Meet Cassandra!

This blog has been a long time coming!  Cassandra O'Gara joined Downey Street Events as our third musketeer in March after working in the publishing and event industries, and since then she has been busy planning and coordinating numerous weddings for our clients around the bay area.  We wanted to wait until our new website launched before formally introducing her to everyone - and unfortunately that took a little longer than expected.  However our new website is launched featuring all three of us, so it is time to introduce you to the newest member of our team....via some fun interview questions, and photos from her own wedding!

Q: What is your favorite part of being a wedding planner?

A: I get to do something creative every day, work side by side with an incredibly talented team of photographers, florists, chefs, etc., and support brides full of great ideas.  When all of these pieces come together, we produce gorgeous, flawlessly executed, never-to-be-repeated celebrations!  On top of all this, I have the honor of getting to know my clients, their friends and their families.  Having this personal relationship with them makes their weddings even more special to me.  

Q: What are your top three favorite venues for events around the bay area?

A: Annadel Estate Winery, The Fairmont Penthouse, and The Flood Mansion.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco?

A: This is a tough one!  It is probably a toss up between Delfina and Cotogna.

Q: What do you like to do on a typical Friday night?

A: Conduct a wedding rehearsal of course :)

Q: Best thing about living in the bay area?

A: The people!  Everyday I meet someone I want learn something from.  People here are ambitious, open-minded, health-focused, and engaged in their communities.  

Q: Where did you go on your honeymoon?

A: Italy.  We happily ate and drank our way through Venice, Tuscany and Florence.  I learned to drive a stick shift on the road to Siena in a Fiat Panda, climbed hundreds of stairs to the top of bell towers, took cooking classes in Chianti, and am now on a quest to find good gelato in San Francisco.   Next trip - Paris or Buenos Aires?

Q: Tell us about your favorite parts of your own wedding.

A: My shoes!  I wore (my something) blue Christian Louboutins. I loved my sister's maid of honor toast - she had everyone laughing and crying.  Our get-away car was a darling Mercedes-Benz convertible from the 70's - one that has been in my husband's family since his grandmother drove it off the lot.  And my flowers from Natasha at Waterlily Pond were GORGEOUS!!  

Q: What is the best part of a wedding for you?

A: When the bride and groom kiss and are presented as husband and wife.  I tear up every time!  

You can check out more photos from Cassandra's awesome wedding, which was featured in 7x7, here.

Thanks Cassandra - and welcome to Downey Street Events, just a few months late!  We are thrilled to be working with you, and know that our clients are lucky to have you and your fabulous taste in their corner.

Read more about Cassandra on our website!

All photographs by Gertrude & Mabel.