Wedding planning wasn’t always in the cards for Renée. Instead, what started out as a seemingly one-time favor for a friend evolved into a thriving side-hustle to her acting career. When it was her turn to walk down the aisle, she flipped the script and discovered that the wedding industry was truly where she belonged. Shortly after her “I do’s,” she started Moxie Bright Events, a boutique wedding planning company, and never looked back.
It wasn’t long before fellow industry pros were looking to her for advice. With over 12 years of experience under her belt, Renée turned her knowledge towards the advancement of the industry as a whole and launched her top-notch educational resources for event pros. In addition to her self-guided Wedding Management e-course, Renée is also the founder and host of the popular B2B podcast, Talk with Renee Dalo.
Renée is a fan favorite on the speaker circuit, taking the stage at conferences across the world, including Wedding MBA, Creative at Heart, Cocktails in Cartegena for WPIC, and Tide Talk LA. She is recognized across the industry, having earned a coveted spot on Honeybook’s 20 On The Rise list, and she contributes frequently to industry publications. She currently serves as the President of WIPA Southern California and has also held leadership roles in The Association of Bridal Consultants and The Rising Tide Society.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?
Oh, the biggest challenge actually happened at my very first wedding! This was a small wedding at a photography studio with a courtyard – that is to say, it was not a traditional wedding venue. I never checked the power load (again, this was my VERY 1st wedding), so when the DJ plugged into the wall, all the lights went out! Thankfully, this happened before the guests arrived. But the only way around it was to have the DJ “burn” CD’s on his laptop and play them through the in-house 5 disc CD changer. (You can imagine by this tech what year this was!). All night long, he burned CDs. Poor guy. But the lights stayed on!
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
I am always excited when we see trends that lean into hyper-personalization of events. I’m always on board for anything that helps my couples or clients fully express their unique selves through their wedding.
Also, I really love silent discos. So fun!
If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?
Oh my, I can think of so many things! Really, it’s all about what my clients want and love. But with an unlimited budget, I’d love to plan a big wedding in Positano, Italy. It’s my favorite place in the world and I think a grand wedding on the coast would just be amazing. I’ve planned an intimate wedding in Priano (the next town over from Positano) and it was a dream!
Also, my dream client is Mindy Kaling. If she gets married, I want to plan it.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
Relationships are EVERYTHING! It’s so important to me that I help foster a strong sense of community among the vendors with whom I work. No one does their job in solitude – in order for us all to do our best work, we have to do it together, and in harmony. I believe in open, honest communication, hearing all sides of a challenge or problem, and having each other’s backs. At the end of the day, we are only as good as our relationships.
What are some things you wished you knew before starting your businesses?
Oh, so many things!
First and foremost, none of this is easy, but it’s always worth it.
You have to put in consistent, quality work always, and that can take a toll on your life and your health, so balance and self-care are critical.
Lastly, there is no such thing as an overnight success. You have to put in the work.
