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Contagious Events

Unique weddings for fun-loving couples who are too extraordinary for a cookie-cutter wedding. Not planning a wedding? No problem!
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Welcome to Contagious Events: a Boston based, full-service event planning company specializing in unique weddings for fun-loving couples who are too extraordinary for a cookie-cutter wedding day. With a passion for creating memories, we will help design and orchestrate the event you’ve always dreamed of, all on a budget you can live with. We love planning all kinds of events, for all kinds of people.

02/09/2024

I was so sad to hear about the fire at . We had the honor of planning Sarah and Matthew’s wedding there last summer and it truly is a remarkable space for a wedding - our team STILL talks about the amazing vegan food that was featured on their menu.

If you are a Herb Lyceum couple in the midst of planning, please know we will be happy to help however we can, with whatever the best next steps are for you, at no cost. We want to make sure that even in these stressful moments, the magic of planning doesn’t get lost.

Photo by . Floral by , hair and makeup by . Rentals by .

22/08/2024

Very demure, very mindful.

Photo by from Chloe + Alex’s wedding at . Floral by - linens by . Rentals from , catered by . Tunes by .

20/08/2024

A lot of couples want to honor loved ones no longer with us, while others tell me it feels a little morbid to have a table of “dead people” on display at the wedding. A good compromise: consider a “history of family weddings” table, showcasing wedding photos of your parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. Some may have passed, others living, but this often feels a little more on brand for weddings.

Bonus tip: I love including family photos with the es**rt cards/seating chart: it’s one area of the wedding that nearly every guest will interact with; and it’s a symbolic way to make sure those in the photos are included.

Photo from Liz and Mack’s wedding at by - Rentals by and - Lighting by - Floral by - kept the dance floor packed all night and we had there to film the festivities!

19/08/2024

“It’s all so beautiful,” she said, as I caught up with the bride and her groom at the bar during the tail end of the reception.

“It is; it really is.” I replied, before quickly turning my head so she wouldn’t see my tears of joy.

As designers, there’s an element of risk with every wedding. We can sketch, show examples, coordinate multiple showroom visits, but it’s nearly impossible to show a couple exactly how their design will look on wedding day: there are too many variables. We can’t show the effect of reception with the centerpieces, or how the color harmonies of the florals, linens, furniture, and venue elements (carpets, wallpaper, curtains, etc.) all come together.

Of course, we know throughout the process how beautiful everything will be: we wouldn’t let our couples choose anything less, but getting that confirmation from the couple never gets old, no matter how many times we hear it.

Photo from Hannah and Ryan’s wedding at by . Hair and makeup by and . Tunes by .

17/07/2024

If you’re planning a wedding and asking potential wedding vendors this one, very popular question, I promise you are sabotaging your wedding plans and setting yourself for failure:

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST?

Yes, you need to know how much you are going to spend, and you have every right to be in charge of your budget. But here’s the thing: no one wants an average wedding.

I’ve never had a client ask me for a mediocre design. I’ve never heard a couple request average chicken from their caterer. And we don’t talk about average when it comes to the dance floor. So why would you base the future of your plans by average? Your wedding isn’t going to be average!

Do this instead: sit down with your total budget and think about what the priorities are. Where are you willing to splurge to make an impact, and what do you maybe care less about and can scale back? Then, manage those expectations and vendor inquiries accordingly. For example, if photography is super important, but you’re not a dessert person, then consider more affordable dessert options like a cookie display. Or, if having a packed dance floor with a nightclub vibe is the goal, splurge on a fantastic band or dj and upgrade the lighting so the dance floor feels like it’s straight from Studio54.

Photo by from Alex and Chloe’s wedding at . Floral by . Rentals by , , and . Catered by .

19/06/2024

Well this was very unexpected! Thank you to members who recognized us tonight. It’s an honor!

14/02/2024

On a day that is all about love, how could we not post how grateful we are: for the community of lovers, and the industry friends who love to celebrate love, we’re so very lucky to do what we do.

