the caitlin mcdonald signature style
Caitlin McDonald Events specializes in creating bespoke weddings and events that exude warmth, sophistication and charm. With an emphasis on intentional guest experiences and handcrafted design elements, we deliver extraordinary celebrations that feel exquisitely unique.
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Our goal is to be the natural host for your special day, ensuring that every moment feels effortlessly welcoming and unforgettable.
HAND SELECTED LINENS
UNIQUELY CURATED INVENTORY
ONE OF A KIND INSTALLATIONS
caitlin mcdonald
Hi lovers! I’m Caitlin McDonald, Owner, and Lead Designer of Caitlin McDonald Events and an Oregon native. I married after years waiting through the pandemic and just recently became a mom to the sweetest little girl.
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I started my business after several years directing events at a luxury villa in the Bay Area. It was there that I learned just how crucial every logistical detail is to ensure a smooth wedding day and where I fell head over heels for the wedding industry.
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My passion for wedding planning and design is rooted in my ultimate love for hosting, cooking, and interior design. Daily, you can catch me trying a new recipe, swapping out the linens on our table or binging Food Network. I’m a host at heart and creating delicious and beautiful meals on an exquisite table really is my love language.
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The signature style of CME embodies rich textures, carefully curated inventory and heavy hitting installations of florals, lighting, and other impactful elements. I’m also a sucker for al fresco dining and beautifully hand selected chairs because who doesn’t love good food, beautiful views, and a comfy seat at the table?
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With CME, you can expect head turning experiences, distinct design and unforgettable memories curated by a wedding planner that advocates for you and ensures you never go a minute with an empty glass.
OWNER & LEAD DESIGNER
your linen queen + hosting extraordinaire
hospitality
purpose
bond
design
We were born to host. At the heart of what we do is the calling to gather loved ones around an exquisite table and a beautiful meal. We embody this for our clients and their love stories -- creating the same feelings of joy and warmth for their people as if they were our own.
Every detail is intentional. From a color palette to a floral design to the arrangement of your chairs, each choice was made with purpose in mind. We collaborate with our clients and vendors to design gatherings that are a bold reflection of our clients. The outcome? A creatively curated event unique to each client.
Couples that work with us share a love for hosting, the effect of texture and intentional design. It is the bond that we build that allows us to freely create without limit for our clients.
Personal connection drives our portfolio above all else, which secures our reputation for perfection.
Each project we work on features it's own distinct design. Our clients' weddings are a new jewel in our crown -- each one exquisite and rare. We prioritize flawless design choices that reflect the space we work in, the story we're helping to tell and the legacy that love writes on all our hearts.
frequently asked questions
HOW OFTEN DO YOUR TRAVEL TO THE BAY AREA?
Caitlin regularly travels back and forth between Portland and San Francisco on a monthly basis (aside from during the November-January holiday season). While we also have staffing based in the Bay Area and perfectly capable of viewing venues, rentals, etc. with you, Caitlin makes in-person meetings and mock-ups a priority to attend.
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HOW MANY WEDDINGS A YEAR DOES CME TAKE ON?
This is a great question! It really depends on the size and scope of events as well as the dates in which we receive them. Most often, CME does not do more than 2-3 weddings per month, at most.
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WHAT ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED BY?
We love a wedding where we can mix and match unique and unexpected textural elements. Blending rich colors, thick textured linens and chairs produced from different materials really excites our team. Finding the perfect candle or sourcing hard-to-find inventory items to complete the look is a scavenger hunt we also love to go on... and find ourselves on often!
WHY DO YOU SERVICE OREGON AND CALIFORNIA?
Both the PNW and SF Bay Area hold really special places in our hearts. Caitlin was born and raised in the PNW and started her wedding career at Villa Montalvo in the Bay Area, so each location is hugely sentimental to her. After years of living in the Bay Area and finally relocating back home to Bend, OR. to start her family, Caitlin found herself missing the excitement and design complexities of planning in the Bay Area and started traveling back and forth to offer her services!
WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE VENUES TO PLAN AT?
In Oregon, we're huge fans of The Griffin House for the beautiful views, The Allison Inn and Spa for the hospitality and wine country environment and the Juniper Reserve because it's the perfect blend of Oregon and California in one beautiful resort. In the Bay Area, we're at home when we're planning at Villa Montalvo, but also love being in the redwoods at Nestldown and in the stunning green room at Kohl Mansion!
WHY DO YOU PRIMARILY OFFER FULL-SERVICE PLANNING?
Great question! Personally, CME takes a lot of pride in our work and coming in at the end to tidy things up or deliver bad news when a client mistakenly booked the wrong vendor, etc. never felt quite right. We're in it for the long haul with our clients and feel our best when planning from start to finish so we can ensure not one detail is missed along the way!
want to learn more?
Send us an inquiry and let's chat more about your event!