MEET THE SAMKOMA FAMILY

SAMKOMA means “come together” in Icelandic. Each member of our team below, has played an intricate part in the SAMKOMA story. Thank you to all of these beautiful energies - because of you, our dream of building an international creativity concierge became a reality.

Josiah AND JUSTIN

We are Josiah Carr and Justin McGregor - two guys in love, and the founders of SAMKOMA.

SAMKOMA is the product of our combined creative energies, and our mutual passion for travel, and the human experience.

While we are often bouncing from one place to the next, we spend as much time as we can near the ocean.

Thank you for stopping by to learn more about SAMKOMA, we would love to learn more about you.

Justin Mcgregor // published photographer and artist

Justin found his passion for photography at a very young age. Over the years, Justin has had the opportunity to travel the world - capturing some of nature’s most beautiful landscapes. Justin is an intuitive creative and works with clients around the world to offer branding, artist photoshoots, and product shoots. He leans into his instincts and the result is beautiful candid, real and emotional imagery. Justin offers wedding photography for SAMKOMA’s Micro-Weddings and Elopements and also offers content creation, lifestyle photography and aerial drone coverage. Justin leads PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAMKOMA and his work has been published in People Magazine. His attention-to-detail and creative input are also crucial parts of executing seamless weddings and events with WEDDINGS BY SAMKOMA.

Josiah Carr // Creative Director and Event Designer

Josiah Carr launched his event planning company, Ninth & Everett, in winter of 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since then, he has had the honor of working with clients and couples around the globe. As the company grew and began solely focusing on destination and international events, Josiah merged creative energies with Justin and launched WEDDINGS & EVENTS BY SAMKOMA. An extensive background in event design, an adaptive personality, and a calm demeanor, are all elements that Josiah brings to the table. He gives 110% to his clients and couples and provides full service event planning and event design services. Josiah was named “Best Event Planner in Nashville” and SAMKOMA’s work has been featured in numerous publications including Vogue, People Magazine, Billboard, and Modern Luxury, among others.

Brandy Dyer

LOGISTICS & VENDOR COORDINATION
Brandy is the logistics and vendor coordinator for SAMKOMA projects both domestically, and internationally.
Additionally, Brandy provides Full Service Event Planning and collaborates with Josiah for Event Design Services. She has been SAMKOMA’s right hand and better half since day one.
Brandy provides services in Nashville, 30A and Destin, and is also available for destination event services. Brandy is the owner of Beyond Details Catering based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Emily Katherine

STYLIST, JEWELRY DESIGNER, ARTIST
Emily has been a part of the SAMKOMA vision since the very beginning.
Emily offers styling services for our clients and couples, she adorns our brides with jewelry from her handmade collection, Dreambox Jewelry and she provides artistic and creative insight into many SAMKOMA projects.
Emily’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings amongst other publications.
Alison Smith

LOGISTICS & ON-SITE SUPPORT
Before Alison was a part of the SAMKOMA family, she played an active roll in ensuring that all of our projects ran smoothly.
After several years in the event industry, Alison decided to pursue a career in opening her own cake company, Cakes + Co. Alison’s work has been featured in People Magazine amongst other publications.
Alison runs logistics and on-site support for Nashville based SAMKOMA projects when she isn’t designing cakes.
Kate Wiseman

CALLIGRAPHY AND PAPER GOODS
Kate began working with SAMKOMA a few years ago, and our clients have loved every detail she has curated for them.
Save the dates, invitations, menus, wax seals, leather booklets, custom party details, monograms and pretty stamps — these are all things that Kate does well. Kate’s work has been featured in Vogue and People Magazine.
In addition to designing beautiful paper products, Kate also helps SAMKOMA clients stay organized using spreadsheets.
Curry McDaniel

FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER
Anyone who has encountered Curry is better because of it. She is one of the kindest and most creative individuals we have ever crossed paths with.
Curry is a YES mentality - she always goes the extra mile to help bring visions to life. With an extensive background in floral and event design, she adds so much knowledge to every project she works on.
SAMKOMA works with Curry for floral design services, and should we not be available for a client’s date, Curry is the first person we refer them to.
Kaila Loftus

FILMMAKER AND CREATIVE
Kaila is based in Denver, Colorado. We connected with Kaila and her husband Jay when we launched our first event design company several years ago, and we’ve never let go.
Kaila runs KLassey Productions an award winning filmmaking company and is always on the brink of launching a new creative endeavor.
She works closely with the SAMKOMA team for all of our Colorado projects and has always played a key role in encouraging our creative flows.
Ges Lorraine

ARTIST, WRITER, ACTIVIST
Ges was there the first time the words “I want to be an event planner one day” were spoken. And since then, she has supported every move that the SAMKOMA team has made.
Ges is an artist and writer and is always helping our team grow and evolve.
When Ges isn’t saving lives and changing the world, she is working behind the scenes for us, and with us - making magic.
Olia Zavozina

COUTURE BRIDAL DESIGNER
When brides tell us that they haven’t secured their dress yet, and sometimes even after they have secured their dress elsewhere, we tell them to call Olia.
Olia Zavozina is a powerhouse, and one of the most badass women we have had the opportunity to meet. She not only designs couture bridal gowns, but she also designs custom suits for grooms as well.
Her portfolio is star-studded, her career speaks for itself, and we are honored to call her a part of the SAMKOMA family.
Lindsey Soklin

CLIENT GIFTING AND CORPORATE GIFTING
Bridesmaid boxes, welcome bags, canvas totes with custom branding? Lindsey is ready to help make things perfect for you.
We have had the opportunity to collaborate on gifting projects with clients throughout the country and have had fun creating gifting moments for corporate clients with her including NASCAR.