Meet the Samantha Joy Events Team

May 12

Dayton and Cincinnati Wedding Planning Team

Creating and executing beautiful events takes a village! Beyond the amazing vendors we work with, I’m so blessed to have a super talented team at SJE events. Over the last year in particular we have grown and expanded the SJE family. We’ve added event assistants, associate planners, and a production team. Each of these ladies brings something special to our work and I’m thankful for each. Hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about the people who make up SJE!

Samantha - Creative Director and Owner

Samantha first got her start in the event industry in the windy city of Chicago. Focusing on corporate events at first she worked on large group company cruises, client appreciation trips that went surfing and horseback riding, and trade shows. Working her way into social events and weddings she found that the event industry was a place she felt at home. After getting married to her college sweetheart she found herself in Ohio searching for a spot in the event industry. This is where Samantha Joy Events was born. She prides herself in telling client’s stories through their event design. Using color, textile, and unique personal touches to create experiences for guests that allow your event to live far beyond the day.

Go-to drink? water with lemon or a glass of Sauvignon blanc
What is your favorite Holiday? Anyone that I am not working, but really the Fourth of July spent at our lakehouse
What are your two biggest pet peeves? Toilet paper dispensers installed too low in public restrooms and forms that have been copied so many times instead of just recreating the form.
What are your hobbies? learning new cooking techniques, drawing, and home renovations. I also love adventure and have been skiing since I could walk, surf and love to sail!
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I’d move to Spain in a heartbeat!
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? I love watching Formula 1 Racing and used to play soccer as the goalie.
What is one book everyone should read? Freakonomics
What is your favorite meal? A chicken parmesan sandwich from Barnelli’s with a side of marinara, or Graham Central Station from Handel’s Ice Cream
Tell us one quirky thing about you. I’m kind of an ice cream aficionado. I make it at home from scratch and have an understanding of the chemistry to know which brands I love and why!
What's the craziest thing you’ve done? I’ve been sky diving and canyoning! (look it up it is an incredible European adventure sport)
Favorite tv shows? Survivor - I’ve watched since season 1, no one is allowed to speak to me while it is on, The Crown, Grace and Frankie,

Bailey- Social media Manager & Senior Event Assistant

Bailey has a passion for content creation and spends her days bringing brands to life through social media, blogs, and emails. She loves all things fitness, is addicted to cold brew coffee, and is obsessed with her dog. When it comes to events, Bailey loves that no two are exactly the same. Seeing unique design elements come together to tell the client’s story is so fun. And knowing clients are happy and satisfied is the best payoff.

Go-to drink? cold brew with a little milk or cream
What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas
What are your two biggest pet peeves? people reading over my shoulder and chewing loudly
What are your hobbies? I love anything active - yoga, running, going to the gym, hiking. I also love to cook.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Probably somewhere in Europe because there is so much I want to see over there. I need to live there to make it happen.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? Flying for sure
What's your favorite movie? Princess Bride
Tell us one quirky thing about you. I was in 4-H growing up so I can tell you all about raising sheep and goats and how to show them.

ABBIE- Senior Event Assistant

Abby is a country girl at heart, having been raised on a small farm in southern Ohio. She loves crafting, snail mail, being an aunt, and trying new restaurants with good friends. Throughout the week she enjoys the comforts of office life but on the weekends prefers to be outdoors exploring new places. Abbie has experience with corporate events and fundraisers and planned her own wedding with her husband, Zak! She is excited to meet you and be a part of your special event!

Go-to drink? Coke
What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas
What are your two biggest pet peeves? 1. When people tap on things/bounce their knees when they are bored. 2. Unfluffed couch pillows :)
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? The mountains
What makes you laugh the most? My guy’s dance moves
What is one book everyone should read? Girl, Wash Your Face- Rachel Hollis

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? The ability to fly
What is your favorite meal? Tacos
What's your favorite movie? Sweet Home Alabama
Tell us one quirky thing about you. I have chubby fingers that I refer to as “frog bellies”
What's the craziest thing you’ve done? Stayed up until 4am (yes, I’m lame 🙄)
Favorite tv shows? Parenthood, Criminal Minds, When Calls the Heart

Ashley- Event Assistant

Ashley is a recent graduate of the University of Dayton and also just got married to her high school sweetheart. She loves listening and dancing to all genres of music, cooking and hanging out with her husband. Ashley also loves working on the SJE team to help bring the weddings to life and to make it the absolute dream for the new bride and groom. She knows how important it is to focus on not just the bigger details but to bring out the smaller details and will always work 100% so day of, you can relax!

Go-to drink? Coke Zero

What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Texas

What is one book everyone should read? Looking for Alaska

What is your favorite meal? Chicken Cordon Bleu

What's your favorite movie? Christmas Vacation

What's the craziest thing you’ve done? I have been cave tubing in Belize

Favorite tv shows? The Office and Breaking Bad

BROOKE - EVENT ASSISTANT

Brooke is a recent graduate of Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she studied Communication & New Media Studies. After graduation she participated in the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida where she had the opportunity to work in Epcot with their International Food & Wine Festival and further develop her customer service skills. Brooke is passionate about working with people and creating exceptional experiences for every individual she works with. Some of Brooke’s hobbies include spending time with her pug Gemma, online shopping, and spending quality time with her friends and family. Brooke is a strong believer in having a positive attitude and always aiming for personal progress.

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, I love the season and how everyone has Christmas cheer.
What’s your favorite meal? Chipotle, I realize it’s an unhealthy obsession but it’s always going to be my favorite.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? Golf. Oddly enough, I find it relaxing.
What's your biggest pet peeve? Being unorganized.
Tell us one quirky thing about you. I love cleaning.

Angel- Event Assistant

Angel is a cat mom to her two big babies, Sherlock and Watson. She is engaged to a wonderful human named Sean and will be getting married in fall 2021! She currently resides in downtown Dayton and LOVES living in the city. One of her favorite things about living in Dayton is its aviation history. She is a huge airplane fanatic - she used to be a flight attendant and one day hopes to obtain her pilot’s license!

Go-to drink? Water or Coffee, it’s 50/50
What is your favorite Holiday? Independence Day
What are your two biggest pet peeves? Disorganization and lack of common sense
What are your hobbies? Cleaning/organizing, hanging out with the cats, collecting Pokémon cards, embroidery, kayaking, and watching airplanes.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Somewhere along the equator where it’s always warm.
What makes you laugh the most? My soon-to-be husband, he’s a hoot!
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? I don’t watch too many sports, but I did play softball in high school. Our family prefers board games and video games.
What is one book everyone should read? The Tale of Despereaux - the cutest little novel introduced to me in 5th grade
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? The ability to fly and/or invisibility.
What is your favorite meal? Grilled cheese and tomato soup
What's your favorite movie? There are so many… but the first one off the top of my head is Earth to Echo.
Tell us one quirky thing about you. My fear of grates, storm drains, ventilation systems, and plumbing, etc. I refuse to turn on the bathroom fan, swimming pool drains freak me out, I never walk on the sidewalk grates, and I cannot be alone in basements/rooms where piping is exposed! Crazy!
What's the craziest thing you’ve done? Moved to Iowa for a year!
Favorite tv shows? The Office, New Girl, This Is Us, Attack on Titan