Community Highlights: Meet Laura Kinniburgh of Cherry Pop Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Kinniburgh.

Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cherry Pop Events was built on the belief that weddings are live productions — not Pinterest boards. With over 20 years of experience in events, I saw firsthand that most stress doesn’t come from creativity; it comes from execution. My work focuses on closing that gap.

We specialize in day-of wedding coordination for couples who have done much of the planning themselves but need a steady, experienced professional to run the show. On event day, I’m uniting the vendor team, managing timelines, anticipating issues before they surface, and ensuring the celebration flows seamlessly from start to finish.

That philosophy also led me to create the Atomic Love Challenge — a transparency-driven project where I’m producing a full wedding and reception for 75 guests on a $5,000 budget in Southern California. The goal is to educate couples, highlight smart budgeting strategies, and showcase what’s possible when vendors operate as a true collaborative team.

Our brand has a vintage-inspired aesthetic — a little retro glam, a little sass — but behind that personality is structure, communication, and contingency planning. Vendors know we operate as one team with mutual respect. Clients know they can be fully present without worrying about what’s happening behind the scenes.

At the end of the day, I run weddings like live productions — uniting the vendor team and staying three steps ahead so my clients experience nothing but joy.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a business is never a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building Cherry Pop Events intentionally while navigating personal growth and reinvention at the same time. Entrepreneurship forces you to confront everything — confidence, pricing, visibility, resilience.

There have been seasons where momentum felt slow, and I had to remind myself that consistency and structure matter more than quick wins. I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t about control — it’s about clarity. When vendors feel respected and clients feel secure, the entire event runs better.

The challenges have ultimately sharpened my ability to stay calm under pressure, which is exactly what my clients need on their wedding day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’ve spent more than 20 years in the events industry, learning that beautiful ideas are only as strong as their execution. Early on, I discovered my strength wasn’t just in creativity — it was in orchestration. I’m calm under pressure, I anticipate moving parts before they collide, and I understand how critical clear communication and timelines are to a seamless event.

That insight led me to build Cherry Pop Events with a focus on day-of coordination. I work with couples who have done much of the planning themselves but want a seasoned professional to unite the vendor team, manage the details, and ensure the day flows effortlessly. I treat every wedding like a live production — because there are no retakes.

Building this business as a working single mom has strengthened my leadership style. It’s taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay steady when things feel high-stakes — qualities that serve both my clients and vendor partners well.

At its core, my work is about creating calm in complex environments so people can be fully present for the moments that matter most.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that structure creates freedom. In events — and in business — chaos happens when there’s no clear plan. When there’s clarity, communication, and mutual respect, even high-pressure situations can feel calm.

I’ve also learned that you don’t wait for confidence to arrive before you act. You build systems, you stay consistent, and confidence follows execution. That mindset shapes how I run my company and how I lead vendor teams on event days.

Pricing:

• Day-of Event Coordination begins at $1,800.00
• Customized packages available based on scope and event needs
• Serving Southern California (San Gabriel Valley and beyond)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cherrypop.events
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cherrypop.events

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Cherry Pop Events’ own staff.