Send me an angel: Events of Love & Splendor

(Since I have been blogging abut wedding related things this week, I thought it would be perfect timing to post my last 2 vendor recaps :))

Source

When we made the decision to go with a day-of coordinator, choose Events of Love & Splendor, and after our many meetings together, I have to say that Events of Love & Splendor was the best wedding decision we made, hands down. Yes I loved my locations, photographer, food, etc., but with out Angel, Anna, and Jeniece, the day would be entirely different.

Through the dozens of emails back and forth, the meetings in and around SB, and on our day, we were provided with the utmost quality of amazing, professional, efficient work. Our day was successful because of their help with planning and coordination, and Anna and Jeniece's tireless effort during the weekend.

We really were blessed with wonderful coordination and positive energy. From rehearsal to ceremony to reception, every event was executed seamlessly. I loved that they were patient with changes I had made and the requests I had, accepted all of our reception items as boxes packed your hotel room, checked in on us through the entire weekend, were very supportive with everything, had lots of energy and enthusiasm, ran our time line so well, and tirelessly executed every detail. They were on top of it all that I felt completely relaxed and confident that our day would be amazing.

They worked wonderfully with the Mission staff, assisting in any way they could during the ceremony. They kept me informed of the timeline and ran it with impeccable ease. They were always so positive and happy.

The reception set up (tables, signage, decor, layout) was superb. They really captured the style and ambiance that we wanted for the place. Especially loved seeing Anna and Jeniece peeking in from the foyer from time to time :)

Through the entire planning stages, I had visions of how I wanted my day to go, expectations of the settings and style, plans for the various events of the weekend. After going through everything and seeing how it all fell wonderfully into place, I am happy to say that my expectations were blown out of the water. There was no better J&M wedding day that could have come forth. Once it was all over, we sat with family in our hotel room in awe of how wonderfully everything came together.

My family marveled at how smooth the wedding events (rehearsal, dinner, ceremony, and reception) had gone. The time line was perfect for the age-range of our guests, allowing opportune times for food, fun, and relaxation. In trusting our day to Events of Love & Splendor, they gave us (Matt, family, and myself) the gift of piece of mind on our day. We were able to go from place to place, event to event with confidence that it would all be taken care of.

I really don't know what we would have done without Events of Love & Splendor! The energy, smiles, and genuine love for what you do got us through everything :) I totally want to have another event so we can have a chance to work with each other again.

DIY Thank you cards

Part of my reception decor included punched paper circles in 2 sizes. These circles were placed around centerpieces and other displays, and the various shades and patterns of paper fit our design aesthetic well. We had a zip lock bag full of them and after the reception they were returned to us intact. Instead of throwing them away, I thought it would be better to incorporate them in my last wedding related diy, the thank you cards.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Here are a few circles in action!

Sarah K Chen Photography

3 join the card box.

Sarah K Chen Photography

More line the place card display!

With the abundance of circles we had (colors ranged from pale yellow & mustard yellow to lilac & plum, patterns included gingham, leaves, and textured lines), I wanted to keep the cards simple. The card design plan was to keep it minimal, lay the circles out in a balanced pattern and embellish with flowers, hearts, or rhinestone decal. I created about 10 different lay outs/looks and used the circles as the overall theme.

Below are 11 of my favorite cards. I made multiples of each card (totaling about 50), differentiating them with the patterns and textures of circles, and matched them with my thank-you envelope liners. Card stock and envelopes are from Paper Source, paper circles were punched from scrapbook paper from Michael's, and decal is from the Martha Stewart collection at Michael's.




















This was one of my favorite cards. I experimented with actually punching through the card stock so there could be something on the inside as well as outside of the card.


One flower doesn't move when you open the card.


And this is how it looks on the inside :) A fun surprise!

I love that each card had a different look, which kept it very personal, but they were all tied together because of the circles.

Happy Thursday everyone :)

Take me home tonight: Wedding favors

Sarah K Chen Photography

We planned to have our candy buffet serve as a sweet wedding favor for our guests, but with the amount of vases we accumulated and a surprise diy from my grandma, there were more goodies to take home.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Remember our centerpieces? Well we had about 150 white ikea vases throughout the reception and there was no way we were taking all of them home with us, so we let everyone know that they could take one, two... all five home.


My friends loved this idea :)


They even handled the vases with care.

We did get to keep about 10 vases for ourselves, but I am happy each vase found a loving, new home.

When my grandma first arrived from the Philippines, she gave me a call and told me about a "surprise" favor she created for the wedding. My mind raced with questions like: what it could be, would it match the wedding style, how would the guests receive it, would anyone take it home. She would not tell me anything about it and I don't think it is fair to surprise a bride so close to the day (my stress and frustration factor was quite high since it was 5 days before the wedding and I don't like surprises) but I told her that we would display them anyway.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Lucky for me, the diy was a very cute knit phone holder and cute phone charm. My mother decorated a basket with purple and yellow ribbon to match our colors.

Sarah K Chen Photography

I loved how each piece was different and the whole basket was filled with colors.

Sarah K Chen Photography

I made a sign that acknowledged my grandma for making 200 holders.


And my friend Ryan especially enjoyed them.

What did you do with your centerpieces? What were your favors? Were there any last minute surprises?


Blog title is from song by Eddie Money

I wanna rock with you all night

One of my favorite wedding memories was all of the time spent on the dance floor. We had put together a huge list of songs for our dj, hoping it would entice everyone to get on their feet and move to the beat ;) After all of the events (dinner, speech, cake) you could tell the room was anticipating it. Then the lights were low, strobes and colors filled the room, the alcohol continued flowing, the music began pumping, and here we go!










DJ Matt from SBDJs took care of the party, playing a great mix of 80s, 9os, and a few remixes from today. His main focus is djing the local clubs but he does a plenty of weddings during wedding season, so he was able to read the room and play music to fit the vibe. It was a serious dance party that got parents, grandparents, 20-somethings, teenagers, and kiddies involved.










The crowd favorites were:
"Put a Ring on It" by Beyonce
"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
"Don't Stop til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson
"This is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan (cannot believe this was played, but it was a total hit)
"Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani
"Bizarre Love Triangle" (remix) by New Order
"Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey




Bro and sis tore it up!














I absolutely loved dancing with everyone. The dance floor was like a gathering of those that I love and a celebration of pure good times. A full on party atmosphere that would not stop.

All photos by the groovin' Sarah K Chen

Blog title is from lyrics by Michael Jackson

Shake it like a polaroid picture!

In an attempt to finish off my wedding recaps, I want to share a few polaroid scans bridesmaid N took through out the day. She used a Polariod 600 that produced photos with a nice vintage, timeless feel. Many of the photos have already been posted on the blog, but here are a few more fun ones :)


Dresses in the morning sun.


Pre first look.


Before the trolley ride. This is one of my favorites.


Cupcakes.


Just a few of the many palm trees that line Cabrillo Boulevard.


Being silly, enjoying drinks with siblings and cousins.


Little girls.


First dance.


Amazing Santa Barbara beach view.


MIL & hub.


Father daughter dance.


With the boys (heart)!


Feed me.


Hubs and me with the boys.


Dance floor fun.


Last photo during the last song.

I am so happy polaroid is back producing film and cameras, instant film is love.