Penzi Team

Mee-Ngan Cardenas
Event Planner

Mee-Ngan Cárdenas has been an integral part of Penzi since its early days, joining the team at the very start of the company’s journey. Since then, she has continued to grow professionally, studying alongside some of the most respected names in the industry, including renowned celebrity planner David Tutera.

As a mother, educator, innovator, and senior planner, Mee-Ngan has witnessed Penzi’s evolution into a leading name in wedding and event design. Her unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and lifelong learning is evident in every project she leads.

Her depth of knowledge in event production and her eye for design have made her a cornerstone of the Penzi team. Beyond her planning work, Mee-Ngan plays a vital role in mentoring junior planners, generously sharing her expertise and contributing to the continued excellence and creativity that define Penzi.

José María Fuentes
Event Planner

José María Fuentes is an essential part of the Penzi planning team, known for his warmth, professionalism, and instinctive understanding of client service. He studied Hospitality Management at the prestigious Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Spain, one of the world’s leading institutions in luxury hospitality training.

Having lived in the United States, Spain and Switzerland, José María brings to Penzi a refined global perspective and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity—qualities that have proven invaluable when designing events for an international clientele. His time abroad not only enhanced his knowledge of world-class service but also shaped his elegant and detail-oriented approach to planning.

With a natural gift for communication and a passion for creating seamless, unforgettable experiences, José María combines his hospitality expertise with Penzi’s signature artistry. Whether he’s working closely with clients or coordinating behind the scenes, his calm presence and intuitive leadership make him a trusted guide throughout the planning process.

José María’s dedication, global sensibility, and client-first philosophy align perfectly with Penzi’s mission to create extraordinary celebrations infused with meaning, style, and excellence.

Patricio "Pato" Fuentes
Wedding Planner

A proud native of San Miguel de Allende, Patricio brings a unique blend of local insight and international experience to the Penzi team. Known for his direct and practical approach, he is an invaluable resource for couples seeking honest, expert advice—especially when it comes to selecting venues and managing logistics with ease and precision.

Patricio’s journey has taken him around the world. He has lived in the United States, France, Spain, and Australia, experiences that have enriched his global perspective and shaped his versatile communication style. He speaks fluent English, a skill he honed during his time abroad, and has developed a keen understanding of multicultural clients and their needs.

A trained chef, Patricio studied gastronomy at the prestigious Hofmann Culinary Institute in Barcelona. His culinary career includes working in acclaimed kitchens such as the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hofmann (Barcelona), Joël Robuchon (Monaco), Capu Biancu (Corsica), and The Boathouse (Sydney). This deep-rooted passion for food and hospitality has become one of his most distinctive contributions to Penzi.

Since joining Penzi in 2019, Patricio has taken on key roles in both sales and planning. His gastronomic expertise is an exceptional asset, allowing him to guide couples not only in crafting refined menus but also in designing thoughtful specialty cocktails that elevate the celebration.

Detail-oriented and calm under pressure, Patricio thrives behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly and reflects the couple’s exact wishes. His dedication, knowledge, and quiet strength make him a trusted planner and an essential part of what makes Penzi weddings so extraordinary.

Angeles
Wedding Planner

With over a decade of experience at Penzi, Ángeles Vanegas is a cornerstone of the team, known for her professionalism, precision, and unwavering dedication. As Guadalupe Álvarez’s personal assistant and planner, Ángeles plays an essential role in ensuring that every wedding reflects the couple’s unique vision while supporting the creative director with care and efficiency.

Ángeles is a natural listener with an exceptional eye for detail. She attentively notes every request and nuance shared by the couple, ensuring that nothing is overlooked and that each element is communicated seamlessly to the broader planning team. Her calm, organized approach creates a sense of trust and confidence throughout the planning journey.

Her loyalty, warmth, and behind-the-scenes leadership make her an invaluable part of Penzi’s success. Ángeles not only ensures that operations run smoothly—she also contributes to the magic that makes every Penzi wedding a heartfelt and flawless celebration. Her quiet strength and commitment help bring the dreams of every couple to life with grace and care.

Elizabeth
Wedding Planner

Elizabeth is a creative soul with a deep love for art in all its forms. As a graphic designer at Penzi, she combines aesthetic sensitivity, attention to detail, and visual storytelling to bring unique and memorable experiences to life. She holds a degree in Design and Visual Communication, which shaped her holistic approach to design as a tool to connect, move, and communicate meaningfully.

She finds inspiration in the small details around her, allowing her to bring a fresh and authentic perspective to each project.

