Do it yourself! Why? Why would anyone want to plan their whole entire wedding by themselves? That has always been my thought, as I watch brides try to piece their wedding single handedly, or worse, get family members with no planning experience involved. To me it is a recipe for disaster. I don’t care if you’re Martha Stewart herself—she still has a team. So should you!
So we are going to start a series of interviews with some of the industry’s most sought after wedding planners. We are going to start with one of Hollywoods’ in-demand professional planner Mikie Russo.
Mikie’s celebrity clients, including Kevin Jonas, Joey Fatone, Kathy Griffin, Shaquille O’Neal and more. His full-service event planning company orchestrates dazzling special events and projects—from sophisticated weddings and elegant corporate affairs to custom home decorating.
Getting the Inside Scoop
When planning the wedding of Alfonso & Angela Ribiero, what was the most special/unique thing about that wedding?
Alfonso loves to golf and he wanted to get married on the 18th hole of his favorite golf course. His bride Angela was on the same page; however, the backdrop wasn’t as pretty as I liked, so I found another location on the golf course that was much more fitting for a ceremony.
You mentioned a Greek, Italian, Jewish wedding that was planned by you, can you tell us in 2 or 3 sentences about what made each one special, and similar? What was the basic desire of the brides that made them feel at ease about having a professional planner?
Greek, Italian and Jewish wedding ceremonies are so special because they are enriched with cultural traditions, each being so different yet filled with pride, love and respect.
Having a professional wedding planner takes the stress away and eliminates any uneasiness the couple might feel. That’s the number one reason brides call upon my services!
You mentioned a wedding in Italy, how difficult is it for brides/couples to plan their own wedding? Why should they seriously consider hiring a professional?
It’s very difficult for a couple to plan their own wedding. Most couples haven’t planned a large event EVER! Why take a chance by throwing the biggest event of their lives? Couples should seriously think about hiring a wedding planner because that’s their job! As an event planner, I know all the ins and outs of what it takes to create an epic event and I save my clients money along the way.
Why is it especially important to have a planner when planning a destination wedding?
Logistics!!!! There are so many moving parts to a destination wedding, it becomes very overwhelming for a bride/couple to handle.
5 tips explaining
• Arranging transportation
• Welcome celebration
• Setting up daily activities and excursions
• Making sure everyone is at ease and knows daily activities
• Making sure all events run smoothly and everyone is having a relaxing/enjoyable time
So there you have… let Mikie Saves the Date.
If you missed the first season of FYI, catchup with it on Youtube.
With a unique sense of style and a flair for orchestrating unforgettable occasions, event planning extraordinaire, Mikie Russo creates uniquely personalized and visually arresting weddings and special events for his clients.
Mikie has been planning events that are nothing short of spectacular for over ten years. With a do-it-yourself attitude and a passion for all things DIY, this Long Island native broke into the industry because of his passion for flowers. At a young age, he spent his days crafting floral arrangements that impressed his family and friends, which led to his first job with a florist where he worked with brides, and ultimately to his own event planning company, Michael Russo Events.
Mikie’s celebrity clients, including Kevin Jonas, Joey Fatone, Kathy Griffin, Shaquille O’Neal and more. His full-service event planning company orchestrates dazzling special events and projects—from sophisticated weddings and elegant corporate affairs to custom home decorating.
Mikie has the proven talent to execute the most magical day for each and every client, no matter the budget.
For more information, visit his website at: www.MichaelRussoEvents.com
