Meet Mandy Dorr

We recently connected with Mandy Dorr and have shared our conversation below.

Mandy, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’ve been surrounded by entrepreneurship for as long as I can remember. My parents started their own business when I was just five years old — they risked everything to build something from the ground up. Watching them pour their hearts into their work day after day, through both the small and significant steps, shaped my understanding of what it truly means to create something meaningful.

I also grew up in a three-generation household as the oldest of three girls, where hard work and kindness were core values — not just lessons, but daily practices. My mom, who grew up all over the world before moving to the U.S. for college, brought a global perspective that influenced how we saw possibility, connection, and resilience. She always reminded us that the way you show up — for your work, your family, and your community — matters deeply.

That blend of entrepreneurial grit, cultural perspective, and everyday kindness continues to guide how I lead Mandy Marie Events today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the founder of Mandy Marie Events, a full-service luxury wedding planning and design company based in Scottsdale, AZ. We specialize in high-touch, multi-day destination weddings across Arizona, California, and Mexico — celebrations that are deeply personal, guest-centered, and beautifully executed from start to finish.

What makes our work most exciting is the intentionality behind every detail. We believe that luxury whispers — that true refinement is found not in excess, but in how every element feels considered, effortless, and deeply reflective of our clients’ story.

Every wedding we create is completely custom. No templates. No repetition. It’s about crafting an atmosphere that feels both natural and transportive — a weekend that guests talk about long after it ends.

As for what’s next, we’re in an exciting season of growth. Our team has been expanding thoughtfully to meet the demand for larger-scale, ultra-luxury events and brand collaborations. We’re also continuing to strengthen our creative partnerships with venues and vendors across Mexico and the United States, opening new doors for our destination clients.

At the heart of it, my focus remains the same: to design celebrations that feel like an extension of the people they honor — elevated, intentional, and an unforgettable amount of fun.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

If I had to narrow it down, I’d say three things have shaped my journey most: strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.

Strategic thinking has been at the heart of everything. In the luxury event space, success isn’t about reacting — it’s about anticipating. I’ve learned that exceptional planning means thinking five steps ahead, understanding how every decision affects the guest experience, and approaching each event like a well-choreographed production. My advice for anyone starting out: take time to study how great experiences are built. Don’t just look at what’s beautiful — look at what makes it work.

Emotional intelligence is equally essential. This is an industry rooted in emotion — in love, family, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. The ability to lead with empathy, stay calm under pressure, and build genuine trust is what separates a good planner from a great one. Learn to really listen — to clients, vendors, and your team. People will remember how you made them feel far more than what you said.

And finally, adaptability. No matter how detailed your timeline, something will change. The ability to pivot with grace — and do it without your clients ever feeling the ripple — is a superpower. It’s a muscle that develops over time, but the key is experience. Volunteer, shadow, assist, and expose yourself to as many different environments as possible. Every event teaches you something that no classroom or course ever could.

For me, those three traits — thinking strategically, leading with empathy, and adapting quickly — are the foundation of everything I’ve built at Mandy Marie Events.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Right now, one of our biggest challenges — and opportunities — is helping Scottsdale evolve into a true premium wedding destination. The region has all the right ingredients: exceptional resorts, breathtaking natural landscapes, and an ever-growing creative community. But operationally, Phoenix still functions like a mid-size market, which means many of the resources required to produce large-scale, ultra-luxury events simply aren’t available locally.

When our clients are planning weddings that involve custom fabrication, large-scale production, or elevated entertainment, we often have to bring in partners from Los Angeles, Dallas, or even New York City. In some cases, we move events entirely to those markets because the infrastructure better supports the scale and standard of what our clients are seeking.

Our long-term vision is to change that. We’d love to see more incredible, world-class weddings hosted right here in Scottsdale — events that reflect not only the beauty of the desert but also the sophistication and capability of our local industry.

To move in that direction, we’ve been intentional about collaborating with local partners who share that vision and investing in relationships that raise the bar for design, service, and production quality. Every project we take on is an opportunity to demonstrate what’s possible when you bring thoughtful design, seamless logistics, and high-end production together in this market.

Scottsdale is on the brink of something extraordinary — and we’re proud to be part of the movement to help it step fully into that next tier of luxury.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mandymarieevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandymarieevents/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mandymarieevents
  https://www.pinterest.com/mandymarieevents/

Image Credits

Emily B. Photography
Kurt Boomer Photography
Mashaida Co.
Captured by Haylie