THE PRODUCERS
JEFF SUSKIN & SHALISA POUW
CREATORS, PRODUCERS, BRIDE & GROOM 2019
Jeff Suskin is the publisher of DiningOut Magazine and heads up DiningOut Events, which produces a number of culinary events, including: “Top Taco” (Denver & New
Orleans), “Chicken Fight – The Everything Fried Chicken and Bourbon Festival,” “LoHi Music & BBQ Block Party,” and “Rare – The Denver Steak Championship.” Jeff is also a yoga instructor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and acts as a mentor for Denver Urban Scholars.
Shalisa Pouw joined the DiningOut Events team in 2018, after selling her fitness studio in Boulder, CO, and is the Executive Producer for all DiningOut Events for the 2019 season. She also works as the Community Marketing Manager for Bumble in Denver, and teaches Pure Barre and Rush Cycle classes in the Denver area.
After getting engaged last summer and having many long discussions about the stresses of weddings, Jeff and Shalisa decided to create an event that focuses all of it’s energy on celebrating love and commitment, eliminating the stress often felt by the couple, and bringing people together for an amazing party! They have put together an amazing group of couples and a killer team to bring The Wedding Party to life!
BEN HIGGINS
PRODUCER, EMCEE, LOVE DIRECTOR
Ben Higgins is best known from season 20 of ABC’s hit series, “The Bachelor,” where he opened himself up to millions of viewers, giving them the chance to truly get to know him. The opportunity ultimately led to an enhanced platform that he now uses to share what he is most passionate about with others – his faith, his hope for humanity and his love of sports.
Ben founded Generous International, a for purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world, starting with a cup of coffee. With a vision to change the way society thinks of consumer products, all Generous merchandise is designed specifically to create and multiply good in the world. He also is involved in a number of projects including his lifestyle blog, The Mahogany Workplace, and two iHeartMedia podcasts, “Almost Famous” with Ashley Iaconetti and a new project, Lady Bosses (and Ben).
Of all Ben’s ventures, his longest-running connection has been with Humanity and Hope United, where he holds a seat on the board. Established by one of his best friends and Mahogany Workplace contributor, Riley Fuller, Humanity & Hope United is a non-profit organization working to assist underserved villages in remote parts of Honduras. They partner with the people of each community to achieve sustainable change, focusing on the needs of individuals rather than a single issue or approach.
“I am excited about The Wedding Party because there is something magical about so much love being celebrated at one time, in one place, on one day. In a time where isolation seems to be an epidemic festivals and celebrations are a way to bring the masses together for one common purpose. With this, in the case of the wedding party that purpose is love. In closing I am anxiously looking forward to a day of celebrating couples from all over the world who are making a commitment to love each other through thick and thin!”
HEATHER DWIGHT
OWNER OF CALLUNA EVENTS, WEDDING GURU
Heather Dwight started Calluna Events in 2004 after working in non-profit and corporate events for 10 years. With a vibrant and captivating sense of style, Heather is one of the most sought-after wedding planners in Colorado, and the visionary behind Calluna Events being recognized as one of the Best Wedding Planners in America by BRIDES, The Knot’s Best of Weddings (2008-2019), The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame and the winner of Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Award. Heather served as the Director of Communications on the inaugural WIPA Colorado Board of Directors. Clients describe Heather as having a sophisticated, yet calming confidence, allowing her to be a true advocate for her clients’ vision. She loves mindful design, style and immaculate detail. After 15 seasons, what Heather adores the most are the relationships she is fortunate to build with clients and helping couples achieve a beautiful wedding that is authentically theirs.
Calluna Events is a boutique wedding planning company now in our 16th wedding season! We are a dynamic group of women who love planning weddings! Since 2004 we have been creating memorable weddings and special events, many of which been featured in the top wedding publications from Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Rocky Mountain Bride, and many more. We were named one of the Best Wedding Planners in America by BRIDES in 2018. Above all else, we value creating fresh, inspired weddings that truly represent our couple. We want your guests to walk into your wedding and feel that it reflects the two of you and the details should be authentic and timeless. We are honored to work with the couples who choose to hire us and grateful that we have developed very strong relationships with our creative partners. We pride ourselves on building long lasting relationships with our clients and planning a wedding that truly reflects their personality. From intimate gatherings to spectacular affairs, we put our heart and soul into each of our clients’ events. Are you planning a Colorado destination wedding? Nearly half of our clients live outside the state and are traveling in with their guests to host a destination wedding. Colorado is one of the top destination wedding states in the country. Our Colorado destination wedding packages include coordination of all vendors so you can relax from afar and know all the details are being taken care of. We look forward to collaborating with you!