Bryan Rafanelli's career as a designer and party planner extraordinaire has its roots firmly planted in the basement rec room of his family's Coventry home. It was there that the six Rafanelli kids were sent on rainy days to watch the home movies of their parents' wedding in North Providence.

"I feel really lucky to have grown up in this quirky state," he said in a recent phone interview from New York City, a home base along with Boston for his Rafanelli Events company that does the poshest of social events across the U.S. and abroad. His credits include planning Chelsea Clinton's wedding and working with the Obamas to create seven state dinners and decorating the White House for Christmas.