Today we’d like to introduce you to CeCe Lima.
CeCe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’d love to say my dream began as a little girl watching The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez. While that movie certainly sparked my love for weddings, I explored several different career paths throughout college before ultimately finding my place in the events industry. Everything changed when I landed an internship with Pearl Events in Austin. That’s when I knew I had found my industry. While I love event planning, I quickly discovered that venue management was my true calling.
After graduation, I packed up and moved to Dallas with nothing but a dream of breaking into the events industry. Over the next ten years, I worked my way through the industry, managing multiple event properties and overseeing operations that included catering, décor, ceiling drapery, staffing, sales, and coordination.
My career eventually led me to Arlington Hall, where I had the privilege of managing and overseeing events that most people only dream about. During that time, I got married and continued growing professionally, but I always knew I wanted to return home to West Texas. My goal was to bring back everything I had learned in the city and use it to elevate the event industry in Lubbock.
As Lubbock continues to grow, so does my desire to create high-quality events and experiences that people often think they have to travel elsewhere to find. And in my experience, it all starts with the venue.
When I returned to Lubbock, I had to start over once again. I had been gone for over a decade and needed to reintroduce myself, my skills, and my industry experience to a growing market. I stepped into managing a brand-new venue from the ground up and had the opportunity to meet incredible vendors who shared my passion for exceptional service. That’s when I realized it was time to build something of my own.
Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the same challenges repeatedly: miscommunication, details slipping through the cracks, and inconsistent client experiences. More often than not, those issues began at the venue level. I started asking myself how I could use my years of venue management experience to help venue owners succeed while simultaneously improving the overall client experience.
That question led me to launch Noella’s Events, an event and venue consulting company focused on helping venues increase sales, improve tours, create stronger client experiences, implement effective policies and procedures, and better protect their businesses.
As I worked with local venues, I realized something special about West Texas: we’re built on family-owned businesses. We work hard for what we have, we care deeply about our communities, and we take tremendous pride in our work. That’s the heart of Lubbock.
I wanted to create something that would provide hands-on support to venue owners so they could focus on what truly matters, creating exceptional experiences for their clients and guests. I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between venue operations, sales, and client service while allowing owners to maintain control of their businesses and preserve what makes them unique. That’s how The Venue Concierge was born.
Think of it as a local version of The Knot or WeddingWire, but with a major difference. Every venue and vendor is carefully vetted by an experienced industry professional who understands the local market. Unlike large national platforms, I can be as hands-on as clients need me to be.
I start with a complimentary venue matchmaking service, helping couples find the right venue based on their vision, budget, guest count, and priorities. I personally guide them through venue tours, help them ask the right questions, and give them the confidence to make informed decisions. This service is completely free to couples because I work directly with venues to connect them with qualified clients.
I work with venues of all styles and sizes, not just wedding venues, because my passion has always been helping people. At the heart of everything I do is stewardship, serving others, building trust, and creating meaningful experiences for any type of celebration.
My mission is simple: keep business local, strengthen our venue and vendor community, and help create exceptional event experiences in West Texas.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Entrepreneurship and creating something new is filled with challenges. There have been many moments of self-doubt, difficult conversations, and wondering whether people would understand the vision I was trying to create. A lot of the journey has involved prayer, self-talk, listening to Codi Sanchez and reminding myself why I started, believing in the value of what I’m building, and holding on to the vision even when the road feels uncertain.
One of the biggest challenges has been introducing new ideas to an industry that is often accustomed to doing things a certain way. Change takes time, and sometimes that means being willing to go first. I’ve had to trust my experience, stay focused on the bigger picture, and remember that my goal is to improve the experience for venues, vendors, and our clients.
To support that mission, I launched a podcast called Order in the Chapel. The podcast was created to help local vendors grow their visibility and establish themselves as authorities in their areas of expertise. We discuss everything from event trends and behind-the-scenes operations to best practices, industry etiquette, and practical tips that help events run more smoothly. My hope is that by sharing knowledge and encouraging collaboration, we can continue raising the standard of the event industry while helping local businesses succeed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Venue Concierge?
While many people see the beautiful end result of an event, my passion lies in the systems, strategy, and guest experience that make those moments possible.
Through Noella’s Events, I provide venue consulting, sales coaching, operational support, client experience development, policy creation, and venue management services.
One of the offerings I’m most proud of is The Venue Concierge. I created it after recognizing a gap in the market between venues, vendors, and clients. Couples often feel overwhelmed when searching for a venue, and venue owners are often stretched thin trying to balance sales, operations, and event execution.
The Venue Concierge is an online website with venue and vendor listings, making it easy to find trusted, local professionals for your event needs. We offer a complimentary venue matchmaking service that helps clients find the right venue based on their vision, budget, guest count, and event goals. I personally guide clients through the process, helping them ask the right questions and make confident decisions. Because I’ve worked on the venue side for so many years, I can offer insights that most online directories simply can’t provide. We also offer event coordinator and are happy to be as hands-on as a client needs.
What truly sets us apart is that we’re relationship-driven, not transaction-driven. Unlike large national platforms that list hundreds of businesses with little oversight, I personally vet the venues and vendors I recommend. I believe trust matters, and I want clients to feel confident knowing they’re being connected with professionals who genuinely care about their experience.
Being part of The Venue Concierge means joining a community of professionals who are committed to raising the standard of events in West Texas. Members have access to networking events, educational opportunities, blog features, and the chance to be highlighted on my podcast, Order in the Chapel, all designed to increase visibility, build credibility, and foster meaningful connections. My goal has never been to simply grow a business; it’s been to elevate the entire event industry in West Texas. and I’m incredibly proud of the community we’re building.
If there is one thing I want readers to know, I’m annoyingly passionate and I believe West Texas deserves world-class events. I’m committed to helping make that happen.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Work, passion, and drive have always been a defining part of my life. People often see the hustle and the grit, but they don’t always see the belief behind it.
Why didn’t I start this younger? Why didn’t I take bigger risks then? Because God always has a plan. Even through seasons of uncertainty, I trust that I was gaining the exact experiences I needed to one day lead, serve, and support others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thevenueconcierge.com
- Instagram: venueconcierge_lbk
- Facebook: The-Venue-Concierge-61579951962003/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Orderinthechapel
