Protea Event Planners


Service levels: Full-service planning

Team size: 1 – 5


About Protea Event Planners

Protea Event Planners

Lead Planner / Owner

Wedding planning and event management, based in Frederick Maryland (locations also include DMV and NY). Protea Event Planners are committed to creating a personalized experience that captures your unique style and story. From selecting the ideal venue to managing every detail, we take care of everything so you can savor every moment. Your perfect day is just a click away! Have a browse through our site to see how we can turn your wedding dreams into reality.

Protea Event Planners offer a fun, personalized touch that goes far beyond standard event coordination. We deliver a bespoke planning experience that reflects your individual style and preferences. We stay ahead of trends, infusing fresh, innovative ideas to make your wedding stylish and distinctive. By choosing us, you gain a dedicated partner committed to excellence and exceptional service. We guarantee a flawlessly executed celebration that mirrors your unique vision and personality, transforming your special day into an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

In three words: Creative, Fun, Organized

Best of Zola 2026
Best of Zola 2025

Services by planning level

Service included in starting price
Service available for an extra cost
Full-service planningPartial planningDay-of coordination / wedding management
Description

This package is perfect for couples who want a stunning event but lack the time to plan it themselves. We will oversee every aspect of your wedding, from selecting the venue to the final sparkler send-off, managing all logistics and details to ensure a seamless experience. and create a detailed timeline for your event day. With us handling every detail in an organized and efficient manner, you can relax and enjoy the process.

A partial wedding planner service provides a stress-free wedding day experience without the need for a full-service wedding planner. From the moment your contract is signed, we're here to assist you. This package includes multiple meetings before your event and attendance at the final venue walk-through with your venue and caterer.

Ideal for clients who have already planned their event and are now ready to relax and enjoy the celebration, this service is designed to manage all the logistics for you. We start by creating a detailed timeline and ensuring that all vendors and family members adhere to it. Our goal is to address any challenges that come up and handle any troubleshooting. You’ve put in all the hard work leading up to this special day.

Planning begins12 Months out12 Months out3 Months out
Vendor Management
Contract Review
Rentals & Linens
Invites & Stationery
Wedding Favors & Accessories
Transportation Coordination
Venue Visits
Final Venue Walkthrough
Timeline Creation & Management
Onsite Event Management
Event Styling & Design
Budget Planning
Venue Recommendations
Vendor Selection
RSVP Tracking
Wedding Website
Accommodation Coordination
PricingStarts at $7,000Starts at $4,200Starts at $2,500

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

29 reviews

  • JC

    Jenna C.

    Rating: 5
    Apr 20

    Bride

    The best decision I could have possibly made when I started wedding planning was hire Caroline. She became my right hand for everything from dream boarding, to selecting vendors, to handling communications and coordinating, to calming me down when things became too overwhelming. She is always so positive and fun, she made the entire process feel like a breeze and I can fully and confidently say we couldn't have done it without her. She made my pinterest board come to life (and really, all my wedding dreams come true!) We adore Caroline and couldn't speak more highly of her.

  • DP

    Dani P.

    Rating: 5
    Mar 15, 2026

    Best Wedding Planner Ever!!!

    Caroline Calleja with Protea Event Planners was truly the BEST decision we made for our wedding. We worked with Caroline for about nine months leading up to our December 20, 2025 wedding in Frederick, MD. She made the entire process SO much easier and more enjoyable. Our ceremony at St. John’s and reception at Citizens Ballroom were absolutely beautiful and Caroline brought our vision to life in every way. She is so incredibly sweet, knowledgeable, calm, organized, friendly, flexible, and professional, which made planning feel as stress-free as possible despite my husband and I’s demanding and busy work schedules. She helped us find fantastic vendors, kept everything running smoothly with a perfectly coordinated day-of timeline, and handled every detail behind the scenes. Caroline is also extremely creative and talented. She even personally made unique décor pieces for our theme and designed the signage we used throughout the reception as well as our invitations and save-the-dates. Our wedding was an intimate celebration with about 65 guests, and it was elegant, seamless, timeless and more perfect than we could have ever imagined. We are so grateful for everything she did and truly couldn’t have done it without her. We highly recommend Caroline to anyone looking for an exceptional wedding planner.

  • MF

    Mike & F.

    Rating: 5
    Dec 1, 2025

    Amazing!

    We had such a wonderful experience working with Protea for our wedding! From the beginning, their communication was friendly, clear, and so easy to work with. We connected with Caroline, who could not be present on our wedding day due to other commitments but we worked with her team: Derrick and Megan. We met with Caroline to tour the venue and go over details, and that meeting gave us so much confidence that everything would be handled with care. On the day of the wedding, Derrick and Megan were absolutely amazing. They coordinated every detail seamlessly so my husband and I could truly be present and enjoy our day without stress. Their communication with our vendors was excellent, which made the entire process smooth—especially since we only hired them for partial planning. Thanks to their organization and professionalism, we were able to step back, relax, and trust that everything was taken care of. We are so grateful to the Protea team for helping make our wedding day feel effortless and unforgettable! Highly recommend!

  • HJ

    Hannah J.

    Rating: 5
    Nov 24, 2025

    A Joy to Work With

    Caroline came on as our 8-week planner and was such a joy to work with. She was organized, thorough, and cheerful, making the final stretch of planning feel effortless. On the day of, she and her team brought my vision to life perfectly—I didn’t have to lift a finger. Her warmth and professionalism made our day even more special.

  • SP

    Shadae P.

    Rating: 5
    Nov 22, 2025

    Like Planning An Event With Your Best Friend

    Working with Caroline was like planning an event with an old friend, even though this was our very first time working together. I cannot overstate how essential she was to the success my event. We simply could not have pulled it off without her and I am so grateful! Caroline was incredibly responsive, organized, and thoughtful throughout the entire process. From offering creative ideas to troubleshooting details I hadn’t even thought of, she consistently went above and beyond. Her communication was clear, honest, and so supportive, which made the entire planning experience enjoyable and stress-free. On the day of the event, she was an absolute lifesaver. She made sure everything ran smoothly and handled every challenge with calm confidence and a fun sense of humor. If you’re planning an event and want someone who is experienced, dependable, proactive, and genuinely delightful to work with, look no further. She is exceptional!