ABOUT US
our story
We are Alyssa and Miguel, the couple behind the brand. Elle and James Co. was a natural progression of a draw to weddings and design as a young girl that came to fruition after planning our own wedding in 2015.
A quote I once read stated how interesting it is that the passions we have as children often manifest into the dreams we have for ourselves later in life. I’ve always had a passion to create. I went through phases of wanting to be a teacher, an architect, an interior designer, a wedding planner, a writer, a stationer. I spent hours as a kid making lesson plans, drawing up floor plans and designs for my future dream house, creating collages and illustrations and lists upon lists. With an even stronger interest in a good love story, and a happy ending, I also knew for sure that I wanted to be a wife and a mother.
When I least expected it, Miguel and I met at a local waterfront restaurant where he was the head Chef and I was working for the summer as a hostess before going back to finish my senior year of college. Our romance started quickly and our spark was undeniable. It was like every boy meets girl summertime love song, in real life. Almost a decade later and here we are, married with four children, and a business inspired by our love story, with the passion to create beauty around us and unforgettable experiences that last as cherished memories for a lifetime.
We believe that life is a collection of beautiful moments; some you won’t know are special until you look back, and others you anticipate years ahead. Our purpose is found in the opportunity to design an experience beyond your dreams and to create moments within these memories that define your story.
alyssa estrada
Owner, Creative Director and Lead Planner
Alyssa is the founder of Elle and James Co. She is the dreamer and the visionary. She is the relentless perfectionist, always gathering inspiration for current and future projects and the voice you most often hear on social media and throughout our business online. Alyssa manages the overall planning and design process and creates experiences for our clients with great thought and intention. She believes that the planning process is just as important as the event itself and cares deeply for those she has the opportunity to create for. She is inspired by love and passionate about the moments in life that happen once and are remembered forever.
MIguel estrada
Owner, Director of Operations
Miguel is co-owner of Elle and James Co. and plays a major role in the foundation of our company and much of the behind the scenes operations and processes that make each event a complete success. With a background as a Chef and restaurant manager as well as Sales in the Tech industry, he handles logistics and event management with ease. He is a true provider at heart and an incredible host which is evident in his eagerness to make others feel well taken care of. With an inherent positive outlook and boundless energy, Miguel loves the excitement of a wedding day and is always hard at work behind the scenes and in collaboration with each of our vendor teams to create an efficient and seamless experience for our couples and their guests.