ABOUT
STELLA & EMMA
Sisters Stella Mae and Emma Marie grew up in Aspen Colorado, where the art of gathering was a daily ritual. In a family of four kids, every evening felt like a mini dinner party, full of lively conversation and always a little bit of chaos. Emma discovered her love for cooking and hosting early on, preparing delicious meals during the week and never shying away from the challenge of satisfying various and ever-changing dietary restrictions. Meanwhile, Stella was setting the table like it was a holiday, even on an average Tuesday, drawn to the joy of elevating the everyday.
Growing up in Aspen, the Rocky Mountains’ heart of hospitality and extreme sports, Stella and Emma cultivated their sense of adventure and love of nature. Part of an active and talented family of athletes, designers and hospitality operators, they developed their understanding of how to host and celebrate. Their individual travels around the world further enriched their perspectives and fueled their passion for combining creativity with joyful gatherings - so was born MAE & MAR.
As sisters who share the same core values, they can communicate with each other without speaking and have a level of trust between them that enables a dynamic and unique partnership. This unbreakable familial bond is reflected in how they collaborate with each other, vendors and clients.
MAE & MAR is a full service event planning & design studio dedicated to curating moments of connection between people, place and planet.
Stella Mae Kaplan
Stella Kaplan is a creative visionary, but has the pragmatism that comes with a degree in economics and a professional foundation in consulting. This rare combination of analytical rigor and artistic intuition is a breath of fresh air for clients.
Stella is meticulous with details and logistics while bringing boundless energy to problem solving and bringing “never been done before” ideas to life.
Emma Marie DOUGHERTY
With an MBA from Columbia Business School and a background in project management and customer success, Emma marries operational efficiency with a profoundly human approach.
She sees every event as a reflection of its people and setting and thoughtfully considers the cultural, human, and physical context in which it lives. She is most excited by creating unexpected moments that make each event feel personal and deeply memorable.
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together.
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Stella and Emma bring their shared passion for connection, creativity, and beauty to every detail. Reach out to MAE & MAR to begin crafting an event that feels personal, inspired, and unforgettable — a true reflection of you.