Neillie Butler is the owner and executive planner of Mariée Ami, one of the nation's most sought-after event planning, production and design firms. Throughout her two decades in the hospitality industry, Neillie has been recognized by Fortune, BRIDES, Over the Moon, the New York Times, and more - as well as named one of the South's Top Wedding Planners. She serves a discerning clientele made up of CEOs and Presidents of Fortune 500 companies, universities across the country, and owners of professional sports teams – all while maintaining a footing in boutique hospitality. In 2021, she was named a leading female entrepreneur by the Tory Burch Foundation and in August she will be recognized by the Alabama chapter of the American Cancer Society as one of this year's honorees.In today’s episode we discuss: Neillie’s background working in corporate hospitality and how beating cancer as a college student gave her the courage to launch her event planning business in 2009 How Neillie transitioned from planning small, local weddings in Alabama to having a team of planners working under her that regularly plan ultra luxury weddings and events throughout the United States The Mariée Ami experience which leads with heart-centric hospitality practices What it means to lead, mentor, and grow a team Breaking down the details of what it takes to execute high production events Creating a venue from the ground up for private estate weddings Wedding budgets and the difference between a $200K, $500K, and $800K+ event Neillie and her team’s favorite wedding destinations Actionable advice for wedding creatives on how to book luxury destination eventsThe Wedding Destination Podcast, brought to you by international wedding photographer Molly Carr, whose work can regularly be seen in publications such as Harper's BAZAAR, Town & Country, BRIDES, and Martha Stewart Weddings and who was voted a Top Wedding Photographer in the World by The Wed.Designed to educate and inspire couples and creatives on all things destination weddings, the Wedding Destination Podcast interviews luxury wedding industry professionals who are at the top of their fields to give inspiring and actionable business and wedding planning advice.Tune in to the Wedding Destination Podcast every week to stay up to date with the latest destination wedding trends, advice from luxury wedding industry professionals, and plan the destination wedding of your dreams! Subscribe now, and get the inside scoop.FOLLOW ALONG:The Wedding Destination Podcast@weddingdestinationpodcastMariée Amihttps://www.marieeami.com/@mariee_amiMolly Carr Photographyhttps://mollycarrphotography.com/@mollycarrphotography