Authentically You

Service levels: Full-service planning

Team size: 1 – 5

About Authentically You

Authentically You

Owner

Hello! I'm Aquina, the driving force behind Authentically You. With a background in event planning and a dedication to diverse weddings, I infuse each celebration with unique flair. Raised in the dynamic environment of the Kansas City Chiefs, I found my passion for event logistics. I blend the art of crafting unforgettable weddings with authenticity. Joining the team is Roya, our Wedding Cultural Advisor and Lead Planner. And Mickaela, Lead Coordinator.

At our core, we pride ourselves on being genuinely distinctive. Our team brings together a rich tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives, ensuring a fresh and inclusive approach to weddings. With a deep commitment to authenticity, we strive to infuse each celebration with a sense of organic charm and heartfelt sincerity.

In three words: Collaborative, Efficient, Resourceful

Best of Zola 2025

Services by planning level

Full-service planning

Pricing starts at $7,500

Partial planning

Pricing starts at $5,500

Day-of coordination / wedding management

Pricing starts at $3,000

Destination wedding

Pricing starts at $3,000

Elopement / microwedding

Pricing starts at $3,000

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

6 reviews

  • CW

    Cara W.

    Rating: 5
    •May 7, 2026

    11/10 Wedding Planning!

    I wish I could give Aquina and the Authentically You team more than five stars. From our first proposal meeting, Aquina brought an incredible level of knowledge, experience, thoughtful guidance, and high-level execution throughout the entire wedding planning process. I had complete trust in her to recommend and manage all of our vendors and help bring our wedding vision to life and she delivered! We had multiple components: rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, welcome reception, wedding (including different venues for ceremony and reception), and a farewell brunch. To say it was complicated with a lot of moving parts is an understatement. Thanks to Aquina and her team, our wedding weekend was absolutely magical. We were able to truly focus on the day and celebrate with our loved ones, while she seamlessly handled all of the logistics. We even had a thunderstorm and tornado warning and Aquina sacrificed herself to go out in the pouring rain to move car seats in a shuttle. True dedication!!! I cannot recommend Aquina enough! We did partial planning as I’m a type A finance person (plus add on services for the night before and brunch after) and it was perfect. I felt like I always had Aquina’s full attention and help when needed. She’s well worth the investment!

  • KB

    Kelsey Brandon

    Rating: 5
    •Apr 3, 2024

    The best!

    Working with Aquina and her team has been an absolute pleasure! Their meticulous attention to detail and seamless coordination make each event a breeze for our bartending company. Their professionalism and commitment to excellence truly shine, ensuring every wedding is a memorable success. Grateful to be part of such well-orchestrated celebrations together

  • KK

    Kelsey K

    Rating: 5
    •Apr 3, 2024

    INCREDIBLE WORK

    I was a September 2023 bride and I worked with Aquina leading up to my wedding. She handled EVERYTHING. She communicated with vendors, brought things up I would’ve never thought of, and just eased my stress. Even when the plumbing went out at my venue a few days before my wedding, and when the venue manager had issues with my family.. I never knew a thing. She handled everything professionally and with such an open heart. HIGHLY recommend!!

  • SM

    Shelby Meyer

    Rating: 5
    •Apr 3, 2024

    LOVE

    Aquina is amazing! It rained on my wedding day which was very disappointing. She helped guide everyone through the logistic changes that needed to happen due to that. She eased my worries throughout the whole process. She packed things up for us, ran our rehearsal, and helped us through some other unfortunate situations with some vendors. She fought for us and made sure we were satisfied, even when things beyond our control went wrong. I would HIGHLY recommend Authentically You KC, especially if you are getting married at La Villa!

  • AW

    Allyssa Woods

    Rating: 5
    •Apr 3, 2024

    The best (and most stress free) day of our life!

    Throughout the planning process, Aquina and her team brought years of experience when I had ideas and helped me execute them better than I could’ve ever imagined! On the weekend of our wedding, Aquina and her team took care of every detail from the rehearsal dinner to the late night pizza drop off. Her services are the best investment and should definitely be one of the first vendors you book!

Preferred vendors of Authentically You

Venue
LaVilla
Kansas City, MO
Photographer
Savannah Lauren Photography
Brooklyn, NY
Venue
Loews Hotel Kansas City
Kansas City, MO
Venue
The Farms at Wooded Springs
It's simple! Your wedding day unfolds in a flash, and you shouldn't be bogged down by the details. Instead, relish the moments, feeling relaxed and pampered. Let the memories be filled with the fun, love, and adventure you both shared, not stress, overwhelming emotions, and chaos. When planning your wedding, don't underestimate the importance a planner can be to making details that make the process easy, effortless, and enjoyable
As you explore other options, you'll notice a range in prices—some higher, some lower. We position our services as an average investment in the Midwest, remaining competitively priced. The cost is influenced by the experience we provide, market dynamics, and availability. While your wedding budget plays a significant role, establishing a connection with our team is equally important. We believe in transparency, presenting all our pricing upfront through a formal proposal and contract post-consultation. Although we don't negotiate pricing, we customize it to suit the unique needs of each couple. Holidays are subject to additional cost.
Your venue coordinator handles site-specific logistics, while a wedding planner or day-of coordinator manages overall event details. Wedding planning companies often offer comprehensive services, whereas venues may provide limited coordination. Most venues prefer onsite coordination for seamless setup, ceremony, reception, and cleanup. A wedding planner oversees the entire process, while a day-of coordinator focuses on logistics nearer the event. At Authentically You, we offer comprehensive coordination, starting months prior to your wedding, with a Lead Associate Coordinator and assistant onsite for the duration of your day.
We've proudly partnered with numerous top wedding venues in Kansas City, constantly seeking out new spaces while extending our services to surrounding areas. For destination weddings, we offer discounted rates, eager to explore fresh locales. We prioritize working with licensed and insured vendors, ensuring a seamless day for our clients. While rare, if a vendor doesn't meet our standards, we may need to step back. Whether for planning or coordination, we carefully vet vendors, providing clients with recommended lists and contract reviews for a smooth experience, addressing any potential issues that may arise.
Understanding each client's unique wedding vision is crucial to our process. Tailoring our services to factors like location, venue, guest count, and chosen vendors ensures a personalized approach. With a focus on precision, we operate as an intimate planning team, limiting the number of clients we take on each year to maintain quality. While our team is growing, we prioritize value, dedicating ample time and attention to each client. Expansion is guided by the skills and dedication of each associate. Typically, clients hire us 6-12+ months prior to their wedding, sometimes pending engagement.

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