About
About M+L Events
Meet Your Planners
Our story
What began as a natural love of hosting evolved into M + L Events, a partnership founded on a shared passion for creating celebrations that feel as meaningful as they are beautiful. We were the friends who volunteered to host, rearranged the furniture before everyone arrived, and cared about the details others might overlook.
With complementary backgrounds in event management, creativity, and client service, we bring a balance of organization, style, and thoughtful attention to every celebration. We believe the best events are beautifully considered, seamlessly executed, and completely effortless for the people hosting them.
Based in Haworth, New Jersey, we plan and produce events throughout New Jersey, New York City, Westchester, and the surrounding areas. From private homes and blank slate spaces to established venues, we love transforming each setting into an experience that feels entirely its own.
We take on a limited number of events each year, allowing both of us to be genuinely involved from the first conversation through the final detail.
The Founders
Mara
Owner and Partner at M + L Events. Mara has spent over a decade turning ambitious ideas into flawlessly run events, earning a reputation for keeping every detail, big and small, perfectly in place. From corporate conferences and galas to fundraisers and social celebrations, she thrives on bringing structure, calm, and warmth to even the most complex events. For Mara, a great event is one where the planning disappears and all that's left is the experience: joyful, seamless, and unforgettable.
Lesley
Owner and Partner at M + L Events. With a lifelong passion for bringing people together and a background rooted in creativity, Lesley brings a thoughtful eye, strong sense of style, and a calm, detail-oriented approach to every project. Her experience spans weddings, galas, milestone celebrations, and intimate gatherings, with a focus on creating events that feel personal, elevated, and effortlessly executed. For Lesley, the best events are a reflection of the people behind them, thoughtful, memorable, and filled with moments guests will talk about long after the celebration ends.
Testimonials
What clients say
"I hired Mara to help plan my son's Bar Mitzvah. As a professional meeting and event planner myself, my expectations are extremely high for planning and execution assistance for my personal events. She is creative, thoughtful, and has a lovely demeanor. I appreciate her vision and attention to detail and was a true joy to collaborate with. I cannot recommend her enough. I didn't think about anything but being in the moment on our family's special occasion!"
"M + L Events planned and executed my 40th birthday celebration, a pool and mahjong party at my home, and made the entire experience feel effortless. Mara and Lesley brought my vision to life while handling every detail with creativity, organization, and care. The party was beautiful, fun, and perfectly reflected what I had imagined. Most importantly, I was able to relax, enjoy the day, and celebrate with my friends without worrying about a thing. I couldn't recommend M + L Events more highly!"