Planners & Designers Extraordinaire From Americas & Canada

Incredible wedding magicians from the Western Part of The World!

 

Alison Hotchkiss, USA

     

 

My Story: For me, producing weddings and events is about creating unforgettable experiences. In order to do that and stay inspired, I’m constantly seeking adventure in my personal life – exploring new destinations and fueling my own passion for the outdoors and design. Since launching in 2003, my team and I have cultivated an exceptional global network of vendors and event partners. I’ve written two books on destination wedding planning and produced over 400 events in nine countries and 27 cities around the world.

When I’m not working, I’m surfing in Mexico, chasing powder in Aspen, hiking, swimming or having a dance party in the living room with my 3-year-old daughter. As a single mom, I maintain the boundaries that allow me a healthy work-life balance. I do that because I believe life is an experience, and I’m all about living it.

Signature Style: Intimate with a touch of elegance.

 

Adrian Pavia, Argentina

 

 

My Story: I always wanted to be a plane pilot but my parents didn’t allow it. I finally studied hotel management and working in hotels I found my passion for weddings.

Signature Style: Passionate, creative, inspiring, adoring, avant-garde, bold, provocative, anti-conformist.

My Dream Destination: Italy.

 

Barbara Diez, Argentina

 

 

My Story: During the organization of our wedding (20 years ago), I realized how complex wedding planning is. I was working full time at that moment and was already a mother of Manuela and with little time for wedding planning. I wish I had the help of a professional. I organized a tea-time wedding in an Argentine estancia since it was less expensive than a traditional one. Sunset, live music and deer wandering around was the perfect setting for our family and friends. Two weeks later I received a call from someone who had heard about our wedding. I did my research about this profession and found that in Europe and the USA professional planners had been working for years. I decided to start this journey as a planner while several voices said there was no place for a professional organizer in Argentina. I remembered the end of my dream to become a simultaneous interpreter and said to myself: this time I will go for it!

Signature Style: Doing far more than expected, giving ourselves entirely.

My Dream Destination: India.

 

Beth Helmstetter, USA

 

 

My Story: I started in the nonprofit world planning fundraising events. I was being paid $27,000 a year. Because of this, I had to take a second job. One of my donors owned an estate that planned weddings and she offered me a part-time job as a day of wedding coordinator. I fell in love with weddings on my first day. It incorporated so many things I was passionate about – from florals and hospitality to design, photography and of course, love. Once I knew I wanted to be a wedding planner, I pursued jobs throughout the United States. I ended up being the wedding planner at a luxury resort on the island of Maui in Hawaii and it was there that my love and skill for destination weddings developed.

Signature Style: It is all about personalization, curation and creating something that is beyond the cookie-cutter event. Because each couple is unique, each event has to be too. We work closely with the couple and the family to create a wedding that mirrors who they are. In the process, there is a close bonding with families – weddings are an emotional time for the couple and their parents, and we ensure that we go the extra mile to hold their hand when they need it.

My Dream Destination: Paris, Budapest, Tuscany, and always anywhere in the Far East.

 

Bob Conti,  USA

 

 

My Story:  My background was as an executive in visual merchandising for a major US Retailer. My wife went to school with Ed Libby and we met socially, I began to help him on weekends. I came on full time and we partnered up several years after that.

Signature Style: A Style that evokes emotion and leaves an indelible memory. We create immersive experiences.

My Dream Destination: Africa.

 

Bryan Rafanelli, USA

 

 

My Story: I began learning about the world of fundraising and galas as an event volunteer on the Aids Action Committee in the 80s. While there, I assisted with event set up, break down, solicited items for silent auctions, designed signs and invitations, and discovered I had a real knack for it. Soon, I was executing events big and small and discovered I had a knack for it. Before long I was a part of intimate gatherings and had found a way to combine my talents, my training, and my desire to make a difference. I became chair of the events committee, orchestrating six or eight events a year, including danceathons, walkathons, and black-tie galas. By 1996, I knew this was a career path for me. That’s when I started my own company—with the AIDS Action Committee as my first client.

