Our wedding coordinators and consultants have a variety of backgrounds and experiences to assist you with your wedding. The team has knowledge of the wedding industry, event logistics, and managing vendors to ensure you receive the most professional service possible.

Heather Canada, Owner and Lead Wedding Planner

Heather founded First Coast Weddings and Events, Inc. in 2002, and currently serves as the company’s president. The firm is dedicated to creating “Weddings Without Worries,” throughout Northeast Florida no matter the size or scale.

Heather earned the prestigious Master Bridal Consultant™ designation through the Association of Bridal Consultants, making her one of only 61 in the world to hold that title. Heather is also a member of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), and is an active member of the Northeast Florida Chapter.

Heather has worked at an 800-room resort in Orlando planning events of all sizes, and country clubs planning both private and club events. In addition, she worked at Universal Orlando during the opening of Islands of Adventure, and at Sea World Adventure Park. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Flagler College, where she studied public relations and business administration.

Emma Murfin, Senior Wedding Planner

Emma Murfin graduated from Flagler College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Advertising. During her senior year of college, she interned at the Casa Monica Hotel in St.Augustine as a Wedding Coordinator. She quickly realized that wedding planning was her passion. She has been a member of the First Coast Weddings and Events team since 2006. Emma has also worked in the hospitality industry as a Social Catering Manager and in the event rental industry. She brings a light-hearted but experienced approach to her weddings

Melanie Wood, Associate Wedding Planner

Melanie Wood is our TPC Sawgrass Ceremony Specialist, and can make a replacement boutonniere in two minutes flat.  She joined the First Coast Weddings team in 2008, and has also worked in several other positions in the hospitality industry.  Melanie was originally a First Coast Weddings client, so she knows first-hand how our team can make a wedding day relaxing and enjoyable.

Kari Sewell, Associate Wedding Planner

Kari Sewell graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education. After graduation Kari taught middle school and high school students, but soon realized it was not the field she was meant to be in for the long haul. Kari found that the hospitality industry was calling her name and living in Orlando was a perfect place to learn the ins and outs of the field. She worked as a wedding coordinator for local Orlando hotels and as an operations manager for a large destination management company. Currently, she is an assistant for a local photographer as well as a new addition to the First Coast Weddings and Events team. Kari’s personable approach comes with a smile and positive energy on event day!

Ashleigh Sweeney, Assistant Wedding Coordinator

Ashleigh Sweeney is a 2012 graduate of the University of North Florida with a communications/public relations degree.  Her passion is event planning.  She has garnered her experience in event and project coordination through various internships, most recently, working with Heather Canada, participating in the company’s wedding planning.  Ashleigh has long been noted for her innate ability to tailor an event in a most memorable way to the honored person or persons.  She provides enormous thought behind her planning, and serves clients well with her creative abilities and attention to detail.  She is thrilled to be living out her life-long dream of working with weddings at First Coast Weddings & Events, one of the region’s most respected planning companies.

Debbie and Jim

Parents of the Bride / 05.07.11

I could not have been so relaxed this week without you. You have made this day even more special. I really appreciate your attention to detail and organizational skills. It has been so much fun getting to know you. Lauren spoke so highly of you and you have impressed us greatly.