The Blog

Enjoying the experience
Get through every challenge with a smile by working with Smiling Through Chaos! Planning amazing events while helping you look and feel your best for the big day, Founder, Amanda Hudes, focuses on personalization, relationships, and making sure that you enjoy your special day AND the process leading up to it. Whether you desire Full Planning, Partial, or Month-of Coordination, we are here to discuss the best one to suit your needs and desires. Small or large, we have you covered! Let’s chat!

Verve Event Co. NEW YORK WEDDING PLANNERS     Desirée   I work with busy couples who want their wedding planning experience to feel smooth and effortless. Their wedding symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter for both their families, a collection of moments and experiences that are thoughtfully orchestrated during the months leading up […]

Let’s create a “one of a kind” magical event!
We are known for seeking exceptional professionals throughout the tri-state area and unique venues around the world. We have the very best team in the industry to plan every aspect of your event including Unique Food Presentation, Menu Design, Photography, Video, Decor, Bands, DJs, & so much more!

Planning/Design for those who dare to be different

Laura’s love of entertaining and all things beautiful, elegant, fun and of course tasty, led her to the world of NYC events. Laura knew from a very young age that she wanted to pursue a career in event planning, as it blends together two of her biggest strengths – creativity and logistics.

Energetic and compassionate, Laura provides a highly personalized level of service for all of her clients and thoroughly enjoys making their event come to life.

Laura lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, daughter, and French Bulldog. When she isn’t working, you can find her traveling, trying out the newest fitness class or enjoying a good glass of wine with friends, life is all about balance!

Most events are planned; ours are experienced!
Dhalia Events is the tri-state area’s first fully customizable event management, decor & design company. Headed in Westchester NY, our team of planners and designers focus on the uniqueness of our clients by encouraging them to be their most authentic and “raw” selves. Our magic is borne out of an insistence on bespoke, highly personalized and tailored experiences. Our clients already know who they are and what they like… we help bring it to life. Our team was initially founded by 2 friends who have collectively spent over 17 years in the wedding and event management industry. We strongly believe in the power of the team and manage every single one of our events together; giving our clients around-the-clock service and attention. This is a big day for you, and we make sure we show it too! Our specialties are: Luxury event planning & management Private client design and decor Corporate retreat and event management

Julie Lindenman Events is a full-service wedding and event production company founded on creating unforgettable experiences. Based in NYC but available globally, JLE would love to curate your next special occasion.

Now in her 13th year in events, Julie previously spent 6 years as Senior Event Producer at Colin Cowie Celebrations, a celebrity design and production firm based in New York and Los Angeles. Prior to joining Colin’s team, she worked for Thomas Noel’s Event Design Incorporated and I Do New York planning weddings, elaborate proposals, and corporate events in New York City and beyond.

Julie’s focus is luxury weddings, milestone celebrations, and other special occasions. She produces New York-based and domestic events as well as destination events ranging from Shanghai to St. Barth’s. She has worked on events for Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Dom Pérignon as well as several charitable organizations, corporations, and private clients. Her events have been featured in Vogue, Brides, Us Weekly, The Knot, Wedding Sparrow, Carats and Cake, Essence, The Modest Bride, and more.

For Julie, no challenge is too big and no destination is too far. She brings a positive energy to each stage of the planning process and is committed to delivering not just events, but experiences.

In her spare time, Julie can be found running or cycling through Central Park or getting another stamp on her passport as she finds event inspiration from around the globe.

SORAYA is a boutique event planning firm based in New York City. We have produced weddings, intimate gatherings, and non-profit galas throughout the world and love a reason to travel.

Our weddings are often multicultural and interfaith, occasionally multilingual and always original. SORAYA strongly supports marriage equality.

Voted an Editor’s Pick for The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” for the last three years, SORAYA has also been recognized as one of the city’s top planners by New York magazine.

“Love is shown by small details”

Known for his elegant and practical style, James Abel is renowned as an event designer and planner who is able to understand and incorporate your personal taste into your special event.

