Atelier Events works with corporate, nonprofit and social clients on a variety of events from multi-day meetings and educational forums to honoree recognition and fundraising events to high end and milestone social gatherings.
We are a talented group of event creatives and producers, immersive storytellers and experience designers. Having spent nearly 20 years honing our craft, we are client centered, engagement focused and impact driven.
Our corporate and nonprofit clients consider us an extension of their in-house teams, relying on us to design, plan and execute elevated experiences that align with their brand, mission, desired impact and budget.
About Atelier Events
about
Our Values & Approach
wondering what makes us different?
We listen carefully, engaging closely with our clients and their stakeholders to translate objectives into a cohesive and compelling event vision. We innovate in the design space, creating elevated experiences that excite the senses while simultaneously reducing event waste and engaging with communities in need. And we are collaborative by nature, placing our clients, their stories, their vision and their objectives at the center of our work; partnering with tremendously talented artists to bring beautiful, flawlessly executed and impactful event experiences to life.
Listen, Create, Deliver
We are proud innovators in the event sustainability space. Strategic, intentional, creative. We dream up design elements that fit the thematic vision for an event, align with a client’s brand or interests and are guaranteed a second life after the event.
Our award-winning design for a client working to support girls' education in Nepal included a striking overhead installation of umbrellas (umbrellas are ubiquitous in Nepal due to the annual monsoon season), all of which were in turn donated to local shelters following the event.
An elevated aesthetic paired with environmentally responsible design.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN - INNOVATION IN ACTION
Collaboration & Engagement
We are just as creative about helping our clients engage with local communities in need. For an event supporting local animal shelters and again incorporating sustainability in event design, we took inspiration from Andy Warhol's soup cans. Hundreds of tins of dog and cat food were given branded wraps and arranged as an artistic backdrop. Following the event, the branded wraps were removed and recycled and all of the food cans were donated to the animal shelters being supported by the event.
Partnering with such organizations as Food Rescue and Petal Share, we're helping to raise the bar for greener events.
Equally committed to reducing food waste in the event industry, we regularly coordinate on our clients’ behalf with Food Rescue US to ensure that leftover food is donated to shelters and other recipients. Floral arrangements often go to senior centers and medical facilities via our community partner Petal Share.
randy, floral artist
"What would I say to anyone who is thinking of hiring a professional to create a fabulous event? I'd say you will never find an event planner who is more capable than Deborah. Work with her. You will be so glad that you did!"
SERVICES & INVESTMENT
ATELIER EVENTS
PEOPLE | CREATIVE | TECHNICAL
We provide comprehensive services over the full lifecycle of the event process, from visioning, planning and design to on site management to post-event followup.
PRE-EVENT event visioning | timeline planning | budget development & cost management | creative development & design | venue/vendor selection & contract management | brand alignment | program development | guest experience | print & digital collateral | staffing | security & risk management planning
ON SITE venue/vendor coordination | logistics & setup management | guest management | run of show & stage management
POST-EVENT vendor acknowledgements | payment completion | event debriefs & lessons learned | planning forward
Pricing models vary depending on type of event and nature of services.
our core team
After an earlier career in public policy and speechwriting, the event life came calling. Twenty years and countless events later I’ve shaped a business centered on three fundamental pillars - PEOPLE, CREATIVE, TECHNICAL. Integrity, transparency, innovation and elevated design. A keen eye for aesthetics and painstaking attention to detail. Bold tech applications that enhance the creative envelope.
Along with a complete brand refresh and website relaunch in 2022 we’ve shifted to a greater proportion of corporate and nonprofit events in our annual portfolio and are excited to continue innovating in the sustainability space. Growth and change are in our DNA!
Debbi is our venue, vendor and hospitality lead. On event day Debbi is laser focused on client hospitality arrangements along with vendor scheduling and logistics, ensuring excellence every step of the way. We are grateful for her warmth and quiet perseverance; she keeps us sane on even the most challenging days.
