Note from Jeannine:  Melissa and I were at Eventology together in 2009, but didn’t connect personally there.  I began to follow her on Twitter after the conference and I’m so glad I did!  As my good fortune would have it, I was able to hang out with Melissa and get to know her better in June at WeWed in Southwest Florida.  Melissa is so positive and upbeat and she has a wealth of wedding planning knowledge.  I hope you enjoy her Style Profile.  Be sure to follow her on Twitter at @WeddingPlanner1.

Location: Gainesville, Florida  | Serving North Florida, including Gainesville, Ocala, Jacksonville and The Panhandle

Company Name: MasterPiece Weddings

Number of years in business: 16 
 
Website: www.masterpieceweddings.net 
 
Blog: http://masterpieceweddings.blogspot.com 
 
Please describe your product or service: Full Service Wedding and Event Planning 

How would you describe your personal style? Wow, this is a hard question, I would say Simple, Classic, Awesometastic Modishness. 

How does your personal style relate to your business branding?  Romantical, Fresh, Modern, Awesometastic 

What would you like people to know about you that they will not discover through your website or blog?   Let’s do this as 7 random Melissa facts: 1.) I am a work-a-holic. 2.) I worked up until the day before I went into labor. 3.) I believe completely in miracles. 4.) My life is an open book, ask me anything, honestly. And sometimes I am too honest. honestly. 5.) I’ve had cancer twice and beat it twice! Take that CANCER! 6.)  I’ve been told I am too chipper. I’m okay with that. 7.) My husband and I tried to have a baby for 15 years, were told by 7 doctors we couldn’t get pregnant and now have an amazing 7 months old baby boy!

What message would you like to convey to others in the industry?  First, be yourself, don’t try to copy someone else’s work.  The hardest thing in a creative industry is to find who you are.  Create your company and your brand without trying to be what you think everyone else wants you to be.  It took me 14 years to figure that out.  I was what I thought brides wanted me to be, not who I really am.  Be yourself, and don’t copy, steal, or borrow someone else’s work.  Please.  Find your own creative style and embrace it.
 
What is your most treasured possession? My son, Gabriel. My Family. My Faith. (not in that order) 

Please share your favorite beauty or style tip: Be Yourself, and Dress Yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. Shop smart. Check the sale racks first. 
 
What is your "go-to" meeting attire? Slacks and Black Blouse, fun accessories and black strappy heels. 

What is your "go-to" evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.) – Boringly enough, a little black dress, and strappy heels. 

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up? Set up, is jeans, and a black shirt (wow, I wear a lot of black) and comfy shoes, usually flats or sneakers. 

What is your attire for actual wedding/event? Cocktail dress (black) and black flats. 

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days? My new favorites for the past year are Charlotte Russe flats, I needed to buy 100 pairs, I love them! 

What are your favorite jeans and why? White House Black Market jeans fit me so well, and I seem to get a lot of compliments when I wear them, I should wear them every day! 

What are a few of your favorite cosmetic products? I am not into big name cosmetics, so Almay is my go-to, since my skin is sensitive.

What products are in your current skincare regimen? Soap. Water. Rinse. Repeat. And moisturizer in the AM. (Gosh, I am boring, huh!)

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why? Half Giada de Laurentiis (for her honesty and sense of self, half Jennifer Garner (her inner and outer beauty, ability to juggle work and mommy’ness) half Drew Barrymore (for her ability to overcome extreme adversity and still maintain grace and success.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite beauty or style tip: I am obviously not the best person to give you beauty advice… I mean seriously. I am pretty plain Jane. But I can tell you from experience to wear clothes that fit you, don’t wear clothes that are two sizes too big because they are comfy (those are PJs) but be comfortable. And be yourself. Because you are beautiful!

Editor’s Note:  I’d love to feature your Style Profile on The Stylish Planner!  If you are a Wedding or Event Planner, click here for a submission form:  Stylish Planner Submission Form .  If you are any other wedding/event vendor, click here:  Wedding & Event Professional Style Profiles.