MEET The Co.
We are your
Luxury Hospitality Experts
EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES CRAFTED BY EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE.
We consider it an honor to devote our expertise to your wedding. Immersing ourselves in the creation, planning, and execution of every aspect of your wedding weekend, we apply the refined and perfected rules of entertaining that we’ve honed over the past decade. Our commitment to a limited number of events allows us the opportunity to develop a deeper, more personal connection with you.
To foster this bond, here’s a glimpse into each of our lives, inviting you to feel a part of our world too.
Meet Our Team
Kate Turner
IN KATE’S FAMILY EVERY MOMENTOUS OCCASION WAS CELEBRATED OVER A SHARED FAMILY MEAL AND THAT’S WHERE HER LOVE OF HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINING TRULY GOT ITS START.
Her parents taught her from a young age that whether it’s connecting over the perfect latte, a mother-daughter pedicure, or a vintage red with a five-star meal – every accomplishment should be honored, and every tabletop deserves to be styled.
Growing up you could find Kate pouring the perfect cup of lemonade from her roadside stand, pairing the perfect veil and dress for her Halloween costume, or even combing through vintage Martha Stewart Magazines planning her union to JTT. Much of Kate’s childhood revolved around weddings. It’s that lifelong love of marrying hospitality with a carefully curated tabletop that brought her to open Kate + Company in 2012.
Kate’s concierge meets interior design approach has landed her crew on Vogue’s and Bride’s Magazine’s lists of best wedding planners, and their work has been found everywhere from Martha Stewart to Grace Ormonde and – her personal favorite – preserved in her clients wedding albums and Instagram feeds! The Kate + Company team continues reimagining what it means to be a wedding designer in the Midwest.
Kate’s panache for perfection and commitment to authenticity drove her to co-found 23 City Blocks Hospitality Group in 2013. As the first in the Saint Louis market to bring restaurant style cuisine to private events, Kate’s strategic vision led this renowned hospitality group to challenge the boundaries of luxury in the emerging Midwest market. In 2022 she sold the business to Butler’s Pantry to focus solely on the creative direction of Kate + Company.
Though both companies are award-winning, that’s not what Kate’s most proud of. Her biggest claim to fame is surrounding herself with the greatest people. After all, the best weddings take a village, a carefully curated team, and a little magic. Kate prides herself on having pretty incredible teams by her side each step of the way.
Her true passion lies in creating gorgeous events that reflect the unique style of each couple, honoring the privilege of orchestrating the day. When she’s not commanding a room flip in a pair of heels and statement earrings, you’ll find her playing tourist, with her exuberant kiddos and loving husband, or hunting for her next bit of inspiration!
Kimmy Gainer
KIMMY THRIVES ON WEDDING WEEK ENERGY; SHE’S OUR RESIDENT HYPE GIRL AFTER ALL! TO KIMMY, THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN WITNESSING TWO PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER, SURROUNDED BY THEIR CLOSEST FRIENDS AND FAMILY – IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.
Hospitality is in her blood. During high school she worked in her family’s restaurant and got her first taste of wedding planning at a local florist. She quickly learned the value of hard work and providing excellent customer service. From a young age she knew she wanted to make this crazy world her home. She earned a degree in entertainment management, with a focus on events. While she has spent time volunteering at non for profits, participating on boards for past schools and working the Superbowl, her greatest passion comes from weddings.
After college she returned home to Saint Louis, where she (very) persistently pursued a position within Kate + Company. Kimmy worked tirelessly year after year finally landing in her current role at Kate + Company, Executive Director, in 2021. At Kate + Co, she found the perfect combination of expert execution and innovative design. Execution is truly her passion; she especially loves unique client experiences, and ensuring they are just like her couples always envisioned. Whether it’s a new city, venue, or something that has never been attempted…Kimmy is up for the challenge!
It’s been said that she is the ‘company’ part of Kate + Company, supporting Kate and the dream to grow this company. Together with Kate over the past ten years, they’ve developed the perfect partnership of ying and yang, and providing that one – two punch for clients and vendors. Kimmy finds joy in working alongside the team at Kate + Company not only to produce clients dreams and visions but to continue pushing the bar for the wedding industry as a whole.
When she’s not editing a spreadsheet, crafting the perfect timeline or bustling the bride’s dress, Kimmy’s happy place is sitting on a patio catching some live music, sipping margaritas, and catching up with family and friends. Over the past year, she’s also had the unique experience of planning her own wedding. She and Andrew tied the knot on November 5, 2022! Because of this, she knows the importance of the little things that make a wedding special. That’s why she is beyond honored to be part of each and every event for her clients.
Eli Schnieders
WITH AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND BRAND MARKETING, ELI HAS PRODUCED AND COORDINATED SOME OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL EVENTS AND RESPECTED CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS TO TIMES SQUARE POP-UP ACTIVATIONS. WITH HER ABILITY TO SPOT TRENDS AND PASSION FOR STRATEGY AND ORGANIZATION, ELI’S EMPHASIS IS CUSTOMIZING ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES ON EVERY LEVEL.
