North Bay Woman

44 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 It's a newly engaged couple's dream to have a wedding day fi lled with magical mo- ments to mark one of life's major milestones. Sometimes, though, the myriad demands that come with organizing the nuptials can be stressful, even overwhelming, and that's where wedding planners come in. They've got experience, knowledge and an eye for detail that allows them to give the bride and groom the freedom to focus on each other and enjoy their special day. Event planners Dina Balatti of Bella Celebrations in San Rafael, Marisa Manna Ferrell of So Eventful in Healds- burg and Kelly McLeskey-Dolata of A Savvy Event in Sonoma graciously share their insights into what makes tying the knot a memorable event. How did you become a wedding planner? Dina Balatti took a break from the corporate world in the 1990s and spent time in the hos- pitality industry in Hawaii, where she worked with caterers on events. "I got bit by the bug," she says. Next, she worked as a corporate event planner and then earned a certifi cate in wedding planning and started her own business. Marisa Manna Ferrell got a job in a tasting room after studying the wine business at Sonoma State University, and when the events manager left, she took the opportunity to try event planning and stayed for four years. She did weddings on the side and eventually opened her own business. "I've been doing weddings throughout," she says. Kelly McLeskey-Dolata spent nine years in hotel and resort management and worked for the Ritz Carleton in several different depart- ments. She was involved in weddings and says, "I really loved so much what I did." In addition, she had studied interior design and decided to apply her best skills to wedding planning in her own business. A L L I N T H E Dtails A L L I N T H E L L I N T H E Dtails A L L I N T H E Dtails By Judith M. Wilson

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