Signature Style: My new book, A Great Party, concludes with my 7 “Rafanelli Rules” to hosting a great celebration. One of my favorite rules is, “shoulders and above”. It is a mantra I use often in the preliminary stages of design. When you look across a cocktail party filled with guests, what do you see? The things above shoulder level. This view will be guests’ first and last impressions of a party.

My Dream Destination: The AMAN in Venice is one of my favorite hotels in the world and I have always imagined myself designing and producing a wedding there. A former Palazzo that was built in the 16th century, it perfectly combines the renowned Aman service with the romance and history of Venice. The frescos in the guest rooms are simply stunning, and the canal views are tailor-made as an intimate wedding backdrop.

 

Colin Cowie, USA

 

 

My Story: I was living in South Africa at the height of Apartheid and did not believe in the future of the country at that time. I set my sight on the US and emigrated to Los Angeles. I started a small catering company after 6 weeks and with a unique sense of style within a short period of time I was working with all the A list celebrities and went from caterer to party planner. I was commissioned to design the world’s most famous bachelor, Hugh Hefner’s wedding at the Playboy Mansion. It was beyond spectacular and I was renamed Mr. Wedding. Then came licensing opportunities, product development, a book and my own TV show. It’s moments like these that remind me that perseverance is key. Every ‘no’ gets you one step closer to a ‘yes.’ I always say it’s so important to surround yourself with people who are experienced, knowledgeable and ready to put in the work. Having a dependable support system – both inside and outside of the office – is essential in being able to sustain a successful business.

Signature Style: I always start with the client’s unique DNA, meaning no two of my parties ever look the same. I use my five-senses approach to guarantee that everything guests smell, touch, taste, see and hear is flawlessly orchestrated and catered to the seasons, time of day and overall experience of the event. There’s a certain art in giving guests just the right amount of time to eat before livening up the dancefloor with a carefully curated music selection. My favorite part of any event is when the candles have burned halfway down, the wine’s taken its effect and everyone’s got a smile wrapped two-and-a-half times around their face. That’s truly why we do what we do.

My Dream Destination: My dream destination is Cape Town, South Africa. I love planning weddings in my home country and I got married at Boschendal this past February. South Africa will always be incredibly special to me and I’ll never forget my roots. I always love a reason to return!

 

David Tutera, USA

 

 

David Tutera is an entertaining expert, event designer, motivational speaker, TV personality, fashion designer, lifestyle brand and author. He is hailed as an artistic visionary whose ability, uniquely creative talents and passion for designing have made him a tremendous success in the event and lifestyle arena. David’s specialty is creating one-of-a-kind celebrations that truly represent the honoree(s). It is through the details in every aspect of an event that an event can be the perfect medium to tell the perfect celebration story. He has published books- That costs how much? & The Big White Book of Weddings.

 

David Stark, USA

 

 

David Stark Design and Production is a full-service event design and planning firm celebrated for the innovative, imaginative events it creates for some of the world’s most prestigious brands and personalities. Led by renowned event producer David Stark, the firm’s team of talented designers, managers, and artists produce a wide range of events worldwide for high-wattage celebrity clients, as well as high-visibility fund-raising galas for the nation’s most elite not-for-profit organizations. He is the author of -David Stark: The Art of the Party by David Stark & David Stark Design. His clients include fashion- and art-world heavy hitters like Louis Vuitton and the Metropolitan Opera.

 

David Beahm, USA

 

 

The experience of a David Beahm event is facilitated through an enormous and fine-tuned collaboration. An expert at transforming venues here in the United States, David also designs events for clients around the world. His destinations collection features some of the most luxurious and exclusive properties in the world, setting the stage for any event a client can imagine. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, as well as a host of celebrity and Fortune 500 corporate events, are some of his notable clients.

Signature style: He says that his design philosophy over the past 20 years has been to simply listen to the client. Known for his inventive work and trademark lavish flower creations, he has designed countless weddings for society, high profile and discerning clients, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, as well as a host of celebrity and Fortune 500 corporate events.