Core Team
Deborah Lesser
Debbi Levine
principal & chief creative officer
SENIOR PLANNER
Ellen is our on site lead for rentals and catering. Her years of experience in high end catering and event rentals gives her the insight and confidence to ensure that every event setup goes smoothly and every detail is styled to perfection. We are incredibly grateful for her problem-solving persistence, expertise and careful eye.
Ellen Cutler
CATERING & RENTALS LEAD
Jill focuses primarily on design, infusing our work with creative energy and cohesion. Every installation she is involved with is marked by her aesthetic eye and uncanny ability to foresee every implementation challenge. We are grateful for her infectious spirit and her unflagging commitment to every tiny measurement.
Jill Konopaske
SENIOR DESIGNER
the atelier events
Michelle focuses on our weddings, finessing every detail related to the wedding ceremony and logistics. Her forethought, experience and personal attention to everyone involved is unmatched. We are grateful for her warmth and care, and for her total dedication to our clients at this incredibly important time in their lives.
Michelle Stravitz
WEDDING CEREMONY LEAD
Branding & Print
Artisan 2
Designers Fine Press
Emily Baird
Fingers in Ink
Lettering by Lynne
Little Black Dress Paperie
L2 DESIGN STUDIO
Mitzvah Logos
Social Supply Design
Rentals / Tenting
AFR
BBJ LA TAVOLA
DC RENTAL
Lola Valentina
Maison de Carine
Party Rental
POSH & LUXE
Select
Something Vintage
SUGARPLUM
Table Manners
Vintage to Modern
WHITE GLOVE RENTALS
Floral & Decor
Blue Vanda
Company Flowers
DaVinci
Edge
Festive Effects (balloon sculptures)
Helen Olivia
Paper (flowers) by Anna K
Randy Watts
She Loves Me
Victoria Clausen
Lighting & Production
ATMOSPHERE
Frost
John Farr
POTOMAC SOUND
SMASH CREATIVE
Social Supply Design
Music & Entertainment
Airbrush Unlimited
A Squad
Bialeks
Blue House Productions
Chris Grasso Music
District Strings
Electric Events
Everything Entertainment
Pelonkey
SAGE STRING QUARTET & JAZZ
Washington Talent
Catering
Airlie
Capital One Hall
Charles Levine
The Dupont Circle
Equinox
get plated
Lansdowne
Metro Bis
Mindy’s
Occasions
Pampa’s Fox
Spilled Milk
Food Trucks
CAPTAIN COOKIE
Surfside
TIMBER PIZZA
Swizzler
Cakes
Blue Lace Cakes
Buttercream Bakeshop
SIFThouse
Sweets & Treats
Alexandria Cake Pop Company
America’s Favorite Popcorn
Buttercream Bakeshop
Call Your Mother
Casa Rosada Gelato
District Doughnut
Dolcezza Gelato
Happy Tart
Hey Sugar Rex
Holy Ganache
Fluffness
Laduree
Mrs. Macarons
The Pretzel Company
Sofie K Bakes
Sugar Pixie Sweets
Tiny Tudor Cookies
Zola Bakes
Back to Portfolio >>
With gratitude to our amazing vendor partners
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Weddings
STUNNING ELEGANCE AT THE DC WHARF
PHOTO CREDITS: rODNEY BAILEY
foxhill Private Estate
Photo credits: Sarah Bradshaw
winter warmth at the jazz club
Photo credits: Sharon Farmer &
ATELIER EVENTS
Intimate Garden celebration
Photo credits: Rodney Bailey &
Zmimi Photography
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Mitzvahs
coral floral
photo credits: cyndi lee
FLOWERS IN WONDERLAND
PHOTO CREDITS: CYNDI LEE
ombrÉ blue, green & yellow
PHOTO CREDITS: JACK HARTZMAN
Pretty in Pink
Photo credits: Ricardo Reyes
nepalese STREET MARKET
PHOTO CREDITS: BRADLEY IMAGES
sports star INDUSTRIAL RUSTIC
PHOTO CREDITS: JOSHUA BARRY
Spunky Sweet
Photo credits: Matthew Ha
LLAMA LOVE
PHOTO CREDITS: JOSHUA BARRY
boho RUSTIC
PHOTO CREDITS: carpe lucem photography & ATELIER EVENTS
Purple Aztec
Photo credits: Matthew Ha
SUMMER IN PARIS
PHOTO CREDITS: RODNEY BAILEY
Basketball lounge
Photo credits: Rodney Bailey
FALL FUN WITH RIZZO
