We’re looking forward to introducing you to Francesca Pellegrino. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Francesca, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes completely depend on whether it’s an event day or a normal Tuesday. On a regular day, it’s coffee in hand while I scroll through overnight emails, update timelines, chase vendors for quotes, send clients their little reminders, and quietly put out a few fires before anyone notices.
But on an event day? Totally different energy. If its a wedding, I’m checking in with the couple, confirming every vendor actually shows up, walking the venue to make sure nothing magically shifted overnight, making sure hair and makeup is on schedule, adjusting décor so it matches the vision, and stopping at least one family member from ‘just taking a quick look.’ By the end of those 90 minutes, I’ve already lived an entire day, and it’s probably not even noon…LOL!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Francesca, the owner of Pellegrino Events, a boutique event company in Toronto that has specialized in weddings since 2022. We’re a micro-team with a big-heart approach, which means our couples get an experience that feels personal, intentional, and completely tailored to them. We branched into weddings as I always believed it should feel like the couple, not a copy-and-paste template and ultimately I love being able to bring that to life through thoughtful planning, seamless logistics, and custom wedding packages that tells their story.
What really sets us apart is the way our relationships evolve with our clients. Most of our events come from referrals, which is the biggest compliment we could ever receive and by the end of the planning process, our clients usually turn into friends. The feedback has been incredible, and it’s been such a surreal milestone to be almost fully booked for 2026 Weddings already. Because we’re intentionally a micro-team, we’re able to stay deeply involved in every detail, offer real communication, and make the planning experience feel personal, effortless, and fun. We’re constantly growing, taking on new creative projects, and partnering with amazing vendors to design events that feel emotional, elevated, and genuinely reflective of the people at the centre of them. At heart, our brand is about care, making couples feel supported and turning one of the most overwhelming seasons of their life into something meaningful and beautifully curated.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My close friends.They were the ones who noticed that planning, organizing, and creating experiences came naturally to me even when I was just doing it for fun. They kept telling me I was an event planner at heart long before I ever considered it a career. With their encouragement, I finally took the risk and started my own company even though I had no idea where it would lead. It was one of those ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ moments. Once I put myself out there, things started to move fast. The connections I made early on opened so many doors, and what began as a gamble quickly turned into something real. Their belief in me wasn’t just uplifting, it really was the push I needed to bet on myself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things success never could, especially as a woman in my 20s building a company from scratch with very little guidance. The tough moments are where I figured out what I’m actually made of. Like the mornings I was hauling décor at 7 AM because a setup team was running behind, or the times I quietly handled a last-minute wedding day crisis so my couple never felt an ounce of stress. Those are the moments that shaped me.
They taught me resilience, quick problem-solving, and how to trust my instincts even when the pressure is high. They taught me how to speak up, protect my clients, and stay calm and collected no matter what’s happening behind the scenes. Success is amazing, but the challenges are what built my confidence, my grit, and the reputation I have now because people know I’ll handle whatever this industry throws my way, and still make it look effortless.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the event industry tells itself is that everything can be perfect and effortless. Meanwhile, behind the scenes we’re zip-tying something, steaming a dress, and calling a vendor who’s ‘five minutes away’ for the third time. The truth is, every event has a moment of chaos, you just need the right team to absorb it so the client never feels it. Another lie is that bigger teams automatically mean better service. As a boutique company, I’ve seen firsthand how a small, hands-on team can deliver a level of care, communication, and detail that large operations often can’t.
And that’s exactly why our clients trust us. We’re the ones who stay ahead of the chaos, notice the tiny details, and make sure the entire day feels seamless, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable. We’re fully in it with our clients, not just on the event day, but from the moment they book. If you want a team that cares as much about your wedding as you do, that’s us. We show up, we solve it, and we make it beautiful.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow (which I promise I’m not, I’m nowhere near done), I think my clients would miss having someone who genuinely shows up for them every step of the way. They’d miss the calm energy I bring when things get hectic, the way I quietly handle problems before they ever reach them, and how deeply I care about making their day feel exactly the way they imagined.
I think they’d also miss having someone who remembers the little things, the details they mentioned months ago, the family dynamics, the sentimental touches and someone who keeps their guests organized while keeping them relaxed. More than anything, they’d miss having a planner who feels like a friend they can trust, lean on, and celebrate with.
But, luckily for everyone… retirement is not on the schedule.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pellegrinoevents.ca/
- Instagram: @pellegrinoevents
- Other: If you found us through this feature, we’d love to hear from you, email our team today for your complimentary event consultation. Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Chelseaa Bram Photography
Isabella Pratesifotografia
Pellegrino Events
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
