MEET OUR TEAM

At Gian Events, you will be matched with a professional, organized and design-savvy Planner or Coordinator who will work hand-in-hand with you to plan your celebration. We service the Pacific Northwest and Southern California locations, as well as any destination requests. Our company brings years of event planning experience, a healthy rolodex of vendor relationships to the table. Whether we are meeting virtually or over a glass of wine, we’re your gals.

RENEILLE VELEZ

With over 12 years in operations and sales management experience, Reneille found a desire to open a business that focused on hyper-detailed organization paired with above and beyond client management. She loves to design glamorous events, filled with sparkle, lights and dazzling details to create jaw-dropping reactions by the guests and the client. Reneille holds a certification in Project Management from Comp TIA+.

Reneille is also passionate about developing others to work towards their passion, whether it being one of her own Wedding Planners or another vendor in the industry. She is heavy-happy on networking with other entrepreneurs and helping them jump start their ideas over a simple cup of coffee. She also specializes in glam events, large weddings and is familiar with many Asian-American traditions. Reneille takes a limited number of events a year. 

In her spare time, Reneille enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and playing with her dog, Gizmo.

owner and lead planner

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

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THE TEAM

event planner

event planner

creative director

event coordinator

event planner

SHEENA

event planner

katie spencer

Katie is local to the Pacific Northwest and greater Seattle area. She is a Washington State University graduate with a degree in Strategic Communication. She is a passionate Seattle area sports fan and of course, loves her Cougs!

Katie discovered her love for event planning at an early age - she is the "go-to" for her family and friends, having planned and hosted numerous holidays, birthday parties, dinner parties, bridal showers, baby showers and rehearsal dinners. Her favorite wedding style is classic/traditional with a modern touch.

Katie brings years of program management experience, support large-scale projects and events with Microsoft. Her background also includes time working in the sports industry working with King 5 News, the Seattle Mariners and the Seattle Seahawks!

event planner

KIRSTEN LOECHL

Originally from Bainbridge Island, WA, Kirsten has a love for beautiful PNW weddings. She is passionate about planning and organizing, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. Her favorite wedding theme is upscale garden party.

Kirsten discovered her love for event planning after being her best friend’s Maid of Honor and planning the bachelorette party and bridal shower. When she isn’t working on events, you can find Kirsten writing code - she holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cal Poly, and is a software engineer at Amazon (#womenintech)! She also loves being outdoors, cooking and baking, and exploring Seattle.


event planner

VANESSA GAYDOSH

Passionate about details, luxury fashion and parties, Vanessa loves creating an environment for guests to have a good time… while looking fine! Originally from Tacoma, Washington Vanessa grew up planning any social event she could possibly get her hands on - from birthdays, to bridal showers and even her own tropical wedding in the Philippines. 

Keeping up with the latest trends while maintaining timeless and classic elements is what Vanessa does best. She is a sucker for a modern, romantic and minimalist wedding, while keeping it upscale and beautiful.

Vanessa holds a Bachelors of Science Degree from Seattle Pacific University in Exercise Science. During her spare time, she loves spending time with her newborn son Greyson (also known as Baby Grey!) and hubby, Dylan. 

creative director

JADE MWEEMBA

With a passion for creativity and experiences, Jade has enjoyed creating artistically memorable events and experiences throughout her career. Prior to events, Jade has executed many outlets of creative execution from concerts, to fashion shows, styled photoshoots, speaking engagements and more.

With 10+ years of operational management experience, Jade's attention to detail is unmatched. She believes that organization is the key to adapting to energetic environments. Jade holds a Project Management certificate from the University of Washington (go dawgs!).

If she had to pick a favorite wedding aesthetic, Jade finds herself leaning towards a boho-glam, yet whimsical, style.

In her personal time Jade enjoys skating with her son and having battle paint night with her husband. At heart, she is a big kid and lives for spontaneous water fights in the summer. 


event planner

JILL

Jill is quick on her feet and loves to work in a fast paced environment. Her love for creativity and passion for art shows at every wedding she works. Outside of weddings, Jill loves spending time with her nieces and nephews, shopping for vintage attire and eating with friends. Jill is also an owner of an up and coming vintage boutique online store, Sainted.

event assistant

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

KORRENA STANDLEY

Korrena has a love for dancing, traveling with loved ones, and soaking up nature’s beauty. Korrena has been obsessed with the wedding industry since she was a young girl, and she is so excited to help create the most special moments for our clients.