 

Eddie Zaratsian, USA

 

 

My Story: At a young age, I knew I wanted to go into design, and it wasn’t until I was in college studying to become a chemist that I decided to pursue my dream of a career in design. I started working in the floral industry, and now I have transitioned into event and interior design. It was the best decision I could have made because I got to work in an industry that allows me to use my creativity to make other people’s dreams come true.

Signature Style: I have no boundaries when it comes to design. I do not like to play it safe and just stick to one style. I love thinking outside the box and designing events for my clients that are different, fun, elegant, dramatic, and timeless.

My Dream Destination: Cape Town, South Africa.

Guadalupe Alvarez, Mexico

 

 

My Story: I started planning weddings in San Miguel because I wanted couples to come to my beautiful hometown. After a long time dedicated to designing housewares and owning factories and traveling all over to show my designs, I wanted to be able to see the emotions of the couples and guests when they enter the ceremony and enjoy that moment.

Signature Style: What makes us unique is that we really pay attention to what the couple whats, making sure we reflect their personality during the wedding. I like to enhance the beauty of our colonial town San Miguel de Allende.

My Dream Destination: Istanbul.

 

Jo Ann Gregoli, USA

 

Jung Lee, USA

 

 

Since starting her company Fête Events in 2002, Jung Lee made her way to become one of New York’s premier wedding planners, producing 15 to 20 lavish events each year for distinguished elite clients. Lee has also starred on her own television show Wedded to Perfection and authored Fete: The Wedding Experience, a book that shares her modern approach with readers while taking them through a series of her awe-inspiring events mirror her South Korean opulence, teamed with NYC elegance. She has published Fête: The Wedding Experience by Jung Lee, Kathleen Boyes.

 

Jennifer Zabinski, USA

 

 

Jennifer Zabinski, the founder of New York-based luxury wedding planning service JZ Events, has planned numerous high-profile celebrations over a decade and is dedicated to creating a visually stunning experience for all her clients. She is a highly acclaimed planner behind sports star Serena Williams’ lavish, fairy-tale wedding as well as the recent $200,000 royal baby shower for the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

 

Jennifer Bassett, Canada

 

 

My Story: I started my events company in 2000 and had no idea what I was getting into! I did both private and corporate events and eventually made my way into the charity gala space. Over the years friends would ask me to plan their weddings and I would always be obliged with great joy. This slowly put us on the map for wedding planning, so I decided to officially add ‘Wedding Planning’ to our list of services. I’m proud to say we still only produce weddings for close friends and family.

Signature Style: Elegant, sophisticated, and classic.

My Dream Destination: I would love to produce a wedding in the middle of the ocean or lake on a barge!

 

Kevin Lee, USA

 

 

Lindsay Landman, USA

 

 

My Story –  In 2001, I was ever hired to plan a 90th birthday party. Turns out that one of the ‘young’ guests had just gotten engaged the night before the event, so at the end of the luncheon, she approached me and asked me to plan her wedding. The photographer from that very first wedding then referred me to the next wedding – my first luxury affair with a number of celebrity guests… and then I was on a roll!

Signature Style – I define my style as “approachable luxury.” Everything is considered, but not designed to overwhelm the intimacy of the guest experience. The most luxurious elements are the small and personal touches that you can’t always see in a room shot, but that linger with the guests who enjoyed them.

My Dream Destination – Too many to choose just one… Lake Como, Portugal and Morocco top the list!

 

Lisa Vorce, USA

 

 

My Story: I began designing and producing parties for my husband’s uncle who was a well-known talent agent in Hollywood. My first party was for George Clooney’s mother. Guests asked for my card that evening (which ended up being my cell phone scribbled on a cocktail napkin.) Referrals came from that event. And in 2001, I started my business and dove headfirst into the event industry.

Signature Style: Iconic, multi-day, destination celebrations – from St. Barths to Barcelona and beyond. Whether it’s an authentic rendition of the Pizzica dance for a festive welcome party in Puglia or the intricate workings of a talented textile maker in Japan, I embrace the cultural bounty that each destination has to offer. Those touches create the intangible soul of the event and offer my clients and their guests a deeply personal connection to the destination – and a lasting memory of the celebration long after their return home.

