Christopher Confero, deemed by The Knot founder Carley Roney as the “talk of the south,” is a genius at transforming spaces and creating experiences. Christopher is the ultimate combination of perfectionist and competent friend. He has become one of the most sought-after event planners for his graceful customer service and impeccable style.
His event portfolio represents each client’s respective style amplified with his creative vision. “Never are two parties alike,” says Confero. “There is no recipe for every event, but there are certain finishes that define a Confero production.” His perspective on parties is cultivated through experiences building his own business for over a decade, collaborating with clients and artists around the world and saving time for his own twirls on the dancefloor.
With a degree in public relations and marketing as well as a background in the arts, Christopher crafts narratives for his clients’ most cherished moments in life – all with a touch of magic.
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
Trends are not something I tend to favor and can often create a look that will appear dated. I suggest taking cues from things that are popular at the moment, and weave them through your event in a minimal, classic way. So instead I can offer these two “trends” that never go out of style:
1. Select a color palette that is meaningful to you and use it consistently throughout all elements. Also, use color cues for your palette from the spaces where your event will take place. Work with what you’ve got! Don’t be afraid of color – even if just a hint.
2. Know when to edit. When you have too many ideas fighting for the spotlight, it shows. Focus on your “wow” moments and meaningful details, and save those unnecessary extras for another occasion down the road. Refining your vision is ultimate style.
What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?
First and foremost, great style has nothing to do with budget. Small budgets can often create ingenious beauty, and massive ones can sometimes be an expensive mess.
Don’t invite more people than are really important to you. Every person you invite spreads your budget thinner. I’ve planned some truly magical evenings for friends’ weddings that had no more than a dozen people attend, and we were able to create over-the-top experiences because it was so intimate.
In terms of décor, I relish repetition; single blooms en masse and lots and lots of candles. Utilize nature when possible, and don’t be afraid to nip some bits and bobs from the backyard.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
Collaborative vendors are the backbone of building your vision. I know my vendors work as hard as I do to represent themselves and the businesses they have built. We are able to talk shop, create new products together, and lift each other up as business people to continue elevating the services we provide. When I know what my clients really want, I’m able to select the right vendors from my network to bring it to life because I know them on a deeper level than what you see on a website or in a showroom.
What inspired you to launch your own company in the event industry? How long did it take from initially having the idea of setting up and starting to attract a client base?
For my public relations senior project in college, I was tasked with creating a full-concept company, complete with a website, marketing collateral, etc. I focused on ideating my own real company that I had known I wanted to pursue. When I finished school, I sent press releases, reached out to all my social contacts, and went from there. Within a year, I saw growth that showed promise and kept pushing myself to get where I am today.
What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
I did a small, intimate wedding in North Georgia. In the end, I was happy with the result and proved to myself that I could deliver a polished, well-planned event. In the beginning, you have to keep it small and scale up as you learn and grow as a business person. Do not bite off more than you can chew, but also stay confident in your abilities to know when to take bigger opportunities.
