Our Team
Meet our founder
I remember what it was like being in your shoes — happily engaged and planning the wedding of your dreams. What an exciting time! Although I'm happily married, I still wish I could go back and relive my wedding day (I'm sure you've already heard, but it will go by way too fast!). Being a bride myself, I know how stressful wedding planning can be! I LOVED using a wedding planner for our big day, and I'm excited to offer you the same freedom.
Beyond my talent and appreciation for logistics and design, as your wedding planner, I will focus on ensuring you are able to truly soak up each and every moment of your big day so you are free to create the most joyful, beautiful, and treasured moments to last a lifetime.
One of the greatest joys in my life is being a wife and a mother. My husband and I met on a study abroad trip during our undergrad at Miami University and we have been married for seven wonderful years! I'm a proud momma to our beautiful daughter, Genesis, and our handsome son, Malachi. After leaving the teaching world after 5 years, I started my business and named it after my daughter, who was the inspiration behind wanting a career change. Her name means "the creation of joy", so it made sense that she be the inspiration for my business name, and thus, Creating Joyful Moments was born. Five years later, CJM has only grown and we are honored to be recognized as one of the top wedding planning businesses in Indiana.
the Bio:
Color: Cheetah print, and yes, it's a color to me.
Local Indy restaurant: Prime47's short rib ravioli, Bru Burger's truffle aioli, and Livery's margaritas all have a special place in my heart - and stomach!
Wedding day moment: I absolutely LOVE getting to prep my brides to walk down the aisle. Whether it's one of their parents walking them down or they're doing it solo, I love hyping them up for that special moment. I remind them it's easy to be distracted by all the guests looking their way, but I always suggest they lock eyes with their future husband as they walk down the aisle. SUCH a sweet moment to witness!
Chloe's Favorites:
Part of the planning process: Although I love working with our couples throughout the planning process, one of my favorite parts is either attending their final venue walk through and discussing their timeline and list of decor items OR running their wedding rehearsal. Those are the two moments where reality sets in and it finally starts to feel real that their wedding day is about to happen!
TV show to binge-watch: The Office and One Tree Hill are my go-to's. No matter how many times I've rewatched them, they will forever be my all-time favorites! And before you ask, I can't choose between Michael, Dwight, or Jim as my favorite Office character, but team Brooke Davis all the way for OTH.
Chloe's Favorites:
For as long as I can remember, I have had an OBSESSION with weddings. "The Wedding Planner" has been my favorite movie since I was 10 (I mean come on, J-Lo AND McConaughey). My mom and I would often spend hours watching “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Four Weddings” on Sundays when I was growing up.
One of my favorite things about event planning is the coordination, execution, and organizing the day from start to finish. I love putting my focus on the little details of the day and seeing it all come to fruition! I really enjoy getting lost in table scape design and seeing the whole space transform into our clients dream!
While in college, I struggled a lot with what direction I wanted to take my life and I changed my major about four times along the way. I knew I enjoyed working with people and I had a great eye for detail. My mom is actually the one that pushed me in the direction of events (shout out to Karen). I was lucky enough to get an internship as an event coordinator at a local venue and I have been hooked ever since! So, in 2019 I graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Hospitality.
the Bio:
Color: Black! Timeless, elegant, and looks good on everyone!
Local Indy restaurant: Mama Carollas has hands down the best Italian food in Indianapolis. I swear their cannolis are sent straight from heaven.
Wedding day moment: My favorite moment on wedding day is the announcement of the bridal party into the reception. I love hyping them all up for their entrance and setting the tone for the rest of the evening! Seeing the guests excitement and positive energy always makes me smile.
Courtney's Favorites:
Part of the planning process: I really enjoy coordinating with our clients vendors to create a seamless timeline! Seeing the day outlined on paper and then executing it on the wedding day is such a good feeling for me!
TV show to binge-watch: One Tree Hill. I have seen from start to finish too many times to count. It is definitely my comfort show!
Courtney's Favorites:
Marriage is one of the greatest commitments you’ll ever make, and a wedding day is a chance to commemorate and put a flag in the sand to say ‘here we are, taking vows that will undoubtedly stretch our love for one another.’ I love weddings and making your day easier because I know it all matters- the people, the vows, the beauty and yes, the dessert you pick!
Getting married in 2020, I got to plan my own wedding about 7 times, and have enjoyed walking alongside brides to make their vision come to life. For me, it's helping you keep your first things first, and making sure your wedding day finds you thinking - “wow, that went so smooth!” Our wedding planner was my favorite vendor we booked as the decision fatigue was so real and her invaluable experience made my engagement so much more fun! I’m here to keep you enjoying the planning process to give you more time to enjoy this fun season as a fiancé!
You don’t know me if you don’t know…. My love of coffee and ice cream, the joy it brings me to make a space beautiful, my smile when my sweet Husband walks in the room, or the satisfaction I get from really good food!
You can find me most Saturday mornings, latte in hand, with my Bernedoodle pup and love of my life, Graham! We love spending time outside, adventuring in other cultures, and sports!
the Bio:
Color: Blue: It accents my eyes :)
Local Indy restaurant: I love Nesso or Thai Nine!
Wedding day moment: Those moments I get to steal you away for a few extra minutes of just married bliss with your new hubby! Your wedding day is all about all your people, but there is nothing like photos with just the two of you, sharing the drink you so carefully chose before walking into the reception, or the moment you walk back down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife!!
Jenna's Favorites:
Part of the planning process: I love making the magic happen. Not every single wedding dream can come true - although I hope most of them can! It brings me so much joy to find the perfect place-setting components or find a day-of timeline that fits the things you really want to incorporate. I also love wedding rehearsals… The work is done and you’re SO close!
TV show to binge-watch: Give me Gilmore girls!!
Jenna's Favorites:
Certified Timeline Genius
Wedding MBA
WeddingWire
The Certified Wedding Planner Society
The Knot
We'll share with you all the tips and tricks we have acquired through our experiences as a Certified Wedding Planners as well as things we wish we knew as brides (like breaking in those wedding shoes BEFORE your wedding day and having food sent with you to snack on after the reception — trust us).
We have always valued meaningful and authentic relationships, and our clients are no exception to that. Entrusting us with your wedding is something we treat with the utmost importance.
— Rachel & Billy
My mom and I as well as my entire wedding crew and family did not have to worry about a single wedding day detail #StressFree.
— Tara & Eric
Looking back on the wedding day CJM was hands down the easiest money we spent. CJM knocked our wedding out of the park.
Wedding Planning Packages