People always want to know, how did you become a Wedding Planner? And lucky enough to live in the Hamptons?? Jill Gordon Celebrate was launched in 1995 when a friend was getting married at her father’s Georgica Pond property and asked for my professional help. After many years working in boutique catering, both in New York City and the Hamptons, Wedding Planning incorporated many of my talents and passions. To be able to create beauty, collaborate with the most talented designers, live in a world of flowers and stationery, gorgeous tabletop and beautiful meals – this was my absolute dream.

After growing up on the Upper West Side and graduating from University of Pennsylvania, I returned directly to NYC and began my career catering events for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Gianni Versace and Vogue. East Hampton had been a second home since early childhood, so I was curious when an opportunity arose to move here year-round and spearhead the catering department at the new Red Horse Market. I felt connected to the area – the beaches and farms, lovely towns, good friends and family – but wondered who I would hang out with when February rolled around. That was 1993; I’m still here and feel lucky every day.

Here’s what I love most about wedding planning: the opportunity to fully support my clients, to listen deeply to their vision and inspiration, help them realize their most personal wedding goals and navigate through any challenges that arise. It is the source of my deepest satisfaction. The job incorporates many of the same skills as my past catering life, but the working relationships are deeper, developing over several months and often involving the couple, their families and all the dynamics born out of engagements. This feels meaningful.

I’ve developed a strong viewpoint about the importance of hospitality, taking good care of our couples and their guests. Entertaining is about people – about sharing love, fun, sentiment, appreciation and a moment of grace. I’m so lucky to have an incredible team who embody that spirit as well. It’s our driving mission at Jill Gordon Celebrate.

At the end of the day, my job is to provide an incredible experience for our clients: alleviating their stress, maximizing their joy and creating lasting memories at milestone life celebrations. I take that seriously and love every minute.

When I need a break from all that seriousness, you’ll find me fueling inspiration by entertaining friends and family at home, cooking a fabulous meal, setting a beautiful table, sharing a lot of laughs and good conversation. Travel is my jam; I’ve literally been around the world, soaking in culture and landscape and food and art, snapping photos of it all along the way. Perfection is a day at the beach with a high-brow novel or a night on the couch with some low-brow TV. I still miss some of what’s left behind in NYC – mostly ethnic food, movie houses and walking city streets (and Barney’s, don’t we all miss Barney’s?) - but life at the beach is pretty damn dreamy.