Today we’d like to introduce you to Yara Castelan.
Hi Yara , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the world of luxury event design was never just about fabric and draping — it was always about creating moments that people would never forget. I founded Unique Design & Events back in 2008 with a simple but powerful belief: that every event, no matter the size or budget, deserves to feel extraordinary.
What started as a passion for transforming spaces grew into Austin’s premier source for luxury event draping and décor. Over the years I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented planners, venues, and couples in Texas — and beyond. From intimate weddings to large-scale corporate galas, our team has taken on every challenge with creativity, care, and an eye for detail that never wavers.
We have been honored to be featured in some of the most recognized names in the industry, including Vogue, People Magazine, Brides, and Style Me Pretty — moments that remind me why I started this business in the first place. But honestly, what keeps me going every single day are the clients who become friends, the planners who trust us as partners, and the look on a bride’s face when she walks into a space we have transformed just for her.
Today, Unique Design & Events continues to grow, with a design and fabrication team that is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. If you can dream it, we can drape it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not even close — and I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
When I started Unique Design & Events nearly 20 years ago, the landscape looked nothing like it does today. There was no social media, no texting, none of the resources and platforms that make it so much easier to get in front of people now. If I wanted someone to know who I was and what I could do, I had to show up — literally. I physically knocked on doors. And I had plenty of them closed right in my face.
But here is the thing — I never let a closed door become the end of the story. I knew that my drive and my discipline were going to carry me further than any shortcut ever could. I had a vision. I had a long-term goal. And I operated on self-belief alone during those early years, because that was truly all I had.
I kept reminding myself that one day I would be the best in my field. I kept reminding myself that it only takes one door to open. So every time one closed, I kept going. I stayed focused, I stayed patient, and I made a conscious choice to eliminate every distraction that was standing between me and where I knew I was going.
Twenty years later, I can tell you with full confidence — every closed door was preparing me for the ones that were about to open.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Unique Design & Events is Austin’s premier source for luxury event draping and décor, and we have been proudly serving the Austin area and beyond since 2008. We are a full-service design and fabrication company, meaning we do not just install — we concept, we create, we custom fabricate, and we execute at the highest level every single time.
At the heart of everything we do is fabric. We have built our brand around the art of draping and the transformative power it has on a space. Walk into a venue before we arrive and walk in after — it is a completely different world. That transformation is what we live for.
What We Do
We offer a range of specialty services designed to serve both the social and corporate event markets including wedding drapery design, tent drapery design, corporate event drapery, and fusion event design. Our work spans everything from intimate ceremonies to large-scale galas, high-profile corporate events, and multi-tent outdoor celebrations. No project is too big, too complex, or too creative for our team.
What We Specialize In
We specialize in custom, intricate draping treatments that are elegant, intentional, and completely tailored to each client’s vision. Our design and fabrication teams work hand in hand to bring concepts to life that you simply cannot find anywhere else. If it exists in your imagination, we will find a way to build it. If we do not already carry the fabric you are envisioning, our team will fabricate it. That level of dedication to custom work is rare in this industry and it is something we are incredibly proud of.
What We Are Known For
We are known for being the best. That is not something I say lightly — it is something we have earned over nearly two decades of showing up, delivering, and exceeding expectations. Our reputation in the Austin market and throughout Texas is built on quality, creativity, reliability, and relationships. We have been featured in some of the most prestigious publications in the world including Vogue, People Magazine, Brides, Style Me Pretty, and Maharani Weddings — and those features are a direct reflection of the caliber of work our team produces every single day.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets Unique Design & Events apart is the combination of our custom fabrication capabilities, our extensive and ever-growing fabric collection, and the personal investment we make in every single client relationship. We are not a one-size-fits-all company. We do not recycle the same designs from event to event. Every proposal, every installation, and every reveal is uniquely crafted for that specific client, that specific space, and that specific vision.
We also bring a level of expertise and problem-solving to every event that only comes with nearly 20 years in the field. When challenges arise — and in this industry they always do — our team handles them seamlessly so that our clients never feel the stress. That is the Unique Design & Events experience.
What I Want Readers to Know
I want people to know that when you work with Unique Design & Events, you are not just hiring a vendor. You are gaining a creative partner who is fully invested in making your event unforgettable. We pour our hearts into this work because we genuinely love what we do and we genuinely love the people we do it for. Whether you are planning a wedding, a corporate event, a cultural celebration, or anything in between — we would love to be a part of your story.
Because at the end of the day, we are not just draping fabric. We are creating memories.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a huge believer in feeding your mind just as much as you feed your craft. For me, that looks like being very intentional about what I allow into my mental space — especially during the early mornings and the long days that come with running a business at this level.
I am a devoted listener of the School of Greatness with Lewis Howes. That podcast has been a constant source of fuel for me — the conversations are real, the guests are extraordinary, and every episode leaves me with something I can apply directly to my life and my business. I am also deeply inspired by motivational speeches and content centered around work ethic, discipline, and purpose. If it challenges me to think bigger and push harder, I am listening.
One of my absolute favorites is On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Jay has a unique gift for taking the most profound ideas about mindset, purpose, and intentional living and making them feel completely accessible and actionable. His content reminds me to stay grounded in my why — and in this business, knowing your why is everything.
At the end of the day I believe that who you are becoming is just as important as what you are building. The content I consume, the voices I let in, and the mindset I choose to operate from every single day are all a part of how I have gotten here — and how I plan to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Uniquedesignandevents.com
