ABOUT US
Making Dreams Come True
Founded in 2017, Plan + Gather is the culmination of more than 15 years of experience in wedding, corporate event, private party, nonprofit event, and business conference planning . We are built on one foundational belief: that every celebration or event deserves to be executed with intention, precision, and genuine care for the people at the center of it.
Before we begin any part of the coordination process, we take time to deeply understand three things:
Your Vision
Your Budget
Your Needs
OUR CORE VALUES
Behind-the-Scenes by Design
We want to ensure that your timeline flows, problem solving is quick and efficient, and you get to be fully present for your guests. Because, after all:
The best event coordination is the kind no one notices
Dedication to Your Design
We build you a team of two coordinators who are prepared to execute every element of your event with consistency and poise. Your vision is our main priority, and we want to make sure we have eyes on every detail so you don't have to.
Honest Budget Partnership
Your budget is a tool, not taboo. From our very first introduction, we want to understand what you have to invest, so we can help allocate it efficiently. So your event has no surprises and no regrets.
Elevated Execution at Every Stage
Regardless of the size of your event, our standards will never change. We apply the same effort, preparation, and attention to detail to every client we work with. We want you to trust that what we say will happen, will happen.
MEET OUR STAFF
Meet the people behind the curtain, who will help turn your dream into a perfectly planned reality!
Amy Sexton Stanislavski
Founder, Managing Director
I started Plan & Gather Events because I believe that extraordinary celebrations don't happen by accident, they happen because someone who genuinely cares is working behind the scenes to make sure every detail is covered.
​
With over 20 years of experience in the events industry and hundreds of weddings, corporate events, and nonprofit fundraising events behind me, I now focus my energy on what I love most: building the systems, leading the team, and nurturing the relationships that make Plan & Gather run the way it does. These days, I work behind the scenes overseeing operations, managing select client relationships, and ensuring that every experience we deliver reflects the standard we've built this company on.
​
I'll be honest with you: I am nothing without my team. Building a people-first culture around them has been one of my proudest accomplishments. The same goes for our vendor community or as I like to call them, our "friendors." These are relationships built on years of shared work, mutual respect, and a genuine love for what we do together.
​
I'm Type A in the best way: deeply organized, relentlessly detail-oriented, and always, always people-first. Because at the end of the day, every spreadsheet and timeline exists to serve the people gathered around the table. And that's exactly what Plan & Gather is all about.
Haley Ford Dummett
Senior Wedding Planner
I joined Plan & Gather in 2021 as the company's second employee — after working with Amy to plan my own wedding, which turned into an elopement and vow renewal when COVID altered our original plans. I quickly fell in love with the energy of weddings, and after five seasons, I've developed strong relationships with venues and vendors across Chicago and Chicagoland.
​
Before weddings, I spent years as a special education teacher, and that experience shaped everything about how I show up for my clients. I believe in building genuine connections, staying calm under pressure, and being a steady, supportive presence from our very first conversation through the last dance of the night.
​
Clients often tell me they feel completely at ease knowing I'm highly organized, proactive, and dependable. My goal is always to create a seamless, stress-free experience so you can be fully present for every moment of your big day.
​
I'm so excited to work with you and make the planning process just as fun and meaningful as the celebration itself.
Mia Krantz
Wedding Planner
I have a natural instinct for organization and care, and I bring a calm, steady presence to every wedding I support. I thrive behind the scenes, where timelines are tight, details are accounted for, and every moving piece comes together seamlessly.
​
Before transitioning into weddings, I built my foundation in nonprofit event planning, managing complex logistics and supporting large-scale initiatives with purpose and precision. That experience shaped my thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach and my ability to stay grounded while balancing many moving parts.
​
My role is to carry the weight of planning so couples can be fully present. I listen closely, anticipate needs, and show up as a steady, reassuring guide from the first planning conversation to the final send-off.
​
Every wedding is different, but my goal is always the same: less stress, more joy.
Katelyn Davis
Lead Coordinator
I bring a bright, positive energy to every wedding I'm part of. I'm known for my bubbly personality, my calming presence, and my ability to keep everything running smoothly without missing a beat.
​
I have a natural eye for detail and genuinely enjoy bringing all the little pieces together. From managing timelines to handling behind-the-scenes moments, I make sure everything flows the way it should, so you can stay present and enjoy your day without a worry.
​
For me, wedding coordination is about more than logistics. It's about creating a day that feels joyful, easy, and completely true to you. I'm there to support you, keep things on track, and make sure your experience feels just as special as the celebration itself.
​
I can't wait to be part of your day and help make it everything you've imagined!
Raychel Gear
Lead Coordinator
I came to wedding coordination the long way, through school, through hands-on experience working within the venue world, and through a deep, genuine love for the people at the center of every celebration. That combination has given me a well-rounded perspective on how a wedding day truly comes together, from both sides of the table.
​
What drives me most is people. I believe every couple deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and completely at ease on their wedding day and I take that responsibility to heart. I show up with warmth, patience, and a whole lot of care, because for me, this work has always been about so much more than timelines and logistics.
