Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Mortensen.
Hi Hannah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
This is my first year officially running Hannah Rose Events Co., and it has already been quite the journey. Looking back, though, I think I’ve been making my way toward this career for much longer than I realized. I started working in restaurants and hospitality while I was in high school and continued throughout college and beyond. Today, I have over a decade of experience in hospitality, which has shaped the way I approach wedding planning. It taught me how to stay organized under pressure, anticipate needs before they’re voiced, and create an experience where everyone (both my clients and the vendor team) feels cared for and supported.
I entered the wedding industry over five years ago when I joined Copper & Crystal as a bartender. From there, I grew into an Event Lead role. Those years gave me an incredible foundation and confirmed what I had already begun to suspect: I absolutely love weddings. At the end of every event, as exhausted as we might be, I feel I could head to another event and do it all over again! i
As much as I loved working as a vendor, I found myself wanting to be even more involved in the planning process. I wanted to build meaningful relationships with my couples, guide them from the very beginning, and create an experience that reflected my own values and style, which is why I start Hannah Rose Events Co., and it has easily been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel incredibly grateful that I get to turn my passion for organization, thoughtful design, and genuine connection into a career, and I can’t wait to continue growing alongside the amazing couples and vendor teams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, it has been a smooth journey, though I wouldn’t say it’s been a linear one.
There were periods where I stepped away from the wedding industry, but never because I lost my passion for it. I moved to California’s Central Coast to earn a degree from Cal Poly in Business / Finance, and after graduating, I felt the natural pressure to pursue a traditional corporate career. Since I graduated during the early COVID years, I was fortunate to work remotely, which allowed me to continue with Copper & Crystal on weekends while working full-time in sales and recruitment within a niche area of the tech industry.
Looking back, I’m actually grateful for the contrast between my weekday corporate job and my weekend work in weddings. It gave me incredible clarity. Every Monday through Friday, I appreciated the stability of my corporate role, but every wedding weekend reminded me where my heart truly was. I left every event feeling energized, fulfilled, and excited to do it all again, while my corporate work never sparked that same feeling.
That realization didn’t happen overnight. I bounced around the corporate setting, trying out a couple different roles. So it took a few years to figure out how to turn my passion into a sustainable career. The stability of a 9-to-5 was difficult to walk away from, but I slowly built my experience, strengthened my network, and gained the confidence to take a chance on myself.
This year, I finally stepped away from the corporate path to pursue weddings full-time. I know how fortunate I am to have an incredible support system that encouraged me to take that leap, and I’m so grateful I did. Again, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hannah Rose Events Co.?
Hannah Rose Events Co. is a full-service wedding planning and coordination company based on California’s Central Coast, serving couples throughout the SLO county. We specialize in creating thoughtfully designed celebrations that feel “personal, intentional, and organized.”
At the heart of my business is the belief that wedding planning should feel collaborative, organized, and truly enjoyable. I strive to create an experience where my couples feel supported the whole way through. Whether I’m managing every detail (with my full planning package) from the beginning or stepping in during the final months (partial planning) to bring everything together, my goal is always the same: to allow my clients to be fully present on the biggest day of their lives.
I think what sets Hannah Rose Events Co. apart is my background in hospitality and event production. As mentioned earlier, before becoming a planner, I spent years working weddings from the vendor side in a couple different roles, which gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to execute an event seamlessly. I know how to anticipate challenges before they arise, communicate effectively with vendors, and keep the day running smoothly without my clients ever feeling the pressure behind the scenes.
I’m also incredibly relationship-driven and extremely hands-on at events. I intentionally take on a limited number of weddings each year so that every couple receives a highly personalized planning experience. By the wedding day, I want my clients to feel like they’re celebrating with someone they know and trust, not simply hiring a person to hold the timeline.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of creating a company that feels elevated while remaining approachable. To me, luxury isn’t defined by extravagance or a certain price tag—it’s defined by thoughtful service, clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and making people feel genuinely cared for. I want every interaction with Hannah Rose Events Co. to leave clients feeling calm, confident, and excited for what’s ahead.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Like everything else, weddings cycle their trends. I could talk about trending color palettes, decor styles, or what’s becoming popular this season, but I think the more meaningful shift is happening at a different level. Today’s couples are creating weddings that feel deeply personal and really reflect who they are. Rather than chasing trends for the sake of aesthetics, they’re prioritizing the overall experience for both themselves and their guests.
I’m seeing couples invest more in incredible food (I am of course biased, but the Central Coast is home to some of the best caterers!!), interactive experiences (this goes for things like their DJ to hosting interactive stations like a cigar rolling bar, etc), and thoughtful details that make guests feel welcomed and engaged. They want their wedding to feel less like an event people simply attend and more like an experience people remember.
Pricing:
- I have my standard package pricing listed on my website because I believe in being transparent from the start. That said, I always encourage couples to reach out if they’d like to discuss a planning experience that’s tailored to their specific needs, priorities, and budget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hannahroseeventsco.com/
- Instagram: Currently being built!! It WILL BE @ hannahrose_events
