Serving all of socal
theweddingplannerla@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Alexa!
The Wedding Planner LA Founder | Wedding Planner
The Beginning
Photo credit: @mattcaliphotography
Planning and coordination weren’t my first roles in the wedding industry. I was initially introduced as a DJ in 2012. I was so nervous leading up to the first wedding, but when the day came I was hooked before the “I do’s!” The emotion, the celebration, the beauty; I’d been allowed into a most precious moment of these strangers’ lives and, as everyone danced and made memories around me, I knew I wanted to keep turning special days into extra-special ones.
Occasionally I’d DJ weddings where no professional coordination team had been hired. Armed with only a timeline and microphone I was all too eager to take over certain basic coordinating responsibilities. Even though those experiences barely scratched the surface of all that wedding coordination- let alone wedding planning- entails, they showed me another side to weddings that was usually not so visible from my DJ booth. From this new perspective the millions of details and efforts that take place behind the scenes were center stage, and it made me fall in love with weddings all over again.
Although the idea of professionally coordinating weddings- and eventually planning them- started only a few months after that first venture into the wedding vendor world, the thought stayed on the back burner until I began assisting my sister with planning her wedding in 2017. We were hardly a month into planning her wedding before I knew it was finally time to switch professions. My sister’s wedding came and went, but I’ve never stopped planning!
Why Wedding Planning
Each couple is unique and so is their dream wedding. For me, that means every day is as different as my couples! Planning weddings offers the opportunity to appease my Type-A brain through endless list making, organizing, and trouble shooting while also satisfying my artistic soul by conceptualizing, designing, and eventually curating celebrations that are tailored to match each couple’s individual taste. Wedding planning is a world filled with love, creativity, support, challenge, innovation, friendship and so much more. Wedding planning isn’t just a job, it is a lifestyle!
My style
Planning a wedding has a reputation for being, well, a lot, but I want to prove it can be fun, too! From day one I am in your corner working to make sure that your day comes together in a way that reflects you! I take time to get to know my clients so that I can understand and anticipate wants, needs, and interests and create a safe space for my couples to turn to for support with any and all wedding related thoughts.
After years in the service industry, a few years as a behavioral therapist, and then even more years working weddings I am quick on my feet, a pro problem solver, and a master at keeping calm in even the highest pressure of situations. From my experience as a wedding DJ, I have had the opportunity to work with many other wedding planners and coordinators and gather important insight into what type of leadership inspires vending teams and what does not. A thorough plan goes a long way, but a smile and calm leader sets the tone for the day. My team, though not shy to advocate when necessary, is as kind and compassionate with your vendors as they are with you and your guests, creating an entire force of vendors who are comfortable, confident, and excited to contribute to your special day!
Who am I?
I grew up in Gainesville, Fl before moving to Tallahassee, Fl to attend Florida State University. After my husband (then boyfriend) and I graduated in 2014 we packed up our dogs and headed for Los Angeles. My two senior citizen pups are my official besties/office assistants (they aren’t great with a spreadsheet… but they’re pretty dang cute!). I love to travel and do so as often as I can. I let my stomach do the picking on travel destinations and it has led me to some pretty awesome places! In my spare time I am a karaoke fanatic, a sushi connoisseur, and a wine enthusiast. I love crafting and creating which is just one more reason I love wedding planning! When I can combine crafting, drinking wine, eating sushi, and singing along to my favorite tunes with my dogs by my feet I am truly in my happy place!
Cheers,
Alexa Farese | Wedding Planner
The Wedding Planner LA
theweddingplannerla@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Dominique
Director of West coast Operations | Lead Day of Coordinator
Photo credit: @mattcaliphotography
Why Wedding Coordination & Planning
Working closely with my couples leading up their big day is just as special to me as the actual wedding day. I look forward to spending time getting to know you and learning what “perfect wedding” means to you. Wedding planning and coordination also offers me the opportunity to put my past experience with the arts to great use! There are so many design details- big, small, and everything in between- that go into making your wedding a work of art. It is such a pleasure to work with my couples to create their own unique masterpiece! Even at the end of a 12 hour day, I find that I am energized by all of the love, beauty, and excitement from the day (sure my feet might disagree, but c’est la vie)!
Who am i?
I was born and raised in the Valley in Los Angeles. After finishing my BA in Visual and Communication Arts at Franklin University Switzerland, I started working at CalArts in Admissions while I completed my MA degree in Humanities. I am a full time mom to my sweet guinea pigs. On the rare weekend night I am not at a wedding (and plenty of weeknights in-between!) you can find me singing my heart out at Karaoke, enjoying romantic dinners with my husband, Matt, or curled up with a great book! I can’t wait to meet you and learn exactly what the “perfect wedding” means to you!
Best wishes,
Dominique Dunn | Lead Wedding Coordinator & Planner
The Wedding Planner LA
The beginning
I love people and have always been interested in a career that allows me to work closely with others. After earning my Masters in Humanities, I spent a decade working in art schools, primarily in admin and event organization. I loved the event aspect of my job so much that I became interested in pursuing an event coordination career! I joined The Wedding Planner LA in 2019 where my love for events blossomed! Working with Alexa was a dream come true for me. Being a wedding planner and coordinator allows me to put all of my unique skill sets to great use while working closely with my couples! Behind all the gorgeous photos and gowns and flowers is lots of hours of organizing and planning. Every wedding is another opportunity to fall in love with my career all over again!
