Rising Stars: Meet Hannah McKain of Dublin, OH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah McKain.

Hi Hannah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Selah Events really began from my love for creating meaningful moments for people. I’ve always been drawn to the details that make a celebration feel personal, the small touches that tell a couple’s story and bring their vision to life. Growing up, I was always very creative and loved decorating. I was constantly drawn to styles, textures, and pieces that looked beautiful together, and watching everything come together into a finished space was always so exciting to me.

My introduction to the wedding industry actually started in high school when I had the opportunity to work alongside a wedding planner. That experience completely changed everything for me. I instantly fell in love with events and the energy of wedding days. There’s something incredibly special about being part of such an important moment in someone’s life, and I knew very early on that it was something I wanted to pursue.

Over the years, I continued working in events and hospitality, gaining experience and learning more about the industry. Weddings in particular always stood out to me because they combine creativity, logistics, and emotion all into one day. I’ve also realized that I truly thrive under pressure, which is something that makes the fast-paced nature of weddings exciting rather than stressful for me. Every wedding day brings its own set of moving parts, and being able to manage those details while creating a beautiful experience for couples is something I genuinely love.

The name Selah comes from a word found in the Psalms that is often interpreted as a moment to pause and reflect. That idea became the foundation for my business. Weddings move quickly, and it’s easy for couples to get caught up in timelines and logistics. My goal with Selah Events is to create a space where couples can slow down, be present, and truly experience one of the most meaningful days of their lives.

Today, Selah Events focuses on designing intentional, elevated weddings for couples throughout Ohio. What started as a passion for creativity and events has grown into a business centered around thoughtful details, meaningful experiences, and helping couples celebrate their story in a way that feels authentic to them.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it hasn’t been a completely smooth road. For many years I knew that I eventually wanted to start my own wedding planning business, one that felt deeply meaningful to me and reflected the heart and intention I try to bring into everything I do. But the path to launching Selah Events looked a little different than I originally imagined.

One of the biggest challenges along the way has been my health. I grew up dealing with Lyme disease, and over time it progressively became more severe. After graduating from college, I moved to Arizona and continued working weddings, but my health began to decline significantly and I became very sick. Eventually I made the difficult decision to move to Columbus, Ohio. It felt like the right step both spiritually and personally. I truly felt like God was leading me there, and it also brought me closer to my family during a time when I needed support the most.

Once I moved to Columbus, I was finally able to begin receiving the treatment I needed. During that time, I was also in the early stages of planning and building Selah Events, but there were moments where I had to slow down and put parts of the business on hold while focusing on my health. Launching my business ended up being a much more gradual process than I initially expected, but in many ways that slower pace allowed me to build it with a lot of intention.

I’m still continuing treatment today, but I’m grateful that I’m starting to feel more like myself again. That experience has shaped the way I approach both life and my work. It has taught me the value of slowing down, being present, and appreciating meaningful moments, something that deeply influences the way I approach wedding planning through Selah Events. Helping couples pause, reflect, and truly experience their wedding day is something that now feels even more personal to me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Selah Events, I focus primarily on planning and designing high-end, luxury weddings where every detail is intentional and thoughtfully curated. I love working with couples who want their wedding to feel deeply personal and visually beautiful while also creating an experience their guests will remember. My role is to take a couple’s vision and translate it into something tangible, bringing together design, logistics, and the right team of vendors to make everything come together seamlessly.

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the creative side of wedding planning. I truly love designing spaces and experiences, whether that’s through color palettes, textures, florals, or the overall atmosphere of the event. I work closely with vendors I know and trust, people who share the same standards for excellence and attention to detail. Having that collaborative network allows me to create weddings that feel cohesive, elevated, and truly reflective of each couple.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work on weddings connected to the NFL, including one I’ve completed and another that I’m currently planning. Those opportunities have opened many doors for me within the industry, and I feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have been trusted with such meaningful celebrations. Experiences like that have helped expand my network and continue growing Selah Events in ways I’m very thankful for.

What sets Selah Events apart for me, though, is the relationship I build with my couples. I don’t see myself as someone who simply plans weddings or executes a timeline. I truly care about the people I work with. Planning a wedding is an emotional season in someone’s life, and sometimes couples are navigating stress, family dynamics, or big life transitions along the way. I want my clients to know that I’m not just there to do a job, I’m there to walk through the process with them. Being a steady presence, a supporter, and sometimes even a friend throughout that journey is something that means a lot to me.

At the end of the day, what I’m most proud of is creating weddings that feel both beautiful and meaningful while giving couples the peace of mind to actually enjoy the day they’ve been dreaming about.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my most meaningful childhood memories actually came during a difficult season for my family when my mom was going through breast cancer. While it was an incredibly challenging time, it also brought our family closer together in a way I will never forget. It changed the way I looked at everyday moments and made me realize how much the little things truly matter.

During that time, the simple things became incredibly special, family dinners together, spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, and family game nights where we would all just laugh and enjoy being together. Those were moments I might have taken for granted before, but when my mom was sick, I became much more aware of how lucky we were to still share those experiences.

Looking back, that season taught me a lot about gratitude, perspective, and the importance of being present with the people you love. It helped shape the way I view life and relationships today. I think that’s also one of the reasons I care so deeply about the work I do with Selah Events. Weddings are filled with those same kinds of meaningful moments, families gathered together, celebrating love and creating memories and I never lose sight of how special that really is.

Pricing:

• Full wedding planning $6,000-$8,000
• Partial wedding planning $4,000-$5,000
• Day of coordination $1,500-$2,500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.selahevents.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/han.nahmckain/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Selah-Events/61581040123209/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahmckain/