How did you get into the wedding planning business?
After I left the fashion industry in New York City, I moved to Woodstock to raise my children. I concentrated on our family and our beautiful community. I loved helping my community.
I helped out with gala events at the Center of Photography and with fundraisers for the Woodstock Day School and Woodstock Elementary. I helped create events where ever I was needed.
One day, a friend asked me if I would ever consider doing weddings. I replied that I would love to. The next thing I knew I was producing a three-day wedding in Woodstock between one of the most sought-after music video directors and the owner of the most important fashion emporium in Paris. It was fantastic!
After that wedding weekend, I was hooked. I started my business.
What is your favorite part of wedding planning?
There are so many things I enjoy about planning and designing a wedding. I really love getting to know my clients. It takes a year of planning together, learning what they like, and what they think is beautiful and important.
My heart is so full of joy because we get to bring their dreams to life and surpass their expectations. At the end of the day my clients’ happiness is all that matters. Knowing we can bring such joy and surprise to our clients, their friends and family is utterly fulfilling.
What is your least favorite part?
It can be challenging dealing with difficult clients. I feel so lucky in the last 13 years I can say we only have had two. We have been so fortune to have had such great clients.
I think people who come to the Hudson Valley to be married share the same values, love of nature, adventure, and a deep desire to share the Hudson Valley and all it has to offer with their friends and family.
What advice would you give to any couple planning their wedding even if they don’t use your services?
Do it your way! Create the day that represents you as a couple. Be authentic, be organized, prepare your budget, and truly understand what vendors will cost before you jump in.
Working with a good wedding planner can really help with all of the above. A good planner will know who to work with and who not to work with. In the long run, we generally save our clients money and alleviate the stress that planning can bring. We know what everything will cost, who the best vendors who will fit your budget are, and how to make the event beautiful and well-run. A wedding has so many moving parts. Having a team to guide you and run the day can be priceless.
What was the funniest moment you ever had in planning a wedding? How do you handle unforeseen happenings?
It was just after Covid, and it was the first wedding after a year of being in lockdown. The bride, groom and family were ready to party.
The night before the wedding we had the rehearsal and a big opening dinner party. The bride had a bit too much to drink and was very hung over on the wedding day.
We got through hair and makeup okay, and it was ceremony time. We lined everyone up, and the procession started.
Just as the bride was about to walk down the aisle, she looked at me and said she was going to be sick!
We flew into action, pulling her hair back and assuring her that everything would be okay. We gave her some water, a mint, a bit of lipstick, and fluffed her dress.
Down the aisle she walked. She was a real trouper.
What was the most unusual request you ever had?Â
I was working with a couple from Los Angeles getting married at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian. The groom asked us to find a bird that could fly the wedding rings to the ceremony.  He wanted to surprise his fiancé.
It took us almost two months to find the right bird, a beautiful but intimidating falcon. The groom had to practice with the falcon before the ceremony. In order to call the falcon, he had to hold up a dead mouse. Once the falcon flew to the groom, the groom would be able to retrieve the rings, and the falcon would get to eat the mouse.
The funniest part to me was that the entire wedding was vegan! The very surprised bride got to watch this falcon devour the mouse.
What advice would you to give a couple for life together?
Be each other’s best friend. Respect and support one another. Try to plan your joy. Walk hand in hand through life.
You will have many ups and downs. Marriage is like a roller coaster, I always say: Just hold on!
I have had the honor of being married to my best friend for 28 years and going strong. I am holding on!
I asked a dear friend who has been married for over 50 years for the secret of a lasting marriage. Her advice: Â Never wear pajamas in bed! That might work. LOL.
Any last words of wisdom?
A wedding should be a joyous time. Yes, it can get stressful. Remind yourself what it is truly about, creating a union with the person with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life. Create the day that will make you happy. Enjoy every minute!
Join the family! 
