Meet Claudia Andrea | Wedding Officiant and Event Host

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

Hi Claudia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always had big ideas and big dreams and, fortunately, believed that anything is possible!

One night I dreamt that I was at a friend’s wedding in New York and she asked me to conduct the ceremony. I woke up from that dream and excitedly decided I needed to become a Wedding Officiant! I love making literal dreams come true! 🙂 After 10+ years working in the wedding and event industry, it felt like the perfect next step!

I grew up performing in front of people and I’ve always been a sentimental champion of love, so I knew I could provide couples with thoughtful and fun wedding ceremonies!

It is a true honor to be so up close and personal on this most beautiful occasion.

I love love so much, I want to be all up in it! Haha!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an immigrant from Chile! Trying to make my way here in the beautiful United States of America, I have often felt like the underdog. Having to learn a new language, culture, and not having most of my family here, means I was always out of my comfort zone which I believe to be a huge advantage and motivator! I HAVE to make things happen, especially considering how many people around the world would wish to be in my place in the land of opportunity where you can truly create anything you want. And now as a single mother, I want my children to not only hear about their mom making her dreams come true, but actually witness the whole journey. I make sure to share my triumphs and my struggles with them in hopes that all those lessons stay with them forever and aid them in their individual journeys.

In 2012, I started studying Wedding & Event Planning. I remember distinctly sitting on my couch and having my study session interrupted by my friend’s call asking me to be her Wedding Planner! I laugh because I never officially finished my studies because more weddings followed. I also had the chance to Host/MC events in English and in Spanish, oversee Proms, work photo booths, and work in just about every aspect of an event.

So when I had a dream of officiating a wedding, my thought was ‘Of course! How did I not think of this sooner?!’ I love to celebrate everything, I love making friends everywhere I go, and I love creating special moments. I pay attention to what’s important to those around me and, especially when it comes to weddings, I do everything in my power to contribute to those everlasting memories.

I have grown up singing, dancing, acting, and speaking publicly, so communication and connection are really important to me. Marrying (pun intended) that with my experience and love of events and celebration… it was the perfect next step for me!

When I talk about my services as a Wedding Officiant and Event Host, I like to highlight the “personalized” part. I have learned through various life lessons, that when we take the focus off ourselves and prioritize serving and helping others, everybody wins. My preparation process for a wedding ceremony includes getting to know the couple and what feeling and experience is important for them on their day as well as praying right before I write their ceremony, that this couple is blessed and that God will give me the words that will be important to them and to their family and friends.

I love words and languages, so the fact that I can conduct ceremonies and host events in Spanish as well is super exciting for me! I know what it’s like to be surrounded by a foreign language and the feeling of hearing a familiar sound… it’s special and helps you feel more comfortable and at ease. I feel blessed to be the one to provide that feeling and experience.

One of the best lessons I’ve learned throughout my life is that if God put it on your heart, it’s for a reason and it’s for you. AND there’s a way to bless others in there somewhere. So… all the insecurities, doubts, comparison, impostor syndrome, can get in the way for a time, but ultimately you have it in you to break through that. And when you do, you’ll see it was so worth it to carry on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I moved to Phoenix two years ago from San Diego, and have fallen in love with this city!

First thing’s first… food! Finding Mexican food to compare to San Diego is nearly impossible, BUT… The Beach House could give SD a run for its money! And Sante in Scottsdale not only is beautiful, but one of those places I want to order EVERYTHING on the menu! Yum!

For a night out, I’d hit up Golden Margarita for the 90s jams, Poetic Soul for the best live performances and vibes, and Latin Dancing with Bachata Addiction on the Dave & Buster’s rooftop at Tempe Marketplace!

If you love the water like me, you must stand up paddle on the Salt River to see the wild horses and hang out with family and friends at Canyon Lake!

And of course, it wouldn’t be a desert experience without visiting Goldfield Ghost Town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Aside from God and all my family & friends who love me and support me… I want to give a shoutout to The Cottage Wedding Venue, SKM Entertainment, and Halie Danielle Photography (and their awesome teams) for their excitement in working with me and sharing their talents! All warm and fun professionals who are passionate about their work and creating the best experiences for their clients!

Website: weddingofficiantclaudiaandrea.com

Instagram: @WeddingOfficiantClaudiaAndrea

Facebook: Wedding Officiant Claudia Andrea

Youtube: Claudia Andrea TV

Image Credits
Halie Danielle Photography