A team player to the max, perhaps thanks to her military roots, Kayla Teague takes a selfless approach to every piece of the wedding planning puzzle.
Here, the owner and event coordinator at Simply Gorgeous Events salutes a few of her favorite local vendors, venues, and parts of her job—napkin folding, included.
(Photo by Pura Soul Photography)
What traits define you and, as an extension, your company?
Creative, passionate, caring, and trustworthy.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I start each morning in gratitude for the many blessings in my life. I feel very fortunate to be able to pursue my dream career!
Where is your favorite place?
Whether it’s at the beach, a cute coffee shop, or curled up on the couch, I love being surrounded by others, primarily my friends and family.
Your job in three words: Professional napkin folder.
What do you love about your job?
Meeting and working with so many types of people! I truly value my clients and the relationship we establish. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to work closely with them to create a beautiful wedding they will always cherish. I’m always so sad when it’s over!
What’s your go-to motto?
Work hard, stay humble, and always be kind.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I grew up in a military family! I moved around the country until I went to college.
The wedding trend I am obsessed with right now is: Color! I am so happy bright and bold colors are coming back.
What’s your favorite detail in Exquisite Weddings’ Spring/Summer 2018 issue? I always love the real weddings section! There are so many talented vendors in San Diego; I love seeing who worked on each wedding and the creativity in each one.
What San Diego wedding venue do you adore?
I have been dying to plan a wedding at The Westgate Hotel. I usually prefer outdoor weddings and receptions, but their ballroom is gorgeous—and smells divine!
Which San Diego wedding vendor do you admire?
I couldn’t imagine picking just one! It truly takes a team to plan and execute a wedding. I have been fortunate to meet, work with, and be supported by so many wonderful vendors who have quickly become friends.
What is your most beloved wedding?
Last year I had the opportunity to coordinate a friend’s wedding, and it was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had. I knew the bride and groom separately (one from college, one a family friend), so it was pretty incredible to see them find each other and get engaged. This was also a multi-layer military wedding with the bride currently serving in the Air Force, while the groom serves in the Marines. Both of them also come from military families, so the wedding felt like a party of Army, Air Force, and Marine service members! The days leading up to the wedding were full of incredibly energy and excitement; the family and friends that came into town were so much fun to get to know and spend time with. The actual day of the wedding was picture perfect. The bride and groom got married in an old historic chapel, followed by a reception at the Officer’s Club on the Marine base in Arlington, Virginia. I will never forget the energy of the reception—everyone was on the dance floor! A few groomsmen even convinced the banquet captain to give us an extra half hour at the end of the night to keep the party going. It was a wedding I had a personal connection to and was so honored to be apart of. Danielle Real Photography captured the event perfectly. Fun fact: they just had a baby girl in July!