An expert at creating unforgettable weddings and events, James has orchestrated countless weddings throughout the United States and abroad. He’s hosted celebrity and political fundraisers and he has planned corporate events for well-known brands including the Consumer Electronics Association (CES), Proctor and Gamble, Sheridan & Co, Oceana, Scalamandre, JP Morgan Chase, ABN Amro-Sage, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Whether they are seeking a beautiful wedding or memorable corporate event, James can make any client’s dream a reality. He has the unique ability to work within a client’s specified perimeters, creating events that are as fun to plan as they are to experience. James particularly enjoys the challenge of transforming spaces and has worked in destinations as diverse as the elegant Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a historic barn in the Texas hill country and the sandy beaches of Anguilla.

James was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. He remembers at a young age appreciating the sensory aspects of events — the taste of good food and drink, the visual of a well-decorated venue and the humming sounds of a great party. James holds degrees in fine art, art history and in business. His southern roots are what set James apart from other event planners. Not only is planning an event with James enjoyable, but he’s a hospitable and gracious host, known for maintaining his cool even in the most stressful of situations.

James’ designs have been featured in the blog Style Me Pretty, as well as the magazines Elegant Bride, The Knot, New York Magazine and Town and Country.

Elizabeth Priya Kumar jet sets between The City That Never Sleeps and The City of Angels, transforming weddings into magical luxury experiences. For over a decade, Priya has brought the world full-service events that has earned national recognition, including winning “Planner of the Year” in 2019 by the Wedding International Planners Association. Her work has been featured in Harpers Bazaar Bride Magazine, Grace Ormonde Magazine, Town and Country Magazine, BRIDES Magazine, The New York Times, Refinery29, Party Slate, South Asian Bride Magazine, TLC’s Four Weddings, Strictly Weddings, and The Knot.

In 2019, her company “Premini” went bi-coastal, with teams in NYC and LA. She was named President of the National Association of Catering and Event Professionals in 2014, a position she held for three years. Priya currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Wedding Industry Professionals Association for the NYC Chapter, in addition to several charitable committees.

Priya began her career in corporate events for Fortune 500 companies. With a nudge from her brother (Prem) and sister (Padmini), she went on to create Premini Events in 2010, naming the company in their honor. Premini translates to a little love, her secret tool.

Priya brings a love of flamenco guitar and old world poetry, fusing hip hop and Indian beats, to invoke a style that is urban, luxury, and ultra global.

In her spare time, Priya enjoys spending time with her siblings, parents, and friends. She enjoys fine dining and food trucks, and is an avid lover of music, art and all things comedy.

With several projects in the works under the Premini brand, a little love is constantly on the move.

A Wedding Planner with Decades of Expertise
Weddings by Debra Thompson LLC is a wedding planning business based out of Westchester, NY. Debra Thompson, the owner of this established company, is well-versed in the wedding planning industry. She has provided personalized consulting services for over two decades and is pleased to help couples as they plan their magnificent and romantic events. Debra has been assisting clients since 1993. She has provided consistent and dedicated services since her start in the business. Her planning has extended to groups of up to 1,500 individuals, meaning that she is well able to plan and coordinate around large crowds. From galas to banquets, she is capable of curating exceptional services for all of her clients, no matter the event. No stone is left unturned with Weddings by Debra Thompson LLC. Debra is able to assist with theme development, vendor relations, site location, contracts, menu planning, and more. She has experience working with high-profile individuals and is able to act as a liaison for both facilities and other important individuals. This planner offers both full and partial-planning. No matter what her clients require, they are able to find the ideal package that suits their needs. Debra provides everything from hourly consultations to full-on, robust wedding planning. Couples will be able to select the amount of assistance they require, even if this is simply day-of coordination. Consultations may be set up with a simple call or email. Potential clients are encouraged to reach out should they desire full and detailed descriptions of the available packages.