Meet Karla Solórzano: Wedding & Event Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karla Solórzano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karla, how do you think about risk?

I never considered myself a risk-taker, however, in 2008 I think I took the biggest risk of my life and moved to a new country (The U.S.A) by myself and started a new life and a new career in marketing and events. Eventually, I started planning weddings and decided to launch my own wedding planning business. If it wasn’t for that, I would probably still be in Venezuela working in the corporate sector.

Now I see risk-taking very differently. Thanks to what I did in 2008, I discovered my passion and my creative self.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Kiss & Say I Do Events is a boutique wedding and event planning business in Los Angeles, CA that specializes in incorporating those traditional elements of your culture with a modern twist.

We think that those small cultural details are the ones that will make a wedding or event unique and meaningful. It is important for us to serve clients that value their culture because we understand and appreciate what it is like to protect your culture and to share it with others.

There are no other entrepreneurs in my family so, this world is totally new for me. As a small business owner, wearing many hats can be definitely overwhelming at times.

When I  moved to the states from Venezuela back in 2008, I had to start from zero and began an entirely new career in marketing and events, and since 2015, I have been fortunate enough to help nearly a hundred couples bring their dreams to life and be the witness to a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

To me seeing all my favorite things in one room: Love, family togetherness, cultures & traditions when it comes to weddings is my biggest reward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would take my best friend to have a nice meal by the ocean, spend the day at the beach and watch the sunset because there is nothing like the sunsets here in California!

And I would definitely take my friend for a road trip along the coast and stop at some of my favorite spots up north such as Santa Ynez for some wine tasting and then head to Carmel By The Sea.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are several people that are definitely key to my success as a wedding planner and business owner. First, of course, my family, who always cheers me on, even though they are far away.

Chris & Betty Rekdhal, from the La Cañada Thursday Club and CR Designs & Rentals, without them, I would have never realized that I could make wedding planning my career. They trusted me from the beginning and are a big part of my growth as a planner and business owner, and now they are also my friends.

Also Megan Gillikin, fellow planner and founder of The Planners Vault, an amazing educational resource for wedding planners that I am a member of and have used to improve every day as a wedding planner and business owner, but I also consider Megan my mentor and I know she is always there to help me, and give me the best advice possible.

Last but not least my amazing PTT planners, they know who they are, it was one of the greatest supports during the pandemic and now even more so.

Website: https://kissandsayido.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kissandsayido

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlasolorzano/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/kissandsayido

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqYeMP-eJp0o4jD9SEsBhQ

Image Credits
Walter Gonzalez Photography Lily Tapia Photography Monica Linda Photography Carrie Rogers Photography