Whether you’re celebrating today with someone special, or by practicing a little self love, we want you to know that we love you and are forever grateful we get to do what we love day in and day out.

Photo by from Melissa and Derek’s wedding at . Floral by . Planned by .

13/02/2024

It's very rare that I'll tell a client they MUST do something I recommend, and even though I didn't necessarily do that with Clara and Matthew, I'd be lying if I said I didn't launch a full-on campaign to convince them to have their ceremony in this very spot.

They hosted the most wonderful backyard wedding for their friends and family at Clara's family home. What you can't see in this image is the magnificent sailcloth tent to the right, and an open field to the left of this space, which is where the couple initially thought they would have their ceremony. But when I toured the property, I very quickly zoned in on this space and thought it would make such a stunning aisle and hello - DO YOU SEE THAT BACKDROP?! Simply stunning.

Photo by Silver and Salt Photo Floral by Bell Brook Farm , rentals by Party Rental Ltd. Reception tent from Sperry Tents. Catered by William Ference Catering. Entertainment by Wilson Stevens.

30/01/2024

Our wedding season wrapped up last weekend, and ever since, I’ve been thinking of all the ways Contagious Events has grown and evolved since we started our season back in April.

I had a lot of changes planned - some we made happen, others are still in the works. We’ve worked in new spaces, created some EPIC new designs, expanded our offerings, and learned more lessons than I could ever squeeze into an Instagram caption. Our team laughed, cried, spent countless hours stressing over the details, questioning our career choices and obsessing over how our clients would react.

But there is something I knew would happen, and that’s because it happens year after year without fail: we worked hard, we had fun, we bonded with some of the most amazing newlyweds and vendor friends.

I know I say it all the time, but it’s worth repeating: I really am so incredibly lucky to be blessed with the opportunity to be trusted with something so important, and to be given the chance to forge friendships with our couples that will last well beyond their wedding day. I truly have the best job, in the best industry, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Photo by Rory McCann (not on insta) from Tess and Jordan’s wedding at last weekend. Floral by .

13/12/2023

Did you miss me?

I’ve always used Instagram as a sort of “wedding planner confessional” where I’d share an unfiltered account of whatever was taking up brain space that related to my role and experiences as a wedding planner.

Over the past year, I’ve gone a bit silent on this app. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t partly because of how busy the year was with client work, but the bigger reason is, I felt like my voice lost its worth. Now that individuality is “in” and planners are longing for portfolio images that showcase personality instead of the next stereotypical wedding blog, suddenly I felt like I was just another in the crowd.

Part of me wanted to reinvent myself, and rebrand.

Thank goodness I was too busy for that.

So today, allow me to reintroduce myself.

My name is Joe, I am the head honcho at Contagious Events. I’ve been in the wedding space since 2008.

We’ve been planning weddings for the LGBTQ+ community before marriage equality was across the country.

I’m the planner who will make sure you understand traditional etiquette, but encourage you to ruffle some feathers if you don’t love feeling the obligation of social rules that don’t serve you.

We’re the planners who are known for space transformations, rejecting the status quo, and our sparkly bomber jackets that we’ll put on during the dancing if you give us permission.

I’m the planner who would be happier with the chicken fingers kids meal instead of the filet Aunt Sally is having at the wedding.

We’re the planning team that will take your leftover wedding flowers and coordinate getting them to hospice patients so we can spread the joy.

I’m the guy who will tell you like it is, while also advocating on your behalf while coordinating details and finding the best vendor team for your day.

We’re the planning company that takes a no stress, no bs, design-focused approach to your wedding. And we have some pretty big things to share in 2024, so you’ll want to stick around to see what we’re going to do next.

10/08/2023

This wedding season has been rainier than most, but it hasn’t stopped us from celebrating our couples in the most epic way possible.

