I recently started reading The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker. As a wedding planner who spends most of her time planning and facilitating gatherings, this felt like required reading. I highly recommend it to anyone working in a human resources or leadership role. In the first chapter, Parker explores why we gather and the purpose that sits at the center of every gathering. She shares a story about planning her own baby shower. Her initial instinct was to make...

If you’re in the middle of wedding weekend planning, your welcome party is one of the best places to be intentional. It’s often treated as an extra event, but it can actually play a key role in how the entire weekend flows. When approached thoughtfully, it can help streamline logistics, reduce costs, and create a more cohesive guest experience from the very start. Here’s how one couple approached their welcome party and the decisions that made a real impact: 1. Make Your Rentals Work Double...

San Francisco is a city built around dining—neighborhood spots, destination restaurants, and spaces that already know how to host people well. For couples planning a wedding here, especially with guests traveling in, choosing a restaurant isn’t just a venue decision—it’s a way to anchor the entire experience in something that feels distinctly San Francisco . Restaurant weddings hit differently. They’re layered, social, a little louder, a little looser—in the best way. The focus shifts away...