Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Simeone.
Hi Elena , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always known that I wanted to pursue a creative career. I attended the University of California, Davis, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Design. When exploring career opportunities, I felt lost for quite a while, but then event planning came into the picture, and it just clicked! I loved the creative aspect behind it, especially when it came to designing. After graduating, I was drawn to move back to Southern California, and San Diego felt like the perfect place. There were a few detours that I had to take to get to where I am today, but the path to becoming an event planner was longer than I thought it would be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was not a smooth road, but every step along the way was worth it. Back when I graduated from college and wanted to explore the event industry, it was nearly impossible to be compensated for your work due to the practice of unpaid internships within the industry at the time. Not being able to find a paid position led to a detour, and I started a different kind of career and put my dream on hold. After years of experiencing a career in Fashion Retail Management at a local shop, I felt it was time to revisit event planning, but this time it had to stick. Thankfully, by that time, California tightened the primary beneficiary rules for unpaid positions. I took a leap of faith by leaving my job and relocating to San Diego, without a position secured, trusting the right opportunity would follow. After a few months of growing and learning about the industry, and working as a part-time employee, I was finally given the opportunity to be a Full Service Event Planner and Designer at a wedding venue, and then … Covid hit. Events shut down, and we were all left staying at home. During Covid, I had the opportunity to really connect with what first drew me to this industry: design! With the extra time on our hands, I was able to work closely with my couples to create thoughtful, personalized designs that truly reflect their love story. The connections I build with each couple are what fuel my creativity and continually remind me why I love what I do. Since then, I have made it a priority to weave in meaningful, custom design details, big or small, into every event I design.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Getting to know my couples and tailoring the wedding to their personalities, their love story, their unique preferences is at the heart of my work and is what makes each event special. Falling back on my creative experience and planning a couple’s special day is where the real satisfaction in my work comes from. My ability to ask the right question before the wedding gives my couples the confidence that I truly understand their vision, priorities, and what matters most to them.
I am known for my attention to the smallest detail and for bringing a level of comfort to the couple. Weddings can feel overwhelming, and I want to ensure that my couples can be in the moment on their wedding day, without worrying about what comes next or where they are needed. The balance of keeping things moving along while flying under the radar, allowing my couples to have their space and soak up every minute of their special day. For me, it’s about creating a seamless experience that lets them focus on what matters most: celebrating their love!
In addition, inclusivity is at the core of my work. I believe that love is love, and I am honored to work with couples from all backgrounds & walks of life. My ultimate goal is to make everyone feel supported, understood, and celebrated as they embark on their next journey together — providing that kind of experience is something I take great pride in.
I am most proud of the personal notes and thank yous that I receive from my couple after the wedding day. Reading that they felt truly cared for, seen, and supported through the planning process means everything to me. Knowing that I played a part in such a meaningful chapter of their lives often brings me to happy tears. It’s those moments of gratitude that I hold close and never take for granted.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
A personal fun fact about me that people might not know is that I hold dual citizenship for the US and Italy. My travels to Florence and other cities have inspired some of my designs and my love for food. If you know me, you know how much I love to cook and explore new restaurants. So, couples who describe themselves as big foodies we usually have an instant connection. A dream of mine is to plan destination weddings in the countryside of Tuscany.
Another detail most might not know about me is that I work as a planner under two incredible teams, I Do Weddings & Events, and White Lace Events & Design. The incredible women from both of these teams have taught me so much over the years about leadership, how to exude grace under pressure, and the power of collaboration. I am continually inspired by their passion, creativity, and heart. Being able to serve such a wide range of couples through both companies reminds me that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding a planner. For full-service planning, adapting to each couple’s needs allows me to create a personalized experience that will fit them. No two weddings are the same, so why should the planning process be?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sdweddingplanner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaclaree
- Other: https://www.whitelaceevent.com/
Image Credits
Images are named with their photographer as well
Cecilia Proskauer
Sara France
The Copper Collective-Jessica Van
