PRINCIPAL

“Life is an experience, and I’m all about living it.”

Me in three words: fun, adventurous, multi-tasker. My boyfriend added: driven, creative, stylish, and loyal (thank you, Graham).

I started traveling early. With the East Coast as my home base, I had lived in Japan, New Zealand, and Colorado by the time I graduated college. Today, I fly 100k miles a year, exploring destinations, building relationships with the best venues in the world, and bonus — feeding my insatiable passion for adventure and design.

Much happened between college and today. Most notably, I started Alison Events in 2003. Recently, I strolled down memory lane, documenting my journey into the business, along with highlights from the last 21 years. I invite you to hop over and enjoy the read but do come back and finish this bio. I live my life the way I design events — surrounded by beauty, a healthy dose of fun, scrappy resourcefulness, and what looks like perfection (acknowledging perfection doesn’t exist).

I’m not a rule follower, but I’m not a rule breaker, either. When etiquette calls, I answer. I love luxury hotels (who doesn’t?), but I’m not at all stuffy. I’m a hustler, a chaser of awesome. I do whatever it takes to host and enjoy unforgettable experiences — even packing fabric in my suitcase to get the best pillows made locally for an event. I’ve written two books — All the Essentials Wedding Planner and Destination Wedding Planner — and I’m well into my third, out in Fall 2024 with Chronicle Books.

When I’m not working, I’m designing interiors (mostly my own), surfing in Mexico, chasing powder in Aspen, hiking in Marin, and dancing in my living room with my 7-year-old daughter, Vivi. I’m a single mom, which means I work very hard, and I have a lot of fun.

I’m also proud to share that I was recently named one of five planners on the Belmond Hotels Celebrations Advisory Board.

Something I know after 21 years in the business: You can’t control everything, so enjoy the process. If something comes up that’s different than you envisioned, and it will, let it roll (also, we’ll handle it). Everyone’s eyes will be on you — where they should be.

A few of my favorite people and brands are Kelly Wearstler, Ulla Johnson, Architect David Backen, Aman Resorts, and Marla Aaron.

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

“When I commit, I’m ALL in.”

Me in three words: patient, direct, passionate.

Born in Northern California, I went east for College, attending Philadelphia University for a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Environmental Sustainability. After four frigid winters in Philly, I rushed back to envelope myself in California sun (though the Bay Area isn’t exactly tropical).

If you remember when magazines were solely physical, you’ll appreciate how I’d wait by the door for my subscriptions to arrive — anxious to devour the latest trends and incorporate them into my life.

I may not be the most vocal in the group, but I’m taking it all in and making mental notes. I’m fanatical about details and diligent about organization. I ensure everything is ironed before the event — linens, yes, but anything that could cause a wrinkle is spotted and solved ahead of time so the event is smooth as silk.

By the way, my ego does not get invited to any events. My focus is 100% on my clients.

When I’m not working, I’m on walks with my two very active and adored dogs, Ace and Ava, who are Jindos we rescued from Korea. If not hiking, I’m likely reading on the couch beside my husband Sam while he watches sports. I may be silently gearing up to cook a delicious meal, which I love doing — except the book is often too good to put down, so home cooked dinner can easily become takeout. I’m lucky these are my dilemmas.

My must-have ingredient for the perfect event: No one wants to wait at the bar for a beverage. Therefore, impeccable service is a must.

A few of my favorite people and brands are Amber Interiors, Isabel Marant, and Chloe.

PRODUCTION MANAGER & TRAVEL CONCIERGE

“Change doesn’t scare me; it excites me.”

Me in three words: adventurous in every way — travel, new foods, new people — caring and personable. (That’s more than three words, so I guess I don’t always follow the rules).

I lived in London until my early teens. My father was in the hospitality industry, so travel was introduced to me at a very young age. Bitten by the bug, I visited 35 countries on five continents and made a home in 11 cities before landing in San Francisco.

My family lives on the East Coast, as does my beloved horse Trevita (I grew up riding competitively). And, yes, I have an accent — British, not Floridian.

Before joining Alison Events, I fed my passion for fashion and design in roles with leading retailers and high-end luxury brands. Today, as production manager and travel concierge, I touch every detail of an event and enjoy every single step of the process. If details, logistics, and style had a baby (don’t ask me how that’s possible), I’d be the result.

My free time is spent, you guessed it, traveling. If I’m stationary for any length of time — I’m reading fiction on the beach, listening to music (Fred Again is playing currently), keeping up with F1, exploring restaurants, and road-tripping to Tahoe and Napa — it looks like I’m on the move again.

My must-have ingredient for the perfect event: A great band! Nothing creates the environment and mood better than the entertainment.

A few of my favorite people and brands are Jenni Kayne, Zimmerman, Serena & Lily, and Claire Rose Cliteur.

DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY

“There is no magic in magic, it’s all in the details.”

Me in Three(ish) Words: Spirited, Meticulous, Motivated + Adventurous

Born from an artist who celebrated all of life’s little moments, I became obsessed with events at a very young age. I loved creating connections and making memories out of even the most simple moments.

Truth be told, I was President of my senior class in High School SOLELY so I could plan the reunion (and no, I am not joking).

After graduating from the University of Florida, I bound to The Big Apple, diving head first into the wedding industry. Working several years with a luxury wedding planner, creating elevated events for discerning clients, I found my true passion.

As a lover of details, design and fine dining, I continued to broaden my scope to the catering side, where I worked with Creative Edge Parties NYC, a full-service catering and event production firm, for 10+ years. As a senior member of the Creative Edge team, I produced over 150 events a year, from New York City’s most prestigious benefits to luxury weddings to Fortune 500 corporate launches. One particular highlight was Calvin Klein’s 50th Anniversary Party for the opening of the Highline. I learned how to give extraordinary service, because no matter what the space looks like, how we take care of our guests is truly the key to an extraordinary experience.

I am thrilled to now be an East Coast member of the AE team!

When I am not creating beauty and sorting spreadsheets, you can find me chasing the other lights of my life, my two children, Gray and Parker, around town, balancing all things from ballet to baseball. And, at the end of the day, you can find me with an inch of bourbon, sitting next to my husband, researching our next great travel adventure as a family.

My must-have ingredients for the perfect event: good lighting, great music and embedded surprises through the event. Above all, extraordinary service.

TODAY, a few of my favorite brands are Cara Cara, Alice Lane Interiors and Claire V. with a side of Scribe Winery and Donna Hay.