From an early age, Eli was taught the importance of being over the top, or as she likes to say… “just enough.” When tagging along on her mother’s work trips, Eli was best known around the convention floor as the seven-year-old wearing the pink suit and hosting make-believe conference calls. She dreamed of the “real world” and knew her calling for production and entertainment.
After college, Eli moved to St. Louis where she pursued her passion for sports and entertainment promotion for over five years before joining Kate & Co. She led media and promotional efforts for consumer brands like Bud Light, Ryder Cup, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and BODYARMOR Sports Drink, along with being at the forefront of Crocs’ recent resurgence. She’s produced globally-recognized events, developed award-winning promotional campaigns and managed high-profile celebrity and athlete partnerships for over 30+ A-listers.
Eli has a knack for at-home entertaining, turning unique situations into momentous occasions and elevating the guest experience. She’s specialized in producing highly personalized events with tailored, unforgettable experiences. Her attention to detail and passion for all types of celebrations add meaning and value to everything she does, every step along the way. Eli draws inspiration from her daily life and uses her unique flair to add value and creativity to her work and for her clients. With a positive and personable demeanor, Eli will take on any task with a “can-do” mindset. In her free time, you can find Eli at a sporting event, frequenting just about any foodie hot-spot or enjoying a boat day at the lake.
Adam Turner
A FORMER ENGINEER TURNED CHOCOLATIER WHO SOMEHOW BECAME THE RIGHT-BRAIN OF An event PLANNING + DESIGN FIRM. AS ADAM SAYS, “IT’S A GOOD THING I LOVE MY WIFE”.
Whether he’s making his world Kate + Co. famous carnitas or opening a bottle of his favorite Palmaz Cabernet, Adams connection to hospitality begins and ends with food. Kate often jokes he missed his calling as a Chef!
Growing up, Adam always worked in hospitality. You could find him back-of-house slinging pancakes for the breakfast rush or front-of-house advising guests on which cocktail pairs best with their ribeye. However, it wasn’t until his early 30’s when he really began his search for those perfect flavor profiles.
Adam is a graduate of Lindbergh Highschool, proudly repping the green and gold even 20+ years later – partly because it’s where he met some of his closest friends. In his free time you can find Adam with this core group making sarcastic jokes over a beer on the golf course, running after their kids in the backyard, or on date night with all their wives.
Adam graduated from University of Missouri – Columbia first with a degree in Industrial Engineering and then again with an MBA, emphasis in Finance. After graduation, Adam started his career at Boeing specializing in supply chain management.
After a successful foray into engineering at Boeing, he switched to the sweet side joining the team at Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. He bounced around the Operations Department learning each trade before he became the Plant Manager. Throughout his tenure with Bissinger’s, Adam spent his nights and weekends supporting the Kate + Company team in countless ways. In 2020, he finally made the leap to join the crew full-time.
Though Adam and Kate have known each other for years, it wasn’t until they were dating that they realized they grew up one street away from each other and even shared many mutual friends in throughout the years. While they have Kate’s best friend (& former Kate + Company bride) Lauren to thank for their post-college meet cute; they learned early in their courtship that it wasn’t love at first sight but rather love at first bite when they were just three-years old. If you don’t know this story, it’s worth asking!
When Adam isn’t working on client agreements, billing customers for their services, or questioning Kate about company spending you can find him with his three boys (soon to be the perfect foursome!), enjoying a Liverpool game, sharing the perfect bourbon cocktail with Kate, or relaxing with a good book.
Lindsey Been
with a rich experience in hospitality with an expertise in textile and apparel management, lindsey brings a unique viewpoint to the art of event curation.
Born and raised in Saint Louis, Lindsey has always cherished the strong sense of community and personal connections inherent to her hometown. Her early years were spent immersed in the hospitality industry, learning the ropes in her parents’ restaurant. This experience ingrained in her a deep appreciation for customer service and the value of a strong work ethic. Her educational journey led her to a degree in textile and apparel management, fueling her passion for creating memorable experiences through a unique blend of service and style.
As the newest member of the prestigious Kate + Company team, she feels incredibly fortunate to have joined one of the best event planning firms in the Midwest. She is buzzing with excitement to dive into the world of event planning, bringing together her background in textiles and her innate understanding of hospitality. Working alongside Kate and her talented team, she is eager to contribute to and learn from the best in the business.
Outside of work, her life is a tapestry of joyful moments spent with friends and family, both in the familiar streets of Saint Louis and in new places. She has a penchant for travel, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and believes in the transformative power of a good outfit – a mantra that resonates with her approach to both life and work. She is dedicated and passionate, always striving to bring a touch of style and meticulous attention to detail to every event, making each one not just a celebration, but a lasting memory.