Photo: Motion D Photography
Claudia Cole is a highly experienced wedding and event planner based in Toronto, Ontario. As the founder of Claudia Cole Events, she brings over 15 years of expertise in designing and executing luxury weddings with elegance, precision, and a personal touch.
Before launching her own company, Claudia spent 13 years working in luxury hotels, where she mastered the art of seamless event execution and high-end hospitality. Her ability to stay calm under pressure, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to excellence set her apart.
Claudia is passionate about transforming her client’s visions into beautifully curated celebrations, ensuring each wedding is as unique as the couple themselves. With a strong network of top vendors and a keen eye for design, she creates unforgettable events that leave a lasting impression.
Photo: Mango Studios
Claudia was nominated by Vicky Nicholas, WPICC of Perfect Planners.
“She (Claudia) has so many superpowers! She always gives 110% and will never stop until she has fulfilled her clients wants including unusual asks, like having Alpacas at the wedding.”
Photo: Alexandra Christine Photography
What inspired you to launch Claudia Cole Events, and what sets your brand apart?
I launched Claudia Cole Events because I’ve always been passionate about creating unforgettable experiences. My background in luxury hotels taught me the importance of high-end service and seamless event execution, and after becoming WPIC certified in 2014, I knew I wanted to take my expertise even further by helping couples bring their dream weddings to life.
What sets my brand apart is the personalized touch I bring to every wedding. No two couples are the same, and no two weddings should feel the same either. I take the time to truly understand my clients—their style, their story, and their vision—so I can create an event that feels uniquely them.
With over 15 years in the industry, I’ve built strong relationships with top vendors and developed a sharp eye for detail, ensuring every event is flawlessly executed. On top of that, I also co-own All Pretty Events & Decor with Vicky from Perfect Planners and recently became a destination wedding specialist, allowing me to offer a full-service experience, from planning ,decor to planning their honeymoon.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to make wedding planning effortless and enjoyable while delivering a celebration that couples and their guests will remember forever.
Photo: Alex Graff Photography
Every planner faces challenges. Can you share a particularly difficult situation and how you handled it?
Every wedding has its surprises, but one of the most challenging situations I faced was when the service elevator at the hotel broke down on the wedding day. We had four different vendors scheduled to load in at specific times, and suddenly, everything had to be reworked. Instead of letting the situation cause delays or stress, I immediately restructured the load-in schedule, coordinated with the hotel staff, and worked closely with each vendor to ensure they could bring in their setups efficiently using alternative routes. It took quick thinking, strong communication, and teamwork, but in the end, everything was set up on time, and the couple never even knew there had been an issue.
Photo: Britt Deck
How do you stay calm and professional under pressure on a wedding day?
Weddings are high-energy, emotional days, but my experience in luxury hotels and events for over 15 years has trained me to stay calm, think fast, and handle any challenge with professionalism. I focus on solutions, not stress, and I always have backup plans in place. Clear communication, a strong team, and a well-thought-out timeline help everything run smoothly. Most importantly, I never let couples see the chaos—my job is to make sure their day feels effortless and magical, no matter what’s happening behind the scenes.
With technology playing a bigger role in planning, are there any tools or platforms you swear by?
Technology has become an essential part of wedding planning, and I use several tools to keep everything organized and efficient. Some of my go-to platforms include:
Aisle Planner – This is a game-changer for managing timelines, budgets, seating charts, and vendor communication all in one place. It keeps everything streamlined for both me and my couples.
AI Tools for Inspiration & Productivity – AI-powered platforms help with brainstorming unique wedding ideas, writing timelines, and even crafting personalized vows or speeches for couples. AI also assists in automating emails and improving workflow efficiency.
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, & Drive) – Perfect for organizing contracts, checklists, and shared documents so my clients and vendors have easy access to important details.
Canva & Pinterest – I love using these for inspiration boards and design mock-ups, helping couples visualize their wedding aesthetic and bring their vision to life.
WhatsApp & Google Meet – Communication is key, especially for destination weddings! These tools help me stay connected with my clients and vendors, no matter where they are.
Photo: Purple Tree Photography
What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you wish you knew when you started?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my career that I wish I had known when I started is the importance of delegating effectively. Early on, I felt like I needed to do everything myself to ensure it was done perfectly. However, after volunteering with other planners and seeing how they managed their teams, I realized that trusting your team and allowing them to take ownership is key. Surrounding myself with a strong, reliable team and empowering them has been a game-changer. It not only lightens the load but also lets me focus on the bigger picture, ensuring every detail aligns with the couple’s vision. Learning to delegate and collaborate has made me more efficient and has helped me deliver seamless events while maintaining balance in my personal and professional life.
Photo: Wait One Day
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
One fun fact about me that most people don’t know is that I’m fluent in Hungarian! It’s often surprising because Hungarian is considered one of the hardest languages to learn, and with my family name, you’d never guess it’s part of my background! People are always shocked when they hear me speak it.
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