Story & Lesson Highlights with Devon Settembrini

Devon Settembrini shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Devon, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I just got an email from a bride I worked with recently, and it honestly made my week. She went out of her way to say how much fun the day was and how it felt like working alongside a friend. That hit me because I always tell people: I take the work seriously, but not myself too seriously. I’m the first to say ‘do whatever the fuck you want — it’s your day,’ and I mean it. That’s the fun of what I do — creating something that feels like them while still being dialed in and flawless behind the scenes. So yeah, hearing that the bride and groom felt that energy — that mix of fun and professionalism — that made me really proud that we we are doing and how we want people to feel is really translating and resonating with them.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Devon Settembrini, Founder and Lead Planner of All Sett Up — an event planning and design company built for people and brands who want to do things differently. We don’t do cookie-cutter anything. Whether it’s a multi-day wedding on a private property, a corporate summit that feels more like a festival, or a milestone celebration that flips the script, we’re all about crafting experiences that are bold, intentional, and full of personality.

I started All Sett Up after years in the industry realizing that “luxury” didn’t have to mean stiff or predictable. I wanted to build something that mixed rock-and-roll energy with real polish — where a champagne wall could live next to a vintage cooler, and a black-tie crowd could end the night barefoot on the dance floor.

Right now, we’re expanding our corporate and brand event division, working with companies who want to make work actually feel like play. I’m also passionate about our team culture — the people who make the chaos look effortless — and about constantly raising the bar for design, logistics, and guest experience.

At the end of the day, I always say: big energy, beautiful details, zero chaos. That’s the All Sett Up way.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a kid dragging my friends into made-up productions — setting the scene, directing the chaos, making sure everyone had a role and the vibe was just right. I didn’t know it was “event planning”; I just knew I loved creating experiences that made people feel something.

Somewhere along the way, the world tried to polish that — told me to be quieter, more traditional, more “professional.” But honestly, I’ve built a career out of circling right back to that original version of me — the one who thrives in controlled chaos, gets high off of creativity, and doesn’t apologize for being both a perfectionist and a rule-breaker.

Now, I just get paid to do what I was already doing — bringing people together, telling stories through design, and proving that structure and soul can actually coexist.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yeah, there was a point where I was just…done. I had been running on fumes, juggling too many events, too many personalities, and trying to hold the standard high when everything around me felt like it was cracking. I remember sitting in my car after a long weekend build, completely drained, thinking, maybe I’m not built for this anymore.

But the thing about me is — I don’t stay down long. I took a beat, reminded myself why I started this in the first place — to create experiences that actually mean something, not just pretty parties. I realized I didn’t need to quit; I just needed to change how I was doing it. That’s when I rebuilt my systems, leaned harder into my team, and stopped saying yes to things that didn’t light me up.

Now, every time I hit that wall, I look back at that moment and think — that was the reset, not the end.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what really matters to me is intention. Whether it’s an event, a friendship, or how a table is set — I care about things having purpose and energy behind them. They’d tell you I’m obsessed with the details, but not because I’m a perfectionist for perfection’s sake — it’s because I want everything (and everyone) to feel something.

They’d also say I’m loyal as hell. Once you’re in my circle, you’re in — I’ll fight for you, defend you, and probably feed you cheese and champagne when you’re falling apart. I love creating moments, not just events, and that translates into how I show up for people, too.

At the end of the day, what matters to me is connection — the real kind. The kind that’s messy and loud and imperfect but honest. That’s what fuels me, both in life and in the work I do.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop trying to “balance it all.” I’d stop pretending burnout is some badge of honor. I’d stop filling every hour with something productive just to prove I’m doing enough.

I think I’d trade a few late-night inbox marathons for long dinners with people who make me laugh until I cry. I’d let myself rest more, travel more, say “screw it” more. The work will always be there — I just don’t want to miss the life that’s happening while I’m building it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.allsettup.com
• Instagram: @allsettup
• Linkedin: All Sett Up

Image Credits
Cameron & Elizabeth Photo
Sabrina Licata Photography
Kelly Jean Photography
Jessica Thibault