About Elan Event Studio
Meet Monica Varner, the Owner and Senior Planner of Elan Event Studio. Along with her prior experience managing and owning a videography and photography business, Monica has over 5 years in the event planning industry.
Monica is a natural born planner and honed her organizational skills working as a paralegal on complex cases for some of Florida’s largest and most prominent law firms. Monica has developed a reputation for planning and executing premiere events, providing excellent client service and responsiveness, and delivering the most value for the money spent — no matter what the budget. She has received rave reviews from local media for her role in planning events for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, her service as chair for The Taste Of South Tampa, and her successful planning of many charity events. She has planned countless weddings, private parties, and corporate events, creating satisfied clients and enduring memories along the way.
Let Monica apply her energy, dedication, organizational skills, and vendor contacts to produce the best event and event planning experience for your needs and deliver a first rate and flawless event every time.
In the News
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5/20/2011
Elan Event Studio in CRAVE Tampa Bay
Elan Event Studio recently received a featured book spread in CRAVE Tampa Bay. Check out the Q&A with owner Monica Varner. >>VIEW SPREAD
- 3/30/2011 Historic Tampa Building Hosts Gasparilla Film Festival Party The former Kress department store building in downtown Tampa has been empty, unused, and gradually decaying for decades. But Sunday it came to life with burlesque dancers, stiltwalkers, and more than 500 people for the Gasparilla International Film Festival's...>>MORE
- 6/21/2010 Tampa Sees Stars at the Gasparilla Int’l Film Festival Every March for the past four years, the Gasparilla International... >>MORE
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Happy Clients
Wow! In less than 30 days, Monica executed a very elaborate party with a difficult theme, which required a tremendous amount of innovative thinking...No request was EVER too over the top for her to fulfill—despite the fact that most of these had probably never been done before outside of a movie set. Monica never questioned, only executed. We are glad to say that Elan Event Studio exceeded our already high expectations by a very wide margin.— Russ, father of Sweet 16, September 2010
I was so lucky to have you help me plan my dream wedding! I could not have asked for a more stress-free process. — Laura, married October 2009
Working with Monica avoided the pitfalls associated with planning and execution of such a detail intensive celebration. Her expertise and advice provided invaluable in negotiating the intricacies and obstacles that surfaced. The event was a total success! — L&A, parents of Sweet 16, June 2009
I cannot thank you enough for being so flexible and considerate with the changes we threw your way. You put together a great party. — Emmanuel Tormes, assistant to Florida Governor Charlie Crist, March 2010
We cannot say enough about Monica and her staff at Elan Event Studio! From our first meeting to the very last event – everything was handled with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a "can do" attitude. It is not easy to please a hundred people, but everyone in our delegation was blown away by the events that were planned for us. Every detail was handled impeccably! To be able to plan events all the way from New Mexico and know that everything will be handled perfectly is amazing! Everything was perfect at every event. The food, entertainment, decorations, transportation – everything went on without one single hiccup! We would recommend Monica and her staff to anyone, anytime! She knows Tampa, she knows venues that are unique, and she knows just how to put on over the top events! — Roxanne
Monica and her team were so great. They allowed me to relax and enjoy the day, not just the wedding day but the entire week. They were patient and understanding with our odd requests and "lively" wedding party. I can't thank them enough! If you're looking for a Wedding Planner, look no further. Monica is your girl!
— Paige McPheely, Wedding in June 2011
Monica Varner is the perfect planner, especially for busy parents. From start to finish she planned and managed virtually every aspect of our son's three day bar mitzvah weekend. My wife and I were able to actually relax and enjoy the wonderful experience, knowing that everything would go smoothly because Monica was in charge. — Stuart & Lori, parents, Mitzvah, November 2010
I hired Monica for Day Of services, but we worked together all year throughout the planning process. She made everything so easy for me and gave me great ideas I had never thought of. The week before the wedding she confirmed all the vendors for me, and the day of the wedding I didn’t worry about a thing. — Danielle, married December 2008
Monica’s knowledge of Wedding/Reception protocol and numerous vendors made our event fantastic and one free of any “bridezilla” nightmares. Élan Event Studio is a “South Tampa gem”. — Steve and Carole, parents of a Bride, October 2009
I planned a Florida wedding from Missouri, and hired Elan Event for Day Of services. Monica went above and beyond her duties. She met with me 6 months before the wedding while I was on a trip to Tampa, and from that point on we talked monthly and then weekly. Monica was very professional, caring, detailed and so much more. — Sarah, married February 2009
Monica and Holly were great! They met with us multiple times - for hours - before the big day and helped plan all the details. They worked great with our floral/decorating specialists, venue and caterers taking care of a lot of the details without me having to get involved. Without them I probably would have lost my mind. — Kaitlyn Bagnato, Wedding In November 2012
Holly was hired for Day of service. She was absolutely awesome. She keep calm while I was losing my mind :) She helped with set up, coordinating my wedding party, schedule of events and stayed through breakdown. She made sure everything was left the way we found it and made sure all final payments were taken care of.— Rachael Richards, Wedding In April 2012
Monica and Holly were an amazing addition to our wedding planning process. As our Day-Of planners, they truly felt like they were there from the beginning. The entire process was extremely intense however there was a defined moment when a mountain of burdon was lifted and that was with Elan Events. Thank you for your professionalism and your get-it-done attitude when we needed it most. Thank you for also introducing us to your contacts including a photographer and shutter booth who were great additions to our evening.— Sammy Veinger, Wedding in May 2011