We live and breathe events
At Planterra, events are run by our team of planners, coordinators and designers.
Event planning and design services are included with the rental of the Conservatory. Our event planning process is customized for each of our clients and our team is here to make your planning and hosting experience an exceptional one.
In 1973, Planterra was born.
The company first began operating out of a private greenhouse in Bloomfield Hills on the former estate grounds of the Sander’s family, of Detroit’s storied Sander’s Chocolates.
As Planterra grew into larger greenhouses over the decades, the company had a role in providing tropical foliage for famous Detroit area developments such as the Detroit Renaissance Center, the Somerset Collection in Troy, and more recently, the Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit.
Our Dedication to Sustainability
The Conservatory was built and designed with sustainable features. These include recycling run-off water for irrigation, earth-integrated site orientation for energy efficiency, passive solar for winter heating, and a stacked ventilation system for natural cooling and air circulation. All of these features are regulated by an on-site weather station.
As a salute to our Detroit roots, we offer a selection of local favorites on our culinary and beverage menus at the Conservatory.
This includes items such as Michigan charcuterie, Sander’s cream puff and hot fudge sundaes and Vernor’s floats. We also offer Michigan wine, beer, and spirits, such as Leelanau County’s Mawby Vineyards, Ferndale’s Valentine Distillery, and Detroit’s Two James Spirits.
In 2010,
Planterra opened the Conservatory in West Bloomfield, Michigan. From here, they expanded the nature-centric philosophy into weddings and events.
Named as one of the “Best Venues in America” by Brides Magazine and one of the “22 Best Garden and Wedding Venues in the World” by Harper’s Bazaar, Planterra has built a reputation nationally and in Michigan as a premier garden venue for weddings and events.
crafting your unique experience
Award-Winning Event and Floral Design
All of our floral and event design work is custom and we take great joy collaborating with our couples and turning their design inspirations into exquisite reality.
imported from Izegem, Belgium
About the Conservatory
Planterra Conservatory is a glass-enclosed botanical venue with European trusses, indoor koi ponds, and a dramatic gabian stone archway.
Our People
Shane Pliska
President & CEO
Shane oversees the company’s three divisions of corporate plantscaping, floral and display production, and events services. Shane is active with community non-profits and serves on the board of the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.
Shane has an educational background in film production and design and is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston.
Shane enjoys cooking and is passionate about sustainable food systems, authentic world cuisines, and wine; he is also an enthusiast of modernism, gardening, and travel.
David DiVincenzo
Vice President & Creative Director
David has been directing events for Planterra clients since 2010. He designs each event – menu, décor, floral, and every detail in between – to make our clients’ visions come to life.
He has nearly 20 years of professional experience in arts fundraising, programming, and event planning and worked at Page MacGill Gallery, The Noguchi Museum, and one of Estee Lauder’s family foundations in New York. David is a graduate of both Albion College and Brooklyn College and attended the Atelier Léo Marchutz in Aix-en-Provence, France. David’s interests include wine, art and useless pop culture knowledge.
Anne Galligan
Client Services Manager
Anne graduated from the University of Michigan and worked in advertising and marketing before joining Planterra in 2013. She focuses on the planning details and budgets to make our clients’ visions a reality. She guides clients through their planning process, making it organized, efficient and fun.
Anne enjoys time with her family, cooking and great thriller novels. She and her husband have three grown children and are in the process of restoring their 97 year-old home in downtown Clarkston.
Megan Light
Client Services Associate
Megan has been part of the Planterra team since early 2019 focusing on client services. Her role has since expanded to include assisting with planning details and managing social media content for the events team. With an extensive background in customer service relations, she greatly enjoys connecting with wonderful clients and being a part of creating unforgettable events.
When she is not working, Megan enjoys spending time with her teenage son and beloved Shih Tzu. She also loves traveling to beautiful places near and far and is an avid reader.
Marléne Tarrant
Client Services Assistant
Marléne joined the events team in early 2023. She has a passion for art, nature, and weddings. She is always happy to give you a tour of the Conservatory and answer any questions you may have about planning your special day at Planterra! Marléne has always loved helping people bring their visions to life.
She has her BFA in 2D studies with an emphasis in painting, and before making her way to Planterra, she worked at an art gallery, assisting clients with finding the ideal artwork for their homes. She also worked as a bridal consultant, helping brides find the perfect wedding attire to help them feel like their best selves on their wedding day.
When she is not working, you can find Marléne getting creative in the kitchen, painting in her art studio, or out hiking with her pups.
Caitlin Perlotto
Event Specialist
In both her professional and personal life Caitlin is always finding herself in the middle of planning and coordinating memorable events for the people around her. Her organizational skills, effective time management, and ability to multitask have created a strong backbone for superb event coordination.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism management from Grand Valley State University, she holds herself to the highest standards of customer service.
Caitlin loves animals especially her dog, Tucker. In her spare time, she loves trying new restaurants, wine tasting, and seeing new movies weekly.
Solmaria Gray
Event Specialist
Solmaria has an extensive background in the restaurant and hospitality industry which laid the foundation for her passion for providing customer service beyond compare. This precursor not only taught her how to think on her feet but also familiarized her with the process of juggling several different moving parts, while also keeping a timeline.
She knows the importance of genuinely connecting with people and attention to detail. Solmaria has a soft spot for weddings because she loves to witness the joy and everlasting memories made at each event.
She is an explorer with an open mind eager to try new things and see new places. When she isn’t working you can find her spending time at home with her fiancé and son, crafting, or getting tacos!
Madison Todd
Event Specialist
Madison is a seasoned event coordinator coming to Planterra from a background in sports and entertainment hospitality. With a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Michigan State University, Madison's expertise lies in curating exceptional experiences for events of all sizes, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale experiences for 65,000+ attendees.
With a meticulous attention to detail cultivated through years of orchestrating unique events, Madison ensures that every aspect, from logistics to ambiance, is executed to perfection. Her versatile skill set allows her to navigate the complexities of event planning with ease, guaranteeing memorable experiences for all involved.
When Madison isn't busy with work, she loves being by the lake and spending time with her family. Her mix of professionalism and genuine excitement makes her the perfect fit for anyone looking to create unforgettable events.
Tiffany Zendejas
Ceremony Coordinator
Tiffany has skillfully orchestrated memorable wedding ceremonies at Planterra since 2013. Originating from a personal journey of planning her nuptials, Tiffany's passion for all things wedding blossomed into owning a fine wedding stationery gift shop. Tiffany's commitment led her to seek a more hands-on role in shaping the wedding days of her brides.
Her positive attitude, meticulous attention to detail, and organizational finesse make her a valuable member of our team, whether as your dedicated Ceremony Coordinator or overseeing the entire day with seamless coordination.
Tiffany finds joy in moments spent with her family and shares a love for travel, weaving enriching experiences into the fabric of her multifaceted life.
Kirsten Haeussler
Conservatory Manager
Kirsten acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Wayne State University and an ABA from Schoolcraft Community College.
When Kirsten has free time, you can most often find her doing yoga, gardening, or focusing on her next big home project. Kirsten has been busy renovating her 100-year-old home with her husband and their growing family.
Miranda Strasser
Conservatory Assistant
Kate Mellow
Conservatory Assistant
events at Planterra