About
The Team behind the creativity
is all about you and that is at the heart of our planning and
Based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, B Astonished Events is a premier full-service event planning and design company specializing in luxury weddings and lavish events both domestically and internationally.
Established in 2014, our offerings include full planning and design services that range from intimate events to extravagant weddings. From the first impression to the smallest detail, we take your vision and dreams and ensure that every wedding and event is astonishing and authentic.
belief
design philosophy
YOur WEdding
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Sophie Felts Floral Design
Sophie Felts
“ She is vibrant, creative, and so much fun to work with - seriously one of the best in the biz.”
How they see us
Melissa deeply understands her clients and artfully bridges the gap between what the client wants and what we love to deliver.
As the CEO and Owner of B Astonished Events, I specialize in leading weddings and designing unique, creative experiences that are both timeless and thoughtfully curated. My passion for professional event planning began long before founding my company—rooted in the intentional celebrations I designed for my own milestones and special occasions for family and friends during high school and college.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, where I double majored in Criminal Justice and Communications. Alongside my academic pursuits, I was an active basketball player and held leadership roles that included managing, planning, and coordinating resources for the Club Basketball program and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. These formative experiences strengthened my organizational skills, leadership style, and appreciation for meaningful, well-executed events.
Driven by these experiences, I went on to complete my Master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The personal fulfillment I found in creating lasting memories ultimately shaped the vision for B Astonished Events.
For more than a decade, I have infused every event with passion, creativity, attention to detail, integrity, and excellence. Together with the B Astonished Events team, I am honored to provide beautifully designed, seamless, and unforgettable experiences for each of our clients.
Owner and Creative Director
Meet Melissa
I really thrive on my couples feeling that their wedding is a one-of-a-kind and true expression of who they are so that their love story is the essence of the event. My favorite part of a wedding day is seeing the design come to life and our clients' reaction to their room reveal.
Balancing my passion is time well spent with my husband Blair and raising two young boys, Braylen and Bryson. If I am not planning one of our lavish events, you can find me traveling the world, spending quality time with my family or enjoying a sweet cocktail with my friends.
As an experienced designer and planner,
- melissa
Featured Press
On August 18, 2017, I married my best friend Blair Williams at the National Harbor in Maryland. We had a beautiful destination wedding theme since I always dreamed of having a destination wedding. Best believe our vow renewal will be in another country!
We have two young boys named Braylen and Bryson.
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Family time is very important to me! I’m always happiest when I’m surrounded by my family. I was born in Germany and raised in a military family where both of my parents are retired colonels in the US Army. I have a younger brother, Marlon, who is also ambitious and career driven.
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I LOVE to travel! I'll take a destination wedding any day! I'm so grateful for the experiences I have been able to witness through traveling with my family and friends and our wonderful clients. I could see myself traveling every other month in my retirement years.
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meet the owner
get to know
Our Team
I grew up as a trained dancer and cheerleader, which sparked my passion for creating unforgettable moments.
De’Angela Calder
Lead Event Planner & designer
more on De'angela
I’ve always been drawn to supporting people during meaningful life moments, which shapes how I guide couples through their wedding experience.
Alicia connley
LEAD EVENT PLANNER & DESIGNER
more on Alicia
I like to think of myself as a creative architect, I’m known for two things: a love for progressive aesthetics and a commitment to professionalism.
Alyssa Edwards
LEAD EVENT PLANNER & DESIGNER
more on Alyssa
I grew up as a trained dancer and cheerleader, which sparked my passion for creating unforgettable moments. That creative foundation became the inspiration behind my love for timeless, chic, and modernized wedding aesthetics. Born and raised in Washington, DC, and an alumna of the University of Maryland, where I received my BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice and MA in Homeland Security Management (UMGC), I never left home. Growing up in one of the most sought-after places to live, I am no stranger to all things fun and fashionable.
As a lead planner, I thrive on the journey of planning alongside my clients by guiding them through each detail, watching their vision come to life, and feeling their excitement build as we get closer to their big day. With over a decade of experience planning weddings and events both internationally and domestically, I have grown to deeply value the relationships I’ve built with my clients and trusted vendor partners. My favorite part of a wedding day is being there from the very beginning, checking in on the couple during those nervous, joy-filled morning jitters, and seeing them off at the end of the night completely on top of the world.
When I’m off the clock, you will usually find me playing Mario on the Nintendo Switch 2 with my husband and son or catching up with friends over dinner at one of the latest restaurants in D.C.
I grew up as a trained dancer and cheerleader, which sparked my passion for creating unforgettable moments. That creative foundation became the inspiration behind my love for timeless, chic, and modernized wedding aesthetics. Born and raised in Washington, DC, and an alumna of the University of Maryland, where I received my BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice and MA in Homeland Security Management (UMGC), I never left home. Growing up in one of the most sought-after places to live, I am no stranger to all things fun and fashionable.
