Every wedding I’ve planned holds its own special memories, but one that stands out is my sister’s wedding in Italy. It was an intimate celebration with just our families, set under the breathtaking Tuscan sun. The mountains provided a stunning backdrop, and the villa was the perfect setting for such a beautiful occasion…”
Jennifer Tello, founder, Amorella Events
Jennifer Tello, owner of Amorella Events, leads a destination wedding planning and content creation firm based in Chicago and Los Angeles. Specialising in crafting unforgettable celebrations that bring her clients’ unique stories to life, Jennifer seamlessly blends creativity with meticulous planning for weddings. Over the past eight years, she has not only covered the United States but has also planned weddings in Spain and Italy. Having traveled to over thirty-five countries, her aim is to design more international weddings. In this discussion, we explore Jennifer’s inspirations, the planning process, and the role of content creation in her work…
C&B: “Jennifer, lovely to meet you here! What first inspired you to pursue a career in wedding planning, and how did you get your start in the industry?”
JT: “I’ve always had a natural inclination for creativity, drawn to fashion, photography, and the art of combining colours and designs. Growing up, my parents set a beautiful example of what a good, stable marriage looks like, and all of these elements really inspired me to be a wedding planner. Being a romantic at heart, I’ve always been captivated by weddings – the dress, designs, and atmosphere they create. I began building connections with various vendors, getting myself into the field, and gaining invaluable experience by working with multiple wedding planners…”
C&B: “That is such a positive foundation for your business! Can you describe your creative process when designing a bespoke wedding theme for a couple?”
JT: “My top priority is getting to know the couple on a personal level; I love learning about how they met, their backgrounds, the moments that brought them joy growing up, and the cherished memories they’ve created together. From there, we dive into their vision for the big day. This process sparks my creativity and allows me to collaborate closely with them to craft unique themes, colour palettes, and designs that are most meaningful to them…”
“Instagram and TikTok have been invaluable resources for observing current trends in wedding design. I also enjoy using Pinterest to create my own boards for each season. Moreover, I look beyond wedding concepts to include fashion, interior design, and colour palettes that are currently in use, ensuring I stay up to date with the latest themes. Social media has had an incredibly positive impact on me. While I enjoy sharing the weddings and projects I’ve worked on, what I love most is being able to present my authentic self. I use the platforms to connect with my audience by sharing what’s happening in my life, my thoughts, and offering advice. It’s one of my favourite aspects of social media – showing people who I truly am and giving them a sense of the person they’ll be working with…”
Jennifer Tello, founder, Amorella Events
C&B: “It sounds like you know how to create an exciting concept! What advice would you give to couples who are perhaps planning their own weddings but may feel overwhelmed by the process?”
JT: “The best advice I can give is to set a budget early and stick to it. It’s easy to get tempted to add more elements because you’ve seen others do it, but it’s important to focus on what feels authentic to you as a couple rather than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. Remember, it’s perfectly okay to ask for help – whether from loved ones or a professional; you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the joy in the process – it’s all part of the beautiful journey towards your special day…”
Over the next five years, my goal for Amorella Events is to continue to envision and deliver exceptional services to my couples. I’ll maintain my attention to detail and be that wedding planner that isn’t just a ‘person who plans a wedding’, but a trustworthy person that my clients can lean on to make those wedding decisions and innovate their event to the next level. I always aspire to create a space where my couples can approach me wholeheartedly; it should feel like a breath of fresh air for them – a place where they can truly relax and come to me not just as their planner, but as a confidante in whom they can place their full trust. I aim to craft unforgettable experiences that are unique to each couple and bring those visions to life. Additionally, I plan to continue planning destination weddings, where I can combine my passion for travel, culture, and celebrations…”
Jennifer Tello, founder, Amorella Events
C&B: “Besides keeping your own couples on track and on budget, are there any particular challenges you’ve faced in the wedding planning industry, and how have you overcome them?”
JT: “I’ve been in the wedding industry for 8 years, and when I first branched out to start my own business, Amorella Events, I often found myself being underestimated. I’ve learned to overcome this by genuinely taking the time to connect with my clients, understanding their unique stories, and pouring that connection into my work. By consistently delivering exceptional results and creating unforgettable experiences, I’ve let my work speak for itself and having a strong portfolio that has transformed those initial challenges into opportunities for growth and success…”
C&B: “Content creation and wedding planning go hand in hand – how do you balance the different roles you offer your clients on their big day?”
JT: “I rely on my strong organisational skills, effective time management, and a clear understanding of my clients’ needs and expectations. These roles naturally complement each other, allowing me to bring creative vision to life while staying focused on delivering exceptional results. I prioritise tasks by setting clear timelines and goals for each project, ensuring that my primary role on the wedding day remains my top priority…”
Many of our most notable collaborations and partnerships have been with incredibly talented vendors and industry professionals that bring stunning weddings to life. I’ve had the privilege of working with top event designers for content creation and partnering with renowned photographers for weddings. I’m truly grateful for these opportunities, as they not only inspire me to push my creativity further but also allow me to share my passion alongside others who share the same creative vision…”
Jennifer Tello, founder, Amorella Events
C&B: “In your opinion, besides securing the best vendors and creatives on the project, what are the key elements that make a wedding truly memorable for the couple and their guests?”
JT: “I always have my couples take 15 minutes completely to themselves before the reception begins. The wedding day flies by so quickly, and sometimes it’s hard for them to get a couple of minutes alone. This allows them to pause, reflect, and truly soak in the significance of the day. For the guests, the key to a great experience lies in the seamless flow of the wedding. Staying on schedule with the cocktail hour, speeches, dinner service, and the opening of the dance floor ensures everything runs smoothly…”
CONTACT: http://www.amorellaevents.com
PHOTO CREDITS: Arielle Gallione • Carrie King Photography
