TEAM

Hello Southern friends! My name is Kari (or Kari Lu as my family calls me). I started my career in event planning in Community Affairs at EDS in the dark ages (1993) where I planned large-scale mega-events for the company. I loved coordinating recognition and awards ceremonies, banquets, and volunteer lunches with EDS executives. In my spare time, I planned friend's and families' dream weddings. Well, here comes 1999 and it was time to start a family. I scaled back on work and changed course. However, I couldn't get rid of that event planning bug and continued to utilize my skills coordinating school and charity events. Now that all three kiddoes are out of the house and at Texas A&M (Whoop!), I get to focus my efforts full-time on making your big day the Southern Bash it was meant to be. When you meet me, you will be able to tell that I am passionate about your big day. I am trained and certified through AACWP. I value my Christian ideals - don't be surprised if you hear an "amen" when I agree with your officiant or start your rehearsal with a prayer. I always remember that in the long run, this is about the MARRIAGE, not just the WEDDING. Call me to start the planning!

"Hands down BEST wedding planner ever. Kari made my wedding planning super easy and she is super easy to work with. I hired Kari for full wedding planning services and she helped me plan from day 1. I had regular check-ins via zoom or in person with Kari and she helped me go to different venues, she recommended me her vendors, she sent me monthly to do lists and just kept me on track. Throughout the whole wedding planning process she was super detailed and organized. On the day of the wedding, her and her assistant, Megan were incredible. Everything went smoothly and I did not have one mishap on my wedding day. Kari goes above and beyond for her brides and she truly helped me to have a beautiful wedding day. I would definitely recommend her to any couple who is in need of a planner." - Rachel, happy bride

Cindy got the wedding bug when she planned her daughter's wedding. It was "I Do" for bride, Rylie, and "I Do" to the wedding business for mom. We welcome her to Southern Bash. Cindy loves traveling with her family, studying God's word, baking, and celebrating the big and little (and everything in between) pieces of life. Cindy's favorite part of the wedding is watching the bride and groom's first dance....it just makes her heart happy. Cindy brings organization to the team from her years of corralling her numerous kiddos (5!). She also brings a sweet spirit and dedication to each bride. Everyone will be calling her "mom" by the time the big day rolls around.

Miyuki, happy bride gushes, " WOW....I cannot thank Southern Bash, particularly Cindy Fish enough - they absolutely welcomed me with open arms and worked within my budget to make my wedding beautiful. Not only did we gain an INCREDIBLE wedding planner, we gained an EXCEPTIONAL friend. We are forever grateful for everything Cindy has done for us in making our wedding day PERFECT and EXTRA SPECIAL."

Ashlee is a newly-wed who fell in love with the wedding planning process when planning her own big day. She’s a 2018 graduate of Texas A&M University, and loves all things crafting and fighting Texas Aggie football. She’s a Fort Worth resident and a proud golden retriever mom. Ashlee's favorite part of the wedding is the first dance! She is such a softie and always cries happy tears!  (Dont' we all?!)

Lindsey with Horizon says, "Ashlee & the Southern Bash team were amazing to work with! We hired their team to plan our corporate gala event and couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Ashlee made sure every detail was perfect - she went above & beyond for us! This was especially important for us as we are a Seattle based company so hosting our event in Dallas presented a new set of challenges for us. Ashlee made the planning process so easy - we couldn't be happier! I highly recommend Ashlee & the Southern Bash team!"

Caroline, a caring, thoughtful, multi-tasker, loves the beach, peanut M&M's, and shopping (who doesn't?). Her favorite part of the big day is watching the bride and groom leave the wedding with friends and family gathered around them.

"Caroline, was everything a bride wishes for on wedding day. Thank you for keeping me sane while I switched shoes every 30 minutes (LOL), holding all my things, looking out for my dog, Gucci and taking all the "candid" photos." - happy bride, Jessica

Tami has experience planning weddings both large and small as well as corporate events and even dabbles in catering. Her attention to the smallest of details helps the bride and groom leave their focus where it should be on their special day – each other. Tami is a true green-thumb and some call her “the Zookeeper” for caring for many babies big and small. A resident of McKinney for over 25 years, she is blessed with three children and a husband of 30 years!

"Professional Photographer here! Working with Kari and her team member, Tami, was everything I could ask for as a photographer. :) She keeps timelines straight, people where they need to be, and everything in order so no one else has to worry about it! Even with rain on our couple's wedding day, everything fell into place smoothly with no hiccups. Thank you, Southern Bash!!"

Gabrielle, a work-a-holic, organized, enthusiatic soul, loves Jesus, Texas A&M (a girl after my own heart), traveling and ice cream. Her favorite part of the wedding day is watching the groom's face as the bride walks down the aisle.

Minnie, happy bride says, "Kari and her assistant Gabrielle made my wedding as stress free as possible and are the kindest people ever!! Highly recommend Southern Bash. They are incredibly reliable, responsive and professional. Most importantly they make you feel beautiful and taken care of on your special day." – Minnie

Chrissa brings orgaization, friendliness, and a sweet personality to every wedding. Chrissa loves bible study, queso and traveling. Her favorite part of a wedding is the send off, especially when it involves sparklers (I love me some sparklers too)!

Ally enjoys spending quality time with my friends and family and her two dogs. Ally and her hubby are big foodies and love going out into the community and trying new restaurants. Her favorite part of the wedding day is watching the bride and groom see their visions come to life and being able to enjoy their reception with their friends and family.

Kristin enjoys volunteering in the community, coffee and walks with friends, snuggling with her Goldendoodle, playing board games with her boys, date nights with the hubby and watching sunsets. Her favorite part of the wedding day is watching the bride walk down the aisle with her loved one. 

"Southern Bash made all of our wedding dreams come true! Kari and her assistant, Kristin, were so helpful throughout the planning process and made sure we had everything we needed. They made us feel SO special on our wedding day. I will definitely be recommending SB to EVERYONE I know!" - Happy bride, Kaylie

Megan, a transpant from Idaho, loves the ocean, Shania Twain, anything chocolate, and spending time with her family. Her favorite part of the wedding day is when the bride walks down the aisle. Don't we all get chills every time we get to witness such a special moment?

"On the day of my wedding, Kari and her assistant, Megan, were incredible. Everything went smoothly and I did not have one mishap on my wedding day. Southern Bash goes above and beyond for all of their brides and they truly helped me to have a beautiful wedding day. I would definitely recommend Southern Bash to any couple who is in need of a planner." -Happy Bride, Rachel

Courtney, a vivacious, empathetic, intelligent bass guitar player, designs everything you are seeing here. Now, if I can get her to take over my social media... Courtney loves Mexican food, beaches, friends, and classic rock.

Nina is a energetic and loving girl. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family. Her favorite part of the wedding is when the bride has her first looks with the bridesmaids, father and groom. What a special moment!