maven (n)

one who is experienced or knowledgeable; an expert or connoisseur

Black and white photo of withMaven Events Found Sam smiling with long curly hair, wearing a polka dot blouse and light-colored pants, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

A born-and-raised New Yorker, it’s part of my DNA to value the unique lived experiences & identities of the people I meet. After years of planning events, I noticed the more that an industry professional was deemed an “expert” with regard to their hard skills, the less they seemed to value the expertise of lived experience, whether that be with their clients, their vendor teams, or even their own teams. “Upscale” became synonymous with “homogenous & exclusive”; there was a clear devaluing of the ways professionals with marginalized identities could bring a unique perspective to their client’s special day. Similarly, I noticed clients with marginalized identities were given cookie-cutter experiences that often missed the opportunity for their day to be as unique as they are.

I founded withMavens Events to shake up the wedding & events industry. I envision a world where event “expertise” goes beyond teachable skills & includes the ways lived experience influences how we approach our craft. No two relationships have the same love story, so why should they receive a one-size-fits-all approach to planning their big day?

If this resonates with you, I hope to have the chance to help bring your big day to life.

xo,
Sam Arpino (she/her), M.S., M.S.Ed
Founder & Lead Planner
withMavens Events

Our Services

Experience What We Offer

  • Weddings

  • Social Impact & Nonprofit

  • Speaking Engagements

  • Holiday Parties

An outdoor wedding ceremony setup with white chairs facing a decorated arch and stage, surrounded by lush green trees and ivy-covered walls.
A decorative wedding certificate in an intricate silver and gold frame with Hebrew script and floral patterns.
Two white round tables with beige decorative hand fans placed on top, one in the foreground and one in the background.
A couple dressed in wedding attire sitting at a table with a decorative Torah scroll, signing a document during a wedding ceremony.
Three women smiling and hugging at night, two making peace signs, with flowers and candles in the background.
A bride getting ready, flanked by two women, as they assist her with her earrings in a bright room.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss under a floral archway with greenery and purple flowers during their wedding.
Decorated wedding reception table with floral centerpiece, candles, glasses, plates, and pink napkins in a brightly lit room with large open doors and trees outside.
A bride in a white off-shoulder wedding dress is walking with a female companion in a garden setting, surrounded by greenery and wooden trellises.
Black and white photo of a bride smiling and looking at a man, possibly the groom, during a wedding reception. The bride is wearing a veil and a wedding dress, and there is a woman on the right taking a photo of the moment. The setting appears to be
Elegant wedding tablescape with a floral centerpiece featuring pink and white roses and white flowers, surrounded by tall glass candle holders with lit candles, set with white plates, peach napkins, silverware, and glassware on a white tablecloth.
A vintage white rotary telephone on a wooden barrel next to a small wedding sign and a floral arrangement in a glass vase.
Two women hugging at a wedding reception, one in a wedding dress holding a glass of champagne, and the other in a light purple dress, surrounded by guests.
A temporary tattoo station with a framed instruction sheet, tattoo paper, and a display of water-based tattoo sheets on a counter at a tattoo studio.
Bride and groom walking down the aisle in a rustic indoor wedding ceremony, filled with guests applauding and holding up phones, with string lights overhead and large windows at the back.
Elegant banquet table set with white tablecloth, gold cutlery, green napkins, wine glasses, and a flower centerpiece at a wedding reception in a rustic barn decorated with string lights and flowing curtains.
Photo booth pictures of people at a wedding with a black background and gold lettering that reads 'The Groom's Relatives'. The photos are in a scrapbook with foam corners, showing people in formal and festive attire.
Couple dancing at a wedding reception with guests watching in a warmly lit, rustic venue.
People dancing and celebrating at a wedding reception, with a bride and groom embracing at the center of the dance floor.
Candy bar with bowls of assorted candies on a white tablecloth, decorated with a large sign reading 'Candy Bar' and a white floral branch in the background, set against a dark stone wall.
A large sign that reads 'Candy Bar' with a thank you message: 'Thank you for making our day so sweet!' decorated with small disco ball lights.
A wedding reception with a group of women and a man dressed in formal attire, standing in a decorated venue with string lights and curtains, celebrating and holding drinks.
A table setting at a dinner event with candles, flowers, and glasses, with a sunset view over water through a window.
Three people standing outdoors at night, two women and one man, in front of a garden with plants and flowers, with a city skyline and dark sky in the background. The woman on the right is wearing a long white dress, while the woman in the middle is i
A woman standing at a long outdoor dining table, writing on a notepad, with table settings and red flowers, in a sunny backyard with greenery.
Wedding announcement board with colorful posters, photos of a girl and a boy, flowers, and decorative drawings, celebrating a wedding in Brooklyn, NY on September 23, 2023.
Memorial display with framed black and white and color photographs of a couple and family, several small bottles, and a floral arrangement at the center with roses, sunflowers, and greenery.
Indoor event space decorated with floral centerpieces on long tables, string lights overhead, and a white ceiling with green foliage.
A long dining table decorated with floral centerpieces, candles, water glasses, and black plates, set under a clear tent with string lights and greenery, for an outdoor event in the evening.
Two women dancing closely at a celebration or party while other guests are watching. The scene is illuminated by a bright, bluish light at the ceiling.
Group of nine people posing together indoors, smiling for the camera at a social gathering or event.
A wedding ceremony in an ornate ballroom with white floral arches, a chandelier, and seated guests watching the couple exchange vows.
A bride and groom kiss at their outdoor wedding ceremony, surrounded by seated guests and a floral wedding arch in the background.
Bride and groom sharing a kiss at their outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests clapping and taking photos in the background.
A table of assorted foods, including vegetables, pastries, and fruits, decorated with blue and white Chinese porcelain dishware and vases.
Wedding invitation for Charlotte and Donna with pink roses, a jewelry box with rings, and a bouquet of pink roses on a black surface.
Two brides in wedding dresses outdoors near a river; one bride is smiling and holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, while the other bride is bending forward toward her.
Two brides in wedding dresses sharing a kiss outdoors under autumn trees with orange and yellow leaves, one holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers.
Two women in wedding dresses holding bouquets of pink, red, and white flowers outdoors
Two smiling women in wedding dresses holding a white dog between them, with a bouquet of pink and white flowers in the foreground.
A white satin drawstring bag with black decorative writing and a botanical motif. The bag has the words 'Mazel Tov' and 'טוב לב' printed on it, indicating a celebratory occasion.
Two smiling women in wedding dresses sitting at a table during an outdoor wedding reception, with a man in a suit blurred in the background.
Group of people at an outdoor wedding reception, woman in a wedding dress talking with guests, string lights overhead, nighttime setting, black and white photo.
A formally set dining table with white plates, silverware, a menu, flowers in a vase, candles, and glasses, ready for a meal.
A decorative bottle with lights inside, placed on two stacked red leather-bound books, used as a centerpiece on a dining table in a cozy restaurant setting.
A pink napkin with a drawing of a dog and the words "Charlotte & Donna" written on it, resting on a surface with a blurred glass object in the background.
Two women in formal dresses holding a child's hands while it dances in a black and white photo.
Two women in wedding dresses smiling and holding bouquets of orange, yellow, and red flowers, standing outdoors with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.
A collection of printed wedding photos spread on a dark wood table with two lit candles and which appears to be a silver tray underneath.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of pink and peach flowers, laughing and leaning on a seated woman with blonde hair. Guests, including women in pink and red outfits and men in dark suits, are clapping and smiling in an outdoor weddi
A smiling man and woman dressed in formal attire posing together in front of a black sequin backdrop.
Two people standing in front of a backdrop that says 'The Halo Awards'. The woman is holding a golden circular award and both are smiling at the camera.
Senzel Ahmady speaks on stage at the Halo Awards 2025 with a large screen behind her displaying her photo and name. The stage is decorated with gold-colored balloons and a colorful logo for the event, with an audience seated at tables in front.
Group of people at the Halo Awards 2025 holding awards in front of a large screen that displays the event logo and name.

