The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast
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 at what it means to lead from the second chair.
Kimberley shares how she earned her seat at the table with precision, presence, and trust—and what it takes to support some of the most high-profile events in the world. She opens up about how she builds loyalty with vendors, why the most powerful leadership is often the quietest, and how she navigates pressure with grace.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive at the highest level of this industry without always being in the spotlight, Kimberley’s story is proof that true power doesn’t have to be loud—it just has to be steady.
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About Kimberley Curtin
As the Senior Event Planner at JZ Events, Kimberley Curtin is the trusted second-in-command to one of the most recognized names in luxury planning—Jennifer Zabinski. With a career defined by meticulous execution, unshakable presence, and deep vendor relationships, Kimberley has helped orchestrate some of the most iconic weddings and events around the world. Known for her grace under pressure and natural ability to lead behind the scenes, Kimberley embodies the quiet power that holds luxury events together.
Explore more at JZ Events
Key Takeaways
1. Being Number Two Doesn’t Mean Playing Small
Kimberley shares how being a strong second is about trust, presence, and knowing when to lead without needing the spotlight.
Kimberley’s Take:
“You don’t need to be the loudest voice to be the most trusted. What matters is that you show up, stay calm, and deliver.”
2. Precision Is Everything
In luxury events, it’s not just about ideas—it’s about execution. Kimberley breaks down how tiny details make all the difference.
Kimberley’s Take:
“There’s no such thing as a small task. Every piece is connected—and precision builds trust.”
3. Vendor Relationships Are the Backbone of High-End Events
Kimberley dives into how she builds loyalty, communicates under pressure, and why kindness always wins.
Kimberley’s Take:
“If you treat your vendors like partners, they’ll walk through fire for you. That’s how we keep raising the bar.”
4. The Most Powerful Leadership Is Often Silent
She explains how staying calm in chaos is her secret weapon—and how that presence is contagious.
Kimberley’s Take:
“Leadership doesn’t mean noise. It means being the person everyone knows they can count on—especially when it matters most.”
5. The Real Measure of Success Isn’t Perfection—It’s Trust
She reflects on why trust—not perfection—is what sustains great teams and unforgettable events.
Kimberley’s Take:
“Clients and vendors will forgive a lot—if they trust you. That’s what I work to earn every day.”
Episode Timestamps
04:15 – How Kimberley found her way into the luxury events world
09:40 – What it means to lead from the second chair
15:05 – Building trust with clients and vendors through consistency
21:50 – The magic of calm presence during high-pressure moments
27:35 – Why vendor relationships are the foundation of execution
34:20 – Navigating behind-the-scenes conflict with discretion
40:00 – Advice for anyone supporting a founder or lead planner
47:10 – What success really looks like at this level
Resources and Links
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