SASKIA WINTER
founder / planner / designer
Saskia Winter founded MOOI weddings when she followed the love of her life and moved from Amsterdam to San Francisco. Saskia has a Bachelors Degree in event production from the University of Nijmegen (The Netherlands). Equipped with a background as a festival, photoshoot and theater producer and having attended numerous weddings as a photography assistant, she could not visit one more wedding without wanting to jump in and save the day. In a way, weddings are small festivals, so the step to wedding planning was easily made. Besides running MOOI weddings, Saskia owns and runs PHOENIX , an event space in the East Bay. Here she throws numerous Bridal Showers, Baby Showers and Rehearsal Dinners, but also Dance Parties, Singer Song Writer’s Salons and Art Gallery Openings.
Saskia lives in Alameda, an island in the San Francisco Bay with her husband, photographer Benjamin Winter, and their crew of 3 littles : Daisy Dawn, Josie Jay and Mose Mezarim. They all hope to be in a family band one day. Besides everything to do with weddings, Saskia loves: sewing, dancing, sailing, biking, mangoes, kettle corn, end of the world movies, camping, family life and the smell of salty water.
ERIN MEADOWS
planner / coordinator
Erin got her start planning weddings in New Zealand. She has over 10 years of experience planning weddings in the Bay Area and Wine Country. She is a freelance planner and works with a range of professional and boutique wedding planning companies, doing about 10 weddings a year.
She is easygoing yet precise and her calm demeanor is exactly what you need on your wedding day.
“Erin was awesome, and our wedding day was perfect. We did the planning ourselves and hired her to be our day-of coordinator. I wasn't entirely sure we needed a coordinator, but as we were having 163 guests, I agreed that it was better to be safe than sorry. I am SO GLAD we had her. Basically, she saved our asses several times over by catching stuff that we missed. As the wedding day approached, she asked us a lot of questions that we hadn't thought of, mostly related to the day-of logistics. She even bought a bunch of snacks last-minute for the time between the ceremony and dinner and somehow made them look beautiful. And she added in all these lovely little details, like bringing my wife and I our food so we didn't have to stand in line. Erin is super hardworking, incredibly personable, and we loved working with her. She made it so that we could completely relax and enjoy our wedding day.” —Owen, 5 Star Review
CAROLYN EDGECOMB
designer / planner / coordinator
I am continuously amazed and inspired by the variety with which couples express their commitment. Together, we toss out old traditions, make up new ones, and create an experience that perfectly captures their unique personalities. I take great pride and delight in making sure that the bride and groom enjoy their day while I manage the details behind the scenes.
Whenever a couple asks me whether or not something is “normal” for a wedding, I encourage them forget about what everybody else is doing and focus on what is important to them. Let’s make a new normal. Brightly colored linens? Awesome! Have a llama walk down the aisle? Let’s make it happen! A three-day campout? So fun! (All of these and more have happened, by the way)
My journey to wedding planning began in New York City at a boutique graphic design firm when I volunteered to plan the annual holiday party one year. I loved every minute of it—planning the menu, coordinating the set-up, managing the staff. I was hooked! After the party was over, I returned to my design job, but the seed for an alternative career was planted. A few years (and a move to San Francisco) later, I pursued my interests through many facets of the event industry before focusing on a career in weddings.
When I’m not preparing for a wedding, I’m usually in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. Sometimes the cookies go onto a cute plate for fun photography and food styling, and sometimes they go straight into hungry mouths—or both!
I would love to chat about every detail of your plans to see if I would be the right fit to make your wedding day as amazing as you dreamed!
LINDA BARRERA
designer / planner / coordinator
Linda is a Bay Area native with a passion for anything events. From intimate ornate gatherings in the city to rustic weddings on the cliffs of Sea Ranch, she is inspired by the magic of the area, and the couples that decide to get married here.
Her love of events and organization actually started as a city event planner and project manager for start ups. With Linda by your side, your planning process will be highly organized, smooths sailing, pleasant and stress free.
She has a wonderful eye for style and elegance and since she residing in Napa/ Sonoma county, classy winery weddings are one of her specialties. She is a skilled lettering artist and speaks fluently Spanish + a little bit of Italian.
If Linda isn’t planning events or hustling onsite making events beautiful, smooth and streamlined, you can find her exploring new parts of the Bay Area, learning a new skill (rock climbing at the moment ) or creating beautiful dinners for her friends at her Napa homestead.
MARA DEBNEKOFF
planner / coordinator
Meet Mara, your dedicated Wedding Day Coordinator and Month-of Planner. She joined the Mooi team in 2022 after relocating to San Francisco from the Washington, DC area , where she spends years working with local wedding planners.
She brings a meticulous attention to detail and organizational prowess that stems from her background in technology project management. Her commitment to excellence ensures every aspect of your celebration is meticulously planned and executed, making your special day as flawless as it is memorable.
Mara finds joy in the creativity and excitement that weddings offer, using coordination as a creative outlet to craft unforgettable experiences. She expertly balances her role as a project manager with her dedication to creating magical wedding moments and her dual commitment speaks to her efficiency and dedication to ensuring your wedding day unfolds with grace and precision.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Mara draws inspiration from exploring Northern California, skiing adventures, and hosting friends. Her love for these activities adds a personal touch to the events she coordinates. In Mara, you'll find not just a wedding coordinator but a partner who shares your excitement, understands your vision, and is committed to making your wedding day a seamless and joyous occasion. Trust Mara to be your calm and capable guide through the planning journey, ensuring that your special day is everything you've envisioned and more.
JENNY SARGENT
designer / stylist
Jenny has been making things beautiful for as long as she can remember: sewing, knitting, weaving, painting, writing and designing. Her event design experience began while working in non-profit fundraising. There she developed, planned and designed dozens of fundraising galas, dinners, tournaments and receptions. She loved making stunning experiences that also served to benefit the many amazing organizations at which she had the honor to serve. In more recent years, Jenny has expanded her design experience into a number of clothing brands..
Currently, she designs a clothing and textile brand for children (Jenny Irene) and a line of tees, totes and bags (boro boro shop). She also works as a commercial photo stylist, assisting photographers and art directors in achieving their artistic visions for web and print photography. She is skilled in executing many different design aesthetics and can help you bring your vision to life. Whether you need help choosing colors for your wedding, creating a custom installation for your next event or a whole new look for your office, Jenny will bring her years of experience and creativity to make your project stylish, unique and beautiful.
BENJAMIN WINTER
photographer
Benjamin graduated from the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Art & Design Program with an emphasis in Photography and has over 10 years of experience photographing weddings.
He has a candid and journalistic approach to wedding photography. Ben believes the spirit of the wedding day will take care of itself, and that he 'captures' it beautifully without forcing moments. Ben believes there is a time and place for 'posed' pictures, but in the end, your favorites are going to be the unplanned, honest, joyful moments that just happen..
Ben has lived and worked throughout Europe for 7 years. This cross-reference of culture has shaped his photographic style and opened his sense of aesthetic possibility.
Contact Ben to talk about your day, budget, and vision. He'd love to celebrate the sanctity of the wedding day via gorgeous images.