L. Scott Events curates memorable weddings and events for both domestic and international clientele. While we are known for our extensive experience in St. Barths and the Caribbean, we have planned covetable weddings in an array of exclusive destinations, from Napa to New York, France, Croatia, Italy, and beyond…”
Lindsay Buzaid, Founder & Creative Director, LS Events
Lindsay Buzaid’s career in event planning began when she started working with leading figures in the event industry, such as Colin Cowie in New York, recognised as one of Vogue’s Top Wedding Planners in the World. Lindsay also held a position as Lead Planner for Shannon Leahy Events, a Harper’s Bazaar Top Wedding Planner, emphasising her expertise in Napa Valley and international destinations. Dedicated to crafting unforgettable events, whether intimate or grand, Lindsay is now winning her own industry awards and recognition for L. Scott Events, where she ensures that each client’s vision is realised to the fullest. Here we discuss the challenges and rewards of being a leading international event planner…
C&B: “Lindsay, firstly – congratulations on being named on the list of CITY & BEACH LIFESTYLE TOP 10 EVENT PLANNERS (USA) 2025! What inspired you to become a wedding planner, and how did you get started in the industry?”
LB: “I’ve always loved entertaining and attending events from a very young age. After graduating college, my first job was as an executive assistant for Colin Cowie and Colin Cowie Lifestyle. It was the most incredible and eye opening experience. I immediately fell in love with how fast paced the industry was, and how every day of work was different. I’ve been working in the events industry ever since…”
C&B: “Yes, we adore Colin – coincidentally, he appears on the CITY & BEACH INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST this year! You have a great reputation for tailor-making experiences and bespoke events; what specific role does that personalisation impact the weddings you plan for clients?”
LB: “Personalisation plays a huge role! Clients deserve to have unique wedding experiences, as each event should be an authentic representation of the couple, integrating their own personality and stylistic preferences. I of course bring my own point of view to the design and planning, but the best events are the ones that most closely represent the couple I’m working with. There are so many ways to add personalisation to a wedding, from flowers, to paper, to music, and everything in between. Even the timeline and order of events can have a personal touch from the clients, and create a unique experience for their guests…”
C&B: “It looks like you’re travelling constantly! How do you find the time to stay updated on the latest wedding trends and styles around the world?”
LB: “I stay up to date on the latest trends through a combination of research online and in the field. Instagram and trusted online publications are a great way to find inspiration, but I also travel internationally once a month to see and experience new things. I love experiencing new food, interior design, architecture, and language. I try to pull from these experiences in order to make each wedding I plan totally unique…”
There are so many beautiful venues on St. Barth! Each venue is unique and offers something different. I love Bonito, Hotel Christopher, Le Barthelemy, Eden Rock, Le Toiny, Le Petite Plage, Nao Beach and GypSea – to name just a few! However, I love most the venue that best fits my client’s vision for their wedding, and that changes for each event…”
Lindsay Buzaid, Founder & Creative Director, LS Events
C&B: “Talking of travel, you have a great affinity with St Barths. Can you share any tips for couples looking to have a destination wedding, especially on the island?”
LB: “The most important tip I give couples is to make sure the wedding location matches their personal priorities for the event, and can easily accommodate their preferred guest count. I get so many requests for 250+ guest weddings in St. Barth, but in reality, there’s only one or two spaces on the island that can accommodate that number of guests without a full buyout or significant construction. The key objective for couples is to identify what elements of the event are most important to them, whether that’s all their guests staying under the same roof, or needing their ceremony at the same location as their reception, or having enough space for live musicians versus a DJ…”
I planned a wedding at the San Domenico Palace in Toarmina, Sicily last September. The night before the wedding, after two years of planning, we found out there were going to be 40 mph winds the next day. The entire wedding needed to be moved inside. It turned out beautifully, but it took a lot of muscle and coordination to make it happen under such short notice. That’s why being a wedding planner is both extremely difficult and massively rewarding…”
Lindsay Buzaid, Founder & Creative Director, LS Events
C&B: “That sounds challenging! What are the hurdles you find yourself most often having to overcome?”
