Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylen Korenek and Cynthia Arellano
Hi Kylen Korenek and Cynthia Arellano, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Kylen: I was definitely one of those girls who were obsessed with weddings from the moment they could say “I do.” I grew up on a steady diet of rom-coms, Nicholas Sparks novels (probably when I was way too young to be reading these), and every wedding show TLC could throw at me. My sister and my friends would tell me all the time that I would be the perfect wedding planner, but it seemed like such a faraway dream. Witnessing the blend of joy and behind the scenes chaos of family and friends’ weddings only solidified my desire to be a part of creating those magical moments. Although I pursued a degree in Marketing and Corporate Communications at Baylor University, my heart always remained set on wedding planning.
Cynthia: I’ve always been a bit of a party planner at heart, thanks to my family’s love for throwing epic birthday bashes. However, it was assisting with my brother’s wedding at the ripe old age of thirteen that ignited my true love for weddings. Seeing all the moving parts come together to create a magical day was exhilarating. Inspired by my father’s entrepreneurial spirit, I knew I wanted to own my own business someday. I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas, equipping me for the road ahead.
Kylen & Cynthia: Our paths crossed at what was both our first job out of college, working at a boutique marketing firm in Houston where we were surrounded by the infectious energy of entrepreneurs building their brands. It was inspiring to witness their passion firsthand, and it ignited a spark within us to think about what we could start together. We had the chance to flex our creative muscles by planning events for the firm, which eventually turned into a shared source of enjoyment with each event, but at that point we had no idea where to start.
So we turned to both corporate event and wedding industry experts that we met through NACE and the Baylor Alumni network, taking them for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee and soaking up as much knowledge as they were willing to give us. Those connections evolved into shadowing and assisting local wedding planners, which allowed us to experience the emotional rollercoaster of wedding days firsthand – the good, the bad, the crazy, and the beautiful – and we loved every second of it. That launched our first couple of years of business, which we spent attending industry conferences, planning baby showers, bachelorette itineraries, and weddings. Towards the end of year one, it became evident that our niche and passion really lied in weddings.
When Kylen moved to Dallas, we decided to expand our business into both the Houston and Dallas markets. Our marketing background proved invaluable in creating a business plan to establish our brand and craft a brand that reflected our personalities and deeply connected with our ideal clients. We dove headfirst into a full year-long rebrand project that focused entirely on elevating our brand identity and creating a website with new content that accurately expressed our personalized approach to planning. Countless hours were spent together in a coffee shop brainstorming a new name, one that carried a more sophisticated air, but also had a deeper story and meaning. We wrote page after page of listed words and different combination ideas, crossing off and narrowing down until we landed on the one that felt right – and In Reverie was born. Since then, we have been thrilled to be building relationships with other incredibly talented wedding professionals and taking on clients in both cities, continuously refining our strategy and delivering exceptional experiences tailored to each couple’s unique love story. We are extremely proud looking back on the last five years, and how much we’ve grown as a local, female and minority-owned small business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Kylen and Cynthia: Owning a business is never a walk in the park, and ours has been no exception. Taking that initial leap of faith was both exhilarating and terrifying. We were faced with the very real possibility of failure, judgment, and financial strain. But hey, what’s life without a little risk, right?
One of our biggest hurdles in the beginning was convincing potential clients to trust us with their big day when we didn’t have a long list of weddings under our belts. We were up against the perception of being “hobbyists” rather than established professionals, which made it tough to break into the industry. But we hustled, networked like crazy, and slowly but surely, we earned our seat at the table.
Then, just as we were gaining momentum, the pandemic hit. It was like someone hit the pause button on the entire wedding industry. Inquiries dried up, couples postponed their plans, and we watched as many vendors and venues struggled to stay afloat. It was a scary time, especially for a relatively new business like ours. But we rolled up our sleeves, adapted to the new normal of virtual consultations, and found ways to prioritize the safety and comfort of our couples and their guests.
In the years since, we’ve learned to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the wedding industry, and virtual consultations have become the norm. But let’s be real, running a business while juggling full-time jobs is no joke. We’ve had to become masters of multitasking, wearing multiple hats at once – from CEO to social media guru to customer service extraordinaire. It’s been a crash course in time management, self-care, and finding efficient processes that keep us sane.
