You may not recognize her by name—Cristina Ruiz Montesinos—but you will likely know her project: Casilda se casa. The entrepreneur, then a journalism student, launched a blog in 2008 as part of a university assignment. “The choice was purely coincidental,” she tells us in a virtual interview. What began as a source of inspiration for brides has since become one of the bridal sector’s leading editorial platforms.
Ruiz succeeded in hosting the publication on Vogue’s website, later becoming coordinator of Vogue Novias, and subsequently editorial consultant for Hola Novias. Eventually, she went independent, and Casilda se casa has remained a standalone media outlet. In addition to collaborating with luxury brands such as Ansorena and Cartier, she is also the director of the Vogue Diploma in Wedding Planning: Design and Organization of Weddings and Events. “When I started, I learned on the go—there were no schools or clear references. I feel I’m now in a fascinating stage as a director: that early experience is exactly what I try to pass on to those just starting out.”
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
When Ruiz steps into a classroom, she is aware that the people in front of her are choosing their future profession—something she considers both a responsibility and a privilege. “When I was starting out, there were no schools or defined career paths for this. I learned by asking questions, making mistakes, and later working as coordinator of Vogue Novias and editorial consultant for Hola Novias. Once I felt I had developed my own perspective, it seemed natural to share it, so those who came after wouldn’t stumble over the same obstacles,” she explains.
She has built her vision by drawing inspiration from beyond the bridal world—from cinema, performance, and culture—“because true style does not come from repeating trends.” This way of observing the world is essential to developing a personal voice and avoiding creative pigeonholing in the industry. While Ruiz teaches students to refine their creative eye, she emphasizes that hands-on experience is crucial. “Of course, it’s easy to take a course on mood boards and inspiration, but what’s truly challenging is gaining experience with suppliers, knowing how to work with couples. It’s not just about having good taste—you also need management skills, sound judgment, and the ability to perform under pressure, control budgets, handle timelines, and navigate last-minute crises,” she notes, echoing the diploma’s teaching framework.
“The difference between self-taught learning and structured education lies in the mistakes you avoid. In the diploma, we aim to turn those missteps into case studies and guided learning experiences, so that when students face their first real wedding, it’s not the first time they encounter a similar challenge.”
Ruiz often says there are two industries that will “always remain in business”: weddings and funerals. This belief underpins her conviction that the bridal world will continue to evolve, but is unlikely to disappear. The lesson she imparts to her students for long-term success in the field is simple: pay attention to detail. “Never lose sight of the fact that behind every wedding there are people—not just an aesthetic to showcase—and that patience and organization are worth more than any inspiration, because creativity without structure cannot sustain a real project.”
Your future can also begin with a “yes, I do.”
Take the leap into the bridal industry with the Vogue Diploma in Wedding Planning: training, insight, and real-world experience to give you a head start.
