For the hopeless romantics

newport based luxury planning & event design

One of the most important aspects of the planning experience is building relationships with my couples and their families. By the end of the planning experience not only have we created a customized one-of-a-kind celebration weekend together that guests will talk about for years to come, but as cheesy as it sounds also become a part of the family.

From one hopeless romantic to another — I'm a firm believer that your new family legacy starts with this big day. I consider it a true honor to be present for this monumental moment in your life, and I will forever cherish being able to tell the story of your wedding day — just how it unfolded.

meet sarah

Taking a look into Sarah’s resume along her decade plus of experience in the event industry you will see her love for weddings and event management and design bloomed as she started her career at Rafanelli Events in Boston. She was quickly drawn back to Martha’s Vineyard and its undeniable charm where she grew up summering throughout her childhood. During her time on Martha’s Vineyard she planned and executed sustainable luxury weddings, social and corporate events and where she had the pleasure of planning a celebrity wedding that was featured in Vogue Magazine in 2014. 

Sarah’s career then brought her to Newport, RI where she worked for Longwood Events as one of their Event Planners at their dual property location Belle Mer. Sarah then co-founded, owned and operated her previous company Leila Ryan Events for seven wonderful years. 



In the Press

owner,
lead planner & Designer

Now starting a new endeavor, Sarah continues to provide the highest quality luxury service in the events industry as the owner of Leila James Events that services luxury weddings in Newport, RI the East Coast and Worldwide. 

With her fantastic eye for design and impeccable attention to detail, Sarah has planned and executed over 1,000 events; many featured in publications such as Vogue, The Kit Canada, Style Me Pretty, Southern New England Weddings, The Knot, Well Wed, Bliss Magazine and Newport Wedding Magazine. 

Sarah’s top priority and focus is to design and personalize her couples’ events so each and every event is authentically theirs and speaks to who they are as a couple. With her kind personality, attentiveness, and creative design experience she guarantees a not only a fun, but stress-free planning experience for all of her clients. 

Sarah resides in Newport, RI and in her free time she loves to travel and spend as much time outdoors being active with her family and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

style me pretty

bliss magazine

our work has been featured in these publications

vogue

well wed

newport wedding magazine

the kit canada

southern new england weddings

the knot

inquire now

let's work together