Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Wagner.
Hi Dee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I actually began my career in broadcast journalism, but I swerved out of that lane pretty quickly. I found myself drawn—almost instinctively—toward food and hospitality. It’s always been the place where I feel the most creative, the most grounded, and honestly, the most myself.
My connection to food really started much earlier, though. I spent my summers on my grandmother’s farm in Arkansas, and that experience shaped everything for me. She grew much of what she cooked, and I remember being completely mesmerized watching her harvest, preserve, and then quite literally fill her shelves with food she had created from the ground up. It felt like magic.
She cooked two full meals a day—everything from scratch, no recipes—and laid it all out on tables that felt abundant in a way I’ve never forgotten. There was this deep sense of care, generosity, and connection in everything she did. Looking back, I think that’s what I’m always trying to recreate in my work—that feeling of being welcomed, nourished, and taken care of through food.
My professional path started in restaurants, where I learned the discipline and intensity of the kitchen. Catering came later, but it’s where everything clicked. What I love most is that no two events are ever the same. Each client, each venue, each menu is an opportunity to create something entirely new—a fresh experience that reflects not just the food, but the people and the moment.
At its core, my work is about more than just cooking. It’s about creating an environment where people feel something—where food becomes the foundation for connection, celebration, and memory
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been a few.
Switching careers in my 30s was a big one. I had worked so hard to build a career in broadcast journalism, so walking away from that—and starting over completely—was both scary and uncertain. I left a newsroom in Boston, drove across the country, and entered the San Francisco restaurant scene with no real roadmap. It was humbling to begin again.
Starting my own business was another challenge. I had thought about it for years but struggled to take that first step. When I finally did, I started quietly as a wedding planner and was just beginning to gain momentum when COVID hit and the events industry essentially shut down overnight.
That moment forced a complete pivot. I shifted into catering and launched a small meal delivery service, not knowing if it would work. It grew entirely through word of mouth and, unexpectedly, became the foundation of the business I run today.
Looking back, those rough patches were the moments that required the most resilience—but they also pushed me into the most meaningful growth. What felt like setbacks at the time ended up shaping the direction of everything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dee Wagner Events is a full-service event planning and production company specializing in weddings, corporate events, nonprofit galas, and large-scale celebrations. While we also offer catering and floral design, we are planners first, and that perspective shapes everything we do. We are known for creating highly personalized events that are not only beautiful, but also deeply thoughtful, strategic, and seamlessly executed.
What sets us apart is our ability to look at an event holistically. We are not simply focused on décor or logistics in isolation—we think about the full guest experience from every angle. That means flow, timing, food, service, design, and atmosphere all working together to create something cohesive and memorable. Because we understand both the creative and operational sides of event production, we’re able to translate a client’s vision into an experience that feels polished, intentional, and effortless.
At the heart of the company is a strong hospitality mindset. Whether we are producing a wedding, a nonprofit fundraiser, or a corporate gathering, we want people to feel welcomed, cared for, and genuinely connected to the experience. Our catering division allows us to bring an added layer of intention to the table, but it always supports the larger event vision rather than defining it.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Dee Wagner Events has built a reputation for both excellence and heart. We care deeply about creating events that are visually compelling and expertly managed, but also warm, generous, and personal. I want readers to know that our work is rooted in service, creativity, and the belief that meaningful events can bring people together in powerful ways.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
There are two major lessons that have shaped me.
The first is that building something with a team is far more meaningful than trying to do everything alone. There was definitely a time when I believed I could do it all better, faster, and smarter by myself—and to be honest, sometimes that may even have been true. But over time I learned that doing everything alone is not the same thing as building something lasting. When you climb the mountain by yourself, there’s no one to share the success with. The joy I get now from collaborating with my team, watching them grow, and seeing people step into their strengths is far greater than any adrenaline rush I ever got from doing it all on my own.
The second is that getting sober was the best decision I’ve ever made. I know without question that I would not have been able to build this company if alcohol were still part of my life. Sobriety has given me clarity, peace, and emotional steadiness, and that has become the foundation for everything else in my life and work. It changed the way I lead, the way I show up, and the way I trust myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deewagner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deewagnerevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deewagnerevents
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deewagnerevents/
