READING TIME: 3 min 41 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/28/2025
UPDATED: 07/28/2025
“I quickly discovered that I loved the process of bringing people together, but what truly lit me up was educating others through the experience.”
Before she ever styled a centerpiece or curated a luxury weekend for jet-set couples, Dee Lee was in the classroom—shaping young minds and organizing school events. That unlikely beginning would plant the seed for what would become a celebrated career in the wedding industry.
“Today, I approach planning the same way I approached teaching: with patience, structure, and a commitment to helping people feel seen, supported, and successful.”
This philosophy became the foundation for Dee Lee Designs, a brand now known not just for its high-end events, but for its soulful intentionality and immersive design journeys. Nearly a decade into the industry, Dee still treats each event like a masterclass—this time in storytelling, connection, and celebration.
When asked what she loves most about her work, Dee’s answer is disarmingly simple:
“I love the genuine connections we make and seeing what excites my couples in the process.”
She doesn’t rely on pre-packaged services or trendy checklists. Instead, her process is personal, paced, and purposeful. Every event begins with onboarding and discovery, followed by design and curation, event decks, venue walkthroughs, and logistics consults. She’s with her couples through confirmations, approvals, meetings, and full wedding weekend execution.
“We curate each wedding to each couple. Every is very intentionally designed.”
No cookie-cutter plans. No templated aesthetics. Dee creates experiences as individual as the couples themselves.
Though based in Southern California, Dee’s work spans the globe. Locally, she’s a preferred planner at The Langham Huntington Pasadena and Hotel Casa Del Mar, but she’s just as comfortable designing a destination wedding halfway around the world.
“I am a travel advisor and I also help my couples plan their honeymoons or destination weddings.”
This ability to blend celebration with travel logistics has become a signature element of her brand. For Dee, the journey is just as important as the destination—whether that’s a candlelit ceremony in California or a mountaintop vow exchange abroad.
Weddings are built on relationships. For Dee, that goes far beyond the couple and their guests. It includes every vendor who contributes to the day.
“The biggest challenge I’ve faced in weddings? When clients undervalue the power of trust—especially in the expertise of the vendors we bring to the table.”
She’s candid about the risks of micromanagement and budget-driven choices that ignore experience.
“Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about teamwork… When decisions are driven by cost alone or assumptions about ‘doing it yourself,’ the magic gets lost in micromanagement and missed potential.”
Trust, she says, is the cornerstone of wedding magic.
“You hire experts for a reason. Trust them. Let them lead. That’s when the real transformation happens—and the experience becomes everything you dreamed of and more.”
Whether she’s curating a design or coaching clients through vendor contracts, Dee’s guidance is precise and proactive.
“Please read your contract thoroughly,” she urges. “Couples get excited and realize later when they hire vendors before a planner that there are things not negotiated or included in services and end up paying more.”
One area where Dee has gone above and beyond is weather planning. She partners with Andrew Leavitt from Ironic Reports, a concierge event meteorologist, to help luxury clients anticipate climate shifts.
“He supports our luxury clients with calling weather so we can properly plan for weather situations by tracking weather.”
When you plan with Dee, even the skies get scheduled.
Helping couples stay on budget isn’t just about spreadsheets—it’s about perspective.
“It starts with an honest conversation—about cost and value,” Dee explains. “I walk my couples through what things actually cost in the destination they’re considering, and we identify what matters most to them.”
By prioritizing what the couple values—be it food, florals, or entertainment—Dee ensures the investment aligns with emotion, not just expectation.
“For destination weddings, I also educate couples on how currency conversion can work in their favor… But even with favorable rates, thoughtful planning is key. The goal isn’t just to save—it’s to spend with intention.”
A beautifully planned wedding isn’t just about what you see—it’s about how it feels in the flow of time.
“Design with flow in mind,” she says. “A thoughtful timeline should feel natural—not rushed—and allow for intentional moments that truly land.”
She recommends building in pauses that allow emotion to breathe: quiet moments before the ceremony, extended golden hour portraits, or slower transitions from dinner to dancing.
“Lighting and time of day also play a huge role. You want your ceremony bathed in soft light, your dinner under the stars or candlelight, and your portraits framed in that dreamy, golden glow.”
As we wrap our conversation, Dee offers one last insight that sums up her creative spirit:
“Be bold. Be different. Try new things.”
For her, weddings aren’t just about tradition—they’re an opportunity to astonish.
“Your wedding should be a reflection of your personality—not just tradition on repeat. Take risks with design, surprise your guests, and lean into experiences that wow.”
And when it comes to delight?
“Culinary moments are everything. From interactive food stations to curated tasting menus, don’t just feed your guests—delight them.”
When you work with Dee Lee Designs, the memories go far beyond the photos. They live in every moment, every flavor, every carefully curated feeling.
