The Planner Behind the Work
Hudson Valley Wedding Planner
Katie Parent is a Hudson Valley wedding planner and designer with over 16 years of experience creating full-weekend celebrations across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Connecticut.
About katie parent
16 Years of Weddings Built from the Ground Up
When Katie Parent started planning weddings in the Hudson Valley, she wasn't following a formula. She was building relationships — with couples, with venues, with vendors, and with the communities that make this region one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in the Northeast.
That relationship-first approach has defined everything since. It's why her clients trust her not just with their wedding day, but with their full weekend. It's why venues recommend her by name. And it's why after 16 years, the majority of her business still comes from word of mouth.
She founded Service Matters North East on a simple belief: that service is everything. That every couple deserves a planner who shows up with the same level of care, precision, and genuine investment in their celebration — whether she's been with them from the very first venue tour or stepping in to lead the final chapter of a wedding they've already built.
16+
Years in the Hudson Valley40+
Five-Star Google Reviews100%
Couples We WelcomeService and Details Truly Matter
01
Relationship First
We take on a limited number of weddings each year so every couple receives the full depth of our attention from day one.
02
Regional Expertise
Deep, long-standing relationships with venues and vendors across the Hudson Valley and Catskills mean we know this region at a level that only comes from years of working within it.
03
Full Weekend Production
We love designing full multi-day experiences — from welcome parties to day-after brunches — not just a single ceremony and reception.
our mission
Every wedding we create is intentionally designed from the inside out — guided by the belief that you are crafting a celebration of your love, not just hosting an event.
By centering your unique story, values, and vision, we establish a meaningful foundation that informs every element of the process. There is no formula. No signature style imposed on every couple. Every celebration is built in collaboration — deeply personal, thoroughly considered, and entirely your own.
We believe in lifting up the communities and vendors we work alongside. We welcome and celebrate all couples.
Katie's Story
From Hospitality to Hudson Valley's Most Trusted Planner
Katie entered the restaurant and hospitality industry over 20 years ago — working in fine dining, event venues across New York, and outdoor catering. That foundation gave her something most wedding planners don't have: a deep, firsthand understanding of food, flow, guest experience, and service at every level of a celebration.
In 2010, she was hired to plan her first solo wedding. It went so well that Service Matters was born. Since then the company has grown to include full-service planning, design, partial planning, and in-house floral through Josie's Blooms — with a team that brings the same standard of care to every client regardless of budget tier or planning timeline.
What has never changed is Katie's belief that the details matter as much as the big moments. That a guest's experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave is worth thinking about carefully. That service — real, attentive, thoughtful service — is what separates a good wedding from one that people talk about for years.
"I firmly believe that in planning an event, you have to think about the whole picture — including all the behind-the-scenes details. Service and details truly do matter."
Today, Service Matters North East is trusted by couples across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Connecticut — and has earned over 40 five-star Google reviews built entirely on that reputation.
“I simply can’t imagine how our wedding day would have gone without Katie.”
Katie was attentive, and was by our side through everything. She was so prepared, communicated with every single vendor, and made our day go so smoothly. I’m kind of a control freak, but Katie truly put me at ease and was a perfect beacon on that whirlwind day. So grateful we had Katie by our side to make our wedding the perfect day!
— DAVE • 2022
"Getting to know you — your story, your people, the feeling you want to create — is always where we begin."
— Katie parent
the services
A Full-Service Hudson Valley Wedding Planning Studio
Whether you want every detail led from the very start or experienced guidance as you cross the finish line, we have a path for you.
Full Service
Complete wedding weekend planning and design — from venue selection and vendor curation to day-of production. For couples who want every detail led with intention from day one.
Partial Planning
For couples who have built a foundation and want an experienced partner to refine, align, and execute at the level their investment demands — whether that means joining the process mid-way or leading the final chapter.
Josie's Blooms
In-house bespoke floral design available to planning clients. When planning and florals share the same vision from the start, everything is cohesive by design.
beyond the wedding weekend
Corporate Activations
& Event Production
The same precision, vendor relationships, and production expertise behind every Service Matters wedding translates directly into the corporate world — from brand activations and product launches to retreats and styled events.
Brand Activations
Experiential events that bring your brand to life — from product launches to large-scale consumer activations. We handle every production detail so your team can focus on the moment.
Corporate Retreats
Full planning and execution for off-site corporate gatherings, team events, and company celebrations — designed with the same intentionality we bring to every client.
Event Styling
Bespoke styling and design for corporate events, brand moments, and special occasions where the visual experience is as important as the logistics behind it.
featured work
Perrier Activation & Beyond
Katie and the Service Matters team have produced brand activations, corporate retreats, and styled events for clients across industries — bringing the same attention to guest experience and production detail that has defined the company since 2010.
If you're looking for a production partner who understands atmosphere, guest experience, and the details that make an event truly memorable, we'd love to hear about what you're building.
"Hiring Katie and her team was the best decision we made for our wedding weekend. Every moment felt magical, and she executed my vision so beautifully that I still can't believe how perfectly it all came together."
— Ella + Steven • 2025
"Hiring Service Matters was hands down the best decision we made while planning our wedding. Working with Katie was like planning a wedding with your best friend."
— Elizabeth + Andrew • 2022
Your wedding weekend should feel effortless.
Let’s create it together.
We take on a limited number of wedding weekends each year to ensure every client receives our full attention. If you're planning a celebration in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, or Connecticut, we invite you to begin the conversation.