Today we’d like to introduce you to Peggy Kelley.
Peggy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I believe life is book filled with many unique chapters from where you start to where you say…”The End”. My book started with drawing & painting when I was four years old in Minnesota and then Ohio. Art and story were and continue to be both my foundation and my passion. I love looking back on my life as retrospect helps you to see how perfectly your life unfolds. From Ohio, I sold everything I owned and moved to Houston Texas a perfect stepping stone to Los Angeles. There I learned about radio sales & production at KTSA & KRBE radio plus the restaurant & club industry by opening and managing the Laff Stop that is still entertaining today.
In 1982, I packed up a Uhaul and drove to LA to start the next big chapters of my life. I was fortunate to land a job with the Hamburger Hamlet restaurant chain and learned everything about the “food” business. This was to be a huge building block to what I do today. Next 1988 arrived and a new chapter was about to be written, my restaurant experience turned to catering and event production as my little girl dream came true… I stepped on the lot at Walt Disney Studios. Here I learned the “magic of Disney” and the depth and breath of true creativity…From movie premieres to awards shows and everything in between, I designed and produced them all.
From Disney, my next step was to design for Los Angeles key cultural institutions, The Getty Villa, the Huntington Library, I was on the opening team for the new Cathedral Our Lady of Angels and lastly, the historic Natural History Museum. In 2006, I got married and of course, I designed and produced our wedding at Wattles Mansion in Hollywood. (I was 50) and my husband inspired me to start my own business. Timeless Celebrations of born as I truly believe we are all “timeless” and we want of love, lives & organizations to be that too. From that day to this, my commitment to love, story & community has been my guiding principles and today at 64, I am still going strong.
As I rolled into my 60’s, a new chapter decided to be written. This is the story of information, education and inspiration. I created a TV Talk Show called “Late Nite Bride” who’s mission is to inform while entertaining both wedding couples & families plus industry professionals so that they can get off-line and back into their engagements & businesses. This is my “give back” for all of the gifts the events industry has given me over these 31+ years. Late Nite Bride is filmed at Pasadena Media and airs both on the Arroyo Channel here in the Valley plus on Youtube.com/latenitebride. In addition, I am creating a complimentary Podcast for LNB as well as other key topics of today. For me, I believe Jonathan Livingston Seagull was right…No Limits…All we have to do is believe we can and then go do it!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most of the time, I feel like I am on the road less traveled… When starting my business, I knew how to design and create but not how to build a business. The business piece has been an on-going challenge and constant classroom. I have learned through both trail & error plus classes, coaches and tons of on-line programs. I lived through the challenges of 2008 to 2010 and this is where the wedding business became my focus as the event industry got hit really hard and many did not survive.
Also, as the recession was hitting my own marriage git hit harder and there were times where I would have to walk out of court to help another young lady walk down the aisle. I am so grateful to my industry partners who wrapped themselves around me and kept me standing no matter what state I was in. Today I use much of my personal experiences to guide couples during our time together as I truly believe how you plan your wedding is how you build your marriage. I Am NOT their mom but I am a REALLY cool auntie and age does bring wisdom and more so compassion.
Timeless Celebrations – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What I do is tell amazing love, life & business stories…I do this through live events as well and individual consulting and multiple types of media.
What I am known for is my warmth and commitment to relationships & connection. I am known for my ability to listen, translate your vision into a reality while supporting each couple & business teams as a whole.
My creative process is focused on color chemistry, amazing details and texture, I am committed to telling YOUR story. My clients & couples call me and say “I want a Peggy Party” and we both know what that means.
What I am most proud of is my willingness to learn, grow and try new things. Late Nite Bride is a perfect example of growth by fire…
What sets me apart from others…I have literally done every job in the events industry, learned from the top pros I am committed to teaching and learning from our new events peeps. I am an open book and freely share ideas and resources. My world is all about collaboration not competition and I believe we live in an abundant universe.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is all about the lives you touch and change. This will be my legacy as I wasn’t blessed with children, although I have a really great dog named Dudley (everyone knows the Dud). I love supporting our cultural institutions so that they are here for future generations to come. Now being in my 60’s I see how important relationship skills are and how much they are needed for all generations especially our youth. In this world of click, tweet & post, connection is needed more than ever. Success for me is a smile & a hug, laughter and fun and most of all creating memories that last a lifetime.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6262221808
- Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
Miki & Sonja Photography
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