Alison Events is a trailblazer in the world of event planning and design, known for crafting deeply personalized and creatively distinct experiences that reflect each client’s unique story. Based in Northern California, her team spans coast to coast—from the West Coast to the East Coast, and across the South and Midwest—bringing both a national perspective and local expertise to every celebration.

More than just a boutique planning firm, Alison Events is a global team with the creative capacity to design and execute unforgettable events—whether it’s a destination wedding, a corporate experience, or a big-bash birthday. We believe in crafting meaningful moments that inspire. What sets us apart? We listen deeply. Every celebration is shaped around our client’s vision, and we pride ourselves on translating those desires into one-of-a-kind environments through a thoughtful mix of lighting, floral design, furnishings, and linens. We collaborate with the best designers, fabricators, and chefs in the industry to bring each experience to life. Our partners are more than collaborators—they’re our friends. As are you.

Our work has earned the trust of discerning clients—from cultural icons to celerities and tech visionaries to professional athletes—including Jesse Bongiovi, Seth Rogen, Sophia Bush, Evan Williams (Twitter), Chad Hurley (YouTube), NBA’s Alex Lopez, and former NFL star Jay Cutler. Recognized globally as one of the top event planners, Alison Events has been featured in leading publications such as Vogue, Over the Moon, Martha Stewart Weddings, Goop, Brides, and more.

With 24 years of experience planning and designing weddings and events, Alison Events has also published three books—the most recent, Gorgeous Gatherings: Designing Unforgettable Weddings and Luxurious Celebrations, was released in October 2024. 

MEET ALISON EVENTS

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

    Me in three words: fun, adventurous, creative.

    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. 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. I’ve written three books — All the Essentials Wedding Planner and Destination Wedding Planner — and my third, which came out in Fall 2024 titled Gorgeous Gatherings. All published 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 10.5-year-old daughter, Vivi.

    Something I know after 24 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, Design Within Reach, and Marla Aaron.

  • “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.

  • “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.

  • "I believe in a well-organized plan, an unexpected adventure, and never letting a good party end too early."

    Me in three words: Organized, Spirited & Adventurous 

    I've always loved a good party. I'm a California native who grew up in a family where the dinner table was practically sacred — every milestone deserved celebrating, laughter was always on the menu, and no one's wine glass was allowed to dip below half-full. My grandmother entertained with effortless charm (and the occasional dignitary), while my mom's catering company gave me an early education in the art of hospitality and what it really means to take care of people.

    Fast forward 20+ years, and I'm still doing what I love: bringing people together. From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, corporate experiences to destination events, I've had the pleasure of producing events across California and beyond. I love the creative process, the intricate logistics, the relationships built along the way, and most importantly, seeing it all come together.

    When I'm not planning someone else's celebration, you'll likely find me on the tennis court with friends, golfing with my husband, shuttling our two boys between activities, or plotting our next family adventure.

    A few things that always spark joy: beautiful ceramics, Belmond Resorts, handwritten letters, fresh flowers and cookies. 

    If there's one thing I've learned? The best events are built on relationships — with our clients, our creative partners, and the team behind it all. Great hospitality starts long before the first guest arrives.

  • “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 36 countries on five continents and have made a home in 13 cities.

    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 the senior event producer and travel designer, 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.

  • “Intentionality is everything.”

    Me in three words: thoughtful, resourceful, loyal.

    I have spent years immersed in interiors, development, and hospitality. All were experiences that taught me not only how to create beauty, but how to engineer it thoughtfully behind the scenes. Today, that balance of creativity and logistics is still my favorite part of the process.

    I’ve always been someone who notices everything. The lighting temperature in a room. Whether florals feel effortless or overworked. If a timeline has enough breathing room. If guests are standing in too long of a bar line. I care deeply about how an event looks, but to me, the best events are the ones where nothing feels accidental. Every material, every transition, every candle placement, every pause in the evening should feel considered... even if guests can’t quite explain why.

    When I’m not designing, I crave the opposite pace. Quiet evenings at home with my husband, cooking dinner, sitting outside our Charleston home with a glass of wine, or simply doing absolutely nothing together. We both work incredibly hard, and those slower, quieter moments have become the luxury we value most.

    Brands, studios, and creative voices inspiring me lately: Roman and Williams: the interiors, the shop, the world they’ve built around storytelling and materiality. Loewe for its fearless use of color, craftsmanship, and playfulness. Mount Street Printers for timeless paper goods and restraint. And Tiffany Leigh Design for spaces that feel layered, livable, and quietly luxurious.

  • The three words that best describe me: Thoughtful, passionate, and organized. I like to cover the gambit! 

    As a Bay Area native with an insatiable love for travel, I’ve always been drawn to discovering new places and immersing myself in different cultures. Growing up, my summers were spent soaking up the magic of Maui, while winters meant hitting the slopes in Utah—experiences that sparked my passion for adventure and luxury travel.

    To me, travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about immersing in different cultures, deepening connections, and gaining fresh perspectives on the world and yourself. I take pride in creating bespoke experiences tailored to each client’s unique style, making every journey seamless, personalized, and unforgettable. Whether it’s an exclusive island escape, a world class ski adventure, or an immersive cultural experience, my goal is to bring dream trips to life in the most memorable way possible 

    When I’m not traveling you’ll most likely find me involved in philanthropy, whether it’s co-chairing galas, volunteering at my son’s school, or supporting causes close to my heart. I also love walks and hikes with friends (hard not to when Mt. Tam is my backyard), unwinding with a needlepoint project, and, most of all, cherishing time with my family. 

    Talk about a full-circle moment—over 20 years ago, I got my start as Alison’s assistant, and last year, AE made my own wedding dreams come true, from a dreamy elopement in Costa Rica to an epic celebration in San Francisco. Through it all, I realized my love for planning luxury travel and unforgettable intimate events never left me. I am psyched to be joining the AE team, turning dreams into incredible experiences for others!

    Designers and artists that I am loving right now are Nicole Hollis, Schiaparelli, Khaite, Billie Zangewa, and Aman Resorts.