Meet Michelle!
Photo by Lindsay Vann Photography
Hey Friends!
My name is Michelle (Fage) Cawthron. I am a wedding planner specializing in destination weddings in St John, USVI. I grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts (yes, the land of the Pilgrims) and went to college in Troy, New York. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Management, from Russell Sage College. About a year after graduation, I moved to the west coast where my “professional” career began in the world of entertainment and event planning. 
I spent eight years on the West Coast, starting in Orange County. My first job was a Cast Member at Disneyland working in retail. That’s right–I worked at one of the most magical places on earth. After a few months, I made the move to Los Angeles. My dream was to be a talent agent but I learned quickly, that was not a fit for me. I tried a few jobs and could not really settle in to a 9-5 “desk” job. I started exploring event work and found that it was the movement I needed in my day to day life. I was an event coordinator for ASA Events and then ESPN’s X Games. I also worked several ESPY Golf Tournaments and ESPY Awards shows. During my time in Los Angeles, I worked on events throughout the US and also internationally. Oh the stories I have about events early on in my career! From shopping for Athlete and VIP Lounges in tiny bodegas in Berlin (while getting funny looks from people) to being part of 50 Cent’s Security detail (I have the picture to prove it) I could write a book! Planning and working events in all different places really did prepare me for destination wedding planning.
In early 2011, a change was in order. I had met my now husband who had lived on St. John previously and he had moved back to the island for what was supposed to be short time. I moved to St. John in April of 2011 and I began working for local wedding planners. It quickly became clear to me that my background in celebrity events gave me a unique perspective on event planning and in 2012 I started Paradise Planning. You have a vision for your wedding or special event, and the responsibility of me and the Paradise Planning’s team is to do everything in our power to realize that vision.
My experience with large-scale luxury events, stateside weddings, and destination weddings leaves me uniquely qualified to design and create an event that meets and exceeds your expectations. I truly know the importance of all the little things that will make your wedding YOUR day! As a bride myself in 2017, I gained a better understanding of how important the role of a wedding planner was. And yes, I hired a wedding planner for my own wedding! 
I am the owner of Paradise Planning in the Virgin Islands and it’s crazy to say, I have close to 300 weddings under my belt! I truly love what I do and working with couples to create their wedding vision brings me so much happiness.
In the last few years, I have also been officiating smaller weddings. My role as an officiant has been so special to me and being such a crucial part in a couple’s love story means the world to me.
When I am not planning weddings and events, you can find me and my husband, Jason, at the beach or around town, usually chasing our twin toddlers, Ailin and Brayden. Or hanging out with our pups, Maclee and Maximus, or my rescue cat, Pinny.
Contact me today at Michelle@ParadisePlanningUSVI.com or (310) 968-3789