LB: “Oh… there are so many! The challenges vary from logistics to shipping to rentals to vendors to language barriers and beyond. There are always difficult problems to solve, but that’s what makes this job fun and exciting. No wedding is the same! One of the most difficult challenges I face working internationally is when I can only visit a venue in advance on one occasion. I need to make sure I’m extremely prepared for the site visit, and I’m spending enough time in each space, while taking great photos and videos to reference later…”
As a true partner with my clients, I always work within their set budget to create the best event possible, while being fully transparent with them if their vision doesn’t align with the budget…”
Lindsay Buzaid, Founder & Creative Director, LS Events
C&B: “How do you approach working with couples who have different cultural backgrounds and traditions – does that ever present an issue?”
LB: “Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to work with clients with a variety of cultural backgrounds and religions. My first priority is to always listen and learn from the clients, as each couple is completely different. They often may want to include certain traditions, while excluding others. In today’s wedding industry, there’s no simple template to follow, regardless of the couple’s cultural background. My job is to create the event they’ve always dreamed about, and that often means educating myself and learning new things every time…”
C&B: “How do you handle last-minute changes or emergencies on the wedding day? For example the weather in the Caribbean can be quite unpredictable…”
LB: “One step at a time! Every wedding day is bound to have something surprising happen, regardless of how detailed the final timeline is. As the event’s producer, I have to think and act quickly, while remaining calm and collected. In order to be a successful wedding planner, you have to work well under pressure and keep a service mentality for your clients. There is always a solution to every problem, and having years of experience helps…”
C&B: “How important is it that a couple hires a planner and what might their reservations or misconceptions be?”
LB: “Unfortunately, many clients have no idea what a wedding planner actually does, because usually it’s their first time getting married! Clients often don’t understand the exact services we provide, or how hands on we actually are. Many hold the misconception that a wedding planner is an unnecessary expense, even for a destination wedding. When I myself got married in St. Barth, I hired a wedding planner! Another common misconception occurs when clients think we’re forcing certain event elements upon them simply to increase their budget. As a true partner with my clients, I always work within their set budget to create the best event possible, while being fully transparent with them if their vision doesn’t align with the budget…”
My job is to create the event my clients have always dreamed about…”
Lindsay Buzaid, Founder & Creative Director, LS Events
C&B: “On that subject, how do you help couples balance their vision for their wedding with their budget?”
LB: “The most important thing is being open and honest with my clients from the very first call; I typically only show my clients options that are within their established budget, whether it’s flowers, venues, or even mood boards and inspiration. As a wedding planner, it’s important to educate your clients on the nuances of their event and identify their priorities early on. That way, I can optimise their wedding’s budget for what’s most important to them and their guests. Every client is different, and their preferences will always dictate how the budget is allocated…”
C&B: “Having a wedding planner also avoids any ‘bridezilla’ moments when the pressure just gets too much! What advice would you give to couples who are struggling to make decisions during the planning process?”
LB: “It’s important to take everything one step at a time, and to have a clear timeline to follow with milestones each month in the process. Early on, I urge my couples to sit down together and discuss what’s most important to them on their wedding day. I often see too many friends and family members involved in decisions with the couple, which usually leads to too many opinions. The wedding should represent what’s important to the clients themselves as it’s their day! If they’ve spent the necessary time to align with their partner and truly visualise their dream wedding, the decisions tend to come much more easily…”
C&B: “Yes, that’s when vision boards come into play – keeping everyone focused as much as possible. Probably, the most important decision is right at the start – which venue? If given an ideal scenario, where would you suggest as the best location to get married?”
LB: “This is such a difficult question! However, my favourite hotels to work with are usually Belmond and Four Seasons. I’ve had such amazing experiences working with both hotel brands in multiple locations around the world. The most impressive part is how consistent the experience they offer is, no matter which country it’s in…”
CONTACT: http://www.lscottevents.com
