We recently connected with Christine Provencal and have shared our conversation below.
Christine , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
When people see OBCurates today – the seamless timelines, the curated visuals, the touch of luxury in every detail, it’s tempting to assume it all blossomed in an instant. The truth is, my path has been anything but effortless, and one defining moment for me was planning Dr. Wendy Osefo’s 40th birthday.
To orchestrate a grand affair for one of the shining stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac was an honor beyond measure. Yet, though the event ultimately came to life in all its glory, the tears, delays, and stumbles behind the scenes laid bare a truth: my systems needed to rise to the same scale as the opportunities I dreamed of seizing. And that next opportunity that allowed me a second chance to showcase my learnings was not too far along. Through Wendy’s celebration, I connected with a wonderful lady who, drawn to my energy and spirit, entrusted me with putting together a celebration that marked both her 35th birthday and her hard-earned graduation. This second go-around allowed me to bring the rebrand to life- to implement my new processes, showcase my vision for what OBCurates truly stood for, and deliver at the level I had always imagined. The result was an event that truly felt effortless and elevated, both for the client and for me. From there, I rebranded OBCurates from just a “planner” into an atelier with a new framework with three core tenets that have become my foundation for sustained growth:
1. Vendor Relationships: Stronger partnerships and clearer expectations to avoid service gaps.
2. Process Refinement: Airtight production timelines to keep every element aligned.
3. Scaling Systems: Internal workflows and checklists that allowed me to lead strategically instead of reacting.
Scaling up hasn’t just been about a single big break, it’s been about facing challenges head-on, learning from them, and allowing each step to shape the next. The rebrand, the systems and the intentional repositioning were all formed in important moments of reckoning. Success may look glamorous on the outside, but it is built on the quiet work of mending that most will never see.
Christine , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Christine Provençal, founder and lead curator of OBCurates, a luxury event planning and design atelier rooted in the DMV. My path into this world began as a personal stint, almost by accident. When I planned my own baby shower, its thoughtfulness and uniqueness had everyone talking. Soon after came my daughter Ariella’s first birthday, affectionately dubbed “Arichella”. In putting together that celebration, I discovered a gift: the ability to design gatherings that transcend parties and become memories. That realization lit the spark that would become OBCurates.
At OBCurates, we specialize in luxury milestone events including weddings, milestone birthdays, corporate launches, and curated social gatherings. We don’t just plan events; we design atmospheres that reflect our clients’ personalities, visions, and lifestyles. Our services range from full-service planning and design consulting to our signature Curator Suite and E-Curator packages, which offer varying levels of hands-on support. Every client experience includes mood boards, vendor coordination, custom stationery and signage, and on-site execution with white-glove attention to detail.
What sets us apart is our focus on creating events that feel like artistry in motion. Every element, from the table settings to the lighting to the flow of the evening, is intentional and aligned. I believe luxury isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about how the experience makes people feel. My clients trust me to manage logistics seamlessly while delivering creative concepts that surprise, delight, and inspire. I often say we’re in the business of curating memories because that’s what lasts long after the décor is taken down.
I’m most proud of the way OBCurates has grown from a personal passion into a brand that clients associate with elegance, precision, and meaning. Time and again, clients walk away not only with a beautiful event, but also with peace of mind, knowing that every detail was handled with care. For those who are just discovering us, I want them to know that OBCurates is more than an event company. We are an atelier — a place where ideas are tailored, crafted, and brought to life with excellence. Whether it’s a 60th birthday, a luxury children’s party, or a corporate brand launch, my goal remains the same: to deliver experiences that are intentional, refined, and unforgettable.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I believe what’s helped me build my reputation in the market is that I’ve never been afraid to carve my own path. From the very beginning, I didn’t try to replicate what other planners were doing. I leaned into my own style, my own standards, and my own way of storytelling through events. My baby shower and my daughter’s first birthday, “Arichella,” were the first examples of that. They weren’t just parties; they were experiences that had people talking long after the night was over. That showed me early on that creating from my own perspective would be my greatest strength.
I’ve always been committed to setting a higher bar for myself, even when no one is watching. That means being intentional with every detail, partnering with the right vendors, and treating each client’s celebration as if it were my own. Over time, that consistency and authenticity built trust. People came to know that if they worked with me, they wouldn’t just get an event , they would experience something elevated, personal, and unforgettable.
That’s what truly set me apart. Instead of following trends or trying to fit into a template of what event planning should look like, I created my own lane. That lane has become what people now recognize as the OBCurates experience – thoughtful, intentional, and uniquely curated.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has been a blend of referrals and content creation, and honestly, they feed into each other. Referrals are gold in this industry, especially in the luxury space, because trust is everything. When a past client or even a guest at one of my events experiences the OBCurates touch, they can’t help but talk about it. That word of mouth has opened doors to some of my biggest opportunities. One beautiful event almost always leads to another.
But I also knew early on that I couldn’t just wait for the phone to ring. I had to show people who we are and what we do. That’s where content creation came in. I started putting as much intention into what I shared online as I did into the events themselves – the mood boards, the behind-the-scenes moments, the finishing touches. I believed deeply in the power of visibility and storytelling, so I invested in it. I would pay top dollar for quality content because I saw it as an extension of my brand. My mindset was simple: my day job had to make the dream work, so I poured back into the business financially to bring the vision to life.
That combination has been magic. Referrals bring people in, and content shows them why they should stay. Together, they’ve helped me grow OBCurates from a passion into a brand that people trust to create their most meaningful and memorable moments
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.obcurates.com
- Instagram: @obcurates
