that every element of your day is carefully considered and expertly executed. Packages available include varying levels of service, including event management, day-of coordination, full-service planning, and partial planning. Your planner will be on hand every step of the way, from budget analysis and vendor selection to timeline and to-do list creation.

  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

Vendors you may like

See other vendors that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

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

$1,950

What is the starting price for partial wedding planning?

$4,000

What is the starting price for full wedding planning?

$6,500

Do you offer an hourly rate?

No

What wedding events do you provide services for?

Ceremony
Reception

What wedding planning services do you offer?

Day-of Coordination
Full Planning
Partial Planning

What weddings do you have experience planning?

Cultural
Military
Non-Religious
Religious

Reviews of Southern Skies Events

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

Review summary

Powered by AI

Reviewers rave about Southern Skies Events and its planners, praising exceptional organization, communication, and attention to detail. The team handled vendor coordination, last-minute issues (including weather), and thoughtful care that let couples relax and enjoy their day. Many described the service as compassionate, proactive, and highly recommended.

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 rave about Southern Skies Events and its planners, praising exceptional organization, communication, and attention to detail. The team handled vendor coordination, last-minute issues (including weather), and thoughtful care that let couples relax and enjoy their day. Many described the service as compassionate, proactive, and highly recommended.

Christie
Christie Sent on 05/31/2023
5 out of 5 rating

book book book!

If your thinking about booking with Southern Skies, just do it! You will have NO regrets. My husband and I were lucky enough to be paired with Laura and I truly could not have imagined the day (and all the days leading up )without her. Laura went above and beyond to make sure all our questions were answered and asked questions to other vendors we didn't even know to ask. Our wedding day was absolutely stress free and that was all because of Laura's hard work, patience and understanding. It is bittersweet writing this review because I already miss Laura and her radiant energy... so if your'e going back and forth about booking, PLEASE DO.. I sincerely  would not have had the amazing day I had without Southern Skies and especially Laura.
Brittany
Brittany Sent on 06/17/2026
5 out of 5 rating

10/10 recommend!!!

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Laura for our wedding, and she was a true God send for us! We moved to Arkansas ~10 months before our wedding in NC, so planning a wedding from several states away added an extra level of stress. However, working with Laura immediately put us at ease, and she made us feel confident that everything was under control. She was patient and kind no matter how many questions we asked. She was extremely detail-oriented and thought of every small task/decision that needed to be completed. On our wedding day, we were able to be fully present because we knew she had everything under control. The day flowed perfectly and we stayed ahead of schedule. It truly was a perfect day, and we know it wouldn’t have happened without Laura. We are so grateful we got matched with her and recommend her over and over again!
N
Natalie Sent on 05/25/2026
5 out of 5 rating

On top of everything wedding day

Lauren made sure everything was just right on wedding day and was so sweet! Not only did she make sure all of the vendors were accounted for but checked on us to make sure we were drinking enough water and to see if we needed anything. It was also so nice to have her to follow up with vendors leading up to the wedding when there is so much to do!
Antonio
Antonio Sent on 04/21/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Best Wedding Ever!!!

Adrienne was nothing short of amazing! She was helpful throughout the entire process and made everything so easy. She made sure we enjoyed our day and that we did not stress at any point. Thank you so so much, we couldn't have done it without you!
A
Amanda Sent on 09/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding planner 10/10!!

Adrianne was amazing! She was always available to discuss details or silly questions I may have had. On the day of she was quick and adaptive. She offered me to wear her wedding veil, and have her husband drive 45mins to drop it off, after I found out less than 3hours from our ceremony start time that we left my veil in another state! She made sure all of our little details were executed and helped me stay calm in the chaos during our big day! We would highly suggest Southern Skies and Adrianne.
E
Eddie Sent on 08/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best Decision We Have Ever Made

