At the center of Porchlight is Brian—your dedicated Event Planning coach and the founder of one of Southern New England’s go-to event companies.
Brian’s journey into the world of events started as a teenager, when he teamed up with his local church to plan a music festival. The festival didn’t end up happening, but the experience was far from a loss. It sparked a passion, taught him resilience, and gave him a glimpse into the magic (and madness) of event planning.
That spark kept burning. Over the years, Brian began hosting events at home—just for fun at first. But it didn’t take long for guests to notice something special. They started asking for help with their own celebrations, and the idea for Porchlight began to take shape.
In 2019, Brian enlisted in the Army. Most would consider basic training the time to focus solely on “keeping your head low”—but Brian used every spare moment to sketch out what would become the blueprint for Porchlight.
“A lot of the values I learned in the Army became part of the business, and as a result we’ve brought quality and value to our clients through our strong work ethic.”
A glowing porch light is more than just a welcoming sight—it’s a symbol of hospitality, warmth, and connection. It lets guests know they’ve arrived somewhere safe, somewhere special. That’s exactly the feeling Brian wanted his clients to experience when planning their events, which is why he chose the name “Porchlight” for the business.
Backed by professional ACE credentials, Brian is certified in wedding planning, children’s party planning, and event management. He’s also a wedding officiant, ready to step in when needed with calm confidence and a steady hand.
When it comes to planning, Brian believes that every successful event starts with setting clear, realistic goals. That foundation helps keep everyone aligned—and gives him the opportunity to not just meet expectations, but exceed them.
Of course, no event is without its hiccups. But with years of experience, Brian is quick on his feet and always prepared to navigate the unexpected with grace and professionalism.
“Something always comes up. You have to be honest with your client up front, improvise if you can to still meet the clients goals, and try your best to not tip off guests that there is an issue.”
According to Brian, one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning an event is waiting too long to get started. While four to eight months might sound like plenty of time, calendars fill up fast—especially for in-demand vendors. The earlier clients reach out, the more flexibility they’ll have and the smoother the planning process will be.
That focus on timing and organization inspired Brian to launch the Client Portal in 2023. This user-friendly online platform allows clients to stay on top of their planning progress, access important documents, and track every step of the journey in one convenient place.
Brian’s vision for Porchlight doesn’t stop at weddings and private events. He sees a future where the company grows into producing its own festivals, conventions, and large-scale productions—bringing people together in even more exciting and meaningful ways.
While the scope may grow, one thing will never change: Porchlight’s commitment to exceptional service. As long as that remains at the heart of everything they do, Brian believes the possibilities are endless.
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