Meet Ellie Durbin, Founder and Planner
The Aisle Assistant
Not everyone needs a full service wedding planner, but almost every couple wishes they had a pro to help them at some point in the wedding planning process. I started The Aisle Assistant after noticing that friends and family would ask for my guidance to get started or for help when they needed advice or guidance. It dawned on me, what if everyone had a friend they could call or email who happened to be a wedding planner? From there The Aisle Assistant was born.
I work closely with each couple to educate and guide them through the planning process. It is music to my ears to hear from a couple that planning isn’t as bad as they thought or that they can’t imagine figuring things out on their own.
Backstory
Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina I was always surrounded by beautiful places, gorgeous events, and amazing food—both in restaurants and at home. I like to say I started my event planning career with my own bat mitzvah and gradually began to realize that not only did I love it, but I could pursue it as a career!
After heading north to attend Boston University (Go Terriers!) and graduating with a BS in Hospitality Administration, I pursued my dream of planning weddings and events. Over the past 12 years, I’ve worked with a full service wedding planner and florist, an off premise catering company and, most recently, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants in Boston, MA for six years. I have worked with over 100 couples to plan and coordinate their wedding day and planned my own wedding in 2017.
Personal
I am a “hostess with the mostess” and love to entertain at home…and shop for beautiful finds for the table too. I truly love to talk about food and wine, and you will often hear me sharing my latest go-to dinner or cocktail recipe. My friends also will tell you that I am one of their top resources for everything from my latest fashion finds to travel and dining recs.
When not planning weddings, I can often be found planning local adventures or trips with my husband, Adam. Next up: decorating our new house!
Press Features
Lightning Round
Personality Types
Myers-Briggs ESFJ and Enneagram 2
Hobbies
Cooking and entertaining, needlepoint...does watching Bravo count?
Countries Visited
14–England, France, Spain, Israel, Germany, Scotland, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Italy, Anguilla, Iceland, Turks and Caicos, Belgium, and Netherlands
Cocktail of Choice
Aperol spritz or a margarita with salt
Inspired By
My favorite destinations, especially the midcentury vibes of Palm Springs, CA and the warmth and hospitality of my hometown of Charleston, SC
Favorite Flowers
Parrot tulips and Amaryllis
Favorite part of a wedding day
First look! I think a lot of couples really start to enjoy their day once they’ve seen each other
Favorite honeymoon destinations
The smaller cities of Belgium (Antwerp, Gent, Bruges) for a city destination, Palm Springs, CA for a domestic destination, or Anguilla if the beach is your speed
Best wedding advice
On the last night before festivities start (usually Wednesday or Thursday for a Saturday wedding) go out to dinner just the two of you. Put this on your timeline and I promise you won’t regret it. My husband and I still talk about how great it was to sneak off and just be for a couple of hours. An incredible dinner at Edmund’s Oast didn’t hurt either :)