Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Stansberry.
Hi Olivia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our story started in 2024, when I decided to start a blog; I’ve always had a passion for writing. I have had a lot of experiences that I wanted to share with others who could relate or are going through similar life moments, so I started the blog to share my passion. The real turning point was after my own wedding, talking with other brides who struggled or genuinely disliked the process. They were overwhelmed and stressed, and I didn’t understand because I had the time of my life planning my own wedding.
It was then that I realized that I had a gift for the logistics and planning that usually drive people crazy. I wanted to help other couples actually enjoy their engagement, so I officially jumped in, got my LLC, and launched Married with Paws LLC in 2025!
We are a true family owned Minnesota business. My husband, Matthew, is the backbone of all things tech, and our two dogs, Ocean Blu and Oakley Behr, are the heart of our brand. They even attended our own wedding, which inspired our speciality: helping couples safely and beautifully incorporate their furry friends into their big day.
Since then, we have grown into so much more than just wedding planning and our blog. I design wedding planning PDFs for our Etsy shop, work with Amazon to find those “hidden gem” affordable items, and most recently, I started helping other wedding vendors find their voice on social media. At the end of the day, everything we do is about community, we want to help Minnesota couples have affordable, pet-friendly, and stress-free celebrations while helping our fellow local vendors grow right alongside us!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road! The biggest challenge was the learning curve of moving from a creative blog to a formal business. I had to shift my mindset from just sharing my passion to building a structured LLC with real systems in place.
I’ve had to learn to be deliberate with my time to ensure I’m giving couples my absolute best while also growing other branches of the brand, like our Etsy shop and social media management services. Every bump in the road has really just been a lesson in how to build a stronger, more intentional business. Having my husband, Matthew, to lean on for the tech side, and having our two dogs around to help keep me grounded has made the whole journey so worth it!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a wedding planner and a brand specialist, but my real job is providing complete peace of mind for my couples. I specialize in two specific areas: pet-friendly weddings & micro-weddings (typically 50 guests or fewer). I’m known for helping couples incorporate their “furry flower pup” into their big day safely, making sure the four-legged family members are just as taken care of as the humans!
Beyond the planning, I also specialize in Social Media Management for those in the wedding industry. My niche there is “Intentional Brand Storytelling.” I help other wedding vendors move away from just posting pretty pictures and instead focus on building a community. I help them find their unique voice and create content that actually connects with their dream clients, making social media feel as personal and deliberate as the weddings they work on.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I think we’re going to see a massive shift away from large ‘cookie-cutter’ traditions and move toward deeply personal, guest-centered experiences.
For a long time, the trend for weddings was ‘bigger is better.’ Now, I see more couples choosing micro-weddings not just for the budget, but for the intimacy. They want to actually spend time with every person in the room. In 10 years, I think the ‘standard’ wedding could be smaller, more high-end, and extremely personalized to the couple’s specific story.
We’re already seeing it, but soon, including pets won’t just be a cute addition, it’ll become a standard. Couples are viewing their dogs & cats as family members, and I expect venues and vendors will become more accommodating. We’ll see more pet concierge services and dog-friendly formal wear become a regular part of the planning process.
On the business side, I see the wedding industry moving toward a much more collaborative community model. Social media is changing from a place where we show off the perfect galleries to a place where we build real partnerships. I think the most successful vendors in the next decade will be the ones who focus on brand storytelling and supporting one another rather than just competing for the same set of clients.
Finally, I think ‘slow planning’ will become a trend. Many couples want a process that feels as good as the wedding day itself. That’s where being deliberate and intentional in coordination and communication will become the gold standard, turning the planning process into a core part of the celebration.
Pricing:
- Wedding Day Management: Micro – $600, Full Day – $1000
- Planning & Designing: $2500-$4000
- Social Media Management: $295/month-$650/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marriedwithpaws.com/contact/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_marriedwithpaws_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AkCDEdNKw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marriedwithpaws/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/married-with-paws-maple-grove
- Other: https://marriedwithpawprints.etsy.com
