The Elegant Ninja.
There’s nothing like first-hand experience from an expert, which is why we recently spoke with Berlanti from The Elegant Ninja, who is a planner in California and was tasked with planning her own wedding last November. Read below to hear about Berlanti’s intentionality, focus on all five senses, and her personal insight on choosing a dress.
Tell us about The Elegant Ninja and how did your journey begin?
The journey began about 10 years ago while I was working for a planning company that specialized in private estate event planning. I was introduced to Jessica Valentine (Malibu Rocky Oaks Property Manager) after planning several events at Malibu Rocky Oaks. She approached me about partnering up with her company “The Elegant Ninja” that she had recently started. We wanted to start a new kind of event company that handled both Venue Management and Event Planning and Production. Our goal was to offer specialized venue management that utilized knowledge acquired from first hand planning experience. I handle the Planning Division while Jessica handles Venue Management. Although our departments are completely separate entities, we help guide each other as we both continue to grow in our specific fields.
What is the creative process you follow when designing a wedding for your clients?
We produce thought-out events that not only tend to our client’s vision but also create a meaningful experience for every guest in attendance, so our creative process is based on two key elements; a deep and personal understanding of each of our couples and a creative approach that focuses on entertaining as a whole and with intention. When it comes to understanding our couples, we’ve come up with a series of questions designed to help us understand them on a deeper level. We then utilize our experience, creative insight and strong vendor relationships to translate this knowledge into a wedding that best represents them while also creating an unforgettable experience for all lucky enough to attend. Since our services focus on the art of entertaining as a whole our process is based on just that. Every selection made— from rentals, florals, cuisine, drinks, music, etc.— is chosen with intention. We take into consideration all five senses when creating an atmosphere— sight, smell, taste, sound and touch are all key factors to consider when curating an unforgettable event!
What is the advantage for couples to hire a wedding planner?
We may be biased but we believe a wedding planner is absolutely essential when planning your big day. A wedding is one of the first major investments a couple will make together so why not hire an expert to help guide you and make sure you get the most out of your investment? Since we specialize in private estate weddings, most of our couples realize the importance of hiring a professional to help transform an open space into a functioning venue and then transforming it into an unforgettable event. Our role is so crucial that most estates require a licensed and experienced full planner in order to book the space. This requirement is set in place to help couples avoid the inevitable challenges ahead. For example, rentals are never fun and most estates are logistically challenging when it comes to power, lighting, parking, layout and bathrooms. We have seen a major shift since the pandemic. Many more couples are now considering hosting a more intimate wedding in a private space (like their backyard). We have done several intimate backyard weddings since 2020 and we absolutely love doing them!
You were married in 2019. Tell us how you navigated the restrictions due to COVID?
My husband and I decided to host our wedding at my parents house in Huntington Beach. We invited 25 of our closest family and friends to celebrate with us and made sure everyone got tested within 48 hours of the wedding.
Tell us about some unique details you planned for your own special day?
Since I plan and produce intricate events for a living, it was important to me to make sure my wedding was laid back. Since our wedding was in November, I wanted to make sure all our guests were warm and comfortable so I made sure to rent fan heaters (to avoid having stand up heaters in all my photos) and I purchased adorable blankets that we displayed on each chair. Almost all guests used them and loved that they could take them home as a keepsake! Another important detail was incorporating my favorite flower, lunaria in the centerpieces. Poppy Design Co. did an absolute phenomenal job with the florals. I have worked very closely with Jenny and Emma for the last several years and gave them complete creative freedom with the florals and decor. I wanted to be surprised on my wedding day and boy did they deliver! I was floored when I walked out to see what they created! Lastly, one of my closest friends, Lana, who has been planning weddings with me over the last few years, developed a real knack for ornate cheese tables. She surprised me with one of the most gorgeous displays I have ever seen. Every little detail she incorporated was breathtaking! All my guests were floored to find out the entire table was designed and set up by her. I felt so blessed to have such amazing and supported people around me that went above and beyond to make my little backyard wedding a day I’ll never forget. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing and I think that speaks volumes (especially considering I’m a notorious perfectionist)!
Speaking of your wedding, we adore your dress. Tell us how you chose it?
The dress is a funny story. It was impossible to try on dresses during the peak of the pandemic as all bridal stores were closed. I was stuck purchasing dresses online to try on at home. I knew I wanted a dress that was effortlessly chic and timeless because that’s how I’d describe my personal style. After four failed attempts, I was feeling defeated. Late one night I decided to broaden my search to “white gowns” and “white bridesmaids dresses” and that's when I found it! On sale on the Bloomingdales website for $200 was my Nookie original, haha. Ironically enough, I was planning to settle on a Stella McCartney dress, which as you can imagine, was significantly more expensive, however everyone preferred the Nookie dress on me. At first I couldn’t get over the fact that I’m a luxury wedding planner and I’m getting married in a $200 dress but ultimately I realized it wasn’t about the price tag, but how it made me feel. It just goes to show, you don't have to spend a million bucks to feel like it!
What’s your best advice for couples planning their wedding?
There is so much advice I want to share with couples! Here a a few that come to mind:
Hire a planner! You will NEVER regret this investment.
Don't sweat the small stuff. That’s what your planner is for!
Allow vendors some creative freedom, starting with your planner. You’ll always be pleasantly surprised when you let an artist do their thing. Loose direction is fine, but when it comes to the details, let the experts guide you, that’s what you are paying them for!
Never copy other weddings. You can use them as inspiration but your wedding should be as unique and special as you are!
Never lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day this is a celebration of your love and union to one another.
