Ellen Thomas is one of the leading event planners in the South. She is dedicated to bringing a cutting-edge vision to her designs in the hospitality industry. Her love & passion for event planning started at a young age.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi in hospitality management, Ellen began her career in Nashville, Tennessee, where she planned weddings, corporate events and music industry events for some of the top music labels and artists in the United States.

After four fun-filled years, she felt the call to come back home to Mississippi and start her first company. Thus, Ellen Thomas Event Design was born. With nearly 10 years of experience in the event industry Ellen thrives off of creativity. She values her teammates, clients, vendors, family and friends.

In February of 2024, Ellen opened XOXO Boutique on the historic square in Oxford, MS. Offering sophisticated loungewear, sleepwear, spa products, bridal accessories and all things in between. Ellen has been able to grow her vision of distinguished and unique design styles through the expansion of opening XOXO Boutique by creating a space customers can go to shop intentional items that spark creativity.

Ellen's passion is to use both ETED and XOXO Boutique to blend together intricate and thoughtful moments that clients and customers will carry with them and leave feeling inspired.  Through Ellen Thomas Event Design and XOXO Boutique, Ellen brings many people together to showcase the beautiful and loyal community of Oxford in its own unique way through events and style. Ellen and her team are also thrilled to serve customers nationwide through online shopping at xoxoboutiqueoxford.com!