08/14/2026
I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to open an event venue.
I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years.
At 21, I started a photography and videography business shooting weddings, quinceañeras and special events to help put myself through college. What began as a way to pay for school became one of the biggest passions of my life.
I earned my Bachelor’s in Spanish and Master’s in School Counseling.
By 2012, I was running one of the largest Photo Booth companies in the Central Valley — even designing and manufacturing my own booths and selling them across the U.S.
Then came Elegante.
In 2016, I became the owner and operator of one of Bakersfield’s most recognized event venues, helping bring hundreds of celebrations to life.
At the same time, I built a career as a high school educator and was even nominated for Teacher of the Year.
Looking back, both worlds shaped me:
Events taught me how to create unforgettable experiences.
Teaching taught me how to communicate, organize, lead and guide people through stressful situations.
In 2020, I stepped away from events to focus on family. In 2023, I opened a restaurant — and realized how much I missed weddings.
The planning. The design. The problem-solving. Turning someone’s vision into something real.
So here we are: Memento Mori Event Center.
This is my return to something I’ve loved for more than two decades — bringing together planning, design, venue management, photography and marketing.
You’re also going to see more of me talking about weddings differently — money, family drama, vendors, traditions, mistakes and a few opinions that might get me in trouble. 😂
And one more thing:
You do NOT have to get married at Memento Mori to work with me.
I’m officially bringing back my Wedding Planning & Event Consulting services — in Bakersfield, California and for destination weddings.
Sometimes one hour with the right person can save you thousands and months of stress.
So after a few years away…
The wedding planner is officially back. 👑
I may have stepped away from the throne…
but I never gave up the crown.
Let’s create something unforgettable. 🥂