But you know what? We wouldn’t trade it for the world. The challenges have only made us stronger, more resilient, and more passionate about what we do. We’ve learned to embrace the chaos and the growth that comes with it, finding the joy in the journey, and leveraging our hustle into tangible experiences we can share with our couples.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Kylen and Cynthia: We are a full-service wedding planning & design team specializing in crafting elevated experiences for our couples that are detail-driven, and centered around their love story. What sets us apart from other planners is our ability to truly personalize the journey for each couple. We understand that every love story is different, so we tailor our approach to match your individual style, preferences, and desired level of involvement. Most of our couples want to be hands-on in various aspects of the planning, so we empower them with knowledge and guidance, making sure they feel confident and excited throughout the entire process.
We know it may be our fourth or fifth wedding of the year, but we treat every wedding like it’s the first – because for our couples, it is! It’s more than just throwing a fabulous party; it’s about weaving together the threads of your love story into a tapestry of unforgettable moments. We’re not just here to recreate Pinterest photos (although we totally can); we want to understand the why behind your vision, get inside your heads, and create an experience that genuinely reflects who you are as a couple.
Our approach is unstuffy, transparent, and hands-on, with a focus on open communication and genuine connection. We’re known for our infectious enthusiasm, willingness to go above and beyond, and ability to make the planning process fun and stress-free. Plus, we love the fact that we’re a duo because we get to play off of each other’s strengths for a comprehensive perspective on each project we take on.
We’re also incredibly proud to have been featured twice in a year by local publications, which is a testament to our hard work and dedication to our craft. And as a female-owned, minority-led duo who built this business from the ground up without any formal event planning background or certifications, we hope to inspire others to pursue their passions with fearless determination.
With every couple we work with, we vow to provide open and attentive communication, a deep desire for connection, a focus on efficiency and time management, concierge-quality service, endless creativity and collaboration, and most importantly, a genuine and enjoyable process. Because at the end of the day, we want you to look back on your wedding planning experience with as much joy as you’ll look back on your wedding day itself.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Kylen and Cynthia: Absolutely! Risk-taking is woven into the very fabric of entrepreneurship. Starting a business is inherently risky. We spoke on it before previously, but you’re investing time, money, and your heart and soul into something that may or may not succeed. You open yourself up to comparison, criticism, and the fear of falling short compared to others in your field.
But here’s the thing: nothing worth having comes easy. We believe that risk, while daunting, is also incredibly rewarding. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, forces you to grow, and ultimately leads to extraordinary achievements.
In the world of weddings, risk-taking goes beyond just the business side of things. There’s a whole other level of risk management involved in planning the actual event. We can’t guarantee that everything will go perfectly on the big day, but we pride ourselves on meticulous preparation and anticipating potential challenges. We work tirelessly to ensure that every detail is carefully considered and that our couples can relax and enjoy their celebration without a worry in the world.
We embrace risk as a catalyst for growth, both in our business and in the unforgettable experiences we create for our couples. We believe that taking calculated risks, backed by thorough planning and unwavering dedication, is what truly sets us apart.
Pricing:
- Full-Service Planning & Design: Beginning 12+ months prior to wedding day, this is our most comprehensive package, guiding you through every step of the planning process, from concept to execution. (Starting at $8,000)
- Wedding Management: Beginning two months prior to wedding day, this service is perfect for couples who have planned everything themselves but want a professional to handle the logistics and coordination on the big day. (Starting at $3,000)
- Design Conception: Design Conception: Beginning six months prior to wedding day, this service is ideal for couples who are seeking expert guidance in discovering, creating, and refining their unique wedding aesthetic based on their love story, personal styles, and the vision they have for their special day. (Starting at $2,000)
- Add-on services include RSVP Management, Venue Discovery, and Digital Floorplan Buildout, with prices ranging from $200-400
- Our couples typically allocate anywhere from $600-$1,000 per guest for their wedding, with 7-10% of that budget reserved for our services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inreverieweddings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inreverieweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InReverieWeddings/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@inreverieweddings
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@inreverieweddings
Image Credits
Kate Elizabeth Photography
Jen Symes
Carolina Goodwin
Amber Watkins Photography