PHOTO CREDITS: BRADLEY IMAGES
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Corporate & Non-Profit
INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE & DEFENSE -
NORTH AMERICAN INNOVATION CENTER OPENING RECEPTION
PHOTO CREDITS: jENIFER MORRIS
INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE & DEFENSE -
WASHINGTON DC VISITOR CENTER OPENING RECEPTION
PHOTO CREDITS: JENIFER MORRIS
20TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
(hybrid live & virtual)
PHOTO CREDITS: LLOYD WOLF
building a Community Playroom
Photo credits: Joshua Barry
international policy & advocacy non-profit -
10th anniversary celebration
photo credits: Jerry frishman &
atelier events
"Words fall short of the results this team produced. Five stars!"
What can I say about a team that made a milestone life event into an absolutely beautiful and awesome memory? Words fall short of the results this team produced. Gave the particulars and they took care of the details. Wonderful communication, wonderful results. Highly recommend. Five stars (six if I could give that many)!
leah
"Without you, it simply wouldn't have been. For all the trials, patience and love you put into our family's special memories, we are all eternally grateful."
Though only gone a bit over two weeks, the memories of June 10th linger on and we have spoken of that special night many times this trip. Your inspiration, your dedication and your unfailing patience I continue to draw upon - after all, without you, it simply wouldn’t have been. For all the trials, the patience and the love you put into our family’s special memories, we are all eternally grateful.
kate
"The entire community benefited from your choice to embrace this new reality and create a truly spectacular event."
Thank you for all you did to create an amazing evening of tributes, music and delicious food! Who knew we could experience a dinner together virtually? You did everything with such determination and care - from the program to the food to the decor. Incredibly difficult to pivot not only the date, but the whole concept. The entire community benefited from your choice to embrace this new reality and create a truly spectacular event.
Elisheva (honoree)
GRATITUDE
Call or email us to start the conversation and learn what we do and how we can help you.
Bringing you a custom approach, just like the highly curated menus at our events.
We’re proud of our work and excited to begin the journey with you!
to start
We'll prepare a custom quote and draft letter of agreement for review and discussion, then go to contract and begin the process of planning and designing your event.
to follow
We’ll deliver a beautiful, highly engaging event you and your guests will treasure forever and for our nonprofit clients, help exceed your fundraising or other goals. And we’ll make the journey to the finish line infinitely less stressful and immeasurably more joyful!
to finish
WONDERING WHAT THE ATELIER EVENTS PROCESS IS LIKE?
CONTACT ATELIER EVENTS
sound like just what you need?
We look forward to learning more about your event. Please inquire via the email link below or reach us by phone or text at 703.346.0247.
© Atelier Events 2022 | All rights reserved | Legal | Video Credit | Template by TONIC | Site Credit by STUDIO STEFAN
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Social
GALLERY CELEBRATION
PHOTO CREDITS: CYNDI LEE
WEDDING WELCOME DINNER
PHOTO CREDITS: RODNEY BAILEY
WINTER ONEDERLAND FIRST BIRTHDAY
PHOTO CREDITS: ATELIER EVENTS
Wedding Welcome family Brunch
Photo credits: Matthew Ha
Tropical Elegance 50th birthday
Photo credits: Ian Sitek
FIRST BIRTHDAY celebration
PHOTO CREDITS: TONYA TERAN