When Sandra Ordaz graduated with an industrial engineering degree, becoming one of Kansas City’s top event planners was certainly not in her plan. But a hobby – creating décor, floral arrangements and more from home – became a side gig.
“I’ve always been the kind of person who was always helping other people organize things and I was always very creative,” she says. Then, she earned a certificate in hospitality management from Johnson County Community College and, she says, “everything just started coming together. When you want to continue growing and continue learning, that’s just what happens,” and she founded Casany Décor.
At first, her business was largely quinceañeras and weddings, but she has since built a sizeable presence in the South Asian wedding market. She attributes that partially to her Mexican heritage.
“I have that Latin part in me and the Asian community is also very colorful and festive, very much into décor and making events look super nice and super big and super, ‘Wow!’ That’s why we understand each other so well and I’m able to deliver what they want and need, and it has been growing,” she said. “In fact, right now about 80% of my events are with the Indian and Pakistani communities and the rest are quinceañeras.”
A common misperception about her work is just how much hard work it actually is and how much time it takes.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Oh, you’re so lucky you only work on weekends,’” she says, but, “Yeah. Right.”
What guests see on event day is the result of months of planning and dozens of hours of preparation. Large-scale events begin taking shape almost a year in advance until the final week, when Ordaz and her team go into high-energy mode, reviewing orders, confirming inventories, creating detailed checklists, scheduling staff, coordinating transportation and making sure that every floral arrangement, fabric treatment and décor element is ready to go.
On event day, Ordaz oversees everything from venue preparedness and furniture placement to the final design details that bring a client’s vision to life.
“I take it very seriously,” she says. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I can’t repeat it. I can’t do it over.”
Ordaz’s clients are looking for designs that feel distinctive and personalized. “They tell me, ‘I want something my own. I don’t want anything that somebody else has done in Kansas City,’” she says.
Trends she has noticed are oversized stages and dramatic backdrops that can be highly customized to make events feel unique and memorable. She’s also noticed that monochromatic color schemes are in vogue, with neutral tones and layered textures. Serpentine tables, specialty chairs, creative lighting and candle-filled tablescapes are also popular.
“Clients are focusing on the overall environment,” she says. “We’re using distinctive furniture, statement décor pieces and customized layouts to create an experience that feels personal and unlike any other event.”
Ordaz’s vision is now available to non-event customers. Casany Creative Corner is a newly opened retail store in Kansas City, Kansas, with high-quality artificial florals, premade arrangements, greenery and other decorative elements that can be purchased directly by consumers. They also offer customization, local pickup and shipping nationwide.
“We’re offering our products and our florals to everybody,” she said. “Not only can people hire us as a setup company, they can also purchase the décor themselves.”
Casany Décor is one of Ball Event Center’s preferred vendors, but Ordaz’s relationship with the space is personal. Four years ago, she chose the venue to host her own daughter’s quinceañera.
“We chose Ball because the people there are really awesome,” she says. “Michael was really, really great and it was really a nice, comfortable venue.” The event featured a cocktail reception in the foyer before guests moved into the decorated ballroom for the main celebration, giving Ordaz firsthand experience with the venue from a client’s perspective.
Today, that positive experience continues to shape her professional relationship with Ball Event Center. Ordaz regularly recommends the venue to clients and returns to create events there throughout the year.
“Every time people ask me for a venue and I’m really honest,” she says. “My first choice is always Ball Event Center.”
Visit Casany’s website to see her services, Casany Creative Corner to purchase décor directly, and Ball Event Center to discuss dates and availability.