Photo by from S + K’s wedding at ’ Lyman Estate. Floral by . Ceremony musicians from Atlantic Strings Music

14/07/2023

Wedding planner hot take: throw out all of the “shoulds” and commit to the “coulds” -

I often hear from couples that feel obligated to include certain elements/traditions/moments in their wedding because they think they “should,” but you can tell they’re not really into it or excited about it.

Other times, one of them will say something, half-joking, but you can tell just the idea of it brings excitement. “We COULD have a punk rock / disco wedding, but that’s not what most weddings look like…”

Your wedding, every single element, every single timeline item, every single piece of food on the menu should bring excitement. If it doesn’t, scrap it and make room for the stuff you COULD do that brings a smile to your face.

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Still cant get over how amazing and captured our vision with our flowers, neon sign/numbers, and the glow stick "find your table" station. All the meetings and mood boards and hard work was WORTH IT😭🪩💖 pics by

04/07/2023

I understand it may feel off to celebrate today, but I choose to believe that America can still become the land of the free, but only because of the brave.

The more I understand the point of view of others, the more I realize that freedom hasn't exactly been the story for all Americans, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I see it first-hand.

However, as the son of a veteran who fought for freedom, I was raised to appreciate democracy and know that change is possible, because of the people. And while I work in the wedding industry, which may seem trivial when it comes to creating social change, I do believe our work can have an impact.

So today, I am choosing to salute the couples who have embraced us for who we are, and the couples who have given us permission to showcase images from their weddings. I'd like to think that you serve as inspiration to a younger generation who so desperately need to know that there is love out there for them, regardless of what they look like, or who they choose to love. Your photos serve as a beacon, and I'm honored to have been a small part in making those images come to life.

Photo by Rachel Epperly Film & Photo from Jess and Brendan's wedding at Thompson Island Outward Bound

30/06/2023

I don’t often give out unsolicited advice to those who work in the industry or to those wanting to break into it, but today I am enthusiastically making an exception.
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If you think it’s up to you to determine whose love is worthy of your services, you need to find a new f*ing job. Full stop.
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Today’s Supreme Court decision allowing businesses to discriminate is infuriating, and that’s putting it mildly. But the decision doesn’t change anything over here: we’ll continue to embrace couples of all backgrounds, celebrating all types of love stories, and we’ll always do what we can to make sure our couples know that EVERY vendor involved in their wedding day will approach with the same commitment.
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Love should be celebrated, not debated.
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Photo by from Brittany and Magdalena’s wedding at . Floral by , hair and makeup by .

16/06/2023

One of the things I constantly think about when designing weddings is how the details will look in the frame of a camera.
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When we're doing a floor plan for a reception, I think about where the toast givers are standing in relation to the couple, and whether or not the photographer will be able to get a clear shot of the couple during toasts.
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I also think about the décor - there's a tricky balance with wedding design: I want my couples to choose elements that make their hearts happy, but you don't want to go too overboard with the trends that all your wedding photos feel outdated when you look at them ten years from now.
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The trick with wedding design is to find a balance. You want to have those vignettes where you won't be able to tell if the photo was taken yesterday or 9 years ago (like this one) - but of course, adding in trendy decor that makes you smile in certain areas/pockets of the day is a great opportunity to add some personality. Just remember to edit down, and keep the trendy décor to designated areas so you can still have those classic, timeless photos.
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Photo by Julia Cumes Photography from Michael and Jerel's wedding at Loring Greenough House.

13/06/2023

The average shoe size for American women is a 9. Does that mean when you go shopping for a new pair of kicks, you should only look for styles available in size 9?

Of course not.

You should look at shoes in the size that fits you and makes you comfortable. Think of your wedding budget the same way: there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all wedding budget, and searching for averages and building wedding plans on average budgets will only lead you to disappointment because the averages floating around on the internet are based on more lies than we're about to hear from the former president (yeah, I said that).

I had the opportunity to speak about wedding budgets on Bloomberg Radio this evening: apparently, a big name in the wedding industry shared a report that the average wedding cost is up due to inflation and supply chain issues (true) and that the average cost of a wedding is $29k (not true).

