Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Anderton
Hi Natalie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! I’ve always loved hosting and celebrating, and one day, I realized I wanted to turn that passion into a career—specifically in weddings! As a hopeless romantic, what could be more magical than helping couples create their perfect day?
I got my start in the industry at 19, working at a wedding venue in Salt Lake City. What began as a seasonal position eventually grew into a year-round role as a venue coordinator. After six years, I knew I wanted more—I wanted to be deeply involved in each wedding, working closely with couples to bring their vision to life. As a venue coordinator, I felt my role had its limits, so I took a leap of faith and started my own business.
What initially began as a décor and rental company quickly evolved into full-service wedding planning and coordination. I launched my business in January 2020 (great timing, right?). Let’s just say, the road wasn’t exactly smooth. Starting an events business during a global pandemic presented its challenges—everything was uncertain—but in a way, it gave me the space to build my business during a time when the whole industry was figuring things out.
Fast forward to 2023: I was working multiple jobs, trying to pay my bills while also growing my business, and then, suddenly, everything stopped. I was laid off from my other job, which had been my main source of income, and I felt lost and confused. It was one of those moments where I realized I had no other choice but to dive headfirst into building my business. And what they say is true: you get out what you put in!
Now, nearly five years later, wedding planning is my full-time job, and I couldn’t love it more. It’s been a wild, wonderful journey, and I’m so grateful to be doing what I love every day!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If there are smooth roads in small business ownership, I definitely haven’t found them! One of the biggest challenges for me when starting my business was diving in completely blind. My background is in dance, not business, so I had no formal experience to guide me.
I originally started Life is a Party with a business partner, but after a year, we decided to go our separate ways. Even though it was a difficult transition, I knew I wasn’t ready to walk away from this journey. Continuing on solo was both empowering and isolating at times—I essentially rebuilt everything except the name, shifting my focus to what truly excited me.
There were plenty of moments when I second-guessed my choices, felt the weight of every decision on my shoulders, and wished I had someone to bounce ideas off of. While I’ve built an amazing network of industry friends, I don’t have traditional “co-workers” that I see or talk to every day, which can feel lonely at times. But through it all, I’ve learned so much—about business, resilience, and myself—and I know there’s still plenty more to learn!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business, Life is a Party, specializes in wedding planning and coordination. I chose this name because it perfectly reflects what I believe—life is a party, and there is always something to celebrate! Weddings, the ultimate celebration, embody that philosophy, making the name feel like the perfect fit.
Wedding planning is one of those careers that feels larger than life—we see it dramatized in movies, hear the horror stories, and associate it with high-stress chaos. Planners often get a bad reputation for being bossy, rigid, or difficult to work with, but I strive to break that stereotype. My approach is calm, kind, and, most importantly, fun. I want to be the vendor that couples and fellow professionals genuinely enjoy working with, someone who makes the entire process feel exciting rather than overwhelming. I always tell my clients: “Planning what’s supposed to be the best day of your life shouldn’t be stressful—so let’s make it fun!” After all, life is a party, and your wedding should be too.
I currently offer full and partial wedding planning, day-of coordination, and consulting hours. All of my packages are fully customizable because I believe wedding planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. No matter the budget, vibe, or location, I want to offer something for everyone and help make each wedding as special and stress-free as possible.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is the relationships I build along the way. I don’t just work with couples—I truly connect with them. By the time their wedding day arrives, it’s always bittersweet for me. Seeing months of planning come to life is incredibly fulfilling, but knowing our journey together is ending makes it a little emotional too. Every wedding is unique, every love story is special, and I feel so grateful to be a part of it all.
What are your plans for the future?
The future is always exciting—and, admittedly, a little overwhelming! It feels like one day I woke up, and what started as a fun hobby and passion had become a full-fledged business. Nothing makes you work harder than accidentally growing faster than expected, haha!
This is my second year as a full-time wedding planner, and right now, I’m focused on building my team. Up until now, Life is a Party has been a one-woman show, which has naturally limited the number of weddings I can take on each year. But starting in 2026, I’m excited to bring on more team members, expand my services, and work with even more incredible couples. Big things are coming, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!
Pricing:
- Full Service Planning – $5,700
- Partial Service Planning – $3,600
- Day of Coordination – $1,600
- Wedding Consulting – $75/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifeisapartyslc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeisaparty.slc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeisapartyslc/
- Other: Email – lifeisapartyslc@gmail.com
