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 the 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 of associates 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
Christine is the founder of the Christine A. Wheat Special Events Firm, LLC, an international full service event planning, coordinating, marketing and consulting firm; with offices in Saratoga Springs, the New York Metropolitan Area, and Newport, Rhode Island. 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 special 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 is an involved member of the American Marketing Association, Capital District Executive Women’s Golf Association, Networking Empowering Women, Saratoga and Albany/Colonie Chambers of Commerce.
Christine is an active board member for the National Alumnae Association of AHN and has volunteered her time for the Executive Women’s Golf Association Breast Cancer Classic, Bellevue Women’s Hospital Gala, Girl Scout’s of the USA, Garden City Chamber of Commerce Pineapple Ball, Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Day, Harbor Child Care Anniversary Gala, Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC) Awards Luncheon, To Life’s Pink Ball, and H.O.P.E. Animal Rescue Annual Silent Auction.
Christine has been selected to be on Town & Country’s Luxury Wedding Advisory Board and awarded the Champion of Compassion award from the HATAS program.
Most recently, Christine made the 40 under 40 list with the Albany Business Review.
Photo by Elario Photography
“Our day went off without a hitch because of you and your team. Thank you for bringing our vision to life and then making it better. Your team is phenomenal and we are forever grateful.” – The Bride
Photo by Elario Photography
Jordan Bishop
Event Director
Jordan Bishop is an Event Director for the Firm. 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 coordinator. (also obsessed with Pinterest) Her ability to remain calm and levelheaded when faced with a challenge, coupled with her desire to create beautiful events, make her the perfect addition to produce any event.
Jordan has coordinated beautiful events all over the Northeast, ranging from Westchester, Saratoga Springs, Brooklyn and Cooperstown to Lake Placid; from 25 people to 300 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
Laura Hogan
Event Coordinator
Laura Hogan serves as an Event Coordinator for the Firm and has successfully coordinated a wide range of weddings; from 25 to 300 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'.
“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
Ashley Arnold serves as an Event Coordinator for the Firm and has been planning events for over a decade. 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 business 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.
“I love seeing the faces of the guests at an event. The look of awe on their face lets us know we have made the client’s vision come to life.”
Dina Zydor
Principal Planner
Dina Zydor is the Principal Planner for the Firm’s Long Island/New York Metro Area office and has been planning events for over 30 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.
