Six months ago during a house warming party my dear friends Ivis and Mike surprised us all by announcing they were engaged.  I couldn't be more happier for her.  She is an amazing person and I'm thrilled to be a part of their special day.  Shortly after the announcement another surprise, the date was set.  She asked me "do you think we can plan a wedding in four months?" Absolutely!  So here we are less 36 days away from the bid day.

I'm fortunate to have some amazing vendors working with me on such a short notice.  Always impressed by Henry Chen and his mad photography skills.  Thank you so much for always taking care of my clients, extra thanks when you treat my friends like your own.  For more shots of the e-session click here.

Ivis is also a very crafty and talented jewelry designer.  I'm looking forward to all the DYI projects she's taken on with so little time to plan.  You can follow her wedding planning thoughts as she blogs about all the planning on Anythig Sparkly,

I've had so much fun planning these two crazy kids wedding.  I'm excited about all the little details we have in store for their wedding day.  I have Rafael and Kristin to thank for referring them to me.  It's always great when your clients love what you do and with enthusiasm tell their friends.

Henry of Henry Chen Photography will be shooting their wedding.  It's always a pleasure to work with him.  This wedding will be no different.  I love how he always manages to capture each couples individual personality.  For more pictures click E-Session. 

E-Session done, next up hand illustrated wedding invitations by my amazing artist friend NCG of Arte Crisol.

I know it sounds like a cliche when as a planner we say that no two weddings are ever alike, but really no two weddings ever are.  The basics remain the same, the scheduling, the planning, and the execution.  However, the couples, family, and friends of those we work with are what make each wedding so special and unique.  This wedding was one that will always remain in my heart.  I remember meeting Rochelle and her mother for the first time and instantly formed a bond. 

After months of planning, preparing and getting to know her story it was apparent that this day would be special.  Rochelle was an LMU graduate and the year she graduated from college she also lost her little brother to cancer.  Her little brother always admired big sister and someday hoped to attend LMU as well.  Rochelle knew the minute she got engaged the wedding would take place at Sacred Heart Chapel and the Sunken Gardens of LMU.  It was an emotional day for the entire family.  A little angel was missing but he was remembered in so many ways that day.

Taek of Taek Photography captured every moment of this special day.  I had the pleasure of working for the first time with Michael of LA Event and Design.  We had so many wonderful design elements planned for the day, but one thing we didn't plan for and couldn't control was the wind.  After a full day of setting up we managed to tweak and change a few things and still deliver the overall concept.  A seaside blue and silver wedding day. 

I will always remember Rochelle and Bradley, their families and friends.  This truly was a special day.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the grand opening of Henry's studio.  From the moment I met Henry and we started working together I knew my mission would be to get him to move in next door.  Mission accomplished!  After a weeks delay and the storms behind us we moved onward with The Wedding Clique mixer for our past clients (who are definitely more like friends) and our future wedding couples.  It was great to finally meet all the wonderful couples he's worked with in the past.  It's adorable how even they refer themselves to as "Henry's kids".

The day started out early with Deanne of Bella Fiore putting together flower arrangements for her couples to take home as samples. Raul and Johnny of R&R Entertainment provided music and lighting, Erica of Erica O'Brien Cake Design baked one of my favorite cakes, raspberry filling with butter cream frosting and had a beautiful cake on display, Mary of Jay's Catering came out to play and provided a lovely array of appetizers (table was empty at the end of night) loved everything she displayed.  A very special thanks to William Kim for stopping by and taking photos of the mixer (back pocket event number two) I'm making it my other mission to have him shoot all my events :)

Henry couldn't have said it any better so I'll take this from his blog "On behalf of all the vendors that help put the mixer together for our couples, I know I speak for all of them when I say, "Thank you." Thank you to our brides and grooms for coming to the Friday event and supporting us. Without you and your trust in what we do, there would be no Henry Chen Photography, Bella Fiore, NOZZA Studio, etc. I'm forever grateful in each and every one of you for allowing me to come into your life and choosing me to capture your day. Seeing our friendship continue to grow well after the wedding day puts a huge smile on my face and that warm fuzzy feeling in my heart :). Until our next client mixer, keep on being in love, re-falling in love, and being fantastic!"

I truly feel blessed to have wonderful clients and amazing vendors that I can truly call my friends.  They are not only there when work calls but are always there for support, inspiration, a shoulder to lean on and simply just to be friends.  Looking forward to a wonderful 2010.

*I promise to post the Sangria recipe as soon as I find it*

We're crossing our fingers and toes that my dear friend Erma delivers her baby anytime in the Aquarius zone as we all know Aquarius are the best, creative, artististic, talented zodiac sign ever born (of course, I'm biased to it since I'm an Aquarius myself). Erma is killing us with anticipation since she's decided not to find out what the sex of her unborn child will be until the big moment actually occurs. 

Susana and I decided to host a baby shower bruch for Erma and since pink and blue were out of the question I was inspired by a Martha Stewart cover and created an Orange and Green table setting.  William of  William Kim Photography came by and shot some of the detail shots for me.  Thank you William I love the pictures.  I wish I could carry you in my back pocket every time I have an event.  I will have to find out how that can be possible.

This collage of pictures was the entrance table.  Initially, we were going to have a garden shower but since Los Angeles decided to dump a lot of rain on us this past week we took the party indoors.  In keeping with the garden theme I set up a table with two topiary as back drop with a string which we later clipped on some baby pictures of Erma.  Each guest was given a clothesline clip and asked to "Never Say Baby" or else you would lose your clip.  Guest with the most clips in the end won a gift.  As favors I framed a picture Susana took of Erma during her pregnancy and gave them as keepsakes for each of the guest.