Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlina Claude.
Hi Carlina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started in the wedding industry over 15 years ago as a bridal hair and makeup artist. I was there for the quiet, vulnerable, high-stakes moments. Calming nerves, adjusting veils, witnessing tears before anyone else did. I loved it. But as time went on, I realized I wasn’t just drawn to the beauty. I was obsessed with the experience. I found myself caring deeply about how the day flowed, how it looked, how it felt, far beyond the getting-ready suite.
As I worked more weddings, I noticed something else: trends were evolving fast, and not everyone had the aesthetic eye or resourcefulness to keep up. Pinterest boards don’t plan weddings, people do. And I saw a gap between what couples imagined and what actually happened on their day. That gap is where I knew I could make a real impact.
So I launched Teardrop Wedding Events, with a vision to bring thoughtful, elevated design and seamless execution together. I wanted to be the planner who could interpret a couple’s style, fill in the blanks they didn’t even know were there, and create something that felt both personal and unforgettable.
Today, I get to do exactly that! Lead couples through one of the most meaningful days of their lives, with calm, creativity, and clarity. And I still bring that same energy I had in the beginning: present, intuitive, and fully invested in making it all come together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road, and I don’t think it ever really is when you’re building something from scratch. In the beginning, I faced a lot of doubt. Leaving a stable role, starting my own company, and trying to prove myself in a saturated industry was intimidating. I had to learn the business side fast, contracts, pricing, boundaries, marketing, all while trying to stay creative and give clients the best experience possible.
There were seasons where I was juggling too much, saying yes to the wrong things, and burning myself out trying to please everyone. I’ve had to make tough calls, walk away from toxic clients, and learn how to charge what I’m worth and actually stand behind it.
The biggest challenge has been balancing growth with staying grounded. But every misstep taught me something, and it’s shaped how I run my business now. I’ve built stronger systems, clearer policies, and a team I trust. It’s still hard work, but now it’s aligned with what I want long-term.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Teardrop Wedding Events is a wedding planning and design company based in Southern California. We specialize in full-service planning, creative design, and day-of coordination for couples who want an elevated experience that still feels like them.
Teardrop is known for thoughtful planning, clean aesthetics, and strong systems. I’m proud that we’ve built a brand that feels personal and professional at the same time. We don’t just check boxes or follow templates. We interpret vision, fill in gaps, and create weddings that are elevated but approachable. That’s what I want readers to know, we’re not here to just execute a timeline. We’re here to tell your story in a way that actually feels like you.
What sets us apart is the balance between creativity and logistics. A lot of planners lean toward one or the other, but we bring both. My work is deeply personal, it’s built on intuition, experience, and the belief that weddings should be beautiful, intentional, and well-run from every angle.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people who know my work see the polished, creative, high-energy side of me. The planner who’s outgoing, spunky, and fully present on a wedding day. What they don’t always realize is that underneath all of that, I come from a military background. Before I was ever in the wedding world, I served in the military, and that experience shaped the way I lead: calm under pressure, structured when it counts, and always ready with a backup plan (or three).
Another thing that often surprises people is that I’m a mom. I don’t always lead with that on the business front, but my kids are a huge part of my drive. They’ve seen me build something from the ground up, and I want them to know that success doesn’t have to look one way and that it’s possible to lead with both strength and softness.
So yes, I can run a wedding timeline like a drill sergeant, but I’ll also be the one dancing at the reception, fixing a boutonnière with one hand and hyping up a nervous bride with the other. That’s the balance I bring, and it’s what makes this job so fulfilling for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://teardropweddingevents.com
- Instagram: teardropweddingevents
- Facebook: teardropweddingevents
- Youtube: teardropweddingevents
- Other: Pinterest: Teardrop Wedding Events
Image Credits
https://shantatarianphotography.com
https://www.karimartinezphotography.com
https://symboll.com
https://www.mariwedding.co
