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For anyone who has planned their own wedding, you know what a challenge it can be and how many balls you need to juggle at once. We’ve always been in awe of the wedding planners we’ve worked with. To spend months or years working with clients to bring their vision to life, to manage all the moving pieces and to problem solve on the fly. It takes a very special kind of person, and Melissa is just that kind of person. Having worked with her and seen her behind the scenes, I can tell you first hand that this woman is someone you’d be lucky to have in your corner on your wedding day.

Recently Ashley & Frances took some time out to sit down with Melissa Twist Events to discuss her love for event planning, how she came to Collingwood and what excites her about life.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Melissa! You had said you always had a passion for planning events and you went to George Brown to learn more. Can you tell us about that?

It was never even a question for me growing up as I always loved planning parties for my girlfriends and it was always something that was in me. When that whole conversation started at school about what you want to do in university or college, I decided I wanted to be in event planning. It just so happened that George Brown College had announced a program called Special Event Management & Hospitality as a 2-year program and I was one of the first students. The last year was a co-op, which I did at Glen Abbey Golf Course, and I got to work directly with the food and beverage manager who was in charge of planning all the social, corporate, golf tournaments and weddings. At that point, I was only 19 years old and was not sure I wanted to start my career at that age. I knew I wanted to travel more before I started working full time, so I made the decision to go back to school and take Tourism and Environmental Studies at the University of Brock. I was there for 4 years and during that time, I was still working in the industry during my summers. I spent a year abroad in Australia studying, and did some backpacking
in New Zealand for a couple months. It gave me that life experience I was in need of and helped me mentality prepare to come back and work full-time.

What had your work experience been?

I’ve been in different management roles for golf courses, banquet venues, finally ending up at large event and restaurant company where I worked for 5 years before moving up to Collingwood.

So what brought you to Collingwood?

I was in need of a lifestyle change. My parents had been seasonal residents in Collingwood for about 15 years so this has always been our city escape. What started as a monthly getaway became a weekly getaway. It was only logical to think about making the move. At the same time, my husband’s company was starting to do alternate work arrangements so he was able to work from home a few days a week, which started the wheels in motion. He kept his job and I quit mine and I started working at Blue Mountain Resort in the Wedding & Social Event Manager role. It was temporary for the first year as we were just renting to see if it was the right fit, making the decision after that year to stay. My husband was a city guy and I had to really coax him to get out of the city but I asked him a year later and he said he couldn’t see himself ever going back.

You said to us that you really love the beach. What’s your beach style, are you a sit and read a book kind of person or are you an activities kind of person?

I like to mix it up. I do a bit of reading and relaxing, but then grab my SUP board and go out for a cruise.

How do you stay motivated when working?

My clients motivate me, as I always want to go above and beyond for them.

As an entrepreneur do you find you have to manage your clients expectations when it comes to the hours you’re expected to work?

Most of my clients have been great. If I know I am going to be unavailable, I let them know well in advance and make sure to get an on call with them so they feel secure while I am gone.

Photography: Corynn Fowler Photography (Left), Candra Schank Photography (Right)

What’s your favourite part in the planning process?

I really enjoy the creative part, like coming up with tablescapes and deciding on extra details. As an example, I would love to be able to bring in aerial dancers or a tarot card reader for a fun element.

Is there any sort of trend or something that you’re really excited about for weddings?

I like to plan unique weddings. I want to plan a wedding in an apple orchard wedding where the apple crates are used as a bar and bring in long, maybe 40-foot harvest table. Or maybe a Sunday brunch wedding – weddings don’t have to be in the evening.

Is there anything you’re really looking forward to this year?

I really want to travel more and just do more.

Any place in particular you want to travel to?

Costa Rica is in the books for January 2020. My ultimate goal is to spend a couple months in the winter working remotely from somewhere warm…here’s to dreaming!

Thanks to Melissa for taking the time to chat with us! Follow her on instagram, @melissa_twist_events, or check out her website, www.melissatwistevents.com/.

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