Carlos Villalpando
Owner/Event Planner
Meet Carlos – our visionary founder with over a decade of experience in Chicago’s hospitality and entertainment industries. His journey includes coordinating events with catering companies at iconic venues, and he even spent time managing events at a restaurant operated by the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. With a degree in Musical Theatre performance, he’s performed and worked behind the scenes for live theatre productions nationally and internationally, and has worked on network TV shows and movies, uniquely influencing his abilities as a coordinator and designer. He’s lent a hand to events of all types and sizes, ranging from intimate backyard gatherings and social networking events to charitable fundraisers and opulent luxury weddings.
Our Mission
Celebrations by Carlos blends aesthetic appeal with expert execution, infusing every occasion with charm and personality. We strive to be the foremost choice for ambitious event hosts seeking not just an event planner, but a partner with the logistical know-how to translate their unique vision into an unforgettable experience. Through dedicated support for event hosts and seamless collaboration with premier local vendors, we aspire to set new standards of excellence in event planning.
What sets us apart?
Celebrations by Carlos turns life’s special moments into unforgettable celebrations tailored to the unique style of an event host with a vision.
Our specialty is transforming locations into celebrations; from backyards, private ranches, and office buildings to museums, public parks, or the gem of an event space you found on Peerspace, we coordinate the itinerary, aesthetic, and logistics of events in nontraditional spaces, turning places into avant-garde venues, creatively designed, and fully equipped for a seamless execution of your customized celebration.
Drawing on a background in live theatre production, Celebrations by Carlos expertly coordinates logistically complex events, including events with multiple speakers or entertainers, and events taking place throughout multiple venues ensuring every detail is considered.
We work with the pieces you have and use our stock of rental materials including backdrops, table linens, centerpieces and table decor, food and beverage service equipment, and various odds and ends to help bring your vision to life.
When a larger-scale celebration is in order, we collaborate with our strong network of local Chicago caterers, entertainment, photographers, and other event service professionals, curating a dream team to help bring your vision to life. Our connections with event service providers in Chicago, from small and local businesses to renowned industry professionals, enable us to bring visions to life, no matter the scale.
With over a decade of experience in the event and entertainment industries in Chicago and beyond, Carlos’s adaptability and logistical prowess make event planning stress-free and exciting. With the city of Chicago as your backdrop, anywhere is the perfect setting for your next celebration.
Creativity Meets Celebration
We’re not just in the business of event planning; we’re dedicated to creating extraordinary memories that last a lifetime. Our journey began with a spark – a passion for curating experiences that transcends the ordinary. This passion ignited within Carlos at an early age, fueled by the magic of live performances and the captivating allure of dramatic flair. As a child, he’d subject his family to impromptu one-man shows, leaving them in awe of his creativity. And also slightly annoyed..
Carlos’s event planning roots run deep with a large and vibrant family. His dad, one of fifteen siblings, and his mom, one of seven, instilled in him the values of community and celebration. Amidst this lively atmosphere, even a seemingly modest gathering turned into a grand affair. It was within this embrace of kinship that Carlos found his love for curating unforgettable gatherings.
As he journeyed through life, Carlos’s talent for orchestrating events grew alongside his experiences. From high school parties in his parents’ basement to lending his talents to friends and family, he honed his craft, mastering the art of transforming moments into memories, regardless of the occasion’s scale.
But our story doesn’t end here. Carlos’s theatrical background adds an extra layer of intrigue. Armed with a degree in Theatre Arts, he possesses an acute attention to detail and a keen eye for aesthetics. His training in costume, lighting, and set design has endowed him with a profound understanding of the intricacies that transform a vision into a reality.
The world of theater isn’t just a backdrop for Carlos; it’s a canvas for his creativity. From gracing national and international stages to featuring in movies and TV shows, he’s immersed himself in every aspect of the theatrical world, influencing a unique perspective on teamwork and adaptability. His work behind the scenes as a production manager has equipped him with invaluable insights into the mechanics of orchestrating seamless productions.
This artistic background has become an integral part of Celebrations by Carlos’s DNA. Carlos’s unique perspective breathes life into every event. Whether it’s creating captivating experiences or crafting thematic elements that truly make an event exceptional, his theatrical finesse ensures that each celebration leaves a lasting impression. Celebrations by Carlos isn’t just event planning; it’s the intersection of artistry and meticulous execution.
How we Do It
Your needs are our priority. Choose us for a tailored experience with a reliable event planner who has your best interest in mind. Partnering with you from the initial consultation to the last dance, we handle the tasks you’d rather avoid, or we can take on the entire planning process, allowing you to be a guest at your own event.
From exciting experiences to thoughtfully curated catering and detailed decor, we infuse each event with personal touches that reflect your individual style. With additional personal assistance and concierge services for event hosts, we’re your partner-in-planning every step of the way. Personalized documentation keeps your budget, guest list, and vendors in check, leaving you free to celebrate your moment.
When we take the design reins, you can trust that every element will blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that captures your vision. From a custom designed backdrop to full event styling, our decor services make it easy to add a touch of personality to any celebration. Whether you’re transforming your own space or adding a touch of personality to your dream venue, we’re here to bring it to life.
Let’s talk flexibility. Our itemized decor services and à la carte planning services help you control your budget, getting exactly what you need without paying for what you don’t. If you prefer a full-service experience, we’ve also created decor packages and Full and Partial event planning packages, customizable to your unique needs. With multiple payment options and flexible payment plans, Celebrations by Carlos is your premiere choice for event planning in Chicago.
