Christina Cox Lucca, also known as CC, is the Owner of CC’s Celebrations and More in Apple Valley, CA. She's the Head Planner and Designer at CC’s and is truly blessed to have the life she has today. She has a beautiful family and god given friends who fill her life with so much joy and love. She loves music (no matter the genre), spending time in nature, roller skating, and traveling. CC graduated top of her class from American Intercontinental University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. She has a QC Weddings Certification in Wedding and Event Planning as well as a certificate in Destination Weddings from LOVE MEXICO. Keep reading to learn about CC's journey to becoming an event planner and how she uses Aisle Planner to keep herself and her client's organized and on track!
What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
CC’s was born out of love, being of service to my friends, an eye for design, and a touch of creativity. My motto is that “I'm in love with love.” I fell into planning when I started helping my friends plan their weddings, parties, and creating bouquets from 1999 and forward. As a mother I enjoyed creating fun parties for my children’s birthdays, and I just fell in love with being a part of a day that is meant to celebrate love and happiness.
Why did you start CC’s Celebrations and More?
I'm a mother of six children and being a single mom, you had to get creative on a budget, and that's exactly what I did. I hand made a lot of the décor for my children’s parties and planned every detail. The kid’s friends always enjoyed coming and I'd get several compliments from parents who regularly would tell me I should become an event planner. Then friends from work would ask for my help with planning their parties or weddings and I caught it. I caught "The Love Bug."
I started CC's in 2000 and became a full-time business owner in 2009. I have a degree in Business and felt if I'm going to put my whole heart and soul into helping couples and clients, I need to know what I'm truly doing through education. I received my certification in Wedding and Event Planning from QC School and also became certified in Destination Weddings. I wanted to arm myself with as much education so that I can give my clients the expertise and professionalism they deserve.
If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry it would be more open communication between the vendors, responding in a timely manner, and referring one another. I've found that most vendors rely on being referred by wedding planners and not vice versa.
How does using Aisle Planner help you deliver the client experience you want to?
Ease of use, organizational tools, create and send out quotes, invoices, and contracts, and electronic signatures!
What's your favorite Aisle Planner feature?
I love keeping myself, as well as my couples and clients organized. The Contact section is my top fave because it houses all of your professionals, their info, contracts, and communication between myself and the clients. It also coincides with the budget and payment reminders—LOVE!
If you weren't the Owner of CC’s Celebrations and More, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
I would be a lawyer without a doubt. Just ask my husband and children!
What are three things you never show up without on event day?
My wedding planning decorating bag, comfortable shoes, and my team! That bag has everything you can imagine in it that my couples may need—sewing kit, glue, and so much more. We need to always be prepared for what comes our way! Comfy shoes because we're on our feet for 10 hours or more. And finally, my Assistant Coordinators. Samantha and Sandra put all of their hearts into each event to help ensure all the details are taken care of, timeline is followed, communicate with the vendors, and tend to our couples and clients needs as they arise. Couldn't do what I do without them!
What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner?
Be authentically "you." Be professional, kind, caring, knowledgeable, educated, eager, open minded, hardworking, ethical, and moral. And, show great appreciation for your team that works with you to produce the event!
What’s your trademark in the client or event experience?
Our trademark is going above and beyond for our clients and couples!
Is there anything you are particularly excited about working on this year?
This year Team CC has a few cultural weddings that we're eager to be a part of. But truly, all of our weddings and events that are on the books for this year are all exciting because each one has their own unique theme, twist, and each couple/client is so wonderful to work with.
Just for fun
I’m dying to take a trip to…
Ireland and Scotland. My mother's family originated from both countries and I'd love to search the towns and villages they lived in and experience the culture. The countries are both so majestic and filled with lots of history. (Side note: I love history!)
Dogs or cats?
I love Westies (Dogs)!
If you owned a restaurant, what food would it serve?
A Lebanese restaurant. I love my culture and the food is magnificent!
What’s your go to casino game?
Blackjack
What song do you know every word to?
My favorite song of all time is The Eagles' "Love Will Keep Us Alive."
On my days off you can find me…
Going to concerts, watching football or soccer, and hanging out with family and friends.
Want to see more from Christina? Check out her website celebrationsbycc.com!
Hero photo courtesy Jay Jay Studios
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