I have the best job, creating such special events for the best clients! Making their dreams come to life is the best job ever…”
Norma Cohen, founder Norma Cohen Productions
For the past thirty-six years, Brooklyn-based event planner and designer Norma Cohen has been working with high profile clients to make their dreams come true. Norma creates a wide variety of special occasions but particularly loves organising and designing weddings and you may well have come across her productions in BRIDES, Grace Ormond Wedding Style Magazine, Barrons, Allure, The Wedding Biz with Andy Kushner, Harpers Baazar and/or Fortune Magazine. Here we discuss the background to Norma’s career, her favourite Jo destinations for weddings and events, plus her dream project…
C&B: “Norma, your portfolio is astounding! How did you first gain your experience in event design?”
NC: “My local community center gave me my ‘foot in the door’ of organising fashion shows, plays and other events at only twelve years old! From that experience alone, I started developing skills that helped me find my way to the professional event planning industry as a teenager then on to adulthood…”
C&B: “One of the main factors of the business is obviously bringing in new clients; how do you attract them?”
NC: “By word of mouth, and that’s grown even further with my social media presence…”
C&B: “What would you say has been your most memorable event design project so far, and why?”
NC: “That would be a project in Puglia… a seven day destination wedding in Italy – need I say more?! The wedding reception was a complete transformation of the local beach club!”
C&B: “Destination planners tend to find the absolute best locations overseas; where have you personally travelled to while on projects?”
NC: “Puglia, Sardinia, London, Paris, Anguilla, St. Barths, Puerto Rico, Los Cabos, Miami… and, of course, the best: NYC!”
C&B: “All of the destinations you’ve just mentioned offer the most picturesque backdrops for wedding and special event images – which are your favourite venues at home and overseas?
NC: “Overseas, I love Le Crillion in Paris; at home in New York, I love The Waldorf Astoria – which is where I got married; also, The Plaza Hotel, The Pierre and Casa Cipriani!”
C&B: “We know from our own experience that it takes a lot to produce a large event – so much work goes on behind the scenes and there are so many variables. What has been your biggest challenge while organising client events?”
NC: “Weather is a huge unknown stress! All my clients know that if there’s no budget for a tent then there’s no NCP!”
C&B: “That’s understandable! There always has to be a Plan B in almost all locations. Finally, Norma – what would you consider to be your dream project?”
NC: “To plan both my daughters’ weddings! They’re the love of my life and they both have such a unique eye…”
CONTACT: http://www.normacohenproductions.com
