Category: Planners
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Kiran + Leigh: On Taste, Trust & Never Doing the Same Wedding Twice
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Natalie Kiran Laskowski and Chelsea Leigh Wenner — the co-founders of Kiran + Leigh, a Texas-based destination wedding studio that has spent five years building one of the most quietly compelling brands in the luxury events world. The conversation covers how they left an established firm…
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Samkoma: How to Build a Brand People Feel, Follow, and Never Forget
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Josiah Carr and Justin McGregor, the team behind Samkoma, a creative collective making waves in the luxury wedding and experience design space. With deep roots in nightlife, music, and fashion, Samkoma brings a layered, high-art approach to events—one that centers emotional memory over aesthetics alone. They…
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Kimberley Curtin: The Quiet Power of Trust, Timing, and Unshakable Calm
In this epidsode In the high-stakes world of luxury event planning, there’s often one person quietly orchestrating everything behind the scenes—calm, competent, and in complete control. In this episode, we sit down with Kimberley Curtin, Senior Planner at JZ Events and the right hand to legendary planner Jennifer Zabinski, for a rare and inspiring look…
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Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Amrit Dhillon-Bains, founder of Anaïs Event Design, for an intimate look at identity, cultural nuance, and the path to becoming a more grounded, powerful creative. Amrit shares her journey as a British-born Indian woman navigating both the luxury event world and deeply personal questions around belonging,…
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Emily Coyne: The Power of Clear Standards, Quiet Confidence, and Luxury that Feels Personal
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Emily Coyne—creative director, founder, and force behind Emily Coyne Events—for a masterclass in elegance, leadership, and intentionality. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Known for her elevated simplicity and seamless execution, Emily shares how her team creates weddings that feel effortless, emotionally resonant, and deeply…
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Julian Leaver: Why Good Taste Isn’t Enough—It’s How You Make People Feel
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Julian Leaver, a Dallas-based luxury wedding planner and former hotelier, to explore what truly sets high-end experiences apart—and why design alone isn’t enough. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Julian shares how his early career in hospitality shaped his signature approach: one that blends sharp…
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Beth Helmstetter: Designing With Heart—Luxury Hospitality as a Love Language
In this beautifully grounded conversation James and Otto sit down with Beth Helmstetter, founder of Beth Helmstetter Events, for a masterclass in emotionally intelligent event design. Beth doesn’t just create luxurious weddings—she creates spaces that feel like home. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify She unpacks the philosophy behind her highly sought-after brand: a…
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Dawson Mitchell — From Fired to Thriving – What It Takes to Become Undeniable
In this episode in our second installment in a special series on incredible number twos—James and Otto sit down with Dawson Haynes, Director of Operations at the world-renowned Easton Events, to unpack what it really takes to thrive inside a brand known for precision, polish, and excellence. What does it look like to grow inside…
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Bash Please – Reinventing Weddings & Corporate Events—What Planners Need to Know
In this episode hosts James and Otto sit down with Sunna and Mollie, the powerhouse duo behind Bash Please, a full-service luxury event planning, design, and production firm with studios in San Francisco and Beverly Hills. With over a decade in the industry, they have redefined what it means to create multi-day destination weddings and…
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Katherine Gray – Michelle Rago Destinations
In this episode hosts James and Otto are joined by Katherine Gray, Senior Event Producer at Michelle Rago Destinations, a globally renowned luxury wedding planning firm. To begin, explains her title as senior event producer, emphasizing the full-time, collaborative nature of her role compared to freelance event producers. Katherine aligns her professional identity with a…
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Bianca Hall & Erica Vanco – Estera Events
In this episode hosts James and Otto are joined by Bianca Hall and Erica Vanco, the powerhouse duo behind Estera Events, a luxury wedding planning and design firm based in Chicago. To begin, they recount their journey to becoming co-owners of Astera Events. In 2010, Erika interned for the original owner, Hillary, while in college.…
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Kelsey Connely – Downey Street Events
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Kelsey Connely, the owner and creative director of Downey Street Events, which is a luxury wedding planning firm. Downey Street Events was started by Lauren Geissler and Emily de Ayora, who met and became best friends in law school. They started the company in 2008 and…
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Melissa Sullivan – Studio Sully
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Melissa Sullivan, the owner and founder of Studio Sully, a design and production firm focused on events that is located in Los Angeles and New York. Melissa had years of professional experience in the wedding and event industry with top designers, and after the tail end…
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Colin Cowie
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Colin Cowie, a renowned figure in the event industry and Founder of Colin Cowie Lifestyle. Colin reflects on how the pandemic led to a surge in demand for events. Many people were unable to celebrate or get married during the pandemic, resulting in an unusually hectic…
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42 North
In this episode hosts James and Otto are joined by Britt and Francie from 42 North, a weddings and event planning business. While much of their clientele is in New England, they also plan destination weddings for clients in New York, Chicago, and LA. Britt and Francie share what a wedding planner does, comparing wedding…
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Alison Bryan Destinations
In this episode Hosts James and Otto are joined by Alison and Bryan from Alison and Bryan Destinations. The couple has an impressive portfolio, which includes work around the globe, including Morrocco, Spain, and Greece, Italy and Mexico, just to name a few. Many people use “experience” as a buzzword, but with Alison and Bryan,…
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Manda Worthington
In this episode CEO of Mae&Co Creative and Mae&Co Monthly, Manda Worthington shares the secret to her success, what she wants to accomplish and what it takes to be an exceptional planner. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Unique experiences, powerful emotions, beauty, family, love and legacy…these are some of the words planners use…