Rising Stars: Meet Susan Dunne of Woodland Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Dunne.

Hi susan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path into weddings began somewhat organically, but in hindsight it feels like a very natural progression.

Before founding Weddings by Susan Dunne, I worked for a Fortune 500 company where my role involved a great deal of strategic planning, visual merchandising, and traveling throughout the United States to oversee brand presentation. It was a fast-paced environment that required a strong eye for detail, organization, and the ability to create experiences that felt intentional and beautifully executed.

During that time, colleagues and friends began asking for help planning their personal celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, and eventually weddings. What started as a favor quickly became something I genuinely loved. I realized that the same skills I was using professionally, design, logistics, storytelling through visual experience, translated seamlessly into events.

That realization led me to pursue formal certification in wedding and event planning, and I was fortunate to spend time working under several highly regarded celebrity event planners. It was an invaluable experience. I was exposed to the level of precision, production, and artistry that goes into truly exceptional events. I fell in love with every aspect of the process from the creative vision to the behind-the-scenes orchestration that makes a celebration feel effortless for the client and their guests.

Eventually, I knew it was time to create something of my own. That is how Weddings by Susan Dunne was born.

From the beginning, my vision was to build a boutique planning firm that offers a very intentional, elevated approach to weddings where design, logistics, and guest experience are handled with the same care and thoughtfulness. Today, that philosophy continues to guide everything we do: creating beautifully produced celebrations while allowing our clients to be fully present in one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a company is rarely a perfectly smooth path, and my journey has certainly been no exception. Like many entrepreneurs, the early years required a great deal of faith, persistence, and thoughtful investment.

Entering the events industry meant stepping into a space that, while deeply aligned with my skills and passions, was still new territory professionally. I was very intentional about investing in education, training, and mentorship so that I could truly understand the craft at a high level. I spent time learning from respected planners in the industry, studying the production side of events, and refining both the creative and logistical aspects of planning.

There were also the practical realities of building a brand from the ground up. Marketing, brand development, and establishing a presence in a competitive luxury market all require significant investment and patience. Creating visibility and trust takes time, especially when your goal is to attract clients who value a very elevated and thoughtful planning experience.

Another important piece of the journey has been building the right team. Weddings are incredibly intricate productions, and it was essential to surround myself with people who not only have strong technical skills but also truly understand our philosophy approaching each celebration with intention, discretion, and a deep respect for the client’s vision.

While the road hasn’t always been easy, those challenges ultimately shaped the company into what it is today. Each step reinforced the importance of excellence, thoughtful systems, and a commitment to delivering an experience that feels seamless and refined for our clients.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Weddings by Susan Dunne, our work is centered on producing highly intentional, beautifully orchestrated celebrations that feel both elevated and deeply personal. We specialize in full-service wedding planning and event production, guiding our clients through every stage of the planning process from the earliest creative conversations to the final moments of the celebration itself.

Our approach begins with design, but not in the traditional sense of simply selecting colors or décor. We treat design as the foundation of the entire event experience. Through our structured design process, we work closely with our clients to develop a cohesive vision that informs every decision architecture of the space, guest flow, florals, lighting, entertainment, and the subtle details that ultimately shape how a celebration feels.

What we are most known for is our ability to bring together design and logistics in a way that feels seamless. A wedding is not only a beautiful event it is also a highly complex production. Our role is to ensure that the creative vision and the operational execution move in perfect harmony. When done well, the result is an experience that feels effortless for the couple and unforgettable for their guests.

We also place a strong emphasis on guest experience. Every decision is considered through that lens how guests arrive, how spaces transition throughout the evening, how moments unfold. The goal is always to create an atmosphere that feels thoughtful, immersive, and beautifully paced.

What sets Weddings by Susan Dunne apart is the level of intention behind our process. We operate very much like a production studio, with a structured design framework that allows us to translate a client’s ideas into a fully realized event environment. This process provides clarity for our clients and ensures that every element of the wedding contributes to a cohesive story.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that often surprises people is that before fully immersing myself in the world of weddings and celebrations, I spent time assisting with fashion runway shows. It was a fascinating environment fast-paced, highly creative, and incredibly precise.

Working behind the scenes in fashion exposed me to a different kind of event production, one where timing, visual storytelling, and attention to detail are absolutely critical. A runway show may last only a matter of minutes, but every element from lighting and staging to choreography and pacing must come together flawlessly to create a memorable moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weddingsbysusandunne.com
• Instagram: @weddingsbysusandunne

Image Credits
photography Anya Kernes