For education, Korrena attended Western Washington University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Psychology. She is bubbly, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and has a passion for enriching every environment she steps into. She found her love for event planning through being a member of her college cheerleading team, where she was lucky enough to coordinate small team events and celebrations.

Korrena loves elegant outdoor weddings with botanical, boho details- she’s a sucker for an amazing view.

event coordinator

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

KAITLYNN FORSBERG

Kaitlynn was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest with a passion for baking, photography and playing card games at home. She has a beautiful 1-year old daughter, Evelynn Rose, whom she spends every second of her free time with!

Beginning her career in the wedding industry as a wedding photographer, Kaitlynn decided to take her experience and hone into the more detailed side of weddings: coordination! Kaitlynn adores all things wedding, especially romantic and Art-Deco designed vibes! Her favorite part of a busy wedding day are the toasts - especially when they’re heartwarming and filled with fun stories.

Kaitlynn loves building relationships with clients who want to have an enjoyable, romantic and perfect wedding day.

event assistant

ANGELICA EDEN

Angelica loves a good party and has been immersed in the wedding industry for years! Beginning at Gian Events as an Event Assistant, she has a strong passion for a fast-paced environment and client relations.

Angelica is a PNW-native. She also loves the outdoors - you'll probably catch her snowboarding and hiking on the weekend or spending time with her family! 


event assistant

NICOLE YOUNG

Nicole has been a fan of weddings since she was a little girl! Her favorite wedding design themes are either glam or minimal elegance - especially any with a 1920's twist! Nicole holds a Masters of Science from Grand Canyon University. Not only does she also work full-time at Microsoft, she runs a successful beauty Etsy shop.

You'll also find her in the kitchen cooking up some yummy recipes for her YouTube channel!

event assistant

SHEENA MEGIA

"Once you meet Sheena, you will fall in love with her upbeat, positive and solution-oriented personality.Coming from Everett, WA, Sheena holds over 5+ years in events and catering experience, including working in hospitality leadership and restaurant management roles. If something needs to be done, Sheena is there to make it happen! 
Sheena is a graduate of Central Washington University with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and Administrative Management. Sheena is also a Certified Wedding Planner, holding her certification through the Certified Wedding Planner Society. 

When designing weddings, Sheena is a fan of twinkle lights and candle lit romance - she loves how light can just transform a reception dinner from all angles. Her favorite part of the wedding day is watching the wedding party recess down the aisle with their smiling faces, relaxed and ready to party!

On the side, Sheena owns a small home bakery called Megia Made, she loves to make all the sweets! In her spare time, she loves to travel, binge watch shows, and hang out with her fur babies." 


event planner

CIARA

Ciara is an Event Assistant on our team who is energetic, fun and falls in love with each wedding she does. With years of experience in Cheer, Ciara brings energy and coordination to every event she helps coordinate! Aside from weddings, Ciara has a slight obsession with Justin Bieber (who doesn't?!).

event assistant

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

EMMA

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah and currently studying Sociology at The University of Puget Sound, Emma is the Gian Events Summer Intern for the Summer 2021 season. With a passion for the wedding industry and years of experience as a barista, so you ever need a little pick-me-up then she's your girl! Emma is absolutely obsessed with Disney and Pixar and can recite most of her favorite movies from beginning to end.

As a little girl, Emma had notebooks filled with how she was going to plan her own and her friends’ weddings in the future. She can’t wait to fulfill that dream and help beautiful couples to have their perfect day!


event assistant

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

CHRISTINA

With a love for romance and thoughtful details, Christina loves all things about weddings and events. As a recent graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Food Systems, she hopes to focus more on learning all things events! In her spare time, you can catch her reading a cute romance book or sweating at her local Orange Theory Fitness! Christina comes to Gian Events with experience working with a local caterer in the event industry, as well as planning events for her friends and family.

event assistant

Image Credit: Julie Bulanov

POLIN

As a Los Angeles native and currently residing in Seattle, WA, Polin loves helping out Gian Events as an assistant in both locations. With a love for traveling and learning about new cultures, Polin's heart melts when travel and environment is embraced and infused at a Gian Events wedding or celebration. Being new to the event industry, the one thing that wins her heart about weddings, other than love itself, are the different cultures she's able to witness during the events! Polin also does freelance work for a local florist and loves wine. When not working, you'll find her rooting for her favorite soccer team! Polin is also fluent in Armenian and Farsi.

event assistant

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