Welcome! So Happi You're Here!

This blog began as a space for my husband and me to post our wedding inspirations, ideas and love musings.

After being married in June 2009, I continue to use this blog as a way to inspire other brides planning for their own weddings and to share the latest news about {So Happi Together}, my event design and coordination company.

My hope is that this blog will be a resource to anyone who loves weddings as much as I do. If you're looking for more or just want to chat, please do not hesitate to contact me or simply leave a comment! I am always thrilled to meet new people and hear new love stories!

Happi Planning!

xo,
nancy

Happy 100 Days to baby elle

Friday, January 20, 2012

Okay. So I did something that might be considered a bit sacrilegious for a Korean American party planner... I did not throw a huge, detail-filled party for our baby elle's 100 day celebration. *gasp*

In Korean tradition, the 100th day of life for a baby is a pretty big deal. It is called the "behk il" (literally "100 day") and generally goes back to the fact that a very long time ago, not all babies survived to this point in life. So, when they did, it was celebrated because it was seen as a milestone. Kind of like, if you made it this far, you are in the clear! :) Obviously, life expectancy has improved somewhat over the years, but the 100 Day celebration is still very common and comes with a lot of fun traditions and picture perfect details. I am a lover of tradition, but about a week before her 100 Day, I was overwhelmed with a huge desire to just spend some time alone with my little family for baby elle's 100 day.

Her 100 Day came right after the holidays, which were filled with tons of family, love, laughter, hustle and bustle. I also had 4 of my out-of-town brides IN town during the holidays (since they were on break) so my work schedule was just as packed as my social schedule! I felt like we dove straight into this season right after baby elle's birth, and my body was telling me to slow down and my heart was telling me to take time to take things in... so that is exactly what we did. :) Instead of spending sleepless nights crafting special touches and perfecting final elements for a 100 Day party, Eddie and I said, "Hey! Let's get away, just the three of us and take a mini-vacation with our mini-family." And we did just that and I couldn't be happier!

We went down to San Diego for the weekend because this is where Eddie and I started our courtship! I was finishing up my BA at UCSD and Eddie was still in school at The Art Center in Pasadena at that time, but he made the drive down south at least twice a week to spend time with me to just study, soak up some sun at the beach and eat yummy food. 2012 will mark 10 years together (!!) so it was pretty meaningful to be able to take our baby elle to all the places her father and I used to frequent when we were first dating, when her existence was just a distant hope and dream. We spent the weekend focusing on each other, spoiling ourselves with good food, beautiful sights and thoughtful conversation. We didn't do anything over the top or incredibly spectacular in the traditional sense, but it was oh so perfect. I feel super recharged and ready for 2012. I am reminded of how blessed I am to have my family and the life that I live. I want to thank each of you who visit my humble blog, for stopping by and being a part of the spark that keeps me going. I love each of you, dearly and truly, and look forward to sharing a marvelous 2012 with you!

So, I send each of you a virtual hug and kiss and strongly recommend a mini-vaca to anyone who needs a chance to soak in the thought of all the blessings that are coming your way in 2012. Seriously, whether you are getting married, starting a family, starting a new job or making new friends - this is going to be an unforgettable year! Baby elle says, "Cheers to new years and new beginnings!"

Image courtesy of baby elle's daddy, Up Imagery. This was supposed to go out as holiday cards - but that is another tradition that I love, but decided to let go of just this one year. :)

keep the party going - rollasole

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

I am not sure if I am late to the game, but I think these Rollasole ballet flats would be an amazing, upscale alternative to the flips flops that many brides lay out for their guests at the end of the night. You can personalize them and not worry about bringing down the elegance-factor of the evening! I personally also think they are much easier to dance in than flip flops! :)

At ~$10 a pop they aren't the most affordable party favor, but certainly the most useful! And the packaging for weddings is nice too! Check it out!

Sparkle, Shine and Pop!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Hello lovelies! I hope you all have great plans for this weekend and the rest of our holiday season! The holidays are especially exciting when you have a new baby in tow and we feel supremely blessed with and even undeserving of our baby Elle and all the love that she receives from our family and friends. The term "it takes a village to raise a child" is seriously no joke! ;)

On to other festive news - I thought I would revisit the tablescape we designed for the Utterly Engaged New Year's Party last year! It won first place in their challenge and landed us the cover page of their Issue #15! As a part of the first place prize, we were able to bring out tablescape idea to life and have it photographer by the superbly talented and sweet, Jasmine Star! Working with her was a dream and our dream setting was the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Working with friends is always a delight, so when Jane from Olive Hue Paper Goods, Cindy from Floral Elements and I first discussed the idea of putting together a design in less than a week for the party, we knew that even if we didn't win the design challenge, we would have tons of fun! Of course, it was immensely rewarding to have a panel of our professional peers choose us as the winners, but in the end, playing with a design we rarely get to venture into with our weddings was the true payoff. :)

I am hoping some of these fun colors and ideas can inspire you last-minute party planners! :) I personally love this color combination and usually use shades of pink in lieu of reds for the holidays. Switch the blues we have for some greens and you have instant-holiday-cheer! (Although I think the pink and blue work just as nicely!)