Kind Words

  • We would repeatedly choose Sam.

    “If we somehow found ourselves thrown in a time loop and had to do the whole “getting married” thing again, we would repeatedly choose Sam. Because Sam is truly an event whisperer and one of the most genuine people we have ever met. Sam turned planning our wedding into a creative collaboration that felt like we were working on an exciting design project with a friend.”

  • I'm genuinely grateful for her partnership.

    “Turning our successful Halo Awards program into a Gala was a major risk. Still, Sam handled every detail from planning to execution with exceptional skill and precision, resulting in an incredibly successful Gala with 600 attendees, multiple performances, and 30+ awards. She also played a pivotal role in helping uplevel our entire conference from A to Z as a strategic thought partner and advisor. Her insights on venue collaboration, project management & logistics, and strategy were precious. Sam's professionalism, expertise, and dedication were instrumental in our achievements, and I'm genuinely grateful for her partnership.”

  • Sam is the best person to work with!

    “Sam is the best person to work with! She was my sister's day for her wedding and when I saw what she did for her wedding, it was no question we needed her for ours. She makes the entire process so smooth. Her organizational skills and professionalism are next level. She also is so responsive. She would answer me at any time of the day. Sam, we can't thank you enough for being a part of our special day. We seriously couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for bringing our vision to life! I highly recommend hiring withMavens Events for any event. You won’t regret it!”

  • Truly would book with them 50000 times over again. 

    “Sam and [her assistant] changed our lives every step of the way! I don’t know how people have weddings without a coordinator. The details and attention to timelines and discussions of everything with vendors and set up is absolutely incredible. Sam held our hands every step of the way, even coming with me to a dress fitting to help advocate for me with my seamstress (like literally what kind of amazing person does this). They were both very aware of our personalities and family dynamics and took this into account when planning as well as the vision we had for our wedding and wanting to add personal touches to the whole event.”

Let's get started!

Interested in how withMavens Events can bring your big day to life?