Perfection doesn’t just
happen—it’s planned.
With 20+ years of event planning experience, the Sonoma, California–based team at Orchard Avenue Events prides itself on creating and executing custom, high quality weddings. We help to-be-newlyweds navigate all aspects of planning a wedding, helping them arrive at a meticulously crafted celebration that reflects their unique personalities. From finding the perfect vendors to creating a unique event design, we can help you with every planning detail—no matter how big or small. Whether you’re looking for professional support for your wedding day or a full destination wedding weekend, we are here to ensure that you’re laughing and empowered during the entire planning process.
Orchard Avenue Events made our wedding better than we could have ever imagined.
Christine & John (Read more Love Notes)
Whether you’ve dreamed about your wedding since you were a kid or you’re new to the idea entirely, you want the day to be perfect. That’s where we come in. We carefully craft stress-free, seamless, and stunning celebrations. Our detail-oriented team is passionate about designing beautiful, sophisticated gatherings. From the pre-ceremony preparations to the reception and beyond, Orchard Avenue Events aims to make sure that to-be-newlyweds, along with their family and friends, can enjoy every special moment of the big day. Whether you’re looking for a big traditional wedding or the best dinner party of your lives, we’re here to turn your vision into reality. We look forward to making your wedding one that will have friends and family talking for years to come!
Meet Brooke Gustafson – Lead Planner & Owner
Brooke has over 25 years of hospitality experience, with the last 20+ years of her career spent focusing specifically on event planning. After graduating college with a degree in Communications and Media, Brooke decided to move from her home state of Connecticut to the Bay Area. She was drawn to all of the natural beauty that Northern California has to offer, from the dramatic coast line and beaches to the vineyards and mountains. “The scenery here is like no other place in this country.”
She started her hospitality career in Connecticut as a restaurant manager and working for a local wine distributor, representing many of the well-known Californian wineries. It was her passion for fine dining and wine that also made Northern California the perfect place to live and work for her.
After moving to San Francisco and working for a catering company for 3 years, she really got to experience working on weddings and events in all different parts of the Bay Area. “There was really no doubt in my mind that wine country is where I wanted to be.” Brooke decided to leave San Francisco and was hired as the Director of Events for Viansa Winery in Sonoma, where she spent almost 9 years planning weddings and marketing events. “Viansa was a unique set up, as we included full service planning within the venue fee. I worked alongside 4 other planners in our events department and personally planned between 30 – 40 events per year, while overseeing another 70+ weddings and events managed by the event coordinators at the winery. We were a very busy property!”
After 9 years at Viansa, Brooke decided to pursue her dreams of having her own event planning business and Orchard Avenue events was launched in 2014. “I always wanted to have my own business and get the chance to really get to know my clients well. After planning hundreds of events at Viansa, I realized that I wanted to dive even deeper into event planning and really form a connection with my clients. It’s crucial to get to know your clients well, so you can help create a wedding that truly reflects who they are as a couple. Now with Orchard Avenue Events, I plan 10-12 weddings per year, in addition to planning Sonoma’s premier wine and food festival, Taste of Sonoma, allowing me to focus and spend time on creating the perfect experience, unique to each of my clients.”
In her spare time, Brooke loves to hike with her two dogs, Nate and Adian, tend to her vegetable garden and naturally, cook & entertain for her friends and family. She is very familiar with Napa and Sonoma and is the perfect person to help you plan your perfect wine country event!
Brooke truly made all of our wedding dreams come true with a smile on her face and such a contagiously positive attitude.
(Read more Love Notes)
Meet Sara Sugrue – Event Planner
Sara Sugrue was born in San Francisco and raised in the beautiful Wine Country. She has always been a planner by nature with ninja style organizational skills. Growing up in a large family, she was and continues to be the sibling who is called upon to help with showers, birthdays, weddings, and more.
Spending four years working at a Sonoma County winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, only intensified Sara’s love for events. From there Sara moved on to the event industry where she has spent the past twenty years. Utilizing her interior design and management training, Sara has worked on numerous events ranging from large productions, to back yard events and everything in between. Sara successfully managed multiple event consultants who were responsible for hundreds of events per month.
When Sara is not planning events, she loves spending quality time with her family. Sara is grateful for the time she gets to spend volunteering as room mom for both of her boys, planning school events, and chaperoning their field trips. You may run into her and her family around town in one of the many great local restaurants or at one of their boys’ basketball, t-ball, or flag football games.
Sara was the perfect fit for all of my unique needs! She listened attentively, held my hand through the process and had great solutions.
Kirsten & Jeff (Read More Love Notes)
Meet Sarah Aylward – Event Planner
Sarah Aylward (yes, another Sarah!) is a Midwestern transplant that has been in the Bay Area for over 18 years. With a deep love of cooking and a Le Cordon Bleu culinary degree, Sarah began her west coast career in catering kitchens, but her top notch organizational & people skills pulled her into event planning where she has remained ever since. Sarah and Brooke started wedding planning on the very same day at the very same place, Viansa Winery, where Sarah stayed for two years (and helped coordinate 80+ weddings) before branching out to consult with various planners in San Francisco and Wine Country. During this time, Sarah also managed events for Sage Catering which allowed her to work at lots of different venues on various types of events. However, her one true (professional) love has always been wedding planning.
“I have coordinated A LOT of events in my career, and there is a special energy that surrounds weddings that you just can’t get anywhere else. Being a part of two people gathering all their loved ones together to watch them take this leap of faith is an honor I take very seriously.” When she is not carrying a clipboard, Sarah loves hiking, biking, camping, and traveling with her two children & husband, cooking big meals for family and friends, or sipping wine at any one of her many favorite wineries. Sarah is a very experienced and detail-oriented planner that would be thrilled and honored to be a part of your special day!
Sarah Aylward was super organized, fun and kept me calm all day. I can’t imagine our wedding without her!
Cecilia P. (Read More Love Notes)
Meet Emily Jones-Robledo – Event Assistant
Meet Emily, the super positive and smiley face at Orchard Avenue Events who assists on wedding days to help bring your vision to life! No matter who she is working with on the Orchard Avenue Events team, Emily loves greeting your guests and making sure you have everything little thing you need on your wedding day. Joining Orchard Avenue Events in 2021, Emily initially expected a one summer stint, but the outstanding planning team and their inspiring dedication keeps her hooked. Emily is passionate about contributing to the success of each special day, ensuring a flawless and magical experience. Beyond her role at Orchard Avenue Events, she channels her creativity into freelance graphic design for local clients and works at Mayo Family Winery. Juggling professional commitments, Emily treasures time with her husband and two sons and frequent visits to Santa Cruz, where she grew up. Emily has a diverse professional background that include an array of experiences, including a television spot with Rachael Ray and helping unload evacuated animals from airplanes after Hurricane Irma with players from the Golden State Warriors. Her dedication to her weekly ceramics class is equally as unwavering to her bringing her large Stanley mug everywhere (hydration is important). She looks forward to making your day extra special!