As a lead planner, I thrive on the journey of planning alongside my clients by guiding them through each detail, watching their vision come to life, and feeling their excitement build as we get closer to their big day. With over a decade of experience planning weddings and events both internationally and domestically, I have grown to deeply value the relationships I’ve built with my clients and trusted vendor partners. My favorite part of a wedding day is being there from the very beginning, checking in on the couple during those nervous, joy-filled morning jitters, and seeing them off at the end of the night completely on top of the world.
When I’m off the clock, you will usually find me playing Mario on the Nintendo Switch 2 with my husband and son or catching up with friends over dinner at one of the latest restaurants in D.C.
Meet Deangela
I like to think of myself as a creative architect, I’m known for two things: a love for progressive aesthetics and a commitment to professionalism. My first love was science, I have a PhD in Nutrition Biochemistry that birthed my appreciation for the systematic process of planning to implementation. But I was yearning to add a little more color in my life, which led me to event planning and design with B Astonished Events!
As a lead planner and designer at B Astonished Events, I love to stretch the imagination to ensure every celebration isn’t just seen, but felt. My design philosophy is simple: stay trend-aware, but remain classic at the core. I draw heavily from interior spatial design, high-fashion silhouettes and organic textures to create true immersive experiences. To me, a truly bespoke production is the result of seamless logistical precision and the collaborative relationships I build with my clients and our global network of creative partners.
Beyond the mood boards and production schedules, I’m leaning into my favorite roles: Wife and "Boy Mom." My off-duty happiness is found in intentional date nights with my husband, keeping up with my boys, and cheering on the Florida Gators.
I like to think of myself as a creative architect, I’m known for two things: a love for progressive aesthetics and a commitment to professionalism. My first love was science, I have a PhD in Nutrition Biochemistry that birthed my appreciation for the systematic process of planning to implementation. But I was yearning to add a little more color in my life, which led me to event planning and design with B Astonished Events!
As a lead planner and designer at B Astonished Events, I love to stretch the imagination to ensure every celebration isn’t just seen, but felt. My design philosophy is simple: stay trend-aware, but remain classic at the core. I draw heavily from interior spatial design, high-fashion silhouettes and organic textures to create true immersive experiences. To me, a truly bespoke production is the result of seamless logistical precision and the collaborative relationships I build with my clients and our global network of creative partners.
Beyond the mood boards and production schedules, I’m leaning into my favorite roles: Wife and "Boy Mom." My off-duty happiness is found in intentional date nights with my husband, keeping up with my boys, and cheering on the Florida Gators.
Meet alyssa
I’ve always been drawn to supporting people during meaningful life moments, which shapes how I guide couples through their wedding experience. I care deeply about the experience behind the celebration, ensuring couples feel heard, supported, and able to be fully present while their vision unfolds.
As a Lead Planner with B Astonished Events, my design style blends bold, timeless elements with whimsical romance, because I believe every corner of a celebration should feel intentional and layered with meaning. I approach each wedding with clarity, precision, and a deep respect for the emotional weight of the day, ensuring the experience feels seamless while every detail is handled with care.
My favorite moment on a wedding day is just before the ceremony, when everything is complete and the bride is standing at the threshold of a life-changing moment. Locking eyes in that quiet pause before she walks down the aisle is something I treasure, a reminder of the trust my couples place in me and the joy of guiding them there.
When I’m not designing celebrations, I love traveling and exploring new places with my husband, always finding inspiration in beautiful spaces and experiences.
I’ve always been drawn to supporting people during meaningful life moments, which shapes how I guide couples through their wedding experience. I care deeply about the experience behind the celebration, ensuring couples feel heard, supported, and able to be fully present while their vision unfolds.
As a Lead Planner with B Astonished Events, my design style blends bold, timeless elements with whimsical romance, because I believe every corner of a celebration should feel intentional and layered with meaning. I approach each wedding with clarity, precision, and a deep respect for the emotional weight of the day, ensuring the experience feels seamless while every detail is handled with care.
My favorite moment on a wedding day is just before the ceremony, when everything is complete and the bride is standing at the threshold of a life-changing moment. Locking eyes in that quiet pause before she walks down the aisle is something I treasure, a reminder of the trust my couples place in me and the joy of guiding them there.
When I’m not designing celebrations, I love traveling and exploring new places with my husband, always finding inspiration in beautiful spaces and experiences.
Meet Alicia
The Blog
Weddings
Take a peek into the weddings and special events we’ve produced for clients around the world.
Read through our favorite tips and tricks for wedding planning, from the moment you get engaged through the big day.
Our Work
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Our sophisticated style and eye for design go far beyond weddings - we provide planning services for all of life’s celebrations.
With over 10 years of experience, this private 1-hour coaching session will provide you with my complete attention to ask me anything from all things wedding industry or personal questions on the growth of your business.
I’ll share some innovative ideas that allowed my business to excel and provide you with smart, actionable advice you can profit from.
1-Hour Business Consultation
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Every task you’ll need to ensure you have the wedding of your dreams - in one place! This checklist will help you stay organized from your engagement to your last dance and every stage in between.
The Monthly Wedding Planning Checklist