I have always maintained that there is no such thing as an average wedding budget, and here are three reasons why:

1. No one asks for an average wedding. I've yet to have a couple ask me to point them in the direction of a photographer who takes average pictures, or a caterer that can prepare an average chicken dish. If you don't want average for your day, then you can't base your budget on an average.

2. These averages are based on feedback that couples have given to the organizations collecting the data. I suspect it's skewed: our culture tends to be shy when it comes to admitting how much we spend on things. Some of these couples may not even know how much things cost: I can't tell you how many times someone paying for the wedding has asked us as the planner not to disclose the cost to the couple.

3. I also have a strong feeling there are a lot of zeros calculated into these averages: it's the only thing I can come up with to explain the dramatic discrepency. For example, if you received a survey asking how much you paid for rentals, but your venue included everything and you didn't have to rent anything, you're going to enter $0. That zero is going to drop the overall average in a pretty big way.

Okay - so now that I've convinced you to ignore averages, let me help you understand what you need to know about wedding budgets:

First - the minimum cost to get married (in Massachusetts) is $50 - this is the cost of a marriage license. So if you're feeling stressed because weddings are expensive, know that any dollar you have over $50 can go towards how "extra" you want your wedding to be.

Next - it's time to have the real conversations with anyone and everyone that may be contributing to your budget in some way. Maybe familiy has offered to cover the cost of the dress, or the catering. Maybe someone is planning to give you a check for a certain dollar amount with permission to spend however you see fit. You can't budget for your wedding if you don't have a clear picture of what your budget looks like.

Now that you know the foundation of your budget, it's time to have a chat with your partner about the vision: when youc lose your eyes, what does your wedding look like? What vendors/features/elements are most important to you that you're not willing to budge on? What are typical wedding things that you'd be okay doing without, or spending less on because they're not important? Make your lists and keep them at the forefront during the planning process so you can remind yourself what is really important vs. what is being sold to you.

With all of this information, go talk to the experts! Share your priorities, budget details, and vision with your planner - they're be able to sit down, crunch the numbers, and help you strategize your budget to make sure your money is being spent in ways that your comfortable, and that you're not spending money on things that aren't important to you.

Photo by Rocker in Love from Joanna and Diana's wedding at Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation.

02/06/2023

This year, there is no happy pride.
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Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of pride and zero shame in who I am and who I love. I will always champion staying true to yourself: it's a hill I am more than willing to die on.
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If you've been around here a while, you know that Contagious Events' roots are in LGBTQ+ weddings, and you also know that every June, I like to share images from weddings that show our LGBTQ+ couples in honor of pride month. I'll still do that this year, but the tone is very different.
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This year, my pride has a tone of anger. The kind of pride I imagine a parent has of their children: super proud, but also super protective. Although I'm not a mother and don't have any children, I equate my pride to the "mama bear" concept. I imagine the anger I feel when someone feels they can question someone's freedom to express themselves or freely love who they want to love is comparable to how a mother feels when she believes someone/something is endangering her children.
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The couples I'll be featuring this month are trailblazers. Some of them grew up in a world that made them believe they'd never get to have a wedding. Some of them are among the first generation that grew up in world where their wedding could be a reality. All of them I am DAMN PROUD of. Proud of the couples, and proud of their communities who showed up and supported their love.
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This year, pride isn't about rainbow packaging and corporate parades. The LGBTQ+ community is being attacked, our fight is far from over. This year alone, 500+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the US, nearly half of specifically target our trans and non-binary friends. So far, 45 have been signed into law, and as far as any of us should be concerned, that's 45 too many.
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So no, I won't be having a happy pride this year. And if you're a true ally, you won't either. Instead of celebrating pride, be proud of the donation you make to organizations provide services to trans folx. Be proud of speaking up when politicians introduce legislation that take away our liberties. Be proud of your LGBTQ+ friends and family, and remind them you love them.
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Photo by Danny Gorman Photography

03/05/2023

Big impact designs aren’t always the most obvious, or the biggest. Sometimes they’re smaller, creative details that enhance the space without overpowering.
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These floating centerpieces from Hannah and Graham’s Berkshires wedding by were the perfect cocktail hour enhancement, and we love this moment captured by !

