A woman standing outside a storefront with a large dark blue door and glass windows on either side. She is smiling, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, white blouse, patterned skirt, carrying a straw basket with bread, and holding a baguette.
Assorted desserts on plates and boxes, including cupcakes, cookies, candies, and pink peonies, on a table for a celebration.
A woman with short dark hair and fair skin, wearing a black sleeveless top and a large bracelet on her wrist, is holding a glass of red wine. She is standing indoors near a wooden wall, looking to the side with a slight smile.
A bathroom with a white bathtub filled with dried flowers and pink peonies, gray tiled walls, a wooden bath mat, and a modern chrome faucet.
A woman in a black dress sitting on a red couch holding a glass of wine and a slice of cake, surrounded by colorful desserts and pink flowers inside a modern high-rise apartment with large windows.
Karen Bussen_March_2024_16.jpg
A collage of three images showing floral arrangements and a decorated dining table for a special occasion. The first image has pink and yellow flowers with strawberries and candles. The second image features a long table set with gold plates, blue na

DESIGNER

WRITER & AUTHOR

ENTERTAINING EXPERT

STRATEGIC PARTNER

DESIGNER

KAREN BUSSEN is a paris-based events & experiences designer, creating unforgettable moments for private clients and hospitality partners

A woman with short blonde hair smiling and looking to the side, wearing a beige blazer over a black top, outdoors in front of a blurred stone wall background.

with more than two decades at the intersection of fine service, gastronomy, design & storytelling, karen seeks the extraordinary in every project.

Her editorial work and art direction have appeared online and in countless publications, including her own series of books.

CONTACT KAREN

event services

A formal dining table decorated with a large floral centerpiece, tall white candles, and various glass candles in a dimly lit, ornate room.

BESPOKE EVENTs in paris & beyond

Whether celebrating a milestone birthday, planning a surprise proposal or girls’ trip, gathering dear friends for a weekend of fun, or simply dreaming of an extraordinary moment in Paris unlike any other, Karen brings her expertise, joyful creativity, and finely curated resources to each project.

EXPLORE EVENT SERVICES

writer & author

A woman sitting at a desk in an office with large windows overlooking a cityscape. She is dressed in a black blouse, patterned fishnet stockings, and black shoes, with her hair pulled back. The desk has a book, a notepad, and a decorative dried flower arrangement.

The most special moments we share—through travel, celebration, or hosting at home— all truly center around meaning and memory.

Karen is the author of the Simple Stunning series of books about weddings and home entertaining. She has guided written communications for brands and private clients, and advises on guest messaging for hospitality partners.

On a personal note, she shares stories from her life as an American in Paris through her Substack newsletter, La Flâneuse with Karen Bussen.

She is represented by the David Black Literary Agency in New York City.

storytelling & narrative are at the heart of every great event

CONTACT KAREN

newsletter

Woman smiling with curly blonde hair wearing a beige coat and holding a green shopping bag, standing outside a flower shop filled with colorful flowers and plants.

A long-time weddings expert, Karen found her own forever love in Paris in the middle of the pandemic. She chronicles what happened next, along with notes on French culture, language, and creativity, in her Substack, La Flâneuse with Karen Bussen.

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THE SIMPLE STUNNING SERIES

Collection of wedding planning books with titles like "Simple Stunning Bride," "Simple Stunning Showers," "Simple Stunning Parties at Home," "Simple Stunning Weddings," "Simple Stunning Flowers," and "Simple Stunning Organizer".
Collection of wedding planning books with titles like "Simple Stunning Bride," "Simple Stunning Showers," "Simple Stunning Parties at Home," "Simple Stunning Weddings," "Simple Stunning Flowers," and "Simple Stunning Organizer".

A new perspective on style and substance in wedding and home entertaining resulted in a 7-book series, published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang.

ENTERTAINING EXPERT

TRUE HOSPITALITY REQUIRES CONSTANT CURIOSITY, AND A LOVE OF CELEBRATING THE PERSONAL

A woman with blonde curly hair wearing a dark and colorful sweater, smiling and holding a large bouquet of eucalyptus and dark purple flowers, standing on a city street with brick buildings and parked cars in the background.

KAREN LEFT OHIO AT AGE 17 TO BECOME A GLOBE-TROTTING MAGICIAN’S ASSISTANT. THAT ADVENTURE SPARKED A LIFELONG PASSION FOR SURPRISE AND DELIGHT. oh yes, and caviar.

Karen holds the WSET Level 3 certificate in Wines and Spirits and the French Wine Scholar (FWS) specialization (Wine Scholar Guild). She has been a featured expert for entertaining articles and segments in a wide variety of media, and has served on several tasting juries in France.

A self-taught master florist, Karen began her journey into fine hospitality with one of the world’s most respected restaurateurs—Danny Meyer. Later, her internationally recognized events business grew out of her partnership with Chef Alan Tardi at their beloved NYC eatery, Follonico.

Get in touch with Karen

strategic partner

A woman with short brown hair wearing a black blazer and a patterned belt, smiling and leaning against a concrete wall outdoors.

With a breadth of expertise spanning food, wine, design, etiquette, communications, and hospitality, KAREN BUSSEN is a sought-after partner.

Karen collaborates with global hotel and resort partners to conceive, design, and implement revenue-generating guest experiences— from weddings and romance to culinary and lifestyle offerings—moments that are emotionally resonant, visually compelling, and operationally viable.

From strategy to art direction and presentation, her work enhances not just how a destination looks, but how it feels to be there.

PARTNER WITH KAREN
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karen bussen & palladium hotel group

A newlywed couple celebrating outside a modern white church with a cross, surrounded by falling pink, red, and white rose petals. A violinist is playing nearby.

For more than a decade, Karen partnered with Palladium Hotel Group, a Spanish-based global hospitality brand, to develop and implement a wildly successful Destination Weddings program at their properties in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. 

A group of people, including a bride and groom, during an outdoor wedding ceremony among lush tropical trees and greenery.

Karen was the brand’s exclusive designer and consultant. The project included creating client-facing products and experiences in the Weddings and Romance spheres, along with building internal business infrastructures, refining procedures, and developing marketing materials and sales training methods to support the complete Weddings by Palladium program.

Logo for Karen Bussen Wedding Collection with the name in elegant font and a black background.
Logo for Palladium Hotel Group with the name in gold lettering and a minimalistic design.
Stylized text reading 'Weddings by Palladium' in pink and white on a black background.
Two women in white dresses holding hands and smiling on a beach, with green foliage in the background.