Meet Krysta Cossitt | Wedding and Event Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krysta Cossitt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krysta, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew I would own my own business. I grew up watching my entrepreneurial parents own and successfully operate several businesses. I graduated college with a business degree. And although I was a good employee, I yearned to be the boss and call all the shots. So when my husband got a job offer to relocate to Southwest Colorado and my current employer was a bricks and mortar, I knew it was time for me to start my own business. As to what exactly, I knew it would be something in the events industry. I was good at event planning and had recently been introduced to weddings. Becoming a wedding and event planner would require little investment and I was in a place in my life where I had the time and drive to network and hustle. So I launched Elevation Weddings and Events after working out a business plan.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started Elevation Weddings and Events for a few different reasons. But mostly because I wanted to be my own boss within an industry that allowed me to be creative. There are several avenues within the wedding and events industry so I wanted to make sure that the direction I took my business spoke to my passions and kept things interesting for me. This is why I carved out a niche within the wedding world as a full service wedding planner creating extraordinary mountain top weddings for couple’s that want their event to illustrate their unique love for each other and their love for nature’s beauty. What excites me about this attribute is that every wedding season I am introduced to a handful of couples that I truly love working with. These couples come form all walks of life and have their own reasons as to why they have hired a full service wedding planner. Meeting their expectations and exceeding their wedding day visions is such a high that I am addicted to it and can’t wait for the next couple around the corner that will challenge my creativity, deepen my passion, and continue the excitement I feel before, during and after every wedding and event I plan.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow, I hope my friend is visiting me in Ouray, CO for several days because there is so much to show them. But I’ll be realistic and assume my friend has taken an extended weekend to visit me during the summer months. So with that said, I’d start the weekend off with a backyard BBQ so my friend can unwind from the long journey (Ouray isn’t that easy to get to) and so we can catch up before diving into the weekend’s activities. This will be accomplished over fire pit side drinks made with local distillery spirits from K J Wood Distillers, perfectly grilled sweet Olathe corn and locally raised beef burgers, and a Palisade peach pie. All while soaking in the box canyon mountain views and alpine glow radiating off Ouray’s Amphitheater mountains. The next morning we’ll start the day early with a hike along Ouray’s perimeter trail. The trail starts right out my front door and a quick ascent up the mountain. We’ll pass by everything beautiful mother nature has to offer including waterfalls, rivers, aspen groves, pine forests, and expansive views of the box canyon Ouray is tucked in. We should be done with the hike that circles the town of Ouray for a late lunch so we’ll make a stop at Ouray Brewery and climb the stairs to the roof top to enjoy the 360 degree views while gaining back all those calories we burned earlier. A soak in the Ouray Hot Springs will get our muscles back in working order before we head to Sauvauge Spectrum for some wine tasting before attending a show at The Wright Opera House next door. The next morning I give my friend the choice to either go Jeeping in the high country or experience the Ouray Via Ferrata. My friend ops for Jeeping so we head over to Kami’s Samis to grab a togo lunch and then cross the street to join in a group scenic tour of Yankee Boy Basin with Colorado Jeep West. That evening we treat ourselves to dinner at Brickhouse 737 after we enjoy a cocktail up on the Imogene Hotel Roof Bar. Because my friend enjoyed the hot springs so much the other day, I take them to Orvis Hot Springs first thing the next morning because that’s my favorite time to visit – the fog over the valley creates a moody atmosphere that allows for extra relaxation. Before my friend departs for home, we head into Ridgway (a short 15 minutes drive) for a little shopping and then brunch at Provisions at the Barber Shop. My friend vows to come visit again soon because we only scratched the service of all that can be experienced here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents. Growing up watching them hustle and successfully own a restaurant and retail business for over 20 years laid the foundation for where I am today. I learned real quick that handouts were rare and if you wanted anything in life then you had to roll up your sleeves and work hard for it. I also learned that having respect for your employees, colleagues and competitors would get you far. But, I also learned a lot from many people along my journey to owning a business. Katy O.’ Donell taught me that shit happens, Jenny McWhorter taught me that judgment gets you nowhere and to stick up for yourself, Amanda Lofiego taught me that you can have fun but also be really really good at your job, Akane McCarthy showed me qualities in a good boss, and each and every client I work with imparts a lesson that makes me a better business owner and planner.

Website: www.elevationweddingsandevents.com

Instagram: @elevationweddingsandevents

Facebook: @elevationweddingsandevents

Image Credits
Lizzie Tilles Photography, Sam Murch Photography, Aubrey Beth Photography and Mikayla Dawn Photography