28/02/2023

The design process is not linear. It's a series of conversations, questions, and discoveries.
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Years ago, when Contagious Events was growing and demanding more of my time while I was still managing an office job and wasn't ready to take the leap, I looked into hiring someone to manage the Contagious Events instagram account. Overwhelmingly, the constructive feedback I got from these social media "pros" was that our feed was not consistent - one person even dubbed me the multiple personality wedding designer. I wore that as a badge of honor.
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When I design our weddings, it's not something I schedule. I don't force it. Sometimes I see something while I'm out with friends and have to take out my phone to snap a photo or jot a note. Sometimes inspiration strikes when I'm watching TV or a movie. If you looked at the notes app on my phone, you'd find every design client has their own folder and within it, the most disjointed collection of words, descriptions, screenshots and photos.
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Here's the deal: our instagram feels inconsistent because we're not designing the same wedding over and over again. Our clients have unique personalities, unique tastes, and unique love stories that we're telling through our designs.
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As for Fabi and Adam: I was told "earthy witchy" and I added "but not kitschy" - I didn't want their wedding to feel like Salem in October, but I did want to bring in the whimsy, natural vibe. Inspiration for this centerpiece struck during a shopping trip and I immediately told Greogry at Flouer Specialty Floral Events that I had an idea. At first, he thought it was another crazy idea, but after we fleshed out the details, he brought the vision to life, and it couldn't have come out any better!
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Photo by Scot Woodman Photography from Fabi + Adam's wedding at the Lyman Estate. Rentals by Party Rental Ltd. Music by DJ Tavo. Catered by Events by BH. Floral by Flouer Specialty Floral Events.

17/02/2023

When Mo told me her hair was going to be the "something blue" at her wedding, I couldn't have been more excited! Also, peep Jesse showing off the ring bling during their ceremony encore kiss!
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A personal fun fact: in high school, I dyed my hair (yes, I had it once upon a time!) to match my date's dress. Before it all fell out, It was red, green, and blue (at different times).
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Photo by from Mo + Jesse's wedding at Lyman Estate. Floral by . Hair and Makeup by . Music by . Rentals by .

08/02/2023

Here's the hard truth about wedding planning (and life, really) - there are some things you can control, but there are MANY you cannot.
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At weddings, we can control things like color palettes, who sits where, décor and design, music, food, and the vendors that help make it all happen. But we can't control things like weather, certain social/family dynamics, and guest behavior.
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So if you want to do an "unplugged" ceremony, we highly recommend coming to terms with the fact that many of your guests will not be able to comply. It's too exciting! You look too amazing! They just HAVE to get the shot. Can't blame them.
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So instead, take a moment before the ceremony begins to invite everyone to snap the pic! Pose for them! Have a nervous laugh and break the ice. Once everyone has the shot, your officiant can remind guests that they have their photo, and you have a professional photographer, and that the rest of the ceremony is to be phone-free.
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I espeically love that Amber and Carter's officiant, their dad (and dad-in-law) was not to be left out of the photo taking experience.
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And another pro tip about unplugged ceremonies: signs are great and can be beautiful. Having your officiant make an announcement is slightly more effective. Having both hopefully will drive the point home, but DEFINITELY consider a pre-ceremony photo opp.
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Photo by Anne-Marie Photography from Amber and Carter's wedding at Alden Castle: A Longwood Venue. Makeup by Ariana Leigh Artistry, Hair by Floral by Flouer Specialty Floral Events.

06/12/2022

Hair and makeup: it's not just for the bride and bridesmaids!
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A growing trend in the wedding industry is having an on-site barber for the folks in your wedding party who wouldn't necessarily need traditional hair and makeup services. This is a growing trend thanks in part to the rise in mixed-gender wedding parties and the entire wedding party spending the morning together.
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We love to see it!
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Photo by from Abbey and Kevin's wedding at ' Lyman Estate.

