We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Claire Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes directly from my family. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, and growing up, I watched each of them build something from the ground up through hustle, grit, and genuine passion. They taught me that success isn’t handed to you—you create it through consistency, integrity, and showing up even when it’s hard. That mindset is the foundation of how I run Bella Poggio Events and why I pour so much heart into every wedding and event I take on.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the founder and lead planner of Bella Poggio Events, a luxury wedding and event planning company based in Memphis and serving the Southeast and destination locations. At its heart, Bella Poggio Events is a blend of two worlds that shaped me deeply: my Italian heritage and Southern roots. The name itself means “beautiful hillside,” inspired by the idea of effortless romance, warm hospitality, and celebrations that feel timeless and meaningful.
What I do is so much more than logistics and timelines—it’s transforming someone’s most important moments into experiences that feel intentional, elevated, and completely personal to them. I’m known for my detailed, hands-on planning style and my ability to take a couple’s story and translate it into an event that feels like them, down to the smallest touch. I love creating spaces where people can breathe, enjoy, and truly be present while I handle everything happening behind the scenes.
What excites me most is the blend of creativity and problem-solving. I get to design beautiful events while also being the calm, strategic presence that keeps the entire day flowing seamlessly. My clients trust me to think ahead, anticipate needs they may not even know they have, and make their vision feel effortless.
One thing I’d love readers to know is that every event with Bella Poggio is intentionally curated. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter weddings or recycled designs. Whether it’s a classic cathedral ceremony, a vineyard-inspired reception, or a destination celebration, each detail is crafted to reflect the couple’s personality, cultural traditions, and values. My goal is always the same: to create weddings that feel warm, inviting, and luxuriously personal without ever feeling overdone.
As for what’s new, 2025–2026 are exciting years of growth for Bella Poggio Events.
We’re leaning further into destination weddings, with Italy-inspired celebrations becoming a signature specialty for us. Whether it’s a refined Southern soirée or an intimate coastal ceremony, I’m honored to walk alongside my clients during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
Bella Poggio Events is truly the intersection of passion, heritage, creativity, and service—and I’m so grateful I get to bring that to life every day.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Attention to detail
In wedding planning, the little things are never little. My ability to see the full picture while also noticing the tiny details—timeline gaps, décor placement, guest comfort, vendor needs—has been essential. It’s what allows an event to feel seamless and elevated instead of chaotic.
Advice: Slow down and study the details. Practice building timelines, floor plans, checklists, and mock event scenarios. The more you train your eye to notice small things, the stronger your intuition and confidence will become.
2. Adaptability
Adaptability has shaped my life both personally and professionally. I have dyslexia, and school was incredibly challenging for me growing up. Because of that, I learned early on how to think differently, problem-solve creatively, and navigate obstacles with resilience. Event planning has become an outlet where those strengths truly shine—I can move quickly, adjust on the spot, and find solutions in moments that would overwhelm others.
Advice: Embrace the parts of yourself that don’t fit a traditional mold. The things you once saw as obstacles can become your greatest assets. Put yourself in real-world situations where unpredictability is the norm; that’s where adaptability is built.
3. Relationship-building
Weddings aren’t just logistics—they’re people. The way you communicate, connect, and collaborate matters more than anything else. My strongest vendor relationships, repeat clients, and referrals all came from treating people with respect, listening well, and being someone they genuinely enjoy working with.
Advice: Invest in your network early. Show up to vendor events, be kind to everyone, and follow through on your word. The event industry is built on trust, and trust is built on relationships.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who values intentionality, trust, and elevated experiences. They appreciate beautiful design, meaningful details, and the peace that comes from having a planner who handles the moving parts so they can be fully present.
They don’t need to know exactly what they want from the start—many don’t. What matters most is that they’re open to collaboration, excited about the creative process, and willing to trust my expertise to guide them. The best client relationships are always built on mutual respect and clear communication.
My ideal clients also tend to be busy professionals, couples planning from out of town, or people who want a sophisticated, polished wedding but simply don’t have the time or desire to manage everything themselves. They love the idea of blending romance, hospitality, and elevated detail—which aligns perfectly with the Bella Poggio style.
Most importantly, they’re people who want their wedding to feel like them. Not a copy of something they saw online, but a thoughtfully curated celebration that honors their story. When a couple values that kind of intentionality, we create absolute magic together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bellapoggioevents.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.coom/bellapoggioevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellapoggioevents
Image Credits
couple in graveyard- Mykenzie Alexis Photography
couple cutting cake- Shira Marie Photo
Bridal portrait- Mykenzie Alexis photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
