Paula Smith
Owner & Director

Paula Smith comes to the event-planning field by way of a long and distinguished career as a graphic and package designer specializing in art direction and project management. For 25 years, she has owned and operated Paula Smith Designs Inc., serving clients primarily in the gourmet food, home furnishing and cosmetics industries. Paula has overseen numerous high-profile product launches and publicity events—directing the efforts of designers, illustrators, photographers, editors and production departments to achieve the desired results on schedule and within budget.
 
Paula’s limitless imagination, epic multitasking abilities and upbeat disposition have also made her the go-to person in her region for organizing fund-raisers and community celebrations. The more pro-bono event-planning work she took on in the not-for-profit sector, the more she came to realize how rewarding it was to create joyous, beautifully designed celebrations that bring people together. Starting her party-planning company, Your Event, was a dream come true for Paula. She relishes the chance to draw on her distinctive background and diverse skill set to make any celebration uniquely memorable. Put simply, no one can throw a party like Paula!

Getting to know Paula:  What makes you smile?
“The freedom to work from my heart and witnessing the joy it brings to others."

See Paula's Design Portfolio    |    Read about us in Main Street Magazine or download the full article.

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Laurie Wilson
Senior Planner   |   On-Site Coordinator

Laurie’s impeccable eye for detail, unflappable nature and personal flare combine to make gatherings of all sizes the best they can possibly be. Her passion for event planning and catering began while in high school and continued through college at CSU San Francisco, where she helped plan and execute concerts and events for students.  While enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America, she was also active in hosting events for students and guests.  Since her graduation from CIA in 1992, Laurie has worked throughout the area on galas and fund-raisers for large corporations, exclusive resorts, private individuals and schools. 

Getting to know Laurie: What is the best thing about your job?
“Seeing the delight in a client’s face when the execution of an event comes together and is a great success!”

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Mickaela Grimaldi
Management Assistant   |   On-Site Coordinator

Mickaela Grimaldi brings superb organizational skills and technical know-how, along with boundless enthusiasm and a caring heart, to Your Event. Mickaela earned a degree in Business of Art and Design from Ringling College of Art in Design in 2017. Since then, she has been working in the fields of graphic design and event planning. Mickaela takes great pride and joy in helping to bring celebrations to life, no matter how large or small. She is ready to help in any way she can to make your event all it can be!
 
Getting to know Mickaela:  What’s your secret talent?
“I am an aspiring trapeze artist! It only took one class for me to fall madly in love with the aerial arts.
I am able to express myself, build strength, and create another family.”

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Caterina Moran
Associate Planner   |   Event Assistant

Caterina Moran is a college student with a can-do attitude and a great sense of style. She is always at the ready to perform any and every task to make an event a success. Caterina finds it extremely rewarding to be part of someone’s best memories and happiest days, and to help make them wonderful. Her personal philosophy is that life is worth celebrating as much as possible! She hopes to pursue her passion for event planning after graduating from Hillsdale College in Michigan in 2020.
 
Getting to know Caterina:  What makes you smile?
“A good song, balloons and ice cream! All of these things never fail to put me in a better mood, or just put a smile on my face :)

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Kylie Gent
Junior Assistant

​Kylie Gent, a student at Dutchess Community College, brings a good deal of on-site event experience to Your Event from several years in the catering field. She finds working with Paula and her team a comforting, exciting, and happy way to spend her time and is grateful for the opportunity to pitch in where needed. Kylie stands ready to do all she can to support the team and make Your Event a success!
 
Getting to know Kylie:  You have one free ticket… where are you going?
“I would go back in time to see what my family was like when they were younger. I understand wanting to go somewhere far and unknown, but the past seems pretty interesting to me. So, if you ever stumble upon a time machine…”

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Maggie Frankenbach
Summer Intern

Maggie Frankenbach brings energy, enthusiasm and creativity to everything she does. She grew up in Lakeville, CT and graduated from The Hotchkiss School in 2016. Now at St. Lawrence University, Maggie became interested in design and event planning after taking on the role of social chair for her sorority. This position has given her valuable experience planning formal events, budgeting, designing venues, and contacting local businesses. She is excited to spend the summer learning all she can about the event planning industry as part of the team at Your Event!
 
Getting to know Maggie:  What makes you smile?
“My two golden retrievers, Ripley and Nala, never fail to make me happy!”

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Amelia Smith
Social Media & Marketing Assistant

Amelia Smith, daughter of Paula Smith, has been a major beneficiary of her mom’s event-making magic throughout all of her 19 years. From a fairy fantasy birthday party to a spa day complete with beauty treatments for all her friends and their American Girl dolls, Amelia knows what a difference exceptional event design and planning can make. A graduate from The Hotchkiss School and now a student at Georgetown University, Amelia writes for Thirty Seventh—Georgetown’s fashion and lifestyle publication. She has covered topics such as seasonal spring hues, cruelty-free beauty products and meditation. She is eager to tell Your Event’s story through social media. 
 
Getting to know Amelia:  You have a free ticket…where are you going?
“To Greece!! For sure! The Greek island, Mykonos, is definitely my top post-college vacation destination. I’m in awe of the exquisite colors and I love having close proximity to the water.” 

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Depending on the nature and needs of each event, we will collaborate with our reliable team of professional artisans, caterers, craftsmen and vendors to create environments, lighting effects, catering, floral arrangements, photography, rentals, music, entertainment, invitations and print collateral.