Loni Peterson MA shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Loni, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I am for sure a morning person, so the first 90 minutes are jam packed! When I am woken up by my 3 year old Golden/Shepherd mix pup demanding to go outside, I will get out of bed, put on workout clothes, let the pups (Dax and Penny) out, make smoothies for me and my husband, brew coffee, feed the dogs breakfast, post on the business social account, and then Dax and I head out for a 2.5 mile walk!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Loni Peterson, MA and I am a wedding planner, speaker, professor, and brand strategist with a deep love for organized chaos and creative storytelling. I wear a few hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a passion for helping people bring their biggest ideas to life, whether that’s a wedding day, a keynote, or a brand moment that finally clicks.
I run a boutique planning and consulting business that blends logistics and design with a strategic, client-centered approach. I’m also a full-time college professor, teaching future creatives in advertising and PR, and serve as the National Director of Marketing & Communication for the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA).
What makes my work unique is the way it all connects—my academic background, industry experience, and creative lens all inform how I show up for clients and students alike. I’m currently working on expanding my speaking work (I was recently quoted in The New York Times, which was a pinch-me moment!) and continuing to advocate for education, elevated experiences, and honest conversations in the wedding and creative industries.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
From the age of 3, I trained as a ballet dancer and so, the answer to this questions is my studio owner and director, Evelyn – she saw me. I don’t think I fully realized my own potential at that time, but she did. She trusted me with big roles, gave me space to lead as a young teacher, and made me feel capable in moments when I was just trying to figure it all out after – especially after experiencing some major set backs and several surgeries at a pivotal age. Looking back, I can see how transformative that trust was. She saw something in me before I had the language for it, and I’m so grateful for how that shaped my confidence as an adult and in my career choices.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I was born with a defect in my brain stem, a condition called Syringomyelia. This defect led to me developing cysts inside my spinal canal, which put pressure on my spine, and as a young person growing, caused me to develop scoliosis. At age 10 I had my first brain surgery to fix the issue in my brain stem. That surgery did not work and I ended up needing a revision six months later that thankfully did the trick. Once the Syringomyelia was under control we could tackle the scoliosis – which gave me two metal rods, hooks, and screws from T-2 in the thoracic portion of my spine, to L3 in the lumbar area. All of this went down before I turned 13. These battle scars taught me resilience, to not care about what other people think (and that people can be really mean), to work hard, and be strong mentally and physically. These struggles taught me to learn how to listen to my body and understand what I needed to be the best version of myself. I had to grow up really fast and I feel like that has served me well in my adult life, career, and how I handle obstacles.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think the people closest to me would say I really care about people. Whether it’s my clients, my students, or my friends, I want people to feel supported, seen, and taken care of. I’m also big on doing things with intention. If I’m going to do something, I want it to be thoughtful and well-executed, not just thrown together. And I’d say growth matters to me a lot. I’m always looking for ways to evolve, challenge myself, and help others level up too both personally and professionally.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly, running my business. The business is amazing and I love what I have built and the people I have met along the way – but if I only had 10 years left I would 100% keep teaching my college kids, sell our house and move to the mountains. And after teaching, I would spend the rest of my day with my husband, riding my horses, and spending time with my pups outside exploring. I would also buy that designer bag I have been drooling over and only fly first class on as many trips as I could manage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lpcreativeevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lpcreativeevents/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loni-peterson-mls-cwip/
- Other: Speaker Page: https://www.lonipeterson.com/
Speaker IG: https://www.instagram.com/onstagewithloni/
Image Credits
Chelsea Beamer Photography
Whitney Rae Photography
Clark D Miller Photography
Swidrak & Co
John Moler Photography
