A Conversation with Masi Events: Miami Event Planners

Jessica and Michael Masi have got it all figured out. The married couple behind Miami based event-planning company Masi Events are charming brides and grooms, putting on stunning events and having so much fun doing it! Part of their success lies in the balance they’ve struck within their business roles; with Jessica as the creative director and Michael as the logistical mastermind they bring a lot to the table for prospective couples. We had the chance to sit down with Masi Events to find out more about what drives them and to see some really, really gorgeous events. Scroll through to learn more…

Nuage Designs: One of your very unique differentiators is that you’re a husband and wife team – how did that come to be? Did you work together elsewhere before starting Masi Events?

Masi Events: Michael and I come from two different backgrounds professionally. Early in my career I was working for another event planning firm mostly focused on corporate events and non-profit events. Michael was working for a recruitment company. I then started the company in 2008 mostly focused on weddings and social events. We then relocated to Miami in 2010 and it was a natural transition for Michael to come on board full time. He was already assisting me on weddings and events over the weekend and was really enjoying the work. Especially with the long hours it definitely made spending time together so much easier.

ND: What, in your opinion, is the best thing that you bring to your newly-engaged couples as a husband and wife duo?

ME: I think there is definitely a level of comfort to many newly-engaged couples, who see a married couple working together, being successful together, and having fun doing it.  We also can offer perspectives from both a male a female point of view, which more and more often now is needed, as grooms tend to be playing a much larger role in the planning process.

ND: Many clients comment on how you both balance each other out, how does that guide the roles each of you plays in the business?

ME: Definitely, we have different strengths given our professional and educational backgrounds. I am much more the creative, and Michael tends to be much more analytical.  We typically divide the vendor categories we are responsible for given our strengths, for example I will typically work with the Florist, Invitations and Linen Vendors, and Michael will work with Hotels, Venues and Logistical Planning. He makes the best, most detailed timelines! That is where his official title of “logistical mastermind” came to be. When you put it together our clients benefit greatly from to experience professionals with a knack for different things.  

ND: How is the collaboration process with your clients? Where does the basis for their wedding begin (mood board, conversation, color palette, etc)?

ME: We typically gather information from our clients organically finding out what their aesthetic is like and what has meaning to them. They sometimes have a very clear vision of what they are looking for and other times they need more guidance. Based on their ideas we put together a design board and once they approve it and it captures what they are looking for we then start the vendor selection process.

ND: What is your advice to couples that do come to you with a “trendy” design in mind?

ME: We always tell our couples to stay true to themselves. This will achieve the most timeless of designs and one that will resonate with them for years to come. If they are just following trends they will easily have regrets on their choices.

ND: Do you ever find it difficult to push clients away from “trends” and towards a more unique design?

ME: Yes, sometimes the more unique designs are ones that you might not necessarily have a photo of but it’s only a conceptual concept and you describe it and draw it out. This is where having trust in us comes to play because they might not be able to visualize it as much as seeing an exact photo of it.

ND: We hear that you show a lot of “vendor love” when recommending to clients (thank you!), why is that important to Masi Events?

ME: We find our relationships with our vendors are extremely important. We can only attribute our successes to each vendor that helps make it happen. If one of us succeeds we all do!

ND: What are some of Masi Events’ trademark styles?

ME: We love varied centerpieces in our designs. This creates a more dimensional event. We also find that our portfolio of weddings are so varied just because truly we try to achieve a unique experience and design each time that is reflective of our couples.

ND: If you could plan and design a party for anyone in the world, who would that be?

ME: We would love to plan and design an event for Queen Elizabeth. I think there is so much protocol and rich history there that it would be so fulfilling. She has seen it all and has been to so many events so to be able to amaze or surprise her would be very rewarding. But, we would also love to plan and design an event for Ana Wintour. She is so iconic and to be able to amaze or surprise her after attending so many events would be very fulfilling and rewarding. I’m slightly obsessed with the documentary the First Monday in May.

ND: What is your favorite thing about designing weddings?

ME: I love that it is never boring and never the same. It really is such a personal event for our client’s lives and one that we want them to cherish not only the wedding day but the entire planning experience. We are always honored each and every time a client invites us in this journey with them.

ND: Last one, because we have to pick your brain while we have you, what trends do you see for the fall wedding season? Any color palettes or themes that you’re dying to use?

ME: Some trends we are seeing is a focus on lounge furniture and varied seating for guests. Clients are less afraid of using color and being bold. I think you will see a more diverse color palette. We also see more of a focus on the tabletop setting with unique details down to the napkin and glassware.

With wedding season just around the corner, we can’t wait to see what Masi Events has in store for us! Stay tuned and follow along to catch some of their work on our Instagram.

Photography Elizabeth MessinaKatie Lopez PhotographyPS Photography | Gianny Campos | Jose Villa