Christine Koenig is the founder of Ribbon & Tie. She speaks English, German and French, and works with assistants who speak Chinese and Spanish. Christine is a member of BAWN (the Bay Area Wedding Network) and a preferred wedding planner at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.

Some couples think they can’t afford a wedding planner. Is that true?
A good planner actually saves her clients not only time but also money, often even more than she charges for her service. That’s because she knows the vendors that best fit her clients' budget, and she negotiates simply on a business level, without the emotional pressure couples often face when they plan their own weddings.
Some couples also tend to overspend on their budgets. It is part of my job to help bride and groom find out and focus on what’s really important to them, and this way help them stay true to their budget.

How would you describe your own style?
I like elegant, simple designs, clear lines without pretense. In this sense, you can probably call it a Euopean style. As a wedding planner, I try to capture the spirit and style of the couple and design a setting which tells the story of who they are and at the same time create an atmosphere which everyone at the wedding enjoys.

Are you a perfectionist?
My clients call me a perfectionist, because I don't rest until every detail is defined and taken care of. I strive for excellence. That's true. I don't like cookie cutter weddings and I don't want guests to feel like they are just an audience to a theatre play. That's why I plan for spontaneity. The better a wedding is planned, in my view, the more spontaneity is allowed to happen without throwing off the big plan. Life is spontaneous and I like to plan weddings that are lively and memorable.

Why did you choose two swans as your mascot?
Swans are partners for a lifetime, which is what I wish for all my couples. They also look very graceful and elegant when they glide over the water. But what seems so effortless to the observer, requires a lot of legwork under the surface — an excellent image for a wedding. As the wedding planner, of course, I represent the legs of these happy creatures.