Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Pilibosian.
Hi Mary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After planning my own wedding in 2022 and genuinely loving every moment of the process, I realized that event planning was something I was meant to pursue. The idea stayed with me for months until my husband, Andrew, encouraged me to take the leap and turn that passion into a business. We officially launched REVEL Event Planning & Design at the end of 2023, and it has been an incredible journey ever since.
In just a few short years, we’ve had the privilege of planning and designing celebrations across the globe, from Miami and New York to Cabo and Lake Como. We’ve worked with professional athletes, influencers, and, most importantly, wonderful couples who have trusted us with some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Each event is uniquely personal, and we are honored to bring our clients’ visions to life wherever their celebrations take us!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all.!! Like any new business, there have been plenty of challenges along the way. Starting a company from the ground up meant wearing every hat imaginable… from marketing and sales to contracts, accounting, and event execution. In the beginning, one of the biggest hurdles was building credibility and earning trust in a highly competitive industry.
The event industry is fast-paced and often unpredictable, so adaptability has been one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned. Every challenge has helped shape our processes, strengthen our relationships with clients and vendors, and ultimately make us a better company.
Looking back, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but every obstacle has contributed to our growth. Today, seeing our clients celebrate some of the most important moments of their lives makes all of the hard work worthwhile!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
REVEL Event Planning & Design is a luxury event planning and design firm specializing in weddings, social events, and destination celebrations. We provide full-service planning, design, and coordination for clients who want a highly personalized experience and a trusted partner to guide them through every step of the planning process.
What makes REVEL unique is that we combine elevated design with strong business and project management expertise. While beautiful events are at the heart of what we do, our clients often tell us that our organization, communication, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex logistics are what truly set us apart. We believe an event should not only look incredible, but also feel seamless for our clients and their guests.
I also think a big part of our success comes down to personality. I’m naturally an optimistic, energetic person and genuinely love connecting with people. Building relationships with our couples is one of my favorite parts of this job. By the time their wedding day arrives, many of our clients feel more like friends than clients. That level of trust allows them to relax, be present, and truly enjoy the experience because they know we’ve thought through every detail.
Another unique aspect of REVEL is that my husband, Andrew, works alongside me on wedding days. Not only is it incredibly fun to build this business together, but it also allows us to bring a calm, supportive, and team-oriented presence to every event. Couples often tell us they feel completely taken care of because we’re there every step of the way, anticipating needs before they arise and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
In addition to running REVEL, I work full-time as the Executive Coordinator to the CEO and Chairman of a $12 billion global automotive supplier. In that role, I manage executive communications, board meetings, strategic projects, travel, and high-level events. The skills I’ve developed in a fast-paced corporate environment, have become a tremendous asset in the event industry.
I also co-own and operate a family business with my four sisters, which has given me an even deeper appreciation for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and building something meaningful alongside the people you love!
What I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built in such a short amount of time. Nearly all of our growth has come through referrals and word of mouth, which tells us that our clients trust us and value the experience we provide. For us, success isn’t measured by the size of an event or the guest count, it’s measured by the relationships we build and the confidence our clients feel knowing their celebration is in good hands.
At its core, REVEL is about creating meaningful moments and making the planning process enjoyable. We want our clients to be fully present for one of the most important days of their lives, while we handle the details behind the scenes.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that relationships are everything.
When I first started REVEL, I thought success would come from creating beautiful events, having a strong portfolio, and perfecting every detail. While those things are certainly important, I’ve learned that the relationships you build with clients, vendors, venues, and your community are what truly drive long-term success.
In the event industry, trust is everything. Couples are inviting us into one of the most important seasons of their lives, and they need to know that we genuinely care about them and their experience. The same is true with vendor partners. Some of our best opportunities have come from relationships built through professionalism, kindness, reliability, and simply showing up for others.
I’ve also learned that perfection isn’t the goal…adaptability is. No event is ever completely flawless, and unexpected challenges will always arise. What matters is how you respond. Staying calm, finding solutions quickly, and maintaining a positive attitude can turn a potentially stressful situation into a seamless experience for the client.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust myself. Starting a business can feel intimidating, especially when you’re balancing other responsibilities and entering a competitive industry. There will always be moments of doubt, but growth happens when you’re willing to take calculated risks, continue learning, and have confidence in your abilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reveleventsanddesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revel.eventplanning/?hl=en
Image Credits
https://www.markandjenna.co/
https://www.nicoleivanovphoto.com/
https://rafalostrowski.com/
