ABOUT
Est. 2009
Christen and Erik Ryan founded Ryan Designs in 2009, shortly after tying the knot and surviving the wedding planning process firsthand. They realized there was an opportunity to provide other couples with creative, personalized event décor paired with a high level of professionalism and unmatched customer service. By identifying and understanding the needs of every type of event - Ryan Designs has become a leader in weddings & event design across Rhode Island and the Northeast.
IT ALL STARTED WITH “I DO”...
About Ryan Designs
Our Values
Across all areas of our company - from staffing our teams to supporting our events; we value:
We pride ourselves on creating genuine connections with our clients whether it’s an event for five or five hundred. Our goal is to create a unique experience while maintaining a high level of service for every client we work with.
Authenticity
We're experts at problem solving and are able to create customized solutions for any event experience. With a little creative thinking - ( and the OK from our lead builder Greg) our customized solutions are designed to wow any audience.
INNOVATION
Our creative teams paired with your vision are what help us develop custom experiences for your guests. With an emphasis on clear communication, our partnership throughout the planning process will help your event design come to life.
CREATIVITY
We’re dedicated to customization, authenticity, and bringing our client’s dreams to life. Our curated collections of lighting, fabric draping, and custom furnishings can transform any space into a sophisticated, unforgettable event.
AT RYAN DESIGNS is to tailor our events by focusing on the bigger picture and the finest details.
Our mission
Meet the Team
We're a team of designers, problem-solvers and creative thinkers. We love collaborating with our clients and each other to design unique events.
ERIK Ryan
CEO & Founder, Creative Director
CHRISTEN Ryan
COO & Founder
Events Manager & Fabric/Design Staff Supervisor
Shannon Coleman
Custom Builds Manager
Greg Brooks
Julia Darigan
Sales Manager & Senior Event Designer
Production Manager
KAtie MAssarone
AUTHENTIC | CREATIVE | ENERGIZED
Controller
Ashley Aucoin
Lisa Uva
Production Assistant
Makayla Laplante
Office Coordinator
Sales & Event Designer
Nicole Reiss
Sophia Schepici
Sales & Event Designer
Senior Event Technician
ED WILD
LET’S CREATE
We’ve streamlined the process so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying every minute of your event. From your day one consultation to the final setup day of - your event designer will be available every step of the way.
Did You Know you’ll have a dedicated designer throughout your entire process with Ryan Designs?
magic
together
SET UP A CONSULT CALL
SEE OUR MATERIAL IN PERSON.
our warehouse
Our 10,000 sq ft Warehouse in West Warwick Rhode Island is where we plan, store, and build all of our material for your events. Schedule an in-person tour to see our styles in person. For now you can build your own wishlist here:
START A WISHLIST
COO & Founder
Erik is responsible for overseeing the production of all Ryan Designs events. Erik has an innate understanding of operations and logistics, which he gained from years of experience working in several manufacturing and distribution businesses. Erik’s entrepreneurship, combined with over 20 years in the event industry, has made him the backbone of Ryan Designs. He is a natural leader whose drive and determination ensures that every Ryan Designs event is innovative and successful.
Erik Ryan
CEO & Founder, Creative Director
Christen brings the artistic vision and energy that keeps Ryan Designs in the forefront of the event design industry. With more than 20 years of business experience, Christen intrinsically understands what it takes for a small business to succeed by listening to her clients and delivering what they want. Prior to starting Ryan Designs, she worked in marketing and sales at Atlantek, her father’s business. She then attended the School of Fashion Design in Boston, MA. It is her love of nature, art, travel, architecture, textiles, and most importantly - people - that inspires her every day.
Christen Ryan
Director of Sales & Operations
As the Director of Sales and Operations, Michele Oversees all sales and operations including scheduling for our staff.
Michele Casey
Accountant + Controller
Diane Currier
Controller
Ashley is the leader of our accounting team, bringing years of experience and a strong understanding of financial management to our event company. With a background in accounting, Ashley plays a vital role in ensuring the financial operations run smoothly, from managing budgets to overseeing invoicing and reporting. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to navigate complex financial processes make her an invaluable asset to the team. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to accuracy, Ashley ensures that all financial aspects of the business are handled efficiently, supporting the company’s growth and success.
Ashley Aucoin
Office Coordinator
Makayla is our Office Coordinator, known for her vibrant energy and crucial role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. With many years of experience working on site and alongside the sales team, her contributions include ordering supplies, keeping the building stacked with snacks and beverages for long workdays, and ensuring that the team has all visual assets and contact information needed for successful event installations. In addition to her logistical skills, Makayla is the heartbeat of the team’s fun atmosphere, always bringing positivity and jokes to the workplace. She is also a vital asset to our on-site install team, with extensive hands-on experience in event execution. Her combination of organizational expertise, enthusiasm, and versatility makes her an essential part of our team, contributing to both the efficiency and the enjoyment of every project.
