We recently had the chance to connect with JoAnn Moore and have shared our conversation below.
JoAnn, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: When was the last time you felt true joy?
My husband recently retired after 45 years as a firefighter. He had been a Fire Chief since the age of 30, working for 38 years as a Fire Chief. When he announced to me he was ready to retire, my heart was filled and pride in all his accomplishments. That was six months ago. I feel relief and joy that he is safe at home and working on his next project.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello everyone! I’ve spent the last 30 years immersed in the magic of weddings—helping couples across the country celebrate their love with events that are deeply personal, beautifully curated, and seamlessly executed. It’s been an incredible journey, filled with joy, emotion, and endless creativity.
Today, I’m bringing a new passion into the work I’ve always loved: sustainability. I’m focusing on designing weddings and events that are not only unforgettable, but also thoughtful in their impact—reducing waste, sourcing ethically, and honoring the beauty of conscious choices. My goal is to prove that a celebration can be both stunning and sustainable. Love deserves a beautiful beginning, and so does our planet.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without a doubt, my marriage to my husband—who has spent his career as a Fire Chief—has deeply shaped how I see myself and how I navigate the world. Watching him bring calm to crisis, whether managing a fire or a political emergency, has taught me the value of staying grounded, calm, thinking strategically, and always having a plan of attack.
Weddings, while centered around love and celebration, can be surprisingly chaotic behind the scenes. Emotions run high, and the details are endless. But just like my husband handles emergencies with grace, I approach each event with the same quiet control—putting out fires before they spark and solving problems before they reach the couple.
My goal is always to create an experience where the couple never sees the chaos. They see only beauty, joy, and love—because that’s what their day should be about. Behind the scenes, I’m managing every moving piece, so they can stay fully present in one of life’s most important moments.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was a child and the world felt overwhelming, it was my dance teacher, Ms. Sylvia, who helped me find my footing—literally and emotionally. She saw something in me and took me under her wing with a quiet, steady kindness that made me feel safe and seen. In her studio, I didn’t just learn to dance—I learned how to express emotion, how to carry myself with grace, and how to reflect love and joy into the world.
Ms. Sylvia was more than a teacher—she was a mentor, a guiding light, and a source of emotional strength. She taught me what it means to have faith, not just in a spiritual sense, but in myself and in others. She showed me how powerful it is to lead with love, and how even the smallest gestures of encouragement can change someone’s life. The warmth and strength she poured into me still echo through the work I do today, especially when I’m helping others navigate emotional moments with care and compassion.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
“I am unwaveringly committed to transforming the wedding and events industry into one that honors beauty and sustainability. After 35 years of planning weddings, I’ve seen firsthand how much waste a single day can generate—plastic cutlery, floral arrangements tossed away, décor items used once and forgotten. It’s not only heartbreaking; it’s unnecessary.
That’s why I’ve made it my mission to lead a shift in mindset—away from the disposable and toward the intentional. I’m now training other event professionals in sustainable practices—how to repurpose vintage pieces into stunning décor, compost florals, source responsibly, and eliminate single-use plastics without sacrificing style or elegance.
This isn’t a passing trend for me. It’s a lifelong commitment. Because the most meaningful celebrations shouldn’t come at the cost of the planet. And I’ll keep doing this work—educating, innovating, advocating—for as long as it takes to make ‘sustainable’ the standard in our industry
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
**“In the early days of my career, I truly was tap dancing to work—literally! I was a dance teacher, guiding young children through their first tap and ballet steps. There was such joy in watching them build confidence, grace, and strength through movement. It was about more than just dance—it was about helping them find their voice and their footing in the world.
Now, decades later, some of those very same young girls are coming back into my life—not in leotards and ballet shoes, but in wedding gowns, asking me to plan the most meaningful day of their lives. It brings me so much joy and a sense of wonder. The work I did then is beautifully connected to the work I do now.
It feels like life has come full circle, and yes—I still tap dance to work. Just in a different way.”**
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joannmooreweddings.com/
- Instagram: j.m.weddings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-moore-607b5048/
- Twitter: [email protected]
- Facebook: JoAnnMoore
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
