DIANNE VALENTINE,

WEDDING PLANNER/DESIGNER

EXTRODINAIR!

by Antonia Nunes- Guest Writer

Imagine a wedding released from the constraints of society, with concepts designed not by what has come before, but by what has not yet come to pass. This is what wedding planner and designer Diann Valentine offers; a willingness to bend the rules in place of putting a couples intimate love journey first, and tradition last.

 "I have been in love with love for as long as I can remember, but I really think my obsession with it occurred with my parents divorce at the age of seven. The family unit that I had always known and felt very safe within was suddenly no more. I know now that I was really searching for love and it just so happened that I found it through helping other people interpret their own love story," said Valentine.

She stumbled upon her calling while still in high school; when Valentine was asked to plan a wedding in Oakland, Ca, for her out-of-state cousin. She thought "This is fun. I could do this," she said, and simply started her own business.

When it came time to look for a job after college, Valentine felt compelled to continue her business rather than find a position working for someone else, and her empire snowballed from there. But Valentine felt the need to go beyond what is asked of a typical wedding planner. In a garden of roses and lilies, she would be the unique hybrid dahlia. 

"The wedding and event planning industry has become so cookie-cutter in that everyone is just copying everyone else's work. I have always believed that traditions do not apply to everyone and I have made it my quest to give my clients the assurance that it is perfectly fine to define the look of their love based on their own personal styles, and not what might be the trend of the moment," Valentine said.

Although Valentine believes wholeheartedly in going against the grain, her main priority is the couple she is designing for. Ultimately, meeting with her clients is less about the color scheme and more about creating chemistry. Namely, who is the couple and what are they about? What is their story? Valentine can be afforded this luxury because she plans large, high budget weddings about two to five times a year.

Valentine challenges herself and her clients to dismiss the notion of old-fashioned weddings  in place of an event solely created with each unique couple  in mind, and in doing so she is  ultimately changing the game. Her mantra?  "If it's to be, then it's up to me!."       

Note:

Diann has been considered the planner to the stars having developed and designed weddings for a number of actors, singers and entertainers.In addition to her work in the event planning industry Valentine currently has a new book in development and will be hosting a television show in the upcoming future on WE Network. To read more on Diann Valentine visit Diannvalentine.com