Talk Shop: Elizabeth Hall // Elizabeth Hall Events
ABOUT ELIZABETH
Elizabeth Hall jokes that her Type A personality was a major part of the inspiration behind starting her eponymous event planning company, Elizabeth Hall Events. We're constantly inspired by women who make a career pivot (AO included!) and Hall's story is no exception. After college, Hall worked in finance while daydreaming about making a career change to something that she loved and felt energized by; she eventually made the leap and never looked back. Liz plans everything from luxury weddings in the tri-state area to large-scale corporate events (like a special Fenimore Lane Design Summit, coming May 18th at The Mayflower Inn – more on that soon!) We sat down with the talented event planner to chat about switching careers, what it's like working in the events world, and more. Check it out below and enjoy!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Thoughtful, elevated, whimsy.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My New England childhood (I have a long history of wearing popped collars and coxing on the rowing team), my mom, and the constant revolving street style of New Yorkers. I’m all about a timeless aesthetic that’s updated with some smart edge—and my love for that balance definitely comes from a combination of my New England upbringing and my day-to-day New York life.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my company in 2017 on my couch in my closet Gramercy Park apartment. I came from a corporate finance background and worked in events on and off since college on the side, but I knew I wanted to be my own boss and run my own company—so I bought the domain for a brand under my married name (which is funny since I wasn’t married until 2018) and took the leap.
I love getting to know our couples and then creating an immersive design that is entirely unique and specific to them. It’s an ever-evolving challenge, but it’s so rewarding. Seeing the end product come together—and the look on a couple’s face when they see it themselves—never, ever gets old.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Certainly! I actually feel like I have many—the wedding industry is such a unique one in that it’s largely women who take a supportive approach instead of a competitive one. My company grew rapidly after COVID, and we were presented opportunities in areas that we didn’t necessarily have a lot of experience with. I leaned into the help and mentorship of my peers in order to take on those projects and really succeed. I’m incredibly grateful for the constant sense of generosity and openness I’m surrounded by as a wedding pro!
What does your home say about you:
My husband is very clean/modern, and I am a little more frills and preppy—so our home is a combo of the two. Green is my favorite color—with weddings, I talk about it as a neutral color—so we used a lot of green while mixing in various textures for some depth and visual interest (and of course making sure everything was kid-safe for my now two-year-old!). I suppose (or hope) my home says I’m classic and grounded, but always willing to experiment and offer my own creative take on things.
Where do you find inspiration:
The people of New York, the interiors of hotels and restaurants, and travel.
Who are your style icons:
Jenna Lyons and Julia Berolzheimer. Combine the two and you have officially found my happy place.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great food, ambiance lighting, a well-curated guest list, and a killer run of show.
Do you collect anything:
Copies of A Tale of Two Cities. And epic vintage fashion pieces.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@juliaberolzheimer, @archdigest, @ladiesofmadisonave, @serenaandlily, @thepouf.
What event “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Guest experience should always be the top priority. Do the open bar, supply transportation (outside of the city), and pay the bill. They are your guests, treat them like it! It doesn’t matter how stunning or well-styled your event was if guests were cold, tired, hungry, bored, or unattended.
Break the rule on wedding-day portraits. Why spend your time standing in one spot and smiling for photos that will be the least special of your wedding-day gallery? You only get one wedding day—live it…and let the camera capture all of that energy and magic in a candid, true-to-life way. Don’t waste such an amazing day posing for photos.
What are you working on right now:
Ten epic 2024 weddings! We are so excited to be back at the Mayflower Inn and Spa, The Central Park Zoo, and the Ocean House next year. Then we are popping into some new venues like Inness, Manhatta (an incredible new restaurant in New York), and the iconic Rainbow Room. Our couples are AMAZING, and the vendor teams we’re getting to work with are the best of the best—we are so so excited for 2024!
Wardrobe staples:
White button down (usually by Ralph Lauren), Mother jeans, Chanel ballet flats, stunning coats, everything stripes, anything green ;)
Best career advice you ever received:
Build your brand around your ideal couple and then never make exceptions. Stay true to the brand you want to be—even when it means slower growth. That’s how you build the company you want—and one that aligns with the lifestyle you want.
Types of purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in people. And Chanel flats (they are truly the comfiest shoes!).
Save on kids’ clothes. I will never be the mom that spends a lot on what my son wears. He doesn’t care and grows too fast.
Your greatest extravagance:
Traveling. It really is the only time I get alone with my husband, and we value that time so much! We are going on a Christmas shopping trip to Paris at the beginning of December. I’ll do my best to stick to coming home with only one extra suitcase in tow—but no promises there.
Favorite places to shop for events:
Shrimpton Couture, The RealReal, Oscar de la Renta
Most prized possession and why:
I’m not much of a “things” person, but my great-grandfather was an artist and we have his beautiful art and carvings on our walls. Having legacy pieces that represent the history and lineage of my creative bones is so special to me.
Your event motto:
It’s our responsibility to make sure this goes flawlessly for our couples and their guests. We do whatever it takes.
Your life motto:
Don’t worry yourself about the small stuff. Your family and the people you love matter most.
Advice for someone looking to define their own style:
Don’t try to be someone else. You are unique—lean into that!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: A hearty pasta and a lambrusco or a burger with bubbly
Drink: A dirty Belvedere martini
Film: I’m not a movie person, but the two best shows ever made are Succession and Schitts Creek
Hotel: Le Sirenuse
City: New York City (obviously)
Bedding: Sferra everything
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee. Black.
Playlist: I love Spotify running playlists even when I’m not working out
Weekend Activity: Making fresh pasta with my son, Teddy