Marisa Manna Ferrell

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Event planner and founder of So Eventful companies
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Marisa Manna Ferrell knows how to throw a great party.

Hailing from a family of winegrape growers, Marisa, 39, grew up admiring her parents’ knack for entertaining at their home. After earning degrees in wine business and economics from Sonoma State University, Marisa began a career at Sbragia Family Vineyards where she quickly worked her way up to event manager. “My family and friends were starting to get married, and I planned their weddings,” she recalls. “So I thought, why not make this my career?”

Marisa founded So Eventful in 2008, a full-service event planning and design company, and So Eventful Productions, an event management company the same year. Based in Healdsburg, the So Eventful brand brings magic to North Bay weddings, corporate events and more. Marisa and husband Brian Ferrell launched The Posh Privy, a luxury mobile restroom provider, in 2017 and acquired Fancy Flush in 2021 to expand their fleet and service territory. Marisa and Brian now live in Healdsburg with their two children, Asher, 9, and Sutton, 6.

Did you plan your own wedding?

Yes, I did. I wanted it to be exactly how I wanted it, and it was. It did rain on our wedding day, but it made for a great story.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my family and friends. We love being in water—pool time, boating, playing golf and tennis, watching sports. Enjoying time with our kids.

Favorite sports team?

Golden State Warriors—they are awesome and so fun to watch.

Tell us about your history with grape farming

My family has been a grape growing family for decades. Currently my dad, Mike, and my brother, Matt, run the family business and do a wonderful job. My brother, who is two years older than me, has brought so many new aspects to Manna Ranch. He has gone digital with drones, started our own trucking company to haul the grapes to and from the wineries, and has mechanical harvesters for picking the grapes.

Favorite wineries in the North Bay?

Kistler and Williams Selyem.

Is there a particular event The Posh Privy serviced that stood out?

We did an event where I was the event planner for So Eventful and the client hired The Posh Privy for their over-the-top wedding at Mayacama [golf club]. We had three Michelin-star chefs attending and a headliner band. It was a great event had by everyone!  

Do you have a favorite varietal? Chardonnay [Editor’s note: In the accompanying photo, Marisa is enjoying a glass of “char.”] 

Are there any wedding trends that you particularly love?

I love when couples do a “first look.” This is when the couple sees each other prior to the ceremony. I think it is very intimate and fun to do. As a wedding planner, I love it because it takes the pressure off all parties involved and the couple gets to enjoy more time with guests after the ceremony rather than taking a bunch of photos.

Anything else to share? 

Owning The Posh Privy and So Eventful together gives us more of an aspect in the event industry that we cover. From start to finish—all puns intended!

 

 

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