My Dream Destination: The places I’ve been and the places I’d like to go to: Morocco, Iceland, Peru, Sweden.

 

Mindy Weiss, USA

 

Marcy Blum, USA

       

 

My Story: I spend many years as a chef and food consultant in NYC, and eventually shifted into running dining rooms in the catering business. All of these paths lead me finally into events, where my passion has remained true. Because of my accumulated background, the pride that my team and I take in the work we produce with every intentional detail is immeasurable.

Signature Style: Elegant but surprising.

My Dream Destination: The Amalfi Coast.

 

Matthew Robbins, USA

 

 

My Story: My background is in art and design. I made my way into the event business through design and over the years my company evolved into a full-service planning and design business. I also spent over 15 years working in the editorial world as a contributing editor to Martha Stewart Weddings and many other publications.

Signature Style: My work is about effortless, timeless style. My team strives to create unique, memorable events for our clients that feel authentic to their own stories. Our philosophy is that design and planning must walk hand in hand during the event planning process. These two things need to complement each other rather than develop as separate entities and come together later in the process. We have a strong design background and we actually create the designs and define the aesthetic for our events.

My Dream Destination: I don’t really have a dream destination as we enjoy working in so many wonderful places. I’m always looking for a new place to be inspired by.

 

 Mauricio Rivera Kirschner , Mexico

 

 

My Story: House of Kirschner is an atelier that creates ephemeral experiences for events. We stand apart from the competition as professional architects. This gives us the ability to design and produce unique constructions and design-ware, beyond mere marquees or flowers, that will celebrate the greatness of your happiness.

Signature Style: Original and unforgettable is what I try to achieve. With a touch of luxury, I combine my capabilities as a professional architect and interior designer to give my clients an unforgettable event.

My Dream Destination: The sky is not the limit.

 

Natalia Bonavita, Brazil

 

 

My Story: Throughout my life, I had the opportunity to travel the world and come across different cultures which have always fascinated me. This led me to decide on a profession that would keep me in touch with my passion. Even though I never imagined weddings as the main reason for achieving that type of experience, the idea of celebrating such a unique and special moment in life surrounded by a different atmosphere had blown my mind.

Living the experience of planning a wedding abroad and being recognized for the quality of my work including my own satisfaction in doing it, was the key to success. Since then I have been organizing and planning the most extraordinary events for my clients and their families.

Signature Style: My organizational talent, attention to detail, focus on client satisfaction and contagious energy.

My Dream Destination: To organize an event in a castle in France.

 

Nikki Khan, USA

 

 

My Story: I planned my first party twenty years ago upon the urging of friends while I was still working as a clinical dietitian. The penchant and passion to plan parties were always there and this event was proof that this is what I was cut out to do and hence Exquisite Events was established in the year 2000. Needless to say, I have never looked back and to this day, planning and designing each event brings me tremendous joy and happiness.

Signature Style: Our forte at Exquisite Events is to provide the ultimate experience to our discerning clients who are seeking unique celebrations. Since a lot of our couples are interracial, we make sure to incorporate their individual culture, cuisine, traditions and nuances to make the experience an authentic one. The main focus of our company is to provide planning, design and management service and create a bespoke experience that is unparalleled and memorable and most of all it exceeds our clients’ expectations. We always remind ourselves that ” we are as good as our last event.”

My Dream Destination: Lucerne, Switzerland. I have a special connection with this city due to the fact I attended Swiss Finishing School there.

 

Preston Bailey, USA

 

 

My Story:  There truly is no story to tell. The truth is, that I was broke and needed a job. That is how I started this business. A close friend of mine the Interior Designer Vicente Wolf, in a moment of brilliance, suggested that I supply weekly flowers to the apartment of one of his clients. And as they say, the rest is history. For the first 10 years, I did not make a dime. As I look back, these were the years of learning and mistakes. Yet guided by the divine, I had the luck of photographing most of the work I did back then, and by chance, a book agent suggested that I do a book, that first book “Design for Entertainment” became an instant bestseller and put me on the map.

