ABOUT
FRENCH SAVOIR-FAIRE AND ART-DE-VIVRE
[sav-wahr-fair] (noun) - Know-how | [art-de-vieve] (Noun) - the art of living
A La Francaise Events is a premiere event & wedding planning company located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded and led by Linda Mischa McGowan, a Parisian who attended and designed some of the most beautiful weddings and events in the city of love! We specialize in finding the most talented partners and orchestrating the day to perfectly match your vision. Our planning process and talent for design will ensure your wedding is a magical and stress free experience.
Our tailored services bring French elegance to stunning California offering you the haute-couture event you dream of. We are dedicated to delivering a personalized experience that promises beautiful memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Our passion for celebrating love and happiness will ensure you have unforgettable memories...
LInda Mischa Mcgowan
Founder and Executive Producer
Linda grew up in Paris, France, where she was inspired by the love and romance resonating throughout the city and developed her passion for celebration.
Linda earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business & Import/Export and a Master’s degree in International Purchasing & Supply Chain Management at leading business schools in Paris.
After graduation, she spent 7 years working in Procurement & Supply Chain Management for several multinational companies. Upon switching from industrial project buying in Aerospace to advertising campaigns, trade shows, and events, she revealed her true passion for event planning. She then began designing weddings at famous ballrooms downtown and Châteaux in the countryside. Clients particularly appreciate that Linda brings a combination of strong business skills and a unique eye for design developed over years of exposure to different cultures and styles.
Since a young age, she has been an avid traveler having been to 6 continents and over 40 countries finding inspiration in learning new cultures and interacting with locals. She speaks 3 languages and lived abroad in Australia, Spain, and the US.
Linda experienced true love at first sight when she met her American prince charming at a beautiful wine bar in the Latin Quarter. After wonderful years together in Paris, they decided to move to sunny California where Linda became fascinated in blending European romance and American entertainment with the backdrop of stunning California. Linda’s creative designs have been featured and published in some of the world’s best wedding and event magazines like Forbes, Bridal Vogue, The Knot, Carats & Cake, Magnolia Rouge, Style Me Pretty, Wed Luxe, Party Slate, 100 Layer Cake, Wedding Chicks, Today’s Bride SF, Amber & Muse, Adoré and Inside Weddings.
Ashley
LEAD PLANNER
Ashley grew up in New York where she discovered her passion for all things design. She attended university where she received an Associates degree in Graphic Design, a Bachelor’s in Marketing and a Masters in Business Administration. Ashley has experience in sales, marketing and events. She worked as a marketing manager and a program advisor and worked with a gastronomic catering team helping design weddings before joining A La Française Events.
After graduation, Ashley moved to California with her significant other and her adorable French Bulldog Pippa, who always brings so much love and laughter to the office.
Ashley loves living in the Bay Area. Her hobbies include hiking with her pup, surfing, snowboarding, painting, drawing and traveling. Ashley has a strong sensory palette, a sharp eye for detail and loves transforming simple spaces and items into aesthetically pleasing designs.
Ashley has traveled all around Europe and has learned so much about different cultures and ways of life. One of her favorite parts of weddings is witnessing different family traditions come together and blend into a beautiful seamless celebration, no two weddings are alike.
“A good day is a day where I can create something beautiful.” - Ashley
