Founder & CEO

Laurie Hartwell

Laurie Hartwell has nearly 3 decades of experience in the wedding industry, teaching certification conferences and planning weddings across the country. She has earned many awards over the years, has planned weddings for celebrities and other elite clientele, and recently won "Most Helpful Mentor" at the National WEDDI AWARDS for all the help she gives to wedding planners all around the world. Laurie has a passion for the wedding industry and strongly believes in continuing education and raising the standards in the wedding industry. She and the entire staff at TBS are proud to have a 100% satisfaction rating!

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Vice President

Philip Hartwell

Philip Hartwell began his career in the hospitality industry in 1984 with the Walt Disney company. He went on to work with the Hilton Hotel corporation, and he served as the Vice President of a national medical supply company before joining The Bridal Society in 2009. His primary responsibilities include maintaining relationships with key influencers in the wedding industry. He also oversees all aspects of community outreach and works with universities across the country to bring The Bridal Society's program to their campuses. As the husband of our founder and CEO, Laurie Hartwell, Philip shares her passion for bringing a higher level of professionalism and cooperation in the wedding industry.

Partnership Director

Katy Blackburn

Katy Blackburn is the owner of Make It Perfect: Wedding and Event Planning’ and is certified by the Bridal Society. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Hospitality Management. She has always had a passion for event planning and wanted to come back to her hometown of Auburn, Alabama to do event planning full time. Katy has seen every aspect of the event industry and will be able to make your event come to life and be a dream come true. An organized, flawless, and stress-free event is the goal of Katy with each of her events.

Co-Instructor

Krisy Thomas

Krisy Parker Thomas, owner of Southern Sparkle Wedding & Event Planning, is a Master Certified Wedding Planner through The Bridal Society. Southern Sparkle is an award-winning wedding planning team with locations in Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis, Tennessee. Southern Sparkle’s work has been featured in wedding publications and blogs such as Better Homes & Gardens, MidSouth Bride, MOD Weddings, Classic Bride, Ruffled Blog, The Wedding Playbook, Southern Bride Blog, and the list goes on. Southern Sparkle was also named one of The Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville Wedding/Event Planners. 

Member Concierge

Joel Parra

Joel Parra is the owner of Just Planned Events which is based in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. in Business Management from Emmanuel College and an M.B.A from SNHU. In addition, he is a Certified Wedding Planner through The Bridal Society and the Membership Concierge for the organization. With over five years of experience in the wedding industry, he has planned weddings throughout the country but his home base in the New England region. His focus is on one goal, and that is to create, plan, and execute spectacular, love-filled events that bring happiness and joy to his clients and their loved ones.

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Event Coordinator

Melanie Paige

Melanie is the Owner and Founder of Melanie Paige Events & Design (MPED), an Award Winning Wedding Planning Firm, as well as a Certified Wedding Planner through The Bridal Society.  With over 5 years of experience,  she has done weddings all over the country. MPED's work has been seen in publications such as Aisle Society, Wedding Chicks, Hey Wedding Lady, Coastal Bride, Grey Likes Weddings, and the list goes on. She has been awarded WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award and the 2017 Wedding of the Year Award through The Bridal Society.