Southern Skies Events, specifically Laura, made our wedding planning and overall experience better than we could've ever imagined. Well worth the money! Laura was always on top of communication, was there for every vendor meeting, and went out of her way for us on a number of occasions. Rather than talking to a planner, we felt as though we were talking with a friend as Laura was very personable and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire process. Weddings are typically very stressful but with the help of Laura and Southern Skies; our 9 months leading to the big day went super smoothly and we never felt like we were alone during the process. Not to mention, on the big day, we were able to enjoy our time and hang with our loved ones knowing that Laura had everything else under control. I highly recommend using them for your wedding planning!
Emily
Emily Sent on 05/25/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent choice

I can't believe I ever considered not having a wedding planner! Southern Skies was the absolute best to work with. They were flexible, super quick with communication, creative and able to work with some unique requests. I could not imagine my wedding day without Laura! She is the reason the day went so smoothly, everyone knew where to be and when. I seriously did not have to lift a finger the entire day because she took care of absolutely everything. During the wedding she hand delivered food and drinks to my husband and I while we were wrapped up in conversation. She was super friendly, easy to work with and confident in what she does! Seriously could not recommend this team enough!!
Kendra
Kendra Sent on 05/13/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend Laura at Southern Skies! She is amazing!

We had the pleasure of working with Laura to plan our wedding at The Oaks at Salem and truly can't recommend her enough! She was incredibly organized, responsive, and a thoughtful sounding board throughout the planning process. On our wedding day, she made sure everything ran smoothly, from setting up decor to coordinating with our vendors and checking in on me and the bridal party as we got ready. She even captured photos and videos that were so special to receive right after the wedding. Thanks to Laura, we were able to fully relax and enjoy every moment!
Cynthia
Cynthia Sent on 12/23/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Literally the BEST in the field

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Jen at several weddings now everything from intimate micro weddings to huge three day cultural Ceremonies. As a photographer, it is of the upmost importance to have a skilled and professional planner to make sure everything goes smoothly and Jen’s attention to detail is unmatched highly recommend for any and every event
Taylor
Taylor Sent on 12/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Responsive, Organized & Professional!

We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding planner than Laura from Southern Skies Events. From the very beginning of our planning journey to the big day itself, Laura was nothing short of amazing. She was always kind and welcoming, incredibly responsive and she answered every question we had with patience and expertise.
Laura’s deep knowledge of The Oaks venue was evident, and it was clear she knew exactly what and where our ideas would look best, such as our cornhole boards guestbook and popcorn bar. This gave us immense confidence and peace of mind, knowing we could trust her judgment. The venue itself is stunning, but having Laura and the fantastic team from Southern Skies made our wedding experience truly exceptional.
Throughout the entire planning process, Laura was detailed and organized, which was a huge relief for my bride brain. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured that everything went smoothly, allowing me to fully enjoy every moment of our special day without any stress at all! One of the many thoughtful touches was when she brought us hors d’oeuvres while we were taking pictures after the ceremony during cocktail hour – a small gesture that made a big difference.
Laura helped bring all my wedding day visions to life, and I can’t thank her enough for her expertise and dedication. I highly recommend Laura and Southern Skies Events for all your wedding planning needs!! Thank you so much Laura :)
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

55
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

Preferred Vendors
The Meadows at Firefly Farm Preserve
4.9 out of 5 rating , 95 reviews
· Barn & Farm Weddings
Traine at Seaboard Station
4.7 out of 5 rating , 32 reviews
· Historic Weddings
Makeup By Jocelyn WD
5.0 out of 5 rating , 43 reviews
· Wedding Hair & Makeup
Bunn DJ Company
5.0 out of 5 rating , 2,038 reviews
· Wedding DJs
Lavender Oaks Farm
5.0 out of 5 rating , 20 reviews
· Barn & Farm Weddings
The Oaks at Salem
4.8 out of 5 rating , 79 reviews
· Mansion Weddings

Map

Addresses map
Next Wedding Planners: Timeless Creations by Jay

Other vendors in Raleigh for your wedding

Wedding Vendors