Let us be one of the first to wish you a huge, CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming nuptials! Now that your post-engagement high is starting to give way to the reality of planning the happiest day of your life, we’d love the opportunity to earn your business and manage all of the intricate details of planning. Seamless planning leads to flawless execution. Allow SDS Events LLC to curate "the SDS Experience" you and your guest will never forget.

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!

My story began the moment my mother planted the seed. She told me "Shawon, the Lord blessed you with a gift, you need to be operating in your gift."

meet shawon

Fast forward 4 years later, In 2008 I was driving down Central Ave, as I passed my brother's barber shop, the Lord told me to stop. I obeyed! As I crossed the threshold of the barber shop it was at this very moment that my brother then became the vessel. He simply stated to his client "that's who you need to get to plan your wedding." I had this "I know you lying" look on my face. I was so disobedient to what God's plan for me was at the time. The groom was so persistent with sitting down with me. I reluctantly agreed to meet with the couple a week later, they hired me on the spot, and the rest is history! This is the Lord's business and I'm merely the Manager. 

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

check out some of my favorite things

- psalm 91: 1,2

The proof is in the numbers...

350+

happy couples

14

team members

6,000+

wedding planning meetings

10+

awards

500+

spa treatments

Our Team

contact us

Hi, I’m Tiara McClain, Wedding Planner with SDS Events. I received my Communications degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I’ve been with the team since 2015. My favorite thing about wedding day is hearing the vows and seeing the couples face at the end of
the night after a flawless wedding day. I love traveling to experience new adventures and see beautiful places.

Hello! My name is Chassiny D. Sims, Wedding Planner with SDS Events.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree as well as a Master of Business Administration with a minor in Project Management degree.  I have been working with SDS Events since 2017 and I love everything about wedding planning.  My favorite thing about wedding day is seeing the bride and grooms faces as they see how everything comes together....especially the room reveal at the reception.  Fun fact about me: I Love to eat!!  I look forward to the food and cake tastings!!!

Hello, my name is Kayla McClure and I’ve been working with SDS Events since 2009 as an Event & Design Specialist. I have a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice from North Carolina A&T State University.  I’ve enjoyed my experience with SDS as I’ve been able to network with so many different people, from clients to guests and even vendors.
My most favorite thing about wedding day is the moment once the bride and groom sees the reception space for the first time which we call the “room reveal.” Sharing that moment with
our clients is the most beautiful thing because you get to see their true reaction firsthand.

Tiara McClain

lead wedding planner

Chassiny Sims

lead wedding planner

Kayla McClure

lead wedding specialist

Hello! My name is Diamond Gilmore, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the Illustrious North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University. I have had the pleasure of being an SDS team member since 2010. I enjoy holding the position of Wedding Events Specialist. One of the things I love most about wedding day is being able to
help the bride prepare for one of the most memorable and important days of her life. Fun fact about me: Barcelona has been my most memorable trip to date!

I am Adara A. Johnson, MSW. I began working as a Wedding Specialist with SDS Events, LLC in April 2012. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Illustrious North Carolina A&T State University (‘14) and proceed to obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the
University of South Carolina (‘15). My favorite part of the wedding day is to see the look on the groom’s face when he lays eyes on his bride for the first time, tied with the garter removal performance! A fun fact about me is I’m the CEO/ Founder of a Non-Profit Organization. I look forward to serving you on your special day to ensure that it is a day and experience you’ll always remember!

My name is Tia Price and I am a Wedding Specialist with SDS Events. I attended Winston Salem State University, where I obtained a Bachelor degree in Sociology. I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. I have been apart of the SDS team since 2015 and I enjoy every minute!! One of my favorite things about wedding day is witnessing the reaction of the Bride and Groom first look at one another.  It warms my heart!!!! Just a fun fact about me, I was a SDS Bride when I got married in 2010 and married my High School Sweetheart!!!

Diamond Gilmore

wedding specialist

Adara Johnson

wedding specialist

Tia Price

wedding specialist

Hi, Im Tiffany Brown, Wedding Specialist with SDS Events LLC. I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing—Winston-Salem State University and my Master of Science in Nursing Administration—Gardner Webb University. I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, I began working with SDS Events in 2013 after Shawon planned my 2012 wedding. My favorite thing about wedding day is when the doors open during the ceremony and the groom sees his bride for the first time.  I always look at the groom to get a glimpse of his reaction.  It is a special & intimate moment between the couple even when there are a hundred people in the room. Fun Fact: I was a bridesmaid in a wedding Shawon planned and I told her she would plan my wedding two years before I was even engaged.  When you know, you know.

Greetings and congratulations on your future nuptials and/or special event! I am Jelina Latrice Sheppard and I'm excited to enhance your event as your guest vocalist. If you've ever wanted
those top name artists but couldn't secure them due to their busy schedules, then look no further because I'm able to deliver and I never disappoint. I'm a two time Aggie from North Carolina A&T State University where I was awarded a bachelors in Mathematics and most recently my MBA. I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. I joined the SDS Events team in 2017. My favorite thing about wedding day is definitely watching the connection between the bride and groom as the bride enters the ceremony. Fun fact? R&B artist Tank
recently told me he loves my voice.

Hi my name is LaKeisha Bell and I have been a Wedding Specialist with SDS Events since April 2019.  I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management from Winston Salem State University, a Master's degree in Health Administration from UNC Charlotte and a Certificate in Wedding Planning from the New York Institute of Art & Design.  I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. My favorite part of wedding day when the couple sees each other for the first time. Fun Fact: I LOVE music!

Tiffany Brown

wedding specialist

Jelina Sheppard

wedding specialist & vocalist

LaKeisha Bell

wedding specialist

Hi, I’m Sequoia Barnes. I’m a wife + girl mom, beauty + fashion enthusiast. I also enjoy trying new restaurants + wineries. I attended the University of South Carolina where I received my BA in Criminal Justice/Criminology. I was a 2021 SDS Bride and later joined the team in March of 2022. One of my favorite things about wedding day is being able to witness the transformations & assisting the brides’ throughout the day. I love love and it’s really a great feeling to be able to serve couples on their special day!

Sequoia Barnes

wedding specialist

Hello! My name is Tanzi Daniels. I have been working with SDS Events LLC as a wedding specialist since 2021. I obtained my bachelors degree from NC A&T in Psychology. I now also have my Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology. My Favorite part about wedding day is the reception! I Love to see everyone celebrate the union and have a great time it’s a magical moment. Fun Fact: I am now one of the balloon decor specialist for SDS Events!

Tanzi Daniels

wedding specialist

Hi there! My name is Marlynne Anderson McClain. I am a Society for Human Resource Management–Certified Professional (SHRM–CP) specializing in Employee Relations and Employee Benefits. One of the things I love most about wedding day is being able make sure the details are attended to so that the bride can soak in the entire experience and all the beautiful moments of the day. As a SDS Bride Alum, I will tell you that I was able to experience firsthand that the SDS Team is unmatched, so much so that I was driven to become a part of the team.
 

Marlynne Anderson McClain

wedding specialist

Hi! My name is Asia Green and I’ve been a Wedding Specialist with SDS Events since 2021. I received my Bachelor’s in Strategic Communications from Elon University and I’m currently working towards my Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. In my free time, I love to read, go shopping, and try new restaurants. My favorite part of wedding day is witnessing the excitement of the Bride, Groom, and bridal party after the wedding ceremony. It’s always great to see friends and family be so happy and supportive of the newlywed couple.

asia green

wedding specialist

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

-maya angelou

let's work together

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