Meet Diana Lasus | Owner at A Wedding By Di

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

Hi Diana, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
When I decided to get into wedding planning 21 years ago, it was particularly important to me that I was an extension of my clients wants and needs when it came to planning their perfect day. I did not want to be a wedding planner that told them what they wanted, and tried to convince them to make decisions they were not comfortable with whether it was their budget, style, design, etc. I wanted to listen very closely and respect the perimeters they had set, while trying to create the day they had always dreamed of. It is a fine line. Some couples have expectations of a fairytale day that is far beyond their means. It is important that I always balance being realistic with being the creator of one of their most special days. Many of my clients have dreamed of this day since they were a child. There is a lot of pressure in that task, but a task that I am happy to take on. Having a steady and calm demeanor on a day that is filled with so moving parts and stress is critical as a wedding planner. Many of my clients have commented after the wedding that they were able to stay calm, because I was calm. I pride myself on “never letting them see you sweat” and always remaining the strong, supportive advocate for my couples and their wishes. On a wedding day, everyone plays off the wedding planner’s energy. It is critical to always stay in control of every situation and have solutions. And then have even more solutions, just in case. You can never be too prepared and must always be thinking ahead. I know that I set the tone for how successful the day is going to be. It is especially important to me to always be commanding, but in an kind way. I think my past and present couples are drawn to my demeanor and the fact that I genuinely want their day to be perfect. I invest myself in every one of my couples and treat each wedding like it were my own. I am solely a word-of-mouth business. I rely on my past clients, vendors and venues that I have created strong relationships with to send me my future clients. I do not pay to advertise anywhere. I have always believed there is no greater gift to a small business owner than a referral from a past client. Those referrals are worth their weight in gold when you own a business. So many of my past Brides and Grooms have become friends who I see and talk to on a regular basis. For me, I am not just planning a wedding day and then moving on to my next one. I am creating relationships with clients who have invested as much time in me as I have in them.

What should our readers know about your business?
A Wedding By Di is a San Diego based boutique wedding planning company dedicated to creating a unique and personalized event for both our Brides and Grooms and their guests. We are a small, woman owned business and we take pride in giving our dedicated time and attention to each and every wedding. The wedding and event industry can be very challenging, and also be very rewarding. There are definitely highs and lows. You have to accept that you will be challenged on wedding days and the success of the day will hinge upon how well you handle every challenge thrown your way. It really comes down to applying your expertise and knowledge to come up with a solution for every unexpected situation that can (and will) arise. On the flip side, there is no greater feeling than a successful wedding day and a very happy Bride and Groom. We help create and coordinate one of the most special days of peoples lives and we get to see behind the scenes moments that most don’t get to experience. We never take that privilege for granted.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever we have out of town visitors, I love to take them to all of the iconic San Diego locations like the Hotel Del, the San Diego Zoo, our beautiful hilltop wineries and our award winning restaurants with the million dollar views. One of my favorites is George’s At The Cove. It is the quintessential Southern California restaurant and shows off our incredible shore line. It is always a must when I have friends in town. San Diego also offers some of the best shopping spots on the west coast. From downtown La Jolla to UTC to Fashion Valley. We have every shopping indulgence covered here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a huge shoutout to all of the San Diego wedding professionals! This past year has been tough on the event industry due to Covid. Most wedding industry business owners had most of their weddings and events cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic. Our local San Diego wedding industry really went above and beyond for their clients to move their wedding days (sometimes several times) and try to work with them in any way they could. It was heartwarming to see everyone come together and be so accommodating to their clients. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the hard working people within our industry. We are all looking forward to brighter days, packed dance floors and making our rescheduled weddings even more special.

Website: www.aweddingbydi.com

Instagram: aweddingbydi

Image Credits
Walter Wilson Studios Emma Hop Photography Allie Lindsey Photography Annalisa Joy Photography