OUR TEAM
Kelley Kohler, Owner & Lead planner
Kelley is an event planner and hospitality designer with twelve years’ experience planning, designing, and coordinating over 200 weddings, birthday dinners, anniversary parties, and celebrations of all kinds. She founded Haviland Events in Chicago in 2015 following several years in the hospitality industry in South Carolina, Virginia, and Italy. After five years in the vibrant Chicago wedding scene, Kelley decided to return to her Southern roots. She relocated to the Charlotte, North Carolina area in 2020, where she re-launched Haviland as a boutique planning and design firm for couples who want their wedding to be as beautiful and distinctive as their love story. Kelley lives in Charlotte with her husband and their twin sons, where she’s glad to finally have enough space to properly display her collection of vintage china.
Ashley Jefferson, Assistant Planner
As long as she can remember she’s had a passion for event planning. Ashley thinks seeing the happiness and joy in people that any type of event can bring is so rewarding. She graduated from the Hospitality college at Johnson and Wales University with an event management degree, and was able to work with numerous wedding planners in Charlotte throughout those years. Upon graduation, she had the opportunity to live in Charleston, SC, before meeting the love of her life, Doug, which ultimately brought her back to Charlotte. Throughout their engagement, her love for event planning was reignited as they envisioned and designed a day that was filled with special details and personal touches. Years later, Doug and Ashley have welcomed three incredible children. After two years of living in Richmond, Virginia, she is so happy to be back in the Charlotte area where she can help to make our client's special day as perfect and memorable as possible.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WEDDING PLANNER?
Kelley: I’ve wanted to be a wedding planner as long as I can remember! I used to have my sister and neighbors play “wedding”, (instead of the bride) where I would assign myself the role of planner, setting up their “ceremony” and decorating with flower petals. I consider myself lucky to be able to say I have my dream childhood career.
Ashley: Since I was a little girl, an event planner is what I wanted to be "when I grow up". As a child, I loved setting the table, decorating, making flower arrangements and helping my parents host parties and holiday get-togethers. That love never went away, and my passion for hosting and planning events has evolved into now assisting Kelley!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Kelley: I love being able to take the stress off of my clients’ shoulders. They have to make so many decisions leading up to their big day, and I do everything I can to keep their experience as smooth as possible while getting to know them and their families extremely well. Once their day arrives, I am a calm and steadying presence for my clients, ensuring everything goes according to the comprehensive plan we’ve spent so much time on.
Ashley: I love seeing families, friends and coworkers come together for one common purpose. The happiness and passion that our clients have on their event days is what drives me to assist in making their day as special and unforgettable as they imagined.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ELEMENT OF WEDDING DESIGN?
Kelley: One of my passions is designing bespoke tablescapes for each of my events. Even at a large event, sitting down at a table to share a meal is such an intimate experience, and I believe by choosing every element of your tablescape carefully and lovingly, you can make your celebration even more personal and meaningful for everyone there.
Ashley: My favorite element is floral design. I think flowers and greenery bring so much life and energy to any type of event. It is such an easy way to bring in color and personality to any type of event!