The Innovator

THEY’RE TRAILBLAZERS AND VISIONARIES. THEY’RE TRENDSETTERS AND TASTEMAKERS. THESE VENDORS ARE CONSTANTLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX TO DREAM UP NEW AND INVENTIVE WEDDING IDEAS.

What makes these pros so notable?

Out of the thousands of wedding professionals in the industry, you might be wondering how we landed on these 26 standouts. We created a series of guidelines to help us in our search for rising talent across all categories. We sought value-driven pros who are cheerleading and change-making, educating and amplifying. Our honorees are the future of weddings.

• Fewer than eight years in business in the wedding industry.

• Have a cutting-edge, authentic and innovative approach to their field.

• Vetted by a seven-person committee made up of four members of our editorial team and three well-respected industry experts.

• Further vetted through reviews from industry peers they’ve worked with.

Christina Kim Mathis of Blue Box Bakery

@BlueBoxBakery

Based in: Washington

Expertise: Cake Baker

Founded: April 2016

Motivated by: High-Quality Customization

Balancing great design and great taste, all tailored to each couple’s sensibilities, is paramount for Christina Mathis. Beyond that tall order, what sets her apart even more is her proficiency with sugar flowers that bring elegance and artistry to her cakes.

“We specialize in realistic sugar florals and customize each detail to be cohesive with the overall event design. We use the finest local and organic ingredients so the cakes always taste as good as they look.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “She is so lovely to work with, organized, and strikes the perfect balance between producing delicious cake and unique designs.” — @AReneeWeddings

Dani Blasena of HauteFêtes Fine Weddings & Events

Expertise: Event Planner

Founded: June 2016

Motivated by: Balancing Discernment and Details

Dani’s ethos is that you shouldn’t compromise seamless execution for the sake of impeccable design. “I am laser-focused on the balance between implementing great, intentional ideas and producing a really fun, flawless event. My proudest moments have always been related to how my clients (and their guests) feel when they see and experience their wedding. I hope that others are inspired by my work and that they also place emphasis on ensuring that design and execution go hand in hand.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “Dani’s vision is seeing the event as a production and also a work of art.” — @JoelSerrato

Based in: Virginia & South Carolina

Expertise: Specialty Rentals

Founded: November 2017

Motivated by: Innovative Design

Elisa’s company grew from a desire to fill a hole in the market. “We saw gorgeous weddings happening across the country, but there were limited options for tabletop rentals.” She wants her inventory to be “part of a significant shift in events toward self-expression. I love the role we play in empowering clients to express their personal style. To do that effectively, we are thoughtfully adding to our collection all the time and many of our newest pieces are even custom-made for us.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “Elisa’s past experience as a photographer helped her succeed in the rental arena. She understands how things photograph, what creates incredible design and how to capture it.” — @LaurelElise

A former professional viola player, Elizabeth’s approach to wedding planning is well orchestrated.

“As a classically trained musician, I learned attention to detail, focus, artistic expression, intuition and nonverbal communication. These traits have shaped me as an events professional. I view my role in each wedding as that of a creative director.”

@XOMoreauWeddings

Based in: Texas

Expertise: Event Planning

Founded: January 2018

Motivated to: Push Creative Boundaries

EastMadeCo

Based in: Maryland

Expertise: Event Planner

Founded: September 2015

Motivated to: Create Art

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “Elizabeth is a polymath. What really makes her stand out in my eyes is the way she’s learned so many different facets of the industry. Not only is does she play strings, but she also knows photography. Her understanding of different vendor roles on a wedding day makes her that much better at her craft.”

— @NikkiDaskalakis

“You know what would be weird?” That’s the question Alex asks herself each time she starts planning a new wedding. “All my ideas sound funky at first, but I’m just too obsessed with them not to float them to my clients. I thrive with couples who want a wild, eccentric or over-the-top vibe for their wedding. I hope my work makes the boring wedding obsolete. A wedding is a party, y’all. It’s time we start acting like it.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: “Working with Alex is a one-of-a-kind experience. She has such a clear and unique perspective and is never afraid to push boundaries or explore out-of-the-box ideas.”

— @FeatherandTwine