Signature Style: I believe I am a bit guilty of starting the “over the top” Floral look that is very popular at the moment. I think the one thing that is unique to our work, is that we try very diligently to create work that has never been seen before. I do think this is the secret to the luxury market. Especially today that most of our work is beginning to look the same.

My Dream Destination: The Maldives Islands.

 

Roberto Cohen, Brazil

 

 

My Story: Dentist by profession and wedding planner by passion!  In 1985, upon receiving the request of a great friend to advise her in the realization of her marriage, just for the purpose of helping, he did not know that he was starting a career that today exceeds the mark of 3000 parties. My clients range from entrepreneurs and industrialists to celebrities of politics, cinema, singers, actors and television personalities.

Signature Style: Discretion. A perfect wedding has to happen as if nobody is on the command. It has to be so well planned that all vendors and professionals involved, feel committed to performing their best!

My Dream Destination: I love Italy! Tuscany! The mood, the atmosphere, the gastronomy, the views… Everything is so romantic and perfect for celebrations!

 

Simone Tostes, Brazil

 

 

My Story: I started my career over 20 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and even with all this time, I wake up every day with the same excitement and love for my career. With extensive experience in organizing large parties and corporate events, I started in Brazil, but soon I ventured out into the world, always in search of the best places and premium services for my couples to say “I do.” And the sky was the limit, I already had weddings in Italy, Portugal, Greece, Dubai, Mexico.

Signature Style: Fully personalized events to create the perfect mix between the bride and groom’s and the chosen country’s culture. I plan everything from top to bottom, taking care of all the details: invitation, decoration, wedding dress, the bride and groom’s, guests’, professionals’ and guides’ trip.

My Dream Destination: My dream destination in India. It is culturally very rich, a real experience for everyone, and I think the country that most resembles Brazil in terms of party grandiosity.

 

Sharon Sacks, USA

 

 

My Story: At the start of my career, I worked for the owner of a motion picture studio, planning all of his events and gift buying. My first wedding was for the Studio owner and my mentor and it was not an ordinary wedding. The wedding took place at this estate for 120 guests and a 60- piece orchestra performed during the ceremony followed by 60 violinists for cocktails. As guests were escorted to dinner they were serenaded by a 21 piece band, when the second course was served Peter Allen performed, during the following courses 3 additional celebrities entertained guests. By the end of the evening, 228 entertainers and musicians had performed. My first event also happened to be Wolf Gang Pucks first off-premise catered event. He was in awe that we build an outdoor kitchen larger than his at restaurant Spago.

Signature Style: My signature style is thinking outside the box and creating new trends. I work in true collaboration with my vendor partners, bringing out the best that each can bring to the event.

My Dream Destination: Greece.

 

Sonal Shah, USA

 

 

My Story: I have always wanted to be someone who helps others plan their special occasion. I was in the hospitality industry and then decided to move into weddings then onto my own event planning company. The journey has been hard. Owning your own business is not easy. It is an up before dawn journey. I am still trying to work on my business, myself and trying to find balance in everything I do (18 years later).

Signature Style: We are problem solvers. We love to have challenges and we love to put our fires. That is the bulk of what our every day consists of. Our style is luxurious and gives our clients an experience that is second to none.

My Dream Destination: Turks and Caicos.

 

Teissia Treynet & Alia Wilson, USA

 

 

My Story: We stumbled upon the wedding industry from different directions. Teissia was in the non-profit world and I had recently gotten married. Neither of us had prior experience in events, but absolutely fell in love with this (new to us) profession that let us incorporate our creative side with our love of list-making! Believe it or not, the first Firefly client was from Craigslist and we charged them $1000.

Signature Style: We specialize in incorporating the couples and life and story, through a fine art lens.

My Dream Destination: Cartagena, Colombia.

 

Yifat Oren, USA