Kimberly Richmond

About Me

Hometown: Born and raised in Mexico City.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what do you think you’d be doing? If I wasn’t planning weddings, you’d either find me designing dream homes as an interior designer or channeling my inner crime-solver as a forensic psychologist for the FBI. So basically, I’d either be picking out the perfect paint color or cracking the case on a murder mystery—maybe both!

Tell us something people might not know about you. Most people don’t know that I once jumped on stage and sang 'Friends in Low Places' with Tom Brady during his New England Patriots days.

What’s your go-to wedding song when the dance floor opens up? "Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. It’s the ultimate cue for me to stop talking and start dancing, no questions asked.

Likes: Yoga, hosting dinner parties, scary movies, traveling to new places, good wine, live music, thunderstorms.

Dislikes: Unloading the dishwasher, clowns, airport goodbyes, mashed potatoes. 
 

What have your pets have taught you about life or love? Pets have shown me what I didn’t know I needed: to see the world through their eyes. They’ve taught me lessons in patience, in forgiveness, and the art of simply living in the now. They’ve reminded me that love can be as simple as a morning walk, a gentle breeze, or a silent understanding. They’ve taught me the kind of unconditional love that comes without strings, expectations, or demands.
 

What would you say is your personal motto or guiding principle in life? I always have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing. When you live your life this way, you enjoy it all, but never make your happiness or success dependent on an attachment to anything, any place, and particularly, any person
 

What’s the most rewarding part of planning a destination wedding? The biggest reward is creating a wedding that feels like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for the couple and their guests. Watching the couple’s eyes light up when they see their dream setting come to life is like being the architect of a fairy tale, but with fewer dragons and more cocktails on the beach!

Words of wisdom for couples about to tie the knot? Be Flexible: Things won’t always go as planned. Being adaptable and open to change will help you navigate the planning process (and life’s surprises) with a positive attitude.

What’s your favorite wedding destination and why? Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It offers a mix of stunning beaches, rich culture, and amazing food. Plus, the variety of venues means you can have a beach ceremony, jungle vibes, or a chic rooftop affair. It’s also where I got married, so it holds an extra special place in my heart.

What’s one item you can’t live without when running a weddings? Snacks! When you’re on the go for that many hours non-stop, you need fuel. I’m not above sneaking in some dark chocolate to keep my energy up.

How do you stay inspired in both your career and personal life? I stay inspired by focusing on purpose over perfection. In work, it’s about making meaningful connections with people I meet and work with. In life, it’s about staying true to my values and the people who matter most. I remain open to change and challenge in both my career and personal life. I’m also a firm believer that when something stops being fun, it’s time to move on.
 

The Job

Why weddings: They are happy occasions and I love being surrounded by all the love. There is also something extraordinary about being such an instrumental part of one of the most special days in someone’s life. 

Favorite ring setting: I’m an old fashioned, romantic at heart and a total sucker for antique rings with a story behind them. To me, an engagement ring that has been passed down from someone’s great grandmother is worth more than anything that Harry Winston has to offer. 

Dream wedding destination: The Greek islands would be spectacular.

Dream honeymoon destination: Anywhere with a beach, overwater villas, and cocktails.

Best celebrity wedding: I'm not quite sure they're 'celebrities,' but I was obsessed with Will and Kate and then Harry and Meghan’s weddings. 

Wedding crasher: I’ve been in 10 weddings, attended about 20 and planned well over 50.

Most fun wedding: It wasn’t one that I attended; it was one that I planned ironically enough. The bride was a Broadway actress, and half the guests were actors, singers and massively talented. The entire weekend was filled with musical performances by the guests (some were planned and some totally spontaneous). The icing on the cake was at the reception when the bride hopped up on stage and rocked out with the band (who also happened to be the band that performed at Billy Joel’s wedding). 

Advice for the bride: Have a sense of humor, keep an open mind and be flexible. Some things are out of your control (like the weather) so always have a Plan B. Don’t worry about slight mishaps that are bound to happen. Focus on the reason you’re celebrating—getting married to the person you’ve chosen to spend happily ever after with. 

Advice for the groom: Happy wife, happy life. 

Advice for the wedding planner: One of my “superpowers” as a planner was the ability to always remain calm. Calm in front of my clients and calm in front of my team. I could be freaking out on the inside, but I realized that if I didn’t freak out on the outside, neither would my clients (or my team). My mother always told me that “everything has a solution” and it really does. It’s much easier to figure out the solution after taking a deep breath!

My Career

Traveled everywhere from the Canary Islands to Morocco to Caribbean Islands with Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts as Director of International Sales and with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts as International Sales & Marketing Manager.

Started in event planning when recruited by Saks Fifth Avenue to be Director of Marketing & Special Events for their flagship store in Manhattan, planning and executing hundreds of lavish events for a host of international high-profile clients, and celebrities.

Launched “Runaway Bride Destination Weddings,” an international, destination wedding planning company, in 2011. Sold it in 2020.

Has been featured in major publications such as Brides, Shape Magazine, Travel Weekly, Grace Ormonde Weddings, Style Me Pretty and more.

Was a Romance Travel Correspondent for CBS New Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

Testimonials 

"I cannot say enough wonderful things about working with ALHI Weddings, specifically Kimberly Richmond and Jessica Philip! They are the epitome of true hospitality professionals! As a third party meeting planner, it can take days to track down hotels sometimes when its super busy or peak season. Kimberly and Jessica never fail to get me offers quickly from the hotels they service, along with help with my questions, suggestions for clients and constant follow up to ensure my clients are well taken care of. I love working with these ladies, it is always a pleasure and I am so grateful for their top notch hospitality and amazing assistance!"

—Alexa Guadagno, Sales Manager, LM Media Worldwide, LLC/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks

"Working with Kimberly and her team at ALHI Weddings has been more wonderful than I can effectively put into words! I truly view ALHI and ALHI Weddings as an extension of my own team. Our relationship over the past couple years has grown to become one of trust, respect, mutual passion and a sense of urgency for creating the very best weddings and social events for our clientele - from destination and resort recommendations and relationships, to enhanced incentives and greater value that we are able to present our clients with, it's a win-win for all parties involved and I look forward to partnering with the ALHI Weddings team more and more as I know that they have our very best interests in mind, always. The exposure to Luxury Destination Venues throughout the world and all that their partners can lend to my clients' guest experience is simply immeasurable and I am truly appreciative to have them as a reliable resource."

—Oniki Hardtman, Founder & Creative Director, Oh Niki Occasions