Estrella
Wedding Planner

Estrella is originally from San Miguel de Allende. Over the years, her passion for wedding planning has grown, guided by the belief that every celebration should be a true reflection of the couple’s personality.

She is calm yet strong, and for her, there is no greater reward than seeing couples fully enjoy one of the most meaningful days of their lives, knowing that behind the scenes there was collaborative effort and meticulous attention to every detail. Her commitment, sensitivity, and professionalism turn every wedding into a unique and unforgettable experience.

Flor
Wedding Planner

Flor holds a degree in Tourism Management and Development from the Universidad Tecnológica de San Miguel de Allende. Since joining Penzi Weddings in 2018, she has deepened her passion for crafting unique and unforgettable events.

Her commitment to excellence and attention to detail shine through in every celebration she plans, coordinates, and brings to life. For Flor, guiding a bride from the planning stage through the big day is not just a job—it’s a calling. Her empathy and ability to understand each couple’s needs allow her to create personalized experiences they can enjoy with complete confidence.

Karina
Wedding Planner

Karina is from San Miguel de Allende and holds a degree in Gastronomy. She has always been fascinated by weddings and the opportunity to help create one of the most memorable days for couples. Upon graduating, she knew she wanted to be part of this world. Her dream was to join Penzi, a company where her skills would be challenged and her passion nurtured daily.

Her greatest reward is seeing the happiness of the couples she helps celebrate.

Karla
Wedding Planner

Karla, originally from San Miguel de Allende, holds a degree in Tourism Management and Development. From a young age, she discovered her passion for customer service and event organization while working in catering as a waitress and bartender.

Being part of Penzi Weddings has allowed her to grow professionally and personally in this beautiful industry, where shared values such as attention to detail, client care, and the commitment to exceeding expectations are at the heart of everything she does.

Kirsten
Culinary Consultant

Kirsten West, The Culinary Explorer, is an international chef and cooking instructor. Her studying of the Mexican cuisine included traveling to the different regions of the country. Her teachers were many wonderful Mexican home and professional cooks, as well as authorities of the cuisines such as Diana Kennedy and Rick Bayless, with whom she collaborated for 8 years.

Her fascination with the culture of Mexico started at age 12 in history class, taught in her native Germany. On her first visit to Mexico, with the intention to explore the archeological ruins, she unexpectedly fell in love with Mexican food. The rich offerings at the markets she visited surpassed anything she had ever seen. With the realization that this most fascinating cuisine in the world had influenced the cuisines of Europe and Asia in a profound way, it became the passion and fascination of her food studies. It will never cease to amaze and surprise her.

Liz
Wedding Planner

Liz is originally from San Miguel de Allende. With a background in Business Administration, she has the tools to plan with precision while maintaining a strategic vision for each event. She has discovered that the real magic of a wedding lies not only in the visible details, but in the story those details tell.

For Liz, every couple is unique, and she devotes time to understanding their dreams, their style, and what makes them special. Her greatest joy is seeing couples live their day to the fullest, knowing that every moment was thoughtfully crafted with love and care.

Luis Ricardo
Head Chef

Luis Ricardo Muñoz’s journey from his childhood home to the Penzi kitchen as head chef is a story about discovering one’s true passion.

While studying Graphic Design and Architecture at the University of León, he realized how much he yearned for a more satisfying career. He eventually found himself drawn to the world of gastronomy, where he finally found his calling. Since Penzi’s inception, he has been an integral part of the culinary experience.

He has risen from the position of second chef to head chef, creating dishes that showcase the uniqueness of each event and the joy of those who come to celebrate.

Today, Luis finds it impossible not to look forward to the surprises each day in the kitchen brings. He lives to create food that makes every wedding in San Miguel de Allende special and distinct, infusing each dish with the heart and soul of Mexican culinary tradition.

Mariana
Wedding Planner

Mariana, a San Miguel native with a degree in Tourism Management and Development, has been part of the Penzi Weddings team since 2015. Her career in event planning is distinguished by her empathetic, solutions-oriented, and attentive client approach.

Passionate about supporting couples at every stage of the process, she firmly believes that warm, personalized service builds trust and ensures each wedding is not only beautifully executed but also a deeply emotional and stress-free experience.

Valeria
Wedding Planner

While studying Business Administration with a focus on Gastronomy, Valeria discovered her true calling: to be part of creating unforgettable moments. In wedding planning, she found the perfect balance between organization, empathy, and a love for details.

Penzi and San Miguel de Allende became the ideal setting to grow her career, surrounded by magic, history, and love. What inspires her most is seeing couples full of joy, living one of the most important days of their lives—those moments of gratitude and emotion are what drive her to always give her best.