Let me get one important fact out of the way before I go any further…
I have never been engaged nor have I ever been married which in turns means that I have never planned a wedding of my own. That being said – I do have an insane knack for organization, an eye for design, and a huge passion for parties.
My parents hosted a lot of gatherings when I was younger including a very large Christmas Eve party every December. All of the parties my parents organized were always so lively and fun that I naturally fell in love with the idea of hosting events. By the time I graduated from college, I was actively throwing game nights, holiday barbecues, and an annual St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza for my closest friends and family. As I got older, I started hosting less and less elaborate parties due to my work schedule, exhausting commute, and immense desire for low key relaxation over the weekend. And now that I’m in my thirties, I mostly stick to throwing smaller gatherings with twelve or less guests which always ends up being just as fun as any big bash.
At the age of 29, my side hustle of creating handwritten wedding invitations, signage, and table cards for family and friends slowly turned into something greater. My party planning abilities were noticed by those closest to me, and I was soon not only creating handmade wedding décor but assisting in the planning of their big days. Two years later, HILA Events was born.
The rush of coordinating a wedding is like no other. Yes, it can be stressful. Yes, it can be chaotic. But once the venue is fully set up and the couple has walked down the aisle, the process can actually be quite fun! With a great timeline in place, comfy shoes, and reliable, hard working vendors the wedding planner gig isn’t so bad. My people skills, ability to stay calm under pressure, and organizational prowess most definitely play a huge part in why I don’t loathe every second of wedding coordination. However, it’s my fondness for alleviating a couple’s stress and making their vision come to life that allows me to truly love wedding planning. For me personally, one of the greatest joys in life is making others happy. Being blessed with the opportunity to play a small part in someone’s big day is so worth the occasional bits of bedlam that come with the job.
MY PERSONAL WEDDING STYLE
After being a guest at so many different weddings and having the honor of helping coordinate a dozen or so others, I am certain that I want my big day to have a comfortable vibe in a beautiful setting. So I suppose we can label my wedding style as “casual elegance.” Like many, my taste and personal style evolves with each passing year. And since I have no idea when I’ll be getting married, I literally cannot rave about the specifics of my future wedding. I can, however, definitely tell you what elements will be included in the festivities.
Since I’m obsessed with all things food – majority of my budget will go towards feeding my guests a very tasty meal. Other than a superb dining experience the only other thing I don’t see myself budging on would be an outdoor setting. I love fresh air and the beauty of a natural landscape. My ultimate goal would be to create the most stress-free day for all of those involved, especially for myself and my partner. My secondary aim would be to create an environment that invokes fun, and my last objective would be for me and my spouse to enjoy the fruits of our labor in every way including attending cocktail hour!
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE WEDDING SECTION OF HOMEMADE IN LA
- Personal Wedding Planning Stories
- Tips & Tricks for Coordinating a Wedding
- Venue Recommendations
- Style Guides
SOME PLANNING ADVICE
It can sometimes be hard to not let outside opinions from those closest to you create unnecessary stress during your wedding planning process. Always remember to take unwanted input with a grain of salt. You and your fiancé are the only ones getting married which means that you two should always have the final say about what works best for your big day!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
Wedding planning should be an enjoyable experience and as hassle-free as possible. I’m thrilled to share whatever knowledge I have to help inspire any engaged couples, fellow event planners, and all of the unmarried folks out there who just happen to love weddings.
HOMEMADE IN LA 