My Style
In art schools, and now at weddings, I am able to support the creative vision of my clients while fostering a focused, but relaxed environment where vendors’ talents are able to thrive!
All wedding planners/coordinators have their own style and our team is no exception! I am fondly referred to as the “big sister” of our team and our couples’. I have earned this title through consistently being a trustworthy advisor, a dedicated advocate, a motivational team leader, and a cheerleader to keep my couple’s spirits bright while they plan their special day. I make myself available to all of my clients to offer feedback, advice, thoughts, and recommendations throughout their wedding planning journey. I am always in your corner and ready to advocate for you should you need support with vendors, contracts, or just general logistical mapping. Prior to your wedding, we work through all of the details to ensure everything is accounted for and I am fully prepared to lead your wedding team in creating your own unique version of a “perfect wedding.” And, of course, while wedding planning is hard work, you can always count on me to be there for you when you want to bounce ideas around, vent, or simply just talk about your wedding!
Hi, I’m Averie
Social Media Manager | LEAD DAY OF COORDINATOR
Photo Credit: @mattcaliphotography
Why Wedding Coordination
I love that all couples have such distinct styles and ways they want to celebrate, and I feel such a passion for helping the vision come to life. There are many great parts of being a wedding planner (creativity, amazing vendors, unique elements that make each wedding different, etc.), but my favorite part of wedding coordinating is watching my couples have an incredible celebration of their love, and knowing that my team and I are keeping their day worry-free!
My Style
Anything to do with weddings just makes me so happy and full of life, and I want to bring a pep to your journey! I know planning can get so stressful and muddy, but I would love to help make things go smoothly and organize a plan for you to follow. Organization for a huge day like this can get so overwhelming, and I have the perfect tools to break it down into manageable pieces. At the end of the day, it’s all about you and it’s my mission to make sure the day feels like such an intimate moment between you and those you love.
The Beginning
Ever since I was a little two-year-old flower girl, I fell in love with the love that is inherently weddings. My guilty pleasure was, and still is, watching funny wedding speeches, cool choreographed dances, and general wedding videos on youtube!
I certainly wasn’t a Lead Coordinator right off the bat! I actually started my wedding journey (flower girl credentials aside) as an intern for a planner back in Wisconsin when I was a junior in high school. I stuffed many invitations, grabbed lunch, coffee, and snacks, stocked bridal kits, and set up meetings for two years before I met Alexa! From the moment I joined The Wedding Planner LA team in late May 2021, I made my goal of becoming a wedding planner clear. I started out as an Assistant Day-of Coordinator in the middle of pandemic-related reschedules. Two years worth of weddings happening in a six-month span was the perfect opportunity to get tons of hands-on wedding experience! Within my first month of working with The Wedding Planner LA, I also took on the role of Social Media Manager (if you’re here from Insta, hello! We’ve probably already been acquainted!). I have worked hard to gain experience, hone my leadership skills, and become an organized, knowledgable, advocate worthy of the type of trust you deserve to have on your wedding day!
Who Am I?
I am originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but lived in Madison, Wisconsin for most of my life. I graduated high school in 2019, and after going to college in Chicago for a year, when the pandemic hit, I decided to follow my heart and move to Los Angeles! When I’m not working for TWPLA, I’m either on set as an actress, singing my heart out at karaoke, reading, or chasing my son (aka my 1 ½-year-old puppy.) I love being creative and my pandemic hobby was learning to do calligraphy- a lot of the lettering on our personal gifts to you are done by me! I have cried at every single wedding I have worked at (usually during the ceremony, but speeches and dances have been known to get me, too), so you’ll have at least one less dry eye in the audience ;). I absolutely love this team, and I am so grateful for every day I get to spend with them on or “off” the clock! I cannot wait to hear from you and help you on this wonderful day!
Thank you so much!
Averie | Lead Coordinator
The Wedding Planner LA
Hi, I’m marina
LEAD DAY OF COORDINATOR
WHY WEDDING COORDINATION & PLANNING?
I adore working with couples because I believe in the magic of love stories coming to life. The privilege of being part of your special day, ensuring every detail is perfect, is what drives my passion. I'm excited to collaborate with you to turn your vision into reality. I'm here to help you accomplish whatever goals you have for your special day.
WHO AM I?
I was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Security risk analysis from Penn State, I started wedding planning to fill my free time. Now, as a 2023 bride myself, I understand firsthand the importance of every aspect of the wedding journey. I have always loved the event world and absolutely was the girl that always dreamed of her wedding. When I'm not coordinating weddings, you can find me with my husband, probably petting our cat!
The beginning
I've been a proud member of The Wedding Planner LA team since 2021. Working alongside Alexa, Dominique, and Averie has been an absolute delight—we truly make a dream team! Each of us is an incredible planner on our own, but as a team I have seen us create truly magical weddings.
My Style
Ever since I was little, I've been obsessed with the magic of weddings. From the delicate details to the overflowing emotions, there's nothing quite like it! I take a calm and collected approach to planning, but trust me, I sweat the small stuff (in a good way!). Consider me your laid-back confidante with a hawk eye for detail. Together, we'll create a wedding that's both flawlessly executed and uniquely you, leaving you stress-free to soak up every moment of joy.