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Meet Your Neighbor: Rissa Gunderson
By Callie Thomas
“Once upon a time…” Those words are heard around the globe every night as bedtime stories unfold and weave a tale of fantasy, romance and a gorgeous wedding that leads to “happily ever after.” As an owner of Scheme Events, one of the hottest new wedding and event planning companies in Las Vegas, you might say that makes 89052 resident Rissa Gunderson a fairy godmother of sorts. Even the story of opening Scheme Events seems like a fairy tale. After graduating from UNLV in Meeting and Event Management, Rissa attended the International School of Hospitality, where she earned a certificate in Wedding Coordination and Design. It was there that she met three other ladies: Jacqueline Emamzadeh, Tara Cox and Traci McMaster. These talented women combined their collective skills to devise Scheme Events, whose claim to fame is matching a wedding couple’s personality and style to their event.
But beyond the typical happy endings, there are those couples who struggle with everyday life, let alone being able to plan the perfect wedding. Rissa’s skills for granting wishes are put to the test in other ways through her role with a non-profit organization called Wish Upon a Wedding Las Vegas, the world’s first non-profit dedicated to making wedding dreams come true for couples facing terminal illness or other life altering circumstances. The group reaches out to vendors who donate goods, resources and services to help these special couples forget their troubles for one day and celebrate their union with family and friends. As the Public Relations Chair for the Las Vegas chapter, Rissa gave us a little more insight into Wish Upon a Wedding and talked about the many other ways she’s touched the lives of people in our community.
The Las Vegas chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding is fairly new. How many weddings has the organization granted so far?
“So far, we’ve granted two wedding wishes and are in the process of granting our third wish. Our first couple, Nick and Robin, have cerebral palsy, so special needs had to be addressed such as easy wheelchair access at the ceremony and the reception, along with specialized transportation. It was a learning experience for both the couple and Wish Upon A Wedding.”
It has to make an impact on you, knowing that you’ve helped to create an unforgettable memory for these couples by helping them tie the knot.
“It’s been wonderful to be part of the weddings and touch the lives of these couples, their family and friends. They are so appreciative of the local vendors who provide the goods and services to create their weddings. I have learned much about prioritizing, gratitude and humility through my work with the organization.”
You assist residents in our community in other ways, too. Are there a few you’d care to share?
“I’ve been involved with Special Olympics and Best Buddies, which assists handicapped children. I’m extremely supportive of the armed forces with two brothers and numerous relatives serving in the military. I help contribute to various sources, sending provisions to soldiers and their families. My business partners and I are looking to spend time as camp counselors during the summer for children affected by cancer, and I’m also active in my religious community.”
Of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
“I’d have to say first with graduating Magna Cum Laude from UNLV, opening my own business and being named Most Inspirational Member of the National Association of Catering Executives in 2010.”
If we bumped into you over the weekend, where might we find you?
“My husband and I live close to the Paseo Verde Library/Multigen Center/Henderson Pavilion and we attend concerts, festivals and farmers markets. When I get a little down time, I love interior design, traveling, reading, spending time on the lake and just being with my family!”
