Angel of Hearts Weddings and Events

10/13/2026

Experience is admired in public and overlooked in private. I've spent 40 years in hospitality watching the difference between people who know how to make something look successful and people who know how to make it succeed. Those are not always the same people. We talk endlessly about valuing experience. But how often do our hiring decisions, referrals, and business relationships reflect that belief? My latest article asks a question worth considering: Are we recognizing talent, or simply applauding it as we walk past? I would very much appreciate it if you would take a moment to read this. And, then, take action with someone you know, respect and would trust with your clients.
https://www.angelofheartsweddings.com/post/dangerous-words-in-business-we-will-keep-you-in-mind

10/13/2026

Don't Just Tell Someone They're Good. Give Them a Reason to Believe You.
We talk a great deal about supporting one another in business. We applaud accomplishments. We compliment someone's experience. We tell people how talented they are, how much we admire their work, and how valuable their contributions must be. And then, too often, nothing.
How often do we tell someone we admire their talent but never recommend them? How often do we praise someone's experience but never invite them to the table? How often do we tell someone they're exceptional but overlook them when an opportunity arises? A compliment is lovely. But an introduction can open a door. A referral can change the direction of a business. An opportunity can change someone's life. And sometimes, the simplest gesture of appreciation can restore someone's faith that their work matters.
If you genuinely believe in someone's ability, don't let your admiration end with applause. Put their name in the room. Recommend them. Open the door. Give them the opportunity to show someone else what you've already seen. Because the most meaningful recognition isn't always what we say about people. It's what we're willing to do for them.

10/12/2026

Being recognized is wonderful. Acting on that recognition is priceless. Today on the blog, I relate an actual interaction from an event over the weekend.
https://www.angelofheartsweddings.com/post/someone-noticed-more-importantly-someone-acted

10/12/2026

The True Measure of Talent Isn't What You Do With Everything. It's What You Do With Almost Nothing.
Anyone can look impressive when the budget is generous, the resources are plentiful, the preparation is flawless, and every detail falls neatly into place. But what happens when none of those conditions exist? When the resources are inadequate, the details are inconsistent, the preparation is incomplete, and expectations haven't changed? That's when you discover the difference between someone who can follow a plan and someone who knows how to lead.
Experience doesn't magically create what isn't there. But it knows what to do with what is.
You evaluate. You prioritize. You improvise intelligently. You solve problems without creating new ones. You remain composed when the circumstances don't deserve your composure. You protect the guest experience, keep the event moving, and make certain that the details that truly matter aren't forgotten. And often, nobody notices. They don't see the decisions made behind the scenes, the problems quietly resolved, or the compromises required to keep everything on track. They simply see an event that happened.
That's the paradox of exceptional event management: the better you do your job, the less anyone realizes how much you actually did.
I know the difference between producing something beautiful and managing something difficult. Both require talent. But the second demands judgment, resilience, patience, and the kind of experience that cannot be manufactured overnight.
A beautiful event can showcase someone's taste. A difficult event reveals someone's ability. And when the circumstances are less than ideal, ability is what makes the difference.

10/10/2026

Sophie and Adam got married today! Happy to have been with them on this journey and making sure it was all they wanted it to be.

10/10/2026

Yesterday, I shared the story of how Angel of Hearts Weddings began. Today, I'd like to share something more personal: the story behind its name. A quiet father who taught me courage. A wonderfully eccentric grandmother who taught me laughter, even in stressful times. . And a young man whose love changed my life. They taught me that the most meaningful thing we can give another person isn't always something tangible. Sometimes it's the feeling of being safe, accepted, and understood. Those lessons became the foundation of my business. Some people leave footprints on our lives. My angels left their wings.
My latest Angel's Quill article: The Angels Who Leave Their Wings With You.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

How it all began!

https://www.angelofheartsweddings.com/post/three-generations-one-caregiver-and-a-business-born-of-necessity

10/09/2026

You don't hire me simply to produce an event. You hire me because you need that event to accomplish something.
There's a difference. An event planner can arrange the catering, book the entertainment, coordinate the vendors, and make sure everything happens on schedule. Those things matter. But they're the mechanics of an event.
The real question is: What is this event supposed to achieve?
If you're a nonprofit hosting a fundraising gala, the goal isn't simply to fill a ballroom. It's to inspire generosity, strengthen donor relationships, and support your mission. If you're a corporation hosting a client appreciation event, the goal isn't simply to serve a beautiful dinner. It's to build relationships that matter long after the tables have been cleared. If you're an event venue owner, the goal isn't simply to book another date on the calendar. It's to create an experience that builds your reputation, encourages referrals, and contributes to your bottom line. And if you're planning a wedding, the goal isn't simply to create beautiful photographs. It's to give two people and their families the freedom to experience one of the most important days of their lives.
Ex*****on makes an event happen. Strategy gives it purpose.
After 40 years in hospitality and more than two decades owning my event planning business, I've learned that the most valuable work often happens before the first vendor is booked. It happens when we ask the right questions, identify what matters, anticipate what could go wrong, and build an experience around the desired outcome. Beautiful events are wonderful. Beautiful events that accomplish something are far more valuable. That's the difference between simply managing an event and being a strategic partner in its success. And that's the conversation I want to have with organizations, businesses, and venues that understand the difference.
What does your next event need to accomplish?

10/08/2026

Is it better to hire someone with less experience to save money or can that backfire in the long run?
https://www.angelofheartsweddings.com/post/the-most-expensive-person-you-hire-may-be-the-one-you-hired-to-save-money

The salary you save today may be the client you lose tomorrow. I recently came across a discussion about hiring a junior event manager at a lower salary rather than paying more for someone with substantial experience. The conversation raised an important question: What does inexperience actually cos...