28/11/2022

Came across this photo by Alex Wiciel last week while reviewing photos to update the website and it has lived rent-free in my mind ever since. We didn't have fancy lighting or anything to create this image: this is just the result of hiring a super talented photographer!
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Erin and Tom's wedding is a story of love and choosing the good when forced with having to make decisions that are not part of the original plan. From navigating the postponement decision due to COVID to issues with rental attire not going as planned, and even a very last-minute photographer change, Erin and Tom took every blip in the planning with a smile and trusted that we would guide them through the process and ensure a picture perfect day.
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That trust is a gift our clients give to us and I am so humbled by it, every single time.
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Photo by Alexsandra Wiciel Photography from Erin and Tom's wedding at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake. Floral by Flouer Specialty Floral Events. Hair and Makeup by Leather and Lace Artistry. Bridal Styling by Christine Cornell Bridal Dresser and Stylist LLC.

02/11/2022

Of all the incredible photos from Molly and Chris' wedding, this one stopped me in tracks and brought tears to my eyes.
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Molly reached out to me at the end of April. With less than four months to go, wedding planning had her in a dark place: after dealing with multiple postponements, lost vendors in the rescheduling shuffle, and a completely new venue with an entirely different aesthetic, it was clear she was not having fun with the planning. She even told me she wasn't looking forward to the wedding. She wasn't my client yet, but when I heard her say that, it was as if her words cut right through me.
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Unfortunately, we were booked. My absence on instagram the past few months has been a good indication of how overwhelmed our team was this season, and I knew I couldn't add to our workload. Molly and Chris' wedding would be a HUGE undertaking: an entire design plan, in a venue we've never worked at, with some major vendors still missing at the height of one of the busiest wedding seasons on record. There was just no way.
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But, I couldn't stop thinking about Molly's situation. Surely there had to be SOMETHING we could do. Everyone should be excited and eager to celebrate their wedding. I hated the stress she was feeling and I wished I could just transfer my insight, knowledge, and experience so she could help herself. Finally, I broke down and approached my team: "so, there's a bride... and I really want to help her..."
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I got the eye roll, and the "you said no more" jabs - but as a team, Contagious Events found a way to make it work. We signed Molly on, conducted site visits, called in a few favors to finalize the rockstar vendor team, and eagerly, we went to work.
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Three and half months and 200+ disco balls later, Molly and Chris had themselves a WEDDING. I still get emotional thinking about this moment: the sense of pride I have in knowing that my team and I can absorb the stress and disappointment and turn things around in such a short amount of time and get this kind of reaction is really a surreal moment for me. Contagious Events is a business, but at its core, we're a team who will stop at nothing to make sure every wedding is a celebration worthy of happy tears.
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Photo by from Molly and Chris' wedding at . Lighting by . Florals by . Rentals from and .

31/10/2022

Investing in a venue that already matches your design vision means you can (and often should) go minimal with the rest of your design: here, we allowed to be the star design element, keeping a dark palette with rentals from to match the “elegantly gothic” our couple had for their wedding last weekend. Taper candles offered light that showcased darker floral designs from . Special thanks to for taking such good care of our amazing couple.

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Your Wedding. Your Way.

A red dress. A sequin tuxedo. The dive bar where you met. Margaritas instead of champagne. It’s your wedding and you’ll have fries if you want to. Or a seven course, candlelit meal. With matching wine. And an ice sculpture of Queen Bey herself. Whatever you want. We’ve got you covered.

With Contagious Events: Boston Wedding Planners, every wedding is as unique as your personality. We make sure your day is the perfect reflection of you as a couple, leaving you to free to enjoy every second of your nuptials.

The result? A celebration that will go down in history. Seriously, on your 10th anniversary, people will still be talking about how great it was.