About ADE – old
ABOUT ASHLEY
Imagination and empathy were tools that helped Ashley navigate and thrive in stressed environments early in life. She spent her childhood in both point shoes while also acting in the occasional play. Ultimately, she gave up dancing and studied with the most sought after acting teachers, performing off broadway and touring the country. This only further honed her skills of imagination and empathy, and artistry. She’s spent her entire life in and out of production mode, collaborating with varied people, creating something from nothing, in order to make a shared goal come to life.
Life’s journey prepared Ashley for putting herself in the shoes of another person, and then caring and creating on their behalf. Ashley is wonderful at calming clients overwhelm and resolving problems fast, all with a smile on her face.
Wedding and event planning found Ashley in her twenties. Having also had experience in the hospitality industry, catering companies out west began approaching her to manage their large scale events. When she moved back to New York, she was the event sales manager at Bedford Post Inn. Quickly those clients began contracting her to be their personal planner in other locations, and the rest is history.
From Ashley…
The memory of your event will matter to you more than you know at the start of the process. I take that responsibility to heart.
My favorite moment of an event is right when our clients see their event space(s) ready to go just prior to guest arrival. My favorite moment of a wedding is right before a couple walks down the aisle. My idea of a dream wedding would include a show-stoping, personalized ceremony, including a full symphony and lighting spectacular. Multiple sought after name musicians would perform, and the run of show would be filled with meaningful content that truly reflects the significance and sweetness of the moment.
Above all, I am passionate about lifelong learning and wellness. Living healthily in mind, body and spirit, with an awareness and appreciation for its brevity.
SOFIA TROPEANO
OFFICE COORDINATOR + ASSISTANT TO ASHLEY DOUGLASS
Sofia has an innate ability to make stressed clients feel relaxed and well taken care of. She thinks clearly under pressure as well. Both of these strengths are why she was brought on board full time early in our busy 2022 season.
Apart from her time at The University of South Carolina, Sofia remains a lifelong Hudson Valley resident. She graduated with a Degree in Hospitality Management, and began working as an Event Coordinator at a venue in Marlborough, NY. Her time in the industry did not start here, though. In 2019, she organized multiple events for over 5,000 attendees during a Business Management Internship. This field has always been a passion of hers, ever since she was a little girl, dreaming of when she would say “I do.” Sofia adores styling and her favorite part of any event is seeing every little detail come together to create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing look that truly emulates the client.
When Sofia is not looking up floral arrangements, flat lay designs, or tablescapes for fun, she is planning her next vacation. She takes pleasure in traveling, seeing new places, and experiencing a different way of life. If there is warmth and sunshine, Sofia is in heaven – it’s really no wonder why she went to school down South! She also loves having a spa day, where she can totally relax with a nice massage. Lastly, food is definitely the way to Sofia’s heart. Give her fruit, pasta, or chocolate and you will have a friend for life!
JULIA BLANCHARD
GRAPHIC DESIGN + OFFICE ASSISTANCE
Julia is a designer, artist, and actor. She graduated from NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2018 with a concentration in Communication Through the Arts. Julia has worked in design on a freelance and part time basis within a number of industries, including retail, real-estate, tech, and entertainment.
Julia’s roots as a visual artist guided her into the field of design. Her recent works are mixed media, constructed of predominately yarn and fiber, and feminist in spirit. Her eye for composition and color give her a natural edge in the world of design and aesthetics.
MOLLY NATHANIEL
TEAM LEAD
Molly graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 2016 and moved to New York shortly after to pursue a career in event planning. Although Molly has been a part of the Ashley Douglass Events team going on 9 years, she slightly changed her career trajectory. For the past 4 years she’s been enjoying her work as an executive assistant and event coordinator at a middle market private equity firm. The diversity of her work life keeps her on her toes and she likes to be always learning.
She loves everything about weddings and adores being even a small part of an ADE client’s special day. Over the years she has become an expert in bridal party wrangling, last minute nerve calming, being a keeper of important documents (& diamond rings), and most importantly creating escort card displays. Where Ashley sheds a tear every ceremony, the first dance gets Molly every time. And as every ADE event is uniquely stunning, she enjoys the new and different details of each event, always considering which she might one day imitate for herself.