​
I'm especially passionate about honoring the richness that different cultures, traditions, and families bring to a celebration. Every wedding tells a unique story, and I love being trusted to help tell it well, with intention, respect, and joy.
​
At the end of the day, I'm just so grateful to do work that matters. Walking alongside couples on one of the most important days of their lives is a privilege I don't take lightly, and I pour my whole heart into every single one.
Lauren Moeller
Lead Coordinator
I'm a Chicago-area native, and I know this city: its venues, vendors, and hidden gems, inside and out. I started in the wedding industry as an assistant, learning on-the-ground, day-of execution for everything from intimate ceremonies to 250-guest celebrations.
​
Alongside that experience, I've spent years working in marketing and event coordination for a Fortune 200 company, which means I bring both creativity and operational rigor to every wedding I touch. No detail is too small, and no plan is too thorough.
​
On your wedding day, my job is to blend into the background, quietly resolving last-minute moments so you and your family can stay fully present for the ones that matter most. I bring a steady, resourceful presence and genuine warmth to every celebration.
​
I'm honored to be trusted with one of the most important days of your life, and I take that responsibility seriously.
Ruby Palmerin
Lead Coordinator
With over nine years of experience in the wedding and events industry, I bring a calm presence and genuine passion to every celebration I'm part of. From intimate bridal events and holiday parties to large-scale festivals and full wedding days, I've built my career around one simple belief: your wedding day should feel like a gift, not a to-do list.
​
I have a gift for making clients feel at ease from the very first conversation. My warm, unhurried approach and natural ability to read a room mean that no matter what the day brings, you'll always feel guided, never overwhelmed. Couples consistently describe me as the steady, joyful presence that made everything feel possible.
​
My role is simple: to carry the weight of coordination so you can be fully present for every moment that matters. The logistics, the timelines, the behind-the-scenes orchestration — that's my world, and I thrive in it.
​
I can't wait to make your day feel as effortless and joyful as it should be.
Brianna Podkulski
Assistant Coordinator
I'm here to make sure your wedding day unfolds seamlessly. I bring an organized approach, a friendly spirit, and a genuine love for handling the details that bring your vision to life, right down to the last-minute moments that make all the difference.
​
When I'm not at a wedding venue, I'm in a classroom with elementary students, which means my patience and attention to detail are truly off the charts. That experience has made me a natural at staying calm, adapting quickly, and finding joy in even the most unexpected moments.
​
I work closely with each lead planner to make sure every piece of your day comes together exactly as it should. My top priority is making sure you and your guests can simply embrace every joy-filled moment without a single worry.
​
It's an honor to be part of your day, and I'm so excited to help make it your favorite one yet.
Samantha Rossborough
Assistant Coordinator
I believe your wedding day should be filled with joy, not stress, and my job is to make sure you can be fully present with the people who matter most while I take care of everything behind the scenes.
​
I'm passionate about working in the background to keep things running smoothly and every detail thoughtfully managed. With a full-time background as a graphic designer, I bring a creative eye and a deep attention to detail that helps ensure your day reflects your vision exactly as you imagined it.
​
Whether it's tracking a timeline, coordinating with vendors, or catching something before it becomes a problem, I'm the kind of person who genuinely loves making the invisible parts of a wedding look effortless.
​
I'm thrilled to be part of the Plan & Gather team and can't wait to be a steady, behind-the-scenes presence on your big day.
Erin West
Assistant Coordinator
I'm an assistant wedding coordinator with a true passion for celebrating love and creating unforgettable moments. My journey into weddings actually began while planning my own, that's where I discovered just how much I enjoy bringing all the little personal details together to make a day feel truly special.
​
There's nothing more rewarding to me than seeing a couple happy, stress-free, and surrounded by the people they love. I show up to every wedding ready to support, adapt, and make sure everything behind the scenes is handled so the people in front of the camera can simply enjoy.
​
Outside of weddings, you'll find me at a concert, baking something new, or working on a DIY project around the house. I bring that same love of creating and celebrating into everything I do.
​
I can't wait to be part of your day and help make it everything you've dreamed of.
Alexa Galdo
Social Media Coordinator
Hi! I'm Alexa, and I discovered my passion for digital storytelling back in college, where I studied hospitality management and started managing social media part-time. What began as a side project quickly turned into something I loved, finding creative ways to tell a brand's story and connect with people through photos, words, and moments.
​
When I saw that Plan & Gather was looking for a Social Media Coordinator, I knew it was the perfect fit. It blended my background in hospitality with my growing love for visual storytelling, and I officially joined the team in September 2025.
​
Weddings have always fascinated me. There's something magical about seeing the way each celebration comes together and transforming those moments into content that reflects the joy, personality, and heart behind them. Every time I fill my gallery with photos ready to post, I feel that same happiness our couples feel on their wedding day.
​
It's a privilege to help share these stories, and I'm so grateful to be part of the Plan & Gather family.
