Your Multidisciplinary Party Planner in CT, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley for Weddings, Events, and Celebrations
We put our whole heart into everything we do, and sweat the details so you don’t have to.
The best events have two essential ingredients: vision and execution. Beautiful tablescapes don’t happen if the vendor has the wrong date on their calendar. Even the most perfect menu is wasted if the service is rushed or the food is cold. This might not be profound, but it’s worth saying: No one should have to stress through their own celebration.
And that’s exactly why we do what we do — so you can show up, be present, and actually enjoy the party you've been dreaming about.
You save the sweat for the dance floor.
We’ll handle everything else.
Meet our behind-the-scenes Dream Team
When you choose us for your big day, you're getting more than event planners. You're getting a dedicated team of people who genuinely love what they do, and do it from the heart always. You’re getting a team that will lose sleep over your seating chart, celebrate when your vendor contracts are finalized, and show up on event day with our proverbial work boots on, ready to tackle any hitch, hiccup, or curveball that comes our way. Because you, and your celebration, matter to us. Ensuring your event is meaningful – it’s what we do with ease and grace.
Founder, Owner, and Hospitality Professional
Marylee Santoro
Marylee Santoro has been creating seamless events since 2007, and officially launched Events by Marylee in 2014 after years of planning on the side while working her full-time career. For more than 35 years, she's worked as an environmental analyst and educator doing work that requires the same obsessive attention to detail and procedure-driven precision she brings to every wedding, gala, and celebration. What started with planning themed formals in college has grown into a full-service planning and staffing company with a team of 95+ certified professionals, built on a simple philosophy: it's not just about the event, it's about the people celebrating it. Marylee leads with logistics, builds genuine relationships with everyone she encounters (from clients to chefs to vendors), and believes that doing things right — following regulations, certifying every team member, treating clients like family — will always be what matters most. When she's not planning events, you'll probably find her with her husband, Dennis, and their rescue dog.
Director of Sales and Events
Eileen Friedman
With more than two decades of experience, Eileen has produced large-scale conferences, executive programs, fundraising galas, and over 80 annual events during her tenure in global finance. Her background spans full-service planning, guest experience design, vendor and venue management, budgeting, run-of-show development, and end-to-end logistics. She is known for her ability to elevate both corporate and social events with thoughtful details, polished coordination, and a calm, solutions-driven presence.
Her career also includes impactful roles within fast-growing tech start-ups, where she supported C-suite leaders, streamlined operations, and led internal and external events that strengthened culture, visibility, and investor engagement. Working in high-growth environments sharpened her ability to adapt quickly, manage complex workflows, and deliver polished experiences under tight timelines, skills she brings to every event she produces today.
Eileen is a seasoned Sales and Events Director with a passion for creating unforgettable experiences across corporate, nonprofit, and social event settings. Since joining Events by Marylee in March 2023, she has expanded her portfolio to include elevated private social events, milestone celebrations, intimate gatherings, and bespoke experiences that reflect each client’s personality and vision. Her approach blends creativity, hospitality, and precision, ensuring every event feels seamless, meaningful, and beautifully executed.
The type-A details people who love a good party
With more than 20 years of combined experience in event planning, logistics, and staffing, we have the credentials to back up our belief that exceptional events happen because of flawless logistics and meticulous attention to detail. And luckily for you, that’s what we do best. We love the nitty gritty. Our team works behind the scenes with math and logistics, and a heart of hospitality that makes your event seamless and memorable. We revel in the details behind the scenes. We see magic in the mundane logistics. Like the vendor who shows up early because we confirmed twice. Or the menu that discreetly accounts for your best friend’s dad’s gluten allergy. And, yes, even the backup plan that no one would’ve ever guessed wasn’t Plan A all along. Our team thinks with logistics and loves math: that’s the behind the scenes work that makes your event one with meaning, magic, and heart!
So while we just call it insightful planning, we think you'll call it the best event decision you ever made.
What sets Our business apart:
.01
Hospitality comes first with our Signature Service
From our Signature Service that brings concierge-level support to your event to our complimentary post-event property sweep to make sure no item is left behind, hospitality and heart are at the core of everything we do. Beyond ensuring your event runs smoothly, we pride ourselves on how we make our clients feel, and on delivering the sort of genuine experience that makes our team feel like your extended family when it’s all over.
.02
Logistics are our Super Bowl
While other planners focus solely on aesthetics, we're specialists in the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes beautiful events actually happen. With Events by Marylee, we promise you’ll get both the vision and the execution, and you will be hiring a team that always has your back.
.03
Food-centered planning & strong chef relationships
Our strongest vendor relationships are with chefs, so not only do we know how to deliver on incredible food — we also have deep knowledge of dietary restrictions and menu planning. We know good event food in a way that goes far beyond "pick a menu and hope for the best." And most importantly, we know food variety ranging from simple comfort food to family-style buffets to 5-star dining.
.04
Our secret weapon: the environmental scientist advantage
Our founder (and namesake) has spent 35+ years as an environmental scientist and analyst — work that requires obsessive attention to detail and procedure-driven precision. Turns out, those are exactly the skills that we put to use everyday to make flawless events happen.
.05
Our roots involve Monte Carlo and have evolved to Great Gatsby party dreams
Marylee started planning events in college — think haunted castle fundraisers and a Monte Carlo night — and never stopped. Over 20 years later, that same creativity and enthusiasm shows up in every wedding, gala, and celebration we touch. Be it a night of glamour or refined event, we bring the respect and care that your event deserves.
.06
Sustainability is core to who we are
We really believe that sustainable events don’t mean sacrificing on beauty, creativity, or elegance. We’ve donated our services to nonprofits that focus on sustainable ingredients and practices, because luxury is not about excess or waste. We keep sustainable practices in mind for every event we plan and work. We full-heartedly believe that beautiful events can (and should) do good in the world.
“WOW! Such an amazing experience! I can not stop gushing my gratitudes to Marylee for her attention to detail, organizational skills, help and suggestions.
With Marylee's assistance I was able to pull off a surprise birthday party for my husband.“
- Deborra
“We have been working with Events by Marylee for a few years now and I would not use anyone else!! Her staff are so professional, courteous and always have a smile on their faces!
We recently had our company Holiday party and we had Maria and Linette working and they did not stop all night and left the place looking as if we never had a party!! Thank you and we will be calling upon you for our next event!
- Dana
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Marylee for the past 1-1/2 years. Communication is A++ Exceptional response time to every question and/or request.
Marylee pays careful attention to every little detail while consistently providing exceptional service with insightful tips and suggestions producing a fabulous experience every time. Overall knowledge of the industry is beyond my expectations. Passionate, positive and easy to work with.
- Offsite Office
Think we might be the right people for the job?
Do you value integrity, hospitality, and concierge-level support? Do you love a good backup plan, and want a team that's as invested in your event as you are? Contact us to talk about how we can work with you on your next event!
We’ll bring our expertise, and you bring the vision.
