Who we are

Ivory & Hound was created because we saw a gap that no one was really talking about.

As co-founders, we both bring personal experience with our own dogs who feel nervous or overwhelmed in busy, emotional environments. We understand firsthand that inclusion only works when a dog feels safe, supported, and truly considered; not managed as an afterthought.

for many couples and families, dog’s are a member of the family. it feels incomplete to celebrate life’s biggest moments without them. But asking a friend or family member to manage a dog on an important day often means that person misses out, and the dog doesn’t always get the support they need.

We started Ivory & Hound to bridge that gap thoughtfully and professionally. Our goal is simple: to care for your dog with the same intention, planning, and respect that you’ve put into your day — so everyone involved can be fully present.

Two women sitting on the floor with laptops, one looking at her phone, in an office setting.

Meet the Team

Chelsea Gadallah

Chelsea is the Co-Founder and Executive Planner at Ivory & Hound, where she combines her lifelong love of dogs with her passion for organization, logistics, and seamless event planning. As the first point of contact for couples, Chelsea guides clients through every step of the process—ensuring their dog’s role in the wedding day is thoughtfully planned, stress-free, and perfectly executed.

With over 12 years of experience working in a fast-paced car dealership environment, Chelsea brings exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and relationship-building expertise to her role. Her background includes managing complex logistics, coordinating with multiple partners, maintaining up-to-date inventories, and providing high-level client service—all skills that translate seamlessly into wedding planning and concierge services.

At Ivory & Hound, She works closely with clients to tailor services such as transportation, supervision, and training, ensuring each dog is comfortable, confident, and cared for throughout the entire wedding experience.

Chelsea shares her life with three dogs—Australian Shepherds Shiloh and Boost, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Bo—and actively competes in multiple dog sports. Her deep understanding of canine behavior, enrichment, and training allows her to thoughtfully advocate for each dog’s needs while helping couples include them in one of life’s most meaningful moments.

When she’s not planning weddings, Chelsea enjoys traveling, exploring new destinations, and indulging her love of all things planning—always with her dogs at the center of it all.

A woman crouching next to a tan and white dog with a happy expression, inside a room with white walls and wooden floor.
A woman kneeling down smiles as her dog licks her face in a room with white walls and wooden flooring.

Katie Gawlicki

Katie is the Co Founder of Ivory and Hound and the heart behind its individualized, dog first approach. While she works professionally as a mortgage broker, Ivory and Hound is where her true passion lives, advocating for dogs and ensuring they can safely, comfortably, and joyfully be part of life’s biggest moments.

Katie’s inspiration came from her own wedding journey. She knew she wanted her dog to be part of her wedding day but quickly encountered a common challenge. Traditional wedding environments are not designed with dogs, especially those with specialized needs, in mind. Recognizing a gap in the industry, Katie envisioned a service that prioritizes each dog as an individual while honoring their temperament, training level, and emotional needs throughout the day.

Currently working towards her dog trainer certification, Katie brings hands on experience and a calm, thoughtful presence to every wedding. She specializes in helping dogs feel secure and supported during high stimulus moments such as ceremonies, photo sessions, and receptions. Katie is a force free trainer who uses positive, gentle, and science based methods to create the best possible experience for both dogs and their people.

Outside of Ivory and Hound, Katie shares her life with her Australian Shepherd Poodle cross, Olive, and her Morgan horse, Octane. She competes in dog sports and regularly attends continuing education seminars in both canine and equine training, ensuring her knowledge stays current and her care remains thoughtful and compassionate.

With Katie’s guidance, couples can feel confident knowing their dog is not only included, but truly cared for, on their wedding day.