Hi, I’m Rebecca, a Southern California wedding and event planner. Witnessing my parents’ unconditional love, commitment to each other and our family, and their faith in God, truly shaped me into the wife, mother, and woman I am today. It was their marriage that grew my passion for lifelong love stories. Seeing the joy of loved ones gathering together for one-of-a-kind celebrations such as weddings ignited my eagerness to be part of the process.

Rebecca Calagna Events will soon turn 20 years old, and I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing. It’s been such a fun, blessed, and wild ride so far. I’m looking forward to how my business will grow and change in the next 20 years. Here’s a bit about me and my journey as a small business owner in the wedding industry.

Becoming a Wedding Planner

My wedding was the first I had ever planned. I enjoyed the process so much that friends and family suggested I should seek a career in wedding and event planning and even asked me to plan theirs! The momentum of building my business began from there. I had just received a Master’s Degree in Communications from Cal State University Fullerton. The classes required for this degree include entertainment and tourism, advertising, and public relations which prepared me well for owning a business in the wedding and event industry. I learned how to market my business, manage events, and navigate client relationships well. 

Getting certified as a wedding planner with the Association of Bridal Consultants offered me networking opportunities, resources and tools, and a community of like-minded professionals. It helped me navigate the struggles that come with being in a high competition industry and consider what sets Rebecca Calagna Events apart.

Navigating the Wedding and Events Industry

My motivation to continue in this industry is knowing that I help families to thoroughly enjoy the celebrations that mark milestones in their lives. Key factors that have contributed to my success in the wedding industry are my extremely supportive family and the RC Events team. My husband and kids are even quick to lend a helping hand when I need it! Also, I have hired a team and frequently invest in their professional growth as event planners and coordinators. Finding like-minded individuals to uphold my mission and values for my business has allowed me to make dreams I once had a reality.

The early years of starting a business require so much of you. Making vendor connections to get referrals and surviving seasonal fluctuations were challenging steps in building the business I have now. I had to prove to myself over and over again how much I wanted to do this. Persistence and willingness to learn are how I got through it. 

It’s very easy to overextend yourself as a wedding and event planner. If I could tell myself one thing it’d be, determine what is included in each service package and communicate that very clearly. In this industry, emotions run high. Having boundaries is important and everyone’s better off when they know what to expect upfront.

Building an Events Business That Stands the Test of Time

What makes us stand out is, we’re more than your average wedding planners! Rebecca Calagna Events was established in 2004 and consists of a team of event professionals who have a proven record of flawlessly executing events. Each team member has been hand-picked by me, has a huge heart, and goes above and beyond to ensure our client’s wedding vision comes to life. We anticipate your needs and work together to make your wedding day as stress free as possible.

The aspect of this business that brings me the most enjoyment is developing relationships with our clients. I just love helping people and creating beautiful things. With decades of experience and countless successful weddings and events under my belt, I can promise you this: I will go above and beyond to ensure that your event is perfectly planned to the last detail and represents the essence of who you and your fiancé are!

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business in the wedding industry is, always strive to lead with kindness, grace, and compassion. What makes your business successful are the people who actually invest in your services; their experience is of the utmost importance. There will be highs and lows but never give up on believing in yourself!