Katy Martin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Katy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is a blend of structure, creativity, and keeping a lot of moving pieces flowing smoothly. I usually start my mornings early with my planner open — reviewing my schedule, checking in on my energy and priorities, and mapping out the top tasks for both my clients and my business. From there, most days include a mix of client communication, vendor coordination, and behind‑the‑scenes planning work for upcoming weddings and events. I’m constantly updating timelines, reviewing proposals, organizing details, and making sure everyone involved has exactly what they need.
I also spend time mentoring my team, answering questions, and keeping our systems running cleanly so every event feels seamless. In between the logistics, I carve out moments for creativity — designing templates, refining workflows, or brainstorming ways to elevate guest experience.
Evenings are usually quieter: wrapping up emails, resetting my space, planning for the next day, and taking a moment to reflect on wins, gratitude, and anything that needs attention tomorrow. It’s a full season, but it feels purposeful and aligned with the growth I’m building in both my business and my personal life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Katy and I am the owner of Coastal Coordinating, going on 18 proud years now. Anyone who meets me will tell you how much I love event and wedding planning – It is truly my calling and passion.
Here are some personal, fun facts about me:
My favorite part of a wedding day is bustling the dress!
My husband and I celebrated our wedding reception dinner unexpectedly at Waffle House due to COVID – But honestly, it was truly the best and I wouldn’t change one thing about it!
I am obsessed with pool floats, (you should see my patio), I just love them all. I think if I could take all my calls in the pool on my float, life would be complete.
I have two pups that I love more than anything, Hank and Lucy.
I am a bonus mom to the best girl ever named Marlee.
I really love to take chances and go out on a whim. Life is short and I plan to make the best of it! I always try to live life with the glass half-full.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My grandma Dorothy was one of the first people in my life who truly saw me — not just for who I was in the moment, but for who I was becoming long before I could recognize it myself. She had this quiet, steady way of reflecting back the strengths I didn’t yet know I had: my drive, my creativity, my leadership, and the way I cared for people. To her, these weren’t traits I needed to grow into; they were already there, already shining, even when I doubted them.
She believed in my path before I had the language for it. She noticed the way I organized, the way I paid attention to details, the way I naturally stepped into the role of caretaker and coordinator — and she treated those things as gifts, not quirks. Her confidence in me became a kind of foundation, something I still stand on today.
When I look at the life I’ve built and the work I do, I can see her fingerprints all over it. She taught me to trust my instincts, to lead with heart, and to recognize my own potential even when the road ahead feels uncertain. In so many ways, she saw the woman I would become long before I ever did — and I carry that with me every day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a point in my career as a wedding planner when I genuinely questioned whether I could keep going. It wasn’t one dramatic moment — it was a slow build of exhaustion, pressure, and the weight of carrying everyone else’s needs on my shoulders. I was managing multiple weddings, navigating demanding timelines, solving problems before anyone even knew they existed, and trying to grow a business at the same time. On the outside, everything looked polished. On the inside, I was running on fumes.
The moment that almost broke me came after a particularly intense stretch of events. I remember sitting alone after a wedding, surrounded by empty chairs and half‑packed bins, feeling completely drained. I had given everything I had — my time, my energy, my creativity, my calm — and I still felt like it wasn’t enough. For the first time, I wondered if maybe this industry wasn’t sustainable for me, if maybe I had reached my limit.
But in that quiet moment, something shifted. I realized I wasn’t tired of the work — I was tired of doing it without boundaries, without support, without systems that protected my energy. I didn’t need to quit; I needed to rebuild. That realization became a turning point. I refined my processes, strengthened my team, and created healthier rhythms for myself. I learned to lead differently — with more intention, more clarity, and more trust in the people around me.
Looking back, that moment didn’t end my career. It reshaped it. It taught me that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs — it’s about recognizing when something needs to change and having the courage to change it. And it’s one of the reasons I’m the planner, leader, and business owner I am today.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
There’s a version of me that I used to think I had to grow into — more confident, more grounded, more sure of herself. What I’ve realized is that she was always there. The version of me you see today isn’t a performance or a polished façade; she’s the real me, the one I’ve been becoming piece by piece, choice by choice, year by year.
I pride myself on being real and true, even when it’s not the easiest path. I don’t hide behind perfection or pretend everything is effortless. I show up as I am — honest, intentional, and willing to do the work. I lead with transparency, I communicate with heart, and I make decisions rooted in who I am, not who I think I’m supposed to be.
The real me is someone who cares deeply, who pays attention, who takes responsibility, and who isn’t afraid to evolve. She’s the woman who can hold both strength and softness, who can be organized and creative, who can lead and still stay grounded in humility.
I’m proud of this version of myself because she’s not manufactured. She’s earned. She’s lived. She’s aligned. And she’s mine.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
One thing I understand deeply — in a way most people don’t — is that the details are never just details. They’re the difference between chaos and calm, between stress and trust, between an experience that’s simply “fine” and one that feels effortless, intentional, and unforgettable. I’ve learned that the small things people overlook are often the things that matter most: the tone of an email, the timing of a transition, the way a space feels when someone walks into it, the energy you bring into a room.
I understand that people don’t just want things to run smoothly — they want to feel taken care of. They want to feel seen, supported, and safe. And that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intuition, preparation, and a kind of emotional intelligence that can’t be taught in a checklist.
I also understand the weight of responsibility that comes with being the person others rely on. Most people see the final product; I see the invisible work that makes it possible. I know how to hold space for other people’s emotions while still staying grounded in my own. I know how to stay calm when everything is moving fast. I know how to lead with both strength and softness.
What I understand — and what many people don’t — is that excellence isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about caring enough to go deeper, to anticipate needs, to create systems that support people, and to show up as the most honest version of yourself.
That understanding shapes everything I do. It’s why my work feels different. It’s why people trust me. And it’s why I’m able to create experiences that feel not just organized, but meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coastalcoordinating.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastalcoordinating/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/coastalcoordinating/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoastalCoordinating
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/coastalcoordinating/
https://www.tiktok.com/@coastalcoordinating
Image Credits
Eddy Almaguer Photography
Amber Yonkers
Tara McGovern
Fantasmic Photography
K&K Photography
Ashley Izquierdo
Maddness Photography, LLC