Makayla LaPlante
Senior Technician &
Event Staff Supervisor
Ed is a seasoned Event Lead and Technician with 10 years of experience at the company, making him an integral part of the team. Known for his well-rounded skill set and exceptional team leadership abilities, Ed has successfully managed a diverse range of events, ensuring smooth operations and seamless execution from start to finish. His deep understanding of event logistics, combined with his ability to collaborate effectively with both clients and colleagues, makes him a trusted and reliable figure in every project. Ed's approachable demeanor and problem-solving skills have earned him the respect and admiration of both his teammates and vendor partners, cementing his reputation as a key player in the success of every event he leads.
Ed Wild
Production Assistant
Lisa is our Production Assistant, working alongside Katie to ensure that all warehouse operations run smoothly and efficiently. With a strong focus on warehouse prep, Lisa is responsible for organizing and preparing materials for each event, making sure everything is in place and ready to go. Her attention to detail and proactive approach ensure that no element is overlooked, and everything is perfectly coordinated. Lisa's ability to work seamlessly with the production team and her dedication to supporting the smooth execution of events makes her an invaluable asset, contributing to the success of each project from start to finish.
Lisa Uva
Production Manager
Katie is our Production Manager, responsible for overseeing all event warehouse operations and ensuring the smooth execution of every event. With a wide range of experience in decorating and event logistics, Katie plays a critical role in managing inventory, coordinating teams, and ensuring that all materials are perfectly prepared for each project. Her strong leadership and management skills allow her to efficiently oversee teams and handle the day-to-day responsibilities of the warehouse, ensuring that all events run seamlessly. Katie’s keen eye for detail, combined with her ability to problem-solve and lead with confidence, makes her an essential part of our team, ensuring that every event is executed flawlessly.
Katie Massarone
Events Manager &
Fabric/Design Staff Supervisor
Shannon has been a valued member of the company for 10 years, bringing a wealth of experience and a high level of expertise to the event design world. Over the years, she has developed a reputation for her innovative designs, exceptional problem-solving skills, and deep industry knowledge. Shannon’s experience spans a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, always delivering exceptional results. As a leader in her management role, she excels in overseeing teams and coordinating seamless event executions. Planners and clients alike admire Shannon for her collaborative approach, attention to detail, and dedication to bringing their visions to life.
Shannon Coleman
Sales Manager & Senior Event Designer
Julia is our Senior Event Designer and Sales Manager, bringing a wealth of expertise and a refined skill set to every project she leads. With extensive experience in managing large-scale events, Julia excels in overseeing complex logistics, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned and executed. Her high-level management skills enable her to seamlessly coordinate teams, vendors, and timelines, ensuring flawless execution from start to finish. Known for her impeccable attention to detail and passion for the weddings and events industry, her creativity and willingness to think outside of the box is prevalent in each and every design.
Julia Darigan
Sales & Event Designer
Sophia is our newest emerging event designer with a strong background in event planning. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity, she is dedicated to transforming spaces and creating unforgettable experiences. She is excited to embark on her journey as an event designer, where she continues to push boundaries and bring dreams to life through innovative designs and seamless execution.
Sophia Schepici
Sales & Event Designer
Nicole is an accomplished event designer with a wealth of experience in the events industry. With a background spanning several years in event planning and design, she has developed an exceptional eye for detail and a deep understanding of what it takes to bring a vision to life. Drawing on her extensive industry knowledge, she combines creativity with meticulous planning to deliver events that are both visually stunning and flawlessly executed.
Nicole Reiss
Design Coordinator
Angela assists both the design & marketing teams, she is responsible for creating layouts, design boards and marketing collateral. Her highlight is presenting a design plan to a client and getting to see the sheer excitement of the vision of their event coming to life! She collaborates with our production team to price out and create custom projects and bring you all the wonderful interior design aspects into an event space.
Angela Beausoleil
Custom Builds Manager
Greg Brooks
Greg is our Custom Builds Manager, the mastermind behind bringing clients' unique visions to life. With years of experience at the company, Greg has a proven track record of transforming custom design concepts into stunning, tangible creations. His background in sales gives him a strong understanding of client needs, allowing him to deliver personalized solutions that exceed expectations. Known for his creativity and hands-on approach, Greg collaborates seamlessly with the team to ensure every custom build is executed to perfection. His ability to balance innovative design with practical execution makes him an invaluable asset, ensuring each project is not only beautiful but also functional and on time.
Production Manager
Lauren is responsible for overseeing the production process and coordinating all activities to ensure enough resources on hand. I create employee schedules within production & warehouse. She ensures that all custom projects and purchases meet required deadlines. She is driven by working with her amazing team!