Beyond the Testimonial: A Gallery of Stories

We believe planning is a partnership built on trust. Our greatest honor is translating a client’s vision into a tangible, emotional experience. Out of deep respect for our clients’ privacy, our portfolio is a gallery of stories, not just images. We invite you to read the detailed narratives of our most cherished collaborations.

“Wynn Austin didn’t just plan our wedding; they understood our story. Every detail, from the lights in the trees to the music in the vines, felt like ‘us’. It was pure, effortless magic from start to finish.”

The Story: A Harvest Under the Stars

When Elara and James came to us, their brief was simple: “intimate warmth under an open sky.” They were food and wine connoisseurs who wanted to celebrate their union not just with their 120 guests, but with the landscape itself. We chose a private vineyard in St. Helena, timed perfectly with the golden hues of the late October harvest season. The color palette was drawn directly from the surroundings: deep terracotta, burnt orange, olive green, and rich Cabernet, accented with brushed gold.

The challenge was to make a rustic setting feel luxurious and deeply personal. We designed the ceremony to be a journey. Guests walked a winding path *through* the vineyard rows, arriving at a 100-year-old oak tree. As the sun set, thousands of delicate, suspended fairy lights in the branches were illuminated, creating a breathtaking canopy.

The reception was the main event. Instead of a ballroom, we set three 40-foot reclaimed wooden tables directly between the rows of vines. The tablescape was a feast for the eyes: raw linen runners, hand-thrown ceramic chargers, and arrangements of dried hops, pomegranates, and pheasant feathers. The lighting was the star; over 10,000 individual lights were strung overhead, creating a ceiling of stars that mirrored the clear Napa sky. The result was a perfect blend of high-end culinary execution and the relaxed, soulful warmth of a family harvest.

“They transformed a sterile convention center into a work of art. Our brand message was seamlessly integrated into every element. It was the most successful brand event we have ever held. Flawless execution.”

The Story: A Gala of Light and Logic

The challenge from Apex Corp, a leading tech firm, was significant. They were hosting their 500-person annual Founder’s Gala and needed to impress investors, media, and employees. The problem? The only venue available was a vast, cold convention center. The brief was to make this sterile space feel premium, high-tech, and surprisingly intimate, all while reinforcing their brand message of “Clarity and Connection.”

We rejected all standard “pipe and drape” solutions. Instead, we embraced the scale of the room. We used intelligent lighting design as our primary tool. We created “zones” using pools of focused light, “lowering” the perceived ceiling with a custom-designed grid of suspended kinetic light sculptures that slowly moved and changed color throughout the evening.

The centerpiece was a 40-foot-wide seamless 8K LED screen that served as a dynamic backdrop, displaying custom digital art that evolved from simple, clear code (for cocktails) to complex, interconnected networks (for the main presentation). The brand’s specific blue was used sparingly and powerfully—only as an accent in the lighting and the digital art, never on the linens, to maintain a level of sophistication. The feedback was unanimous: we had transformed a logistical challenge into a powerful, immersive brand statement.

“A ‘non-wedding wedding’ is what we asked for, and what Wynn Austin delivered was pure, sophisticated drama. They are not planners; they are true artists. We felt seen and understood at every step.”

The Story: A “Non-Wedding” Wedding

Sarah and Michael were art collectors with a disdain for the traditional. Their request was a black-tie gala for 250 guests that felt more like a museum opening than a reception. We secured the soaring white marble atrium of a modern art museum in New York City. The primary challenge was the space itself: vast, white, and acoustically live.

Our design was an exercise in bold restraint. The palette was a stark, monochromatic black and white, punctuated by a single, dramatic accent of deep emerald green. Instead of traditional floral centerpieces, our design team built “sculptural installations” for each table using singular, architectural elements: giant monstera leaves, white anthurium, and black calla lilies that appeared to grow out of brushed-black metal bases.

The guest experience was paramount. The event began with a “roaming ceremony.” Guests were given champagne and invited to browse a private gallery exhibit. The vows took place on the grand central staircase, with guests watching from all levels. The reception featured “food installations” rather than a buffet, and a contemporary string quartet played modern orchestral covers. By embracing the venue’s nature, we transformed it into a canvas, creating an evening of unparalleled sophistication and high drama.