Today we’d like to introduce you to Yotawana L Henderson-Chandler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
About 18 years ago, my cousin and I could find a reason to plan a party for just about anything. We loved creating moments, bringing people together, and seeing an idea come to life. Around that same time, I became hooked on the TV show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? That show opened my eyes to the world behind the wedding day and sparked my desire to learn everything I could about love, weddings, and the industry.
My journey wasn’t something that happened overnight. There was plenty of trial and error along the way, but every experience taught me something. Most importantly, I learned where my true passion was. I loved the details, but I especially loved the planning, organization, problem-solving, and execution that allowed everything to come together seamlessly.
That passion eventually became 29&11 Co., LLC Wedding & Event Planning.
Over the years, 29&11 Co. has grown and evolved right alongside me. What began with a love for planning celebrations became a company focused on giving couples the freedom to actually enjoy one of the most important days of their lives. I believe a wedding should feel like the couple it represents, not like a copy of someone else’s day.
At the heart of 29&11 Co. is a commitment to lead with inclusion while bringing expertise, imagination, innovation, and creativity to every experience. My goal is always to take the stress off my clients, manage the details they shouldn’t have to worry about, and deliver a celebration that feels elegant, tasteful, polished, and authentically theirs.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that something that started with two cousins who simply loved planning a good party would grow into what 29&11 Co. is today. And after 18 years, I still get excited about bringing a vision to life, watching all the pieces come together, and seeing my clients truly enjoy the moment we worked so hard to create.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I don’t think I would appreciate where 29&11 Co. is today if it had been.
One of my biggest struggles was learning the business side of something I initially started simply because I loved it. Being passionate about weddings and events is one thing, but learning how to price your services, set boundaries, manage contracts, build a team, market yourself, and still provide an exceptional client experience is an entirely different journey.
I also had to learn that every client and every opportunity is not meant for me. Early on, I wanted to say yes to everything and make everything work. Over time, I realized that protecting my peace, knowing my value, and being intentional about the clients and experiences I take on ultimately allows me to serve people better.
There have also been moments of self-doubt, comparison, financial investment without immediate return, long days, late nights, and the challenge of balancing entrepreneurship with a career, school, family, and life outside of the business. Social media can make entrepreneurship look effortless, but there is so much work happening behind the scenes that people never see.
At the same time, every challenge has helped shape both me and 29&11 Co. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, give myself permission to evolve, and understand that growth doesn’t always mean becoming the biggest company in the room. For me, growth means becoming better, more intentional, and more confident in what we bring to the table.
The road hasn’t always been easy, but it has absolutely been worth it. Every lesson, mistake, celebration, and successful wedding day has helped build the company I once only imagined.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 29&11 Co.?
29&11 Co., LLC is a wedding and event planning company specializing in wedding planning, management, coordination, and creating an experience that allows our clients to truly be present for their celebration.
The name 29&11 Co. is deeply personal to me. It comes from my favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, which speaks of hope and a future. That scripture has carried meaning throughout my own journey, and I think it beautifully connects with what we do. Weddings represent the beginning of a new chapter, two people choosing to build a future together, and I have the privilege of helping them celebrate that beginning.
While we certainly appreciate all the beautiful details that make a wedding special, 29&11 Co. is really known for what happens behind the scenes. The organization, communication, problem-solving, vendor management, timelines, and execution are where we shine. I always say, you should never be working your own wedding. You shouldn’t be answering vendor calls, wondering whether the cake has arrived, checking the timeline, or trying to figure out who is supposed to walk down the aisle next. That’s our job.
We offer different levels of service because every couple needs something different. From wedding management and coordination for couples who have done much of the planning themselves to more comprehensive planning experiences for those who want professional guidance throughout the process, our goal is to meet our clients where they are. We also provide dedicated Bridal and Groom Assistants because I believe both partners deserve to feel supported, cared for, and celebrated on their wedding day.
What sets 29&11 Co. apart is our commitment to service, inclusion, preparedness, and intention. We don’t believe in creating cookie-cutter weddings or forcing couples into what is considered traditional. We take the time to learn our clients, understand what matters to them, and help create an experience that authentically represents their love story.
That commitment extends beyond planning and logistics. Our team is CPR trained, and we offer access to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services when needed. For us, inclusion isn’t simply something written in our mission statement. It means being intentional about creating an experience where our couples, their families, and their guests feel considered, supported, and included. It’s another layer of care that reflects the elegant, tasteful, and polished standard we want associated with the 29&11 Co. experience.
Brand-wise, I am incredibly proud of the trust we have built over the years. Being recognized as a Best of South Carolina Honorable Mention in Event Planning was a special milestone because it affirmed the work we have poured into this company. But some of my proudest moments are much quieter. It’s when a bride or groom tells me, “I didn’t have to worry about anything,” or when a family member says they were actually able to enjoy the day because our team handled everything behind the scenes. Those moments remind me exactly why I started.
I want readers to understand that 29&11 Co. is about much more than creating a beautiful wedding. We are there for the timeline changes, vendor questions, family dynamics, unexpected moments, nervous brides and grooms, last-minute adjustments, and all the little details guests may never know happened. We are there to protect the experience so our clients don’t have to manage it.
At the heart of it all, 29&11 Co. represents hope, the future, and new beginnings. Our couples get to celebrate the moment while we manage everything that makes that moment possible.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think the biggest thing I would want readers to know is that 29&11 Co. has been built with intention. Eighteen years into this journey, I am still learning, evolving, and finding new ways to serve my clients and strengthen the experience we provide.
I am incredibly grateful for every couple who has trusted me with such an important moment in their lives, the families who have welcomed our team into their celebrations, the vendors who work alongside us, and the team behind 29&11 Co. who helps make each event possible. None of what we do happens because of one person.
I’m also proud that I have allowed the business to evolve as I have evolved. Entrepreneurship has taught me that success does not have to look like everyone else’s version of success. For me, it is about building something with integrity, maintaining a standard I am proud to put my name behind, creating opportunities for others, and continuing to provide a level of service that makes our clients feel genuinely cared for.
As I look toward the future of 29&11 Co., I want to continue growing intentionally, expanding our reach, building meaningful relationships within the wedding and event industry, and creating celebrations that are remembered not only for how beautiful they were, but for how people felt while experiencing them.
What began all those years ago as a genuine love for planning has grown into something I am extremely proud of. I don’t take that journey, or the trust people place in 29&11 Co., lightly. There is still so much more I want to accomplish, and I’m excited about what the next chapter holds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.29and11events.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/29and11collc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2911co