When she is not working Molly is eating and drinking her way through NYC, shopping far too much, or practicing her newest hobby of sewing herself a new wardrobe, and she is pretty good at it too!
SARA FAWCETT
EVENT MANAGER
Sara has been with ADE for seven years, using her calm-under-pressure personality to help clients, brides and grooms have a fantastic day without worry. She is industrious, remembers every detail large and small, and thinks of ways to fix problems before they arise.
Sara resides in Greenwich, Connecticut with her son Lucas and her hubby James. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in Special Education from Fairfield University. Sara is a Special Education teacher in the Greenwich Public Schools. How noble, hard working and impressive is she?
Community service has always been something close to her heart. Today, she does a lot of volunteering by participating in marathons and events to raise money for various research and organizations such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, CancerCare, Stamford Hospital and the American Red Cross. As a side note, she is also a master baker and has even taken a few courses at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
RACHEL EMMANUELLE
TEAM MANAGER
Rachel interned with ADE over 6 years ago and stayed on board as a weekend staff member. We are so happy to still have her! She currently enjoys working for Penguin Random House, with which she is an integral part of the Comic Con event team, amongst other roles!
While a student at Fairfield University, earning a degree in both Communications and English literature, she was a member of Fairfield University Student Association and the Relay For Life committee all four years of college, as well as working as a Building Manager at Fairfield’s campus center.
When Rachel is not too busy, she can be found at the beach with friends or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. This year (2022) she is also planning her own wedding celebration and we cannot be more excited for her!
TESTIMONIALS
“ADE is the best! If you are lucky enough to have the chance to work with Ashley and her team…do it!!! I could not recommend Ashley Douglass enough. Not only did she bring my vision to life – she made the entire planning process easy, stress-free and fun. I will miss working with her! She is such a joy to work with – she has the kindest and biggest heart, and such a positive energy. She is incredibly talented – She has a subtle way of being your fearless leader, but also being your teammate throughout the entire process. Everyone said I was very calm and chill bride, butI can tell you single-handedly that it was because I knew I had Ashley and her team working behind the scenes, making sure everything was absolutely perfect! And it was! Thank you Ashley for the most amazing weekend!! You are a Superwoman!!!!”
—-Bride, Alison, Saratoga, NY
“OUTSTANDING. Ashley is professional, experienced and fun. She has great taste and made the process easy. she worked with the best vendors and is an advocate for her clients. Her team was also professional and fun. Our wedding experience with Ashley was a pleasure from start to finish.”
—-Mother of the Bride, Cindy, Litchfield County, CT
“Ashley, this note is a bit belated but I did want you to know what a wonderful job you did with my daughter in law and son’s wedding event. Everything was perfect, gorgeous and memorable! I also want to express extra thanks for your involvement in all of our added surprises that evening!”
— Claire, New York City, NY
“Your ideas were perfect for the party! Your people [vendors] were right on the money. The partners were so happy. Everything really was perfect.”
— Carol, Stamford, CT
“I really enjoyed working with you and am so grateful for how well you executed the vision. Everyone was blown away by the design and quality of everything. The flowers and the staging of all the details were simply amazing. You pulled it off so quickly, that was the real “street magic”. Thank you for all your talent and attention to detail, I noticed and appreciated every effort.”
— Nancie, Greenwich, CT
“Thank you for all your help! I could not have done it without you. I don’t know how you do your job. Your level of detail is amazing and everything could not have been more perfect.”
— Jane, Scarsdale, NY (Family Celebration)
“Thank you so much to you and your team, and all the vendors on our wedding! They are all rock stars! Everything was stunning as you can see in our amazing photos!”
— Elizabeth, New York City
“I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you did to make last night and the weekend what it was for us, which was amazing. Your patience and understanding from the beginning was truly impressive and appreciated. Thanks a ton for everything again! Many, many, thanks!”
— David (Groom), New York, NY
“I want to thank you for the marvelous work that you did. Because of you, I was able to fully enjoy every moment of Laura’s big day.Many of my guests called me and commented at how beautiful everything was and how smooth everything went, and how relaxed I was! You’ll be highly recommended. Thanks again for your professionalism and dedication.”
— Maria (Mother of the Bride), Old Westbury, NY
