I am not a Type A Bride.

I am a Type A centered and hand calligraphed in fuchsia ink (that isn’t too purple) on chartreuse (that isn’t too yellow) cardstock (110lb) Bride.


And I was floored by Paula.


We selected Paula after an interview process with several top-tier planners (the first test was their reaction when I sent them a 10 page vision & expectations keynote presentation – Paula was excited by it). After debating between two planners we went back to the reviews. They were all so insanely glowing for Paula and now we have fully experienced why (and yes, they’re all accurate). We have a family inside joke that people would give their firstborn to Paula after working with her – and I’m so sorry to have to part with our son but we know he’ll have a good home with her. ;)


My loving husband waxes poetry on the way Paula brought our very specific creative visions to life (See “A Groom’s Perspective”) but I will deliver a crisp bullet pointed list for those of you who are scouring 800 reviews like I did.


• Paula is a mind reader. We were so in sync on our wedding day that I would turn to ask her for something (not yet speaking a word) and she would hand it to me. It’s a little spooky.

• I was actually so calm during my wedding weekend with Paula at my side. Even my husband was surprised at my chillness. This was the best gift as I enjoyed so many more moments with loved ones.

• Every single vendor said she was the most outstanding planner they’ve ever worked with – not just from an organizational perspective but also kindness. Because people love her, they will move mountains for her.

• Paula has a magic rolodex of the best vendors. Every person/vendor she brought in went ABOVE AND BEYOND in their craft, but also was wildly kind. When you hire Paula, you’re getting this wedding industry best -- this insight is SO DIFFICULT to determine as an outsider.

• She will be your assassin if need be. She will defend you like a mama bear. She is fierce on your behalf.

• She is thoughtful and sweet. Little touches from Paula made the entire journey special.

• She is the most responsive person I have ever met – emails would be answered in minutes.

• She protects your mental health, giving you little doses of need-to-know info but she’s great about including you on the things you ask to be included on (if you want to be super hands-on like me)

• Her real superpower is coordination. She has a calm, cool, collectedness that permeates the months leading up to your wedding and while that remained during our wedding weekend, the GET SH*T DONE (but of course, sweetly!) attitude was awe-inspiring. I'd never seen so many plates spinning at once, and I did not doubt her capability. Being a company founder and Type A person, it can be hard for me to let go. My bridal weekend was actually relaxing. I trusted Paula 300%.

• She puts the couple first. When she arrived for set-up at our home I offered her coffee and she responded with “This week is about you. Do not even think about me.” She brought her cooler of snacks and was off to orchestrate the many moving pieces. It killed the hostess in me a little bit, but that reminder to focus on myself and my partner was a blessing.

• She took my details to the next level – even seemingly silly things like the way she displayed the parasols, and rolling our pool towels for the pool party for a streamlined look, or the glass card box leveled up by putting a vintage postcard and some moss from our cake table inside. She is simply a master.

• She thinks of everything. Every. Possible. Scenario. Every. Possible. Detail. She advised ordering clear umbrellas two weeks before the wedding as a “just in case” but also acknowledged that we’d still be in the return window if we didn’t use them. Small, but thoughtful!!!

• Paula has done this so many times over so many years she knows what works. She knows what you need, more than you know what you need. The only thing which could have been improved from our wedding (and it was tiny and insignificant in the big picture, just one cranky bartender!) was a time I didn’t listen to Paula. NEVER AGAIN PAULA, NEVER AGAIN!!

• She has two adorable pet donkeys (clearly a bonus that cannot be ignored)

• Her husband is an aviator and has access to the BEST weather forecasting software (a surprise bonus)

• As my new husband describes in his review, our wedding weekend ended in literal applause and a standing ovation from our guests for Paula. So many people came up to me to talk about the magical experiences they had with her - everyone, much to my delight, now has a Paula story.


For all events from this day forward, Paula will be my coordinator. I will shout her praises from the rooftop.


Do not let Paula’s calm and zen exterior fool you - she is a mastermind thinking about the thousands of details underneath. She just knows the exact right moments to act. I feel that I have learned and grown as a leader in my own professional sphere after seeing Paula work her magic. I know this list simply cannot do her justice, so please, trust all of these reviews together and book her.

Your Event - Paula Smith Designs was an absolute lifesaver when it came to planning my son's bar mitzvah. He had a very specific vision for the event, and Paula not only understood it perfectly but also brought it to life in a way that surpassed anything we could have imagined. From the games arcade theme and the beautiful logo graphic carried throughout the weekend to the engaging activities, serene ceremony design and on theme swag everything was flawlessly executed with the utmost attention to detail and beauty.

But most importantly, the Your Event team handled it all with calm, confidence and grace and ensured that the entire celebration was filled with joy and laughter. All the guests, young and old, had a fantastic time, and we couldn't have asked for a more memorable experience. Thank you Your Event for making my son's bar mitzvah truly unforgettable! You did it again!!! I recommend Your Event wholeheartedly for your next special occasion -- it will be SPECIAL if you're with them.

I cannot recommend Paula Smith and Your Event more! Her attention to detail, honoring our choices & vision, and her ability to create calm in all the wedding chaos was incomparable. Paula and her team were an absolute pleasure to work with. Do not hesitate hiring her for your wedding!