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

Hi Yvette, how has the Covid-19 Crisis affected your business?
When the Pandemic began the wedding industry came to a screeching halt. I was very thankful that my business model had already been positioned to facilitate smaller weddings. For over 4.5 years Pop Up Wedding Houston pioneered the new trend to experience micro weddings in a macro unique way. The combination of the business model and the availability of a generous wedding venue, Mia Bella Houston, offered a unique opportunity to still have safe weddings during covid.

In the beginning of the pandemic, 10 people was the max the CDC was allowing and we made sure to stick to the regulations, wear masks, clean surfaces, and offer free weddings to those still needing a place to say ‘I do’. Our first few months we offered these free weddings and gladly gave away about $35,000+ wedding services to those in need. This turned into a bigger wedding of $7500 given away on August 8, 2020. We now offer elopement packages, individual custom packages for those wanting us to create their custom unique wedding experiences, and our popular all day pop up wedding events were we have 4 weddings in one day. These all day events are stylishly designed and decorated and filled with all the elements of a traditional wedding without the traditional wedding cost. We have been thankful to see couples who have lost jobs, family members, and had to reschedule wedding during covid able to have a joyful wedding day still in the midst of personal losses.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Pop Up Wedding Houston has the ability to customize a package for any couple, at any venue, restaurant, home, backyard, or space that welcomes nuptials. Our team of vendors consists of some of the best wedding professionals in the Houston area. The years of experience we bring to each wedding comes with a diverse knowledge of corporate events, catering, venues, and planning background. Having a vision for all aspects and sides to the overall event is priceless in a crisis, unforeseen changes, and negotiations. The years of wisdom brings a confidence to handle all situations, extended families, blended families, budgets, and relationship circumstances. Working with Pop Up Wedding brings a stress free wedding day, a relaxed and fun environment to plan, and an experience that will exceed your expectations.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Galveston Island – the fun people driven spots on the seawall and then my favorite ‘secret’ beach area
Rent a houseboat with jet skies on Lake Conroe
Outdoor concert at Mitchel Pavillion Houston
Rodeo Bike ride along Allen Parkway
Walking at the Heights holiday lights
Breakfast at The Breakfast Club Texans, Rockets or Astros game
An opera or musical at the Worthem Salsa Dancing at Gloria’s
Go to one of the great breweries
Bike ride bar hop in Midtown
Go on a mural tour Axelrod Beer garden

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Building a business can be built yes by yourself, but it truly takes a support system to be a backbone when you need one. There are many individuals, friends, and vendor friends who have encouraged me along the way but 4 people who I’d like to specifically mention.

My late dad, Julio Valdenegro Jr., believed in me even on days when I thought the idea of a pop up wedding was failing. He always reminded me that nothing came easy, that I was smart, hard working, and had something unique to offer Houston. His phone calls and voice in my head even now helps me stay focused and strong.

My mom and step-dad Len, have been a sounding board and emotional rock to the ebbs and flows of owning my business. Their years of wisdom and financial savvy have been priceless to business decisions. How to position profits and leverage losses has been golden in staying afloat or being able to progress even during a pandemic.

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to mention the Ying to my Yang, partner-in-crime, and often referred to as my work wife, Geovanna Burgess White. She was the first person I could ever really trust with my business model and vision to actually collaborate together. She and I worked and work, still now, late hours and long days changing, crafting, molding, and pioneering the best ways to serve our clients. We created a podcast together, built an online engagement course, and work together developing our future business projects. We both see eye-to-eye in what it takes to build our individual brands, manage both work and personal life, and desire to help others succeed. Women supporting women, businesses collaborating with businesses, and creative ideas that are birthed to solve solutions is what brings us life together. When that special combination is created it’s unstoppable.

Website: valdenegroventures.com
Instagram: Popupweddinghouston
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-valdenegro-24a37a22/
Twitter: @popupweddinghtx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popupweddinghouston
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pop-up-wedding-houston-houston
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7X1ijcCM2SlZ6GSgtjsojA?view_as=subscriber
Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMIvJqnMkZ9SwmZG8MsWiHw @justengageduniversity

Image Credits
Kat Mack Photography The Wedding Show

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.