Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Elizondo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always known I was meant to be an entrepreneur.
As a little girl, I was sketching blueprints for my dream lemonade stand and asking my dad to help me build it. Even then, I knew I wanted to create something of my own one day. The what was clear—the how just needed time to unfold.
My love for weddings started early, too. I could spend hours watching “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Four Weddings” on TLC, completely captivated by the gowns, the cakes, and the designs. I wasn’t just watching—I was analyzing, dreaming, and designing in my head. That’s when my passion for all things weddings truly began.
Fast forward to adulthood: I was working as a CNA on the front lines during COVID. It was one of the most exhausting, emotionally taxing times of my life. I loved helping people, but I knew I needed a change—a way to serve others outside of the medical field. That’s when I founded Lilac & Lace Event Planning.
Originally launched as a small picnic company in San Diego (under the name Lilac & Lace Events), my vision evolved quickly. Within a year and a half, I realized my heart was in larger-scale events—weddings, in particular. Since making that shift, my little business has truly blossomed.
Today, I’ve had the honor of helping over 80 couples bring their dream weddings to life—and counting.
Every detail, every “yes,” every “I do” makes all the work, all the growth, and all the change more than worth it. I’m so grateful to do what I love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
**There’s no triumph without tribulation—**
In my nearly five years as a small business owner, I’ve experienced enough highs and lows to fill a novel. From mastering time management and setting boundaries to managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the lessons have been endless. And let’s not forget the ever-present challenge of imposter syndrome—a quiet but persistent voice that many of us know all too well.
Yes, I’ve faced setbacks. But each obstacle has shaped me into a stronger woman and a more grounded business owner than I have ever been before.
Every fall, every stumble, every faceplant—I’ve made it a point to rise, dust myself off, and keep moving forward. And I’ll keep doing just that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lilac & Lace Event Planning?
I’m a wedding planner/coordinator and content creator with a passion for DIY/BYO (Do-It-Yourself/Bring-Your-Own) celebrations and Neurodivergent-friendly weddings and events. My team and I have had the joy of working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds—including South Asian, Asian, Latino, African communities, and more.
One of the things I’m most proud of? I’m the first (and possibly only—still confirming!) company in San Diego—and maybe even SoCal—to offer complimentary content creation when you book one of my Wedding Coordination Packages.
At Lilac & Lace Event Planning, our content creation is anything but ordinary. With a background as a musician for over 10 years, I craft every video around music—not trends. I rarely use viral audio because, let’s be honest, if you’re tired of hearing it, I probably am too. Instead, I focus on capturing the soul of your event—evoking emotion and nostalgia through music that truly tells your story.
Remember those moments in the car with your headphones on, staring out the window like you were in your own music video? You had a playlist for that. My goal is to bring back that same feeling—where every beat brings back a memory—and from what I’ve heard, I do a damn good job at it.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Be present. Be intentional with your time.
I’ve caught myself—especially on days off—just lying around, shutting the world out, feeling unmotivated. But this business… it’s changed that. It’s brought me out of my shell and taught me to truly appreciate my life and my time.
It might sound heavy—but it’s the truth:
After years in the medical field, I became intimately familiar with death. I saw it often. I faced it. I reflected on my own mortality more times than I can count.
And through all of that, one quote stuck with me. It’s something I used to say to my patients—words I now share with my couples as they start their lives together:
“We’re here for a good time, not a long time. Make it count.”
It’s not just a saying. It’s how I live. It’s how I work. And it’s how I show up—for myself, and for the people I serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilacandlaceevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacandlacesd/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacAndLaceSD?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Izida Lukmanova Photography
Victoria Perez Photo
ItsThreeSixty Photography
Love In Hues
Tim Otto Photo
