ABOUT OUR TEAM
We Love What We Do!
At Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm, our team of seasoned event specialists work closely with each client to create a concept that truly represents their unique goals and objectives. We are experts at logistics and have an eye for detail.
Our sense of style, flexibility, attention to detail, warmth and strong relationships, with the best vendors in the business, make us successful. We are committed to taking care of complete organization, tough decision making and endless orchestration, in an effort to make every moment of the planning process fun and effortless for you.
Our gracious and knowledgeable team will go above and beyond to provide clients with excellent service and a seamlessly produced event – thanks to a combination of sharp instincts and impeccable style.
CHRISTINE WHEAT
Owner, Principal Planner
hristine is the founder of the Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm, LLC, an international full service event planning firm, and has earned the respect of her industry peers as one of
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today's premier event planners. She is someone you want by your side on your most important day.
Over 20 years ago she started her career as a private university event planner and has come full circle to include weddings, philanthropic, social and corporate events into her repertoire. Christine oversees all operations and has become an authority on event planning and lectures at colleges and universities throughout New York State.Christine attended schools in Long Island, New York and Rome, Italy. She holds a B.A. in communications and graphic design and a M.B.A. with a concentration in marketing from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
Christine, plans with purpose, creating events that flow on "cue" and are more than camera ready. She has been selected to be on Town & Country’s Luxury Wedding Advisory Board and awarded the Champion of Compassion award from the HATAS program. Christine is also honored to be on the 40 under 40 list with the Albany Business Review.
Christine and her talented team at CW Events Firm have produced major events and luxury weddings. With expertise and passion orchestrating logistically complex weddings in the most exclusive destinations. While weddings are now CW Events' specialty, the firm has planned and executed private, corporate & philanthropic events.
Having sent hundreds of brides down the aisle, negotiating the often-sensitive elements of wedding planning has won her a loyal following. Her depth of experience gives her the confidence to alleviate fears, push through obstacles, and bring synergy between the sometimes-disparate demands of the planning process. She brings new energy and a fresh palette to every wedding, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for CW Events Firm brides and their guests.
JORDAN BISHOP
Planner & Director of Events
ordan Bishop is an Event Director who joined the CW Events team 9 years ago. She is a natural leader and oversees each and every detail with a critical eye but delivers direction
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with enthusiasm and determined positive energy. She has successfully planned and coordinated a wide range of events including weddings, corporate and social events, galas and fundraisers.
Jordan’s long time passion for planning the perfect event has driven her to become a well rounded, detail oriented event planner. Her ability to remain calm and levelheaded when faced with a challenge, coupled with her desire to create beautiful events, makes her the perfect addition to produce any event. Our clients love Jordan for her innate eye for design details and personal approach to the planning process.
Jordan has coordinated beautiful events all over the East Coast, ranging from Montauk, Nantucket, Rhode Island, Westchester, Saratoga Springs, Brooklyn & NYC, Cooperstown and Lake Placid as well as Austin, TX; These events have ranged from 25 people to 500 people.
Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Management and Design with a concentration in Design, from Ithaca College.
“Incredible to work with and helped to make our dream wedding day a reality. The day flowed so seamlessly and was absolute perfection!” – The Bride
"Her responsiveness and care with which she helped me design and coordinate my wedding was amazing!" – The Bride
:Jordan was absolutely phenomenal. She is extremely organized, detail oriented, and responsive. She put our minds at ease the first day we spoke to her." - The Bride
MARI BRENNAN
Associate Director of Events
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ari Brennan serves as an Assistant Director of Events & Event Coordinator for the Firm. She has successfully coordinated a wide range of weddings & social events all
over the East Coast, from Saratoga Springs, Lake Placid, Cooperstown and Rhode Island.
Mari has a deep appreciation for beautiful designs, meticulous details, and the joy of bringing each event to life. She works alongside our team to curate seamless, stylish, and stress-free wedding experiences.
“Thank you for making our daughters special day happen. We would not have been able to do it without you” – Mother of the Bride
"Mari was always a very happy and calming presence" - The Bride
LINDSEY RUOFF
Event Coordinator
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indsey serves as an Event Coordinator for the Firm and has been managing events for over 20 years. As the former Catering Event Manager at the Saratoga Hall of Springs, Lindsey oversaw the production & execution of all types of events including weddings, corporate galas, fundraisers, school events & more.
In addition to her catering event management expertise, Lindsey has also planned and executed weddings and events with our firm in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, and throughout the North East.
“I cannot say enough good things about Lindsey who helped set up our decor, coordinate all of our different vendors, and make sure my husband and I had the best day ever. If you’re on the fence about hiring a day of coordinator, it is so worth it and the Christine Wheat Event Team goes above and beyond!!” – The Bride
LAURA HOGAN
Event Coordinator
aura Hogan serves as an Event Coordinator for the Firm and has successfully coordinated a wide range of weddings; from 25 to 500 people.
As the former bridal coordinator at Saratoga National Golf Club, Laura came with a serious passion for weddings and attention to detail we greatly appreciate. She is known as the queen of DIY and on her time off she gets creative and hands on with anyones house she visits. She is our inhouse 'crafter'.
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“Laura was with me throughout it all. She made me feel so special and taken care of... like anything and everything, she took care of.” – The Bride
ASHLEY ARNOLD
Event Coordinator
shley Arnold serves as an Event Coordinator for the Firm and has been planning events for over 2 decades. As the former program coordinator for the Empire State Games, Ashley oversaw the production of the Empire State Summer Games which included a four day competition encompassing 40 sports and hosting 7,000 athletes.
In addition to her sports event management expertise, Ashley has also planned and executed weddings and events in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and New York Metro.
Outside of planning, Ashley is a trained dance instructor and remains active with the Empire State Games as a member of the Empire State Sports Foundation.
Ashley holds a B.A. of Arts from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
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DINA ZYDOR
Principal Planner
ina Zydor is the Principal Planner for the Firm’s Long Island/New York Metro Area office and has been planning events for over 40 years. She started her career as a professional fundraiser and event planner for the not-for-profit sector having held positions of Director of Development and Director of Special Events. She has planned events for a variety of high profile universities and health care institutions including, New York University School of Law, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, South Nassau Communities Hospital and Adelphi University. In addition to wedding planning, Dina has extensive experience in planning corporate and philanthropic events including; galas, golf outings, cocktail receptions, auctions, large scale concerts and educational conferences. She has planned a variety of events and weddings in Manhattan and Long Island (including Hamptons and east end).
Dina volunteers as an event planner for local organizations and has planned many fundraising and youth centered events for local charities.
Dina holds a Bachelors degree from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.