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Meet The Wedding Specialist

Top Atlanta Hotel Wedding Planners

Meet Our Wedding Specialists

Meet Joi Alexander

Joi has joined the Kimpton family at The Kimpton Shane Hotel as our Director of Catering and Events. Whether you’re looking for an extravagant celebration or an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family, Joi can work with you to turn your unique vision of the perfect wedding into a reality.

Can you describe the main focus of your current role?

As the Director of Catering and Events The Kimpton Shane Hotel, my primary focus is to curate exceptional, personalized guest experiences while driving revenue through strategic event planning and execution. I oversee the end-to-end process for events, including weddings, corporate meetings, social gatherings, and private celebrations, ensuring seamless coordination and meticulous attention to detail.

What led to your interest in and passion for hospitality?

I have always enjoyed working with people and working in the hospitality industry gives me the opportunity to tie both of my passions of working with ppl and planning events into one space.

What is your approach as a wedding specialist?

As a wedding specialist, my approach is rooted in creating deeply personalized and seamless experiences for couples on one of the most important days of their lives. I believe in building genuine relationships with my clients, taking the time to understand their unique vision, preferences, and values. This allows me to tailor every detail to reflect their story and ensure their celebration feels authentic and memorable.

I focus on providing expert guidance throughout the planning process, offering creative solutions and thoughtful recommendations to bring their dream wedding to life. From selecting the perfect venue setup to curating menus and managing timelines, I prioritize clear communication and meticulous attention to detail. My goal is to reduce stress for couples and their families, empowering them to fully enjoy every moment of their special day.

Collaboration is at the heart of my approach—I work closely with trusted vendors, hotel teams, and other stakeholders to ensure flawless execution. Above all, I am committed to delivering an extraordinary experience that exceeds expectations and creates lasting memories.

How do you handle budget management?

When planning weddings for my clients, I approach budget management with transparency, creativity, and strategic oversight. I begin by working closely with the couple to understand their priorities, vision, and financial parameters. By identifying the elements most important to them—whether it's an elaborate floral display, a gourmet menu, or a stunning venue—I help allocate resources to maximize the impact of their investment.

I maintain open and ongoing communication with clients about costs, providing detailed breakdowns and updates throughout the planning process. This ensures they are fully informed and feel confident in the financial decisions being made. I leverage my experience and relationships with trusted vendors to negotiate competitive rates and uncover cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

What are some emerging trends you're seeing that The Kimpton Shane has catered to lately?

Small, intimate weddings are our specialty. We curate wonderful experiences for all couples to have lasting memories of their special day.

Do you have any favorite spaces for weddings at The Kimpton Shane?

Aveline Lounge and Terrace and our Symphony Ballroom

How involved will you be in the event planning process?

100% involved from start to finish. My goal is to work alongside my couples to make the wedding planning process easy and seamless.

How does The Kimpton Shane handle catering and menu options?

Yes; all of our catering is handled in-house

What are your favorite dishes served at weddings or events?

My favorite dish to serve at a wedding is a “Surf and Turf.” Very classic and always gives guests a variety!

Can you provide a list of available dates and pricing options?

Certainly! We can provide you with a list of available dates and pricing options based on your preferred wedding date and estimated guest count—or I can create a custom proposal if one of our packages does not quite align with your needs.

What is one piece of advice for couples on their big day?

Focus on what truly matters to you as a couple and prioritize those elements in your wedding. Let go of the pressure to meet every expectation or trend, and instead, create a celebration that reflects your unique love story. The most memorable weddings are not the ones that are 'perfect' but the ones that feel authentic and meaningful to you and your guests.

What are your must-haves on the day of?

  • Marriage License – Ensure it’s signed and ready before the ceremony.
  • Wedding Rings – Double-check they’re packed or with the person responsible.
  • Emergency Kit – Include items like safety pins, sewing supplies, stain remover, tissues, mints, and a mini first-aid kit.
  • Comfortable Shoes – A backup pair for dancing or when your feet need a break.
  • Snacks & Water – Staying hydrated and fueled is critical during a busy day.

Meet Shane Simpson

Shane Simpson

Shane has joined the Kimpton family at The Kimpton Shane Hotel as the Catering and Events Sales Manager and our newest wedding specialist. Whether you’re looking for an extravagant celebration or an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family, Shane can work with you to turn your unique vision of the perfect wedding into a reality.

Can you please share a little about your background and resume?

With over 23 years in the hospitality industry, I have done it all! I have moved across the US over the years to be a Catering Sales Manager, Wedding Sales Manager, Director of Catering Sales and more. I recently made the move to work with boutique, lifestyle and luxury brands. I could not be more excited.

Can you describe the main focus of your current role?

In my current role, my main focus is creating one-of-a-kind experiences for our social groups, including weddings, proposals, rehearsal dinners, and more. I truly believe these events deserve thoughtful, innovative and creative accommodations.

What makes our venue unique and special for weddings? Do you have any favorite spaces for events at The Kimpton Shane?

The Shane is a unique boutique hotel that offers beautiful natural light in our ballroom and other meeting spaces. As a boutique hotel, it’s exciting that we can do smaller, cozier and more intimate weddings. My favorite spaces are the Aveline Lounge and Terrace, Symphony Ballroom and Sync Boardroom, perfect for a space for the bridal party.

What are your must-haves on the day of?

The most important must-have on the day of your wedding is a Wedding Planner or Coordinator. You do not want to tackle this alone. Whether you hire someone or have a friend to step in and assist, it is imperative that you have someone to help execute your vision and take the weight off of your shoulders!

How do you handle budget management?

I let my couples know that it is important to set and know your budget, stay within it by hiring vendors that can accommodate that budget and be realistic about what a wedding costs now. Having a wedding planner will help you stay within—and hone—your budget.

How many guests can your spaces accommodate?

We have flexible event spaces that can comfortably host celebrations with up to 90 guests. We'll work closely with you to determine the best setup for your specific guest count and event.

Can you provide a list of available dates and pricing options?

Certainly! We can provide you with a list of available dates and pricing options based on your preferred wedding date and estimated guest count—or I can create a custom proposal if one of our packages does not quite align with your needs.

Can I tour the venue to see it in person?

Absolutely! We highly encourage in-person tours so that you can explore the event spaces and discuss your wedding vision in detail. We'll be more than happy to schedule a personalized tour for you.

Guest Testimonials

On behalf of my wife Freya and I, we just wanted to extend our deepest and sincere thanks to you Ashley, Cornellius, and the entire Kimpton Shane Hotel team in helping to make our wedding weekend such a spectacular success.


Ever since we did our first tour of the property with you Ashley a while back now, we had a hunch that we picked the right hotel to host our guests during the wedding weekend. And now, I can safely say that everyone was blown away by the impressiveness of your property and how nice the rooms are and the overall premium atmosphere that the hotel created for the wedding was exactly what we were looking for. Your property is all about luxury accommodations with a welcoming atmosphere and it helped everything be a success.


The farewell brunch on Sunday was fantastic as well. I am so glad Ashley was able to get us the Aveline bar area with the outside patio as well because it truly helped make everyone feel special before they set out on their journeys home.


Also, the handwritten welcome letters to both Freya and I and the special gifts from the Shane team were super appreciated as well.


Freya & Berj, 2024