All photos courtesy of Jasmine Star Photography:

The challenge was to fit the party theme of "Snap! Crackle! Pop!" So we came up with a concept around the line of "He Popped the Question. She said Yes!" and incorporated this into the design of the table and the paper goods.

I love our bride and groom chair signs with the fringe flowers and detailing!


 Cindy from Floral Elements really brought the vision to life with her floral design and it fit perfectly with these fun linens from La Tavola Linens.

 We created a backdrop for the dessert table by stringing popcorn (to go along with the "pop" theme) and spray painting the popcorn garlands gold. We also made hot pink confetti garlands and dusted them with hot pink glitter.

Isn't that cake the cutest! I loved all of the desserts that Melody from My Sweet and Saucy created for us! The custom cookies with the gold leaf embellishment are definitely my fave!

Party blowers served as escort cards and each guest was given a confetti popper, personal "Pop" champagne bottle and popcorn ball.

I love the images Jasmine captured of our bride and groom!

Isn't our bride the cutest? I thought her hair and makeup was perfect for our shoot! Thanks so much to Monica for Theresa Huang Makeup and Design! And thanks to Vivian from Tomato Weddings for supplying the lovely wardrobe attire for the bride and groom!

Love these shots by the rooftop pool at The SLS Hotel.

Happiest Holidays to you all! I hope you all have something amazing planned for the next few days and look forward to seeing you again in the new year! xoxo!!!

Athena & Jonny - Happily Ever After!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Happiest December, loves! Can you believe 2011 is almost over??

Obviously, I am a bit backed up after the break I took for my pregnancy and have a TON of fantastic wedding to post. I actually still have some from last year (if you can believe it!) that I am dying to share with you all! I am not sure what order I am going to be posting these just yet, but thought I would share Athena and Jonny's wedding for now because it was featured on the fab Rock n' Roll Bride site a few days after baby elle's birth. I love Kat Williams and her features are always so fun and inspiring, so it was quite an honor to be featured on her site right here.

Athena and Jonny, one of the most fun and adorable couples you could ever meet, were married at the Hammersky Vineyard in Paso Robles. I have received so many inquiries for Paso Robles lately that I strongly feel it is becoming the new "Napa" for Southern Californians who desire a destination wedding but can't go very far for a multitude of reasons. Kim at Hammersky is such a delight to work with and you literally feel like you are at home when you book the venue. We were lucky enough to have the beautiful wedding day captured by the fabulous husband and wife duo, Our Labor of Love, with film by Shark Pig.  Pretty rad combo, doncha' think?! Please enjoy some of my fave images from their day and check out more on the Rock n' Roll Bride feature! Once again, all images courtesy of Our Labor of Love!

 Gorgeous setting!

 
I love how perfectly the invitations and stationery by Rifle Paper Company complemented the venue and their wedding day. Beautiful calligraphy by my dear friend, Jane, of Olive Hue Paper Goods.
You can rent this home at the vineyard for you and your family or bridal party to stay in the weekend of your wedding. So classic and convenient. A great spot for getting ready on the morning of the big day!

The stunning Athena and her beautiful attendants were made EXTRA beautiful by Cindel for Nicole DeAnne and Associates. Love working with these ladies! They never disappoint!

Delish floral designs by Laurel White at Adornments. She was wonderful to work with and very accommodating!

 I hope everyone is this happy to get married on their wedding day! :) I always say, the smiles on the bride and groom's faces are the most important details of the day! Everything else pales in comparison!

 
I love seeing a venue all set up and ready to go before guests begin bustling in. It naturally releases endorphins for me! ;)

 
Some sweet and fun moments captured post ceremony!

 The DJ (a friend of the bride and groom) ready to get the party started!

 DETAILS GALORE!
Athena and her friend made these daisies from a DIY kit sold at Paper Source here.  My team assembled them into garlands for the bride and groom chairs and as a backdrop as a part of our styling of the dessert table.

The dessert table also had custom candies including these all natural sea salt caramels. Yum!

LOVE these Fendi heels!

 LOVE these lights above the dance floor and dining tables!
 
LOVE the "kissing booth" they constructed as a backdrop for the photo booth!
LOVE people who know how to have fun! ;)
Athena and Jonny - I had so much fun helping you plan a sweet and memorable wedding and couldn't be happier that our paths crossed in this amazing way. Thank you for letting us share in your intimate and beautiful wedding day. Your friends and family are all too kind and we love you all to bits and pieces. Hope your marriage abounds with as many fun-filled days as your wedding day! xoxo!

Happi Team of vendors:

Planning and Coordination: So Happi Together
Photography: Our Labor of Love
Cinematography: Shark Pig
Floral Design: Adornments
Catering: Chef Charlie
Cake: The Cakery and Cake Cathedral (groom's cake)
Hair and Makeup: Cindel for Nicole DeAnne Associates
Invitations and Stationery: Rifle Paper Company
Calligraphy: Olive Hue Paper Goods
Lighting: The Lighter Side
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals and La Tavola Linens