Diann Valentine

Diann Valentine, an intrepid traveler with connections all over the globe, is the mastermind behind The Venus Affect, a matchmaking company for women looking to date internationally. She started visiting Italy 25 years ago and fell in love with the country, but it was visits with girlfriends who were interested in testing the international dating scene that sparked her idea for a business. It was a natural evolution in her career, given her unique insight into Italy from years of travel, and her experience with women in love—and with women who often make bad decisions when it comes to love.

Diann has been in the relationship business for a long time but is more than just a matchmaker. She is an internationally acclaimed wedding, event, and interior designer who has produced jaw-dropping weddings for top celebrities such as Usher, Martin Lawrence, Toni Braxton, Kelis and Nas, Lela Rochon and Antoine Fuqua, and Boyz II Men crooner Shawn Stockman, among many others. As if being a renowned event producer and designer sought after by top celebrities wasn’t enough, Diann hosted the wedding shows Wedding in a Week and Wedding Day, as well as being the host, designer, and executive producer for the reality series I Do Over. As an entrepreneur, Diann is the creator of the Valentine Cuff, an alternative to bouquets; the creative director of Exhilarate Experiential, the corporate arm of her company; and the author of Weddings Valentine Style and the upcoming book Going the Distance for Love, out in winter 2018.

With many titles, roles, and responsibilities, Diann is just getting started, but her favorite role is wife to Damon Haley whom she married at Castello Dal Pozzo in her beloved Italy, mother and Lola to three adorable grandsons.