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Event Coordination
Guest Management
Understanding the Couple's Vision
Stress-free planning

About

Michelle (Fage) Cawthron is a wedding planner specializing in destination weddings in St John, USVI. Before coming to the island, she spent eight years in Los Angeles as an event coordinator for ASA Events and ESPN’s X Games and ESPY Awards. She is currently the owner of Paradise Planning in the Virgin Islands, with over close to 200 weddings in her body of work.

Michelle received her Bachelors of Business Administration, with a concentration in Management, from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, and then moved to the west coast where she became involved in the world of entertainment event planning.

In early 2011, after eight years in Los Angeles, a change was in order. Michelle chose the island life and moved to St John, USVI, where she began working for local wedding planners. It quickly became clear to Michelle that her background in celebrity events gave her a unique perspective on event planning, and in 2012 she started Paradise Planning based on this simple tenet:

“You have a vision for your wedding or special event, and the responsibility of Paradise Planning is to do everything in our power to realize that vision”.

Michelle’s experience with large-scale luxury events, stateside weddings, and destination weddings leaves her uniquely qualified to design and create an event that meets and exceeds your expectations.

Contact Michelle today at Michelle@ParadisePlanningUSVI.com or (310) 968-3789.

  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

Do you offer an hourly rate?

No

What wedding events do you provide services for?

Ceremony
Reception
Rehearsal Dinner

What wedding planning services do you offer?

Day-of Coordination
Full Planning
Partial Planning

What weddings do you have experience planning?

Civil
Cultural
Destination
Double Weddings
Elopement
Eco-Friendly
Military
Non-Religious
Religious

How many planners are on your team?

1
4.9 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
129 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
92% Recommended by couples
E
Elizabeth M. Sent on 05/07/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding in paradise

Michelle was beyond 5 stars: Her attention to detail and responsiveness were outstanding. She seems to know everyone on St. John and provided us with thorough answers to every question that we had throughout the planning process. She was so personable, we felt like we were working with an old friend. Once we all arrived on St. John she was actively involved with all aspects of the week. She was there for the Welcome dinner, the wedding ceremony, and the reception, and helped us with several final details before we flew home. The wedding day was truly perfect in every way! The fact that she was so accessible and there for us until we left St. John was enormously impressive. We would HIGHLY recommend her!
Alison
Alison G. Sent on 04/24/2023
5 out of 5 rating

A million stars

I want to cry writing this because Michelle & the Paradise Planning team were such a joy to work with and I don't want it to be over! Planning a wedding in St. John and living in Minnesota seemed like it was going to be overwhelming (especially for someone as type A as me)! But, Michelle made everything as stress free as possible, all while bringing (and enhancing) every idea I had to life!

I could not recommend Michelle & Paradise Planning more -- they are the absolute BEST! From working on the big and small details, to finding vendors, to making my dreams come true... they were above and beyond!

Michelle is the QUEEN! THANK YOU!
Dakotah
Dakotah Sent on 04/24/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Michelle was great, she is very organized & on top of things. Our wedding went so smoothly!! Seriously, everything was perfect.

Michelle was great, she is very organized & on top of things. Our wedding went so smoothly!! Seriously, everything was perfect.
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Awards

129
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner

Real Weddings

Danny & Meryl
18 photos · 04/24/2016

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs Wedding Caterers

Michelle is super friendly and organized. She has a great knowledge of the islands and is easy to work with.

kataram studios kataram studios Wedding Photographers

has a special way of allowing her clients to have an amazing experience on the tropical wedding paradie start to end

STJ Creative Photography STJ Creative Photography Wedding Photographers

‘Ridiculously efficient’ is the phrase that comes to mind when I think about Michelle. Our peer/co-worker relationship started last year, and I cannot wait to see what this year has ins tore for our collaboration efforts. We even have a secret meeting spot for coffee that has THE best view of the island anyone could imagine. But we won't tell, so don't ask! :) Michelle is just the sweetest thing, always aiming to please while being efficient at the same time. Any bride, and photographer for that matter, would be so lucky to have Michelle as his/her planner. You rock dear! Best, Anne, STJ Creative Photography

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