Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Richie – Elna Experience
Hi Nina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all began with me naturally taking charge at events for family and friends. People would see the event I’d planned and be wowed, so much so that strangers from those same events would reach out and ask me for help with their own celebrations. In college, I would use all my pocket money to host luxury events from wine tasting parties, to Halloween parties, or surprise birthdays for my closest friends. Also, my birthday was always another perfect excuse to throw something lavish and memorable. That desire to create magic never left me, and soon, I realized I didn’t just want to plan events, I wanted to create experiences. I wanted every guest to leave an event feeling wowed, and every celebrant to feel like a star.
It was then that I started focusing on themed events. Whether it’s something timeless like a La Dolce Vita theme that oozes elegance and evokes the feeling of walking into an upscale, Roman soirée, or something vibrant and fresh like a Baby in Bloom shower, I aim to create themes of glamour, indulgence, and luxury. I also love pushing boundaries by creating new themes like the Champagne and Diamonds 30th birthday party we recently planned, which was unlike anything we’d ever seen.
With each event, I am reminded of why I started this journey, and I know we’re only just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles was navigating the unknowns that come with starting a business from scratch, from building a client base, to working late nights, to ensuring every event left my client and their guests on the moon. But every challenge has taught me something invaluable and made the journey that much more rewarding.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in bringing themed events to life, and understand that every client’s vision is different, so if you’re struggling to come up with one, we’re here to help you craft it from scratch. We’re not just your event planners; we’re your family. We take pride in going above and beyond for our clients because their life-changing moments are ours too.
And one of our key specialties? Styling our clients as part of our services. Yes, we’ll help you nail that jaw-dropping look for your event or even your photoshoot! We provide creative direction, from outfit styling to working with the best in the industry makeup artists, hairstylists, tuxedo designers, you name it! We want you to feel confident, elegant, and in sync with the theme of your event.
Our vendor relationships are another thing we take seriously We work with the best in the industry, top videographers, photographers, and caterers, all hand-picked to bring your vision to life. We’re obsessive about details and excellence, and we only collaborate with vendors who share our passion for quality and innovation.
And we don’t stop at local events, destination events are our specialty too! We take the time to understand your background, personality, and preferences to ensure every destination event connects deeply with your story. We ensure our clients can celebrate anywhere in the world, whether it’s Europe, Mexico, The UAE, South America, Asia, or Africa.
The journey we’re on with our clients is what drives us, being part of their most meaningful milestones, and seeing the joy on their faces as everything comes together is the ultimate reward. This is what Elna Experience is all about, creating magic and making memories that last a lifetime.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I rely on tools like HoneyBook to stay organized when planning multiple events. For creative inspiration, I love reading event-focused blogs like PartySlate and listening to podcasts like The Big Wedding Planning Podcast for fresh ideas. And when I need a mental reset, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a book that has helped me stay grounded.
Contact Info:
- Website: Elnaexperience.com
- Instagram: @elnaexperience
