March 6, 2017

Meet Kristin Banta of Kristin Banta Events in Studio City

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Banta.

Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Before I graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine, I was all over the place. I had no idea what I wanted to do – I just knew I wanted to do something creative that was behind the scenes. I had worked in retail doing display design and later picked up odd jobs for a variety of local events, ranging from fashion shows to music fests to non-profit benefits. I additionally assisted a number of professionals including an interior designer, an art collector, a caterer and a florist. At the time, I didn’t realize I was essentially building my business. I was probably too busy trying to convince my parents that I wasn’t a total gypsy incapable of picking a career.

Early in my career, I thought I was moving more towards events in the music and fashion industry and then was given opportunity to do a wedding and was encouraged to produce it in my voice. I didn’t know anything about weddings, nor had I never imagined I’d get married. I was never inspired by the traditions associated with weddings or the formulaic approach. I hadn’t been to more than one or two weddings in my life, but the challenge of designing a wedding with a fresh voice interested me.

Based on my experience, it occurred to me that if I didn’t relate to traditions & craved a more unusual way of presenting a wedding, then others must as well. Based on my unique set of influences, I set out to create an event production company specializing in design and planning, targeted at weddings and events with a non-traditional, high fashion spin.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Since 2008, things have been rather unpredictable in my experience – sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes exciting. In the office, I feel like we constantly vacillate from popping bottles of champagne, high five’ing and giving each other the slow clap to maxing out the credit line and doing rock paper scissors for who’s tipping valet. I am so uncomfortable with the unpredictable nature of the event industry yet the opportunity to constantly be creating something new is what led me here. As new talent emerges and new companies flood our industry, I’ve realized more than ever the importance of constantly reevaluating my brand and what I uniquely bring to the table as a designer and entrepreneur.

Just when I’m getting to the point where I feel like I can kick up my feet and sink into the comforts of my “upper school years,” so to speak as a business owner, the whole way of doing things seems to change. With that being said, I know I can never get too comfortable – my team never takes a break from studying market trends and client buying behavior, promoting our business, expanding our portfolio and figuring out how to separate ourselves from our competition.

Please tell us about Kristin Banta Events.
My company, Kristin Banta Events, is among the country’s leading event design, planning, and production companies, renowned for uniquely creative concepts, flawless attention to detail, expert execution, and client responsiveness.

KBE has been an innovator for over fifteen years, setting the standard for custom luxury celebrations—society weddings, exclusive corporate events, hip entertainment industry soirees, and destination extravaganzas—among a private and corporate clientele who all share a passion for the dramatically different. At the cutting edge of the latest trends in decor, catering and entertainment, we aim to take the client’s vision to an epic new level, orchestrating truly original celebrations in locations worldwide that are provocative and impact all senses, telling a distinct story to each and every guest.

Our work has been featured on the Hallmark Channel, Bravo, Style Network, TNT, SYFY, Food Network, Fox and in countless publications including Elle Decor, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings, Los Angeles Times, LA Confidential, Frontiers Magazine, The Knot, Inside Weddings, Real Simple Weddings, Style Me Pretty and Brides.

We have also been the recipient of numerous awards including Best Event Produced for a Private Individual, Special Events (2016, 2017), Event Planner of the Year, Event Solutions (2014, 2015, 2016), and Wedding Vendor of the Year LA, California Wedding Day Magazine (2014).

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I think part of this process is about learning from your mistakes and growing with each challenge that is presented. Everything that has come to pass is how I got to the place where I am now.

Contact Info: