Donna Romani Events is a wedding event company out of Santa Barbara. Romani who is the owner and lead event planner is a high-energy and passionate individual that understands the intimacy of the wedding industry. Her start was in public relations both in Manhattan and Santa Barbara where she was involved in this profession for more than a decade orchestrating corporate receptions, editor luncheons, media tours, trade shows and gala affairs. Transitioning into weddings was a natural segue, because great PR skills are required to be an event planner.

“Working with all of the couples that are starting their lives together and are madly in love inspires me in my own marriage and reminds me what life is all about,” she reveals, adding, “Weddings capture everything that’s best about life.... family, love, pure joy and unbridled excitement. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world—Every couple I work with teaches me something, and it allows me to fall in love with my husband all over again.”

 Hiring a wedding planner is really an important decision, but hiring one that really ‘feels’ the joy of a couple’s big day is crucial. “I cry at every single wedding… I do,” she confessed. “Weddings have always been my passion. I got into it when I was planning my own wedding and I loved every minute of it.”

Romani makes sure to really include the groom when meeting for a wedding consultation. “Both the bride and the groom have been present at almost every meeting and it’s amazing. Whether the groom is just being supportive or is an active participant –he’s always involved and I love that. The wedding is the first part of your life that is a joint effort,” she said, adding, “You are bringing your families together – it’s about both of you and it’s going to be a compromise and a mix of who the two of you are,” she noted lovingly. The groom tends to enjoy picking out the cocktail bar and the music, while the bride often focuses on flowers and linens—it’s a great balance for partners to come together and make joint decisions.

The first thing Romani does when working with a couple is to find out their story—and what makes them unique.  “I will watch the fiance rubbing the bride’s back and I can see the load being lifted off her shoulders. The bride is stressed out and doesn’t know how to make it all happen and is overwhelmed, but after our conversation… she is breathing, laughing, and it’s becoming fun,” she reveals. Romani also points out how important it is to find a wedding coordinator that you can trust—as this is one of the most important days of your life. She will go over every detail with the bride and groom, but makes one thing very clear, “When the Big Day arrives, you have to let go and just trust in your coordinator.”

As far as vendors and budgets—Donna Romani Events works with couple’s budgets and matches them up with appropriate vendors. Her method is to pick three vendors she feels match what the couple is looking for and usually one will fit perfectly.  Her goal is to become the couple’s ally and advocate and she has no agenda other than to see the bride and groom relaxed and happy—anticipating a stress free wedding. “I am a type A-personality... I am organized and I live for the details. I know how difficult it can be for brides to let go and turn it all over to someone else—that is why my favorite moment during a consultation is when I see the bride take a deep breath and exhale, because they know they are in good hands,” Romani notes confidently. She also has a calm and quiet presence. “I try to be like the eye-of-the-storm. Weddings are a chaotic production and a lot of things are happening at once.” One of her clients describes her as a “force of nature,” and even quipped, “I believe you control the weather!”

To top confidence with calmness— she takes weddings very seriously and understands the crucial aspect of timing during a wedding. “It’s all about timing. The coordinator works out the schedule with the client in advance so the bride doesn’t have to wear a watch or wonder where she needs to be—on the day-of it’s my job. She is free to live in the moment.” Donna Romani Events offers packages from day-of coordination to full service coordination, and even handles all of the last minute final touches such as creating and delivering welcome bags for out of town guests, A La Carte events such as bridal shows, engagement parties, morning-after brunches, romantic rendezvous, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, baby showers and more.

Romani is like a magical wedding fairy that waves her wand over couples and helps make their day as memorable and special as possible. If you need any more reasons to work with her—take passion in knowing she really enjoys her job. ”I’m doing what I love,” she said enthusiastically.

By Alisa Jennifer Kay