Meet The Team: Christina Padavano

We recently hinted at big things coming to the blog this year. We want to bring you more: more weddings, more features, more inspiration, more information. We also want you to know more about us! When you decide to work with a planner to help design, plan, and coordinate your wedding, it’s safe to say we’re going to get pretty close. But we want to hit it off with you even before you say yes to Pinch Me Planning. The best way to do that? Introduce you to our amazing team and our go to local wedding professionals.

Over the course of the next few months, we’ll be sharing short interviews with all of the Pinch Me Planning staff.

First up, owner and founder Christina Padavano.

Get to Know Christina

Tell us about yourself and what led you to Pinch Me Planning?  

I’ve always loved processes - specifically when it comes to seeing how things are made.  That’s why the majority of my professional career has been in buying and product development.  I started to realize that merchandising all of these products together to make something even more beautiful has quite the impact.  That’s when wedding planning came in - it’s the ultimate process of combining beautiful items and people to make an epic day!

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As a woman-entrepreneur, what was it like starting your own business?  

It’s been a lot of trial and error.  For a long time, I kept my other full time job while developing Pinch Me Planning.  Once I started seeing that my success was outweighing my opportunities, I made the jump to full time.  I believe that no matter what your sex is, a business’s success is dependent on your level of commitment and consistency.  My career at L.L.Bean also taught me the importance of customer service.

How is Pinch Me Planning different than other wedding planning businesses?

Our background is in merchandising and design for large corporations.  This has given us a skillset that balances the art and the science of planning weddings.  We’re organized, but also know how to create a beautiful day from a couple’s vision!

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

There are a lot of parallels between home design and wedding design.  I have worked for companies like Restoration Hardware and Wayfair. I tend to resort back to a lot of those industry publications and blogs.  Usually when I start to see a trend in home, it quickly trickles down to the wedding world.

How would you describe your style?

I’d describe my style as modern - straying a bit from the traditional.  That’s also how I developed the tagline of my business - elevated events with an edge.  I always like infusing something that is a little bit unexpected.

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What is the BEST part of your job?

That I get to meet so many amazing people - from vendors to couples.  Working with so many personalities allows things to stay interesting. No wedding is the same, which I also love!

What's your secret for staying calm under pressure, and how do you deal with day-of disasters?

Preparation.  I always tell my staff - if you ask the right questions, and are fully prepared before the wedding day - there is no reason why there should be a disaster.  Plan Bs are always discussed to eliminate any surprises.

Why is it important to have a wedding planner in Maine?

There are very few full service venues in Maine.  Whether it’s a barn or a private residence, there are often logistical preparations that a couple may not think about beforehand.  It’s the first time they are planning wedding, we do this every day. Even though a venue might have a coordinator, that doesn’t mean you don’t need a planner.  Their focus for the day remains at the venue, where we look at the big picture.

Quick rapid fire!

  1. Best coffee spot? Forage

  2. Favorite restaurant? Empire

  3. Go to recommendation for a weekend getaway in Maine? Wiscasset

  4. Favorite Instagram account for beautiful inspiration? @studiomcgee

  5. What are you listening to right now? Goal Digger podcast

  6. What quote or mantra do you live by? Not so much a mantra, but being a cancer survivor - I know that everything can change overnight.  So I just do the things I want, and don’t do what I don’t want.

  7. Describe your perfect Saturday night: Dinner in Portland followed by a movie at home

LET us PLAN YOUR EVENT

If you need help planning, designing, or coordinating your New England wedding, get in touch with us today. Our approach to wedding planning and design is collaborative. You’ll share your own vision of your event concept, and together we’ll make your vision a reality. And since no two events are the same, all packages are customizable to your needs. We can work together to make sure the planning process and timeline suits your needs. Review our wedding planning packages and contact us to start the conversation.

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Elegant Winter Wedding at the Ocean Gateway

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Stunning Fall Wedding at Agora Grand