We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Helene Suos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Helene below.
Helene, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea really came together organically through my career journey. I spent most of my life in sales, working across various industries, from IT and security to software. But everything changed when I moved from Paris to San Diego. I found myself drawn to the hospitality world and started working in catering, then moved into event management for several restaurants.
Eventually, I took on a sales role at a hotel, where I began booking weddings and selling food and beverage packages. That’s when everything clicked. Being surrounded by so many beautiful celebrations, I completely fell in love with the magic of weddings. I’ve always been the go-to planner among friends and family, so stepping into this world felt incredibly natural, like it was meant to be.
I was lucky to already have close friends in the wedding industry, including some well-known photographers, which gave me valuable insight and inspiration. In 2023, I took the leap and launched my own wedding planning business.
As a Parisian at heart, my ultimate dream is to plan luxurious, unforgettable weddings in Paris, bringing my chic French touch to every event.
Helene, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Helene, a Virgo through and through, organized, Type A, and a natural extrovert. If you’re into astrology, you’ll understand what I mean when I say I live up to every Virgo stereotype: meticulous, super organized, and completely detail-obsessed. I’ve always thrived in roles that require structure, planning, and deep connection with people, which is exactly what led me to this industry.
My career began in sales across a variety of industries, IT, software, and security services, but everything shifted when I moved to San Diego. That’s where I found myself in the food & beverage world, working in catering and managing events for several restaurants. Eventually, I stepped into a hotel sales role, booking weddings and selling F&B packages. The moment I saw my first wedding setup, I felt it, this was my purpose.
I’ve always been “the planner” in my circle, coordinating friends’ events, curating unforgettable trips, obsessing over the little details. Once I stepped into the wedding world, there was no turning back. Encouraged by a close-knit community of creatives (including some insanely talented wedding photographers I’m lucky to call friends), I dove headfirst into the industry. In 2023, I launched Happily Chic Events.
Today, I offer more than just wedding planning, I craft elegant, timeless events with a signature chic Parisian flair, but I also offer wedding content creation. That means capturing behind-the-scenes magic, candid emotions, and raw, fleeting moments that couples don’t always get to see. I document the in-between, the real, the heartfelt, and deliver it in a way that’s unfiltered and deeply personal.
What sets me apart? It’s the balance I bring: the structure and very responsive professional planner paired with the soul and storytelling of a content creator. As a Paris-born, travel-loving planner, I bring a unique European eye for style and romance, and I’m especially passionate about destination weddings in San Diego, Paris, and Italy.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built. It really does take a village, and I’m endlessly grateful for the incredible creatives and clients who have supported this journey and inspired me to keep dreaming bigger.
At the core of everything I do is care. I care deeply about my couples, their story, and their experience. Every wedding I plan is personal, and every couple becomes part of my journey. I want people to feel supported, inspired, and completely in love with the process, and their celebration.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Like many of us, 2020 was a defining year for me. When COVID hit, restaurants shut down, events were canceled, and gatherings were no longer allowed. As someone working in the event and hospitality world, it felt like everything I had built came to a sudden stop. But life doesn’t pause, and neither do bills, so I had to pivot.
I found an opportunity as an executive assistant at an auto body shop, far from my passion and even further from anything I had experience in. I didn’t know the first thing about cars or the collision industry, but I was willing to learn, adapt, and show up. I took on everything from calling in parts and creating insurance files to updating the website and navigating tough, hands-on working conditions.
It wasn’t glamorous, and it definitely wasn’t what I envisioned for myself, but it was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had. I learned about debt management, paint jobs, accident reports, and working with a completely different clientele. And through it all, I gained a deeper appreciation for my ability to adjust, problem-solve, and thrive in unfamiliar territory.
That chapter reminded me that I’m capable of constant growth, and no matter the industry, I’ll always bring my work ethic, my heart, and my determination to keep moving forward. Now that I’m back in my dream field, I carry those lessons with me every single day, and I’m that much stronger for it.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients has consistently been referrals, whether from past clients who experienced my work firsthand and genuinely enjoyed the journey, or from friends who know me well and believe in my energy and dedication. There’s something incredibly powerful about word-of-mouth. When someone trusts you enough to recommend you, it creates an immediate foundation of trust with the new client. That kind of connection is priceless, and it often leads to the most meaningful collaborations. I’ve found that the strongest relationships, and the most magical weddings, start that way.
Contact Info:
- Website: Happilychicevents.com
- Instagram: Happilychicevents
Image Credits
Jenny Thai Justin Critz