Park Hyatt Aviara

Funny how things work out.  Zula is best friends with a bride whose wedding I did five years ago.  Earlier in the year I got a message from my past bride saying her best friend is getting married and she has given her my number.  Never heard a word!  Then about 8 weeks before the wedding date I got a call from the photographer who had also done that past wedding, asking if I was available on the date (which was strange as I was available, I had met with a bride I thought would move forward with me and she didn’t, another fate intervention, I was not supposed to get it as I was supposed to do Zula!!), she was not booked for it either but felt she would be and wanted to give my name to the bride, as she thought she had someone helping her pull everything together, but it just wasn’t happening.  Well within 48 hours we were off and running and the bride was thrilled with how much we suddenly had done/she could relax knowing we were going in the right direction.

Our groom loves golf and they actually live down the road from their venue, so the ceremony was done with a golf green backdrop.  Cocktails were done by the putting green and guests could putter during cocktails, the guys loved it.

We ended up in a different ballroom to the one they originally booked, it would have been too small and not as elegant, and we ended up with a great outdoor area for relaxing after dinner with the new room

Another beautiful seamless/glossy dancefloor and logo by my fave vendor TMMPRO, he also did the chairs and lighting for me, love Jack and his guys.  The late night snack was freshly made warm cookies, just add icecream!!

A good close up of the linen from La Tavola on the cake table and the placecard table.

A custom Step N Repeat was in the foyer and after guests got their placecards they stopped and had their photo taken infront of it.  It was a popular place later for selfies I noticed.

In keeping with the golf theme, our martini luge was a golf ball on a tee!! Another great job by Carving Ice.  Next to that is our lovely royal table for the B& and their bridal party.  Nothing like a lovely florally/candle covered style dining table

It was great working with Irmina Photo again, been a couple of years as she had a baby and took some time, but she is baaaaack. Brandon Video did their thing and were lovely and low maintenance (they were a gift to the bride from my past bride), Father Don from Good Shepherd did a wonderful Catholic style ceremony.  We were going with strings for ceremony and cocktails but then I was at an event and a really cute girl was playing guitar and singing and I just knew she was right for Zula, and she was, so ceremony and cocktails were covered by her.  Their friend Vic who is a broadcaster and dj, came in from Florida and did a great job mceeing and playing music to keep the dancefloor full.  Our chargers and outdoor benches came from Monico Décor, florals were by Bella Florina, a florist that Zula knew/found.  And last but not least the team at Park Hyatt were fabulous and the grounds/hotel just made you feel like you were out of the hustle/bustle.  Looking very forward to my next one there early 2017.

Till next time

Lisa

http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com

714 305 7112

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Add a comment September 25, 2016

2016 thank you’s already

We work for many months with so many of our brides and for some not so long, but either way when a thank you comes in after, it just reinforces why I love what I do and the couples I get to work with.  Here’s some from just the past few weeks……..

Thank you Lisa for all your help with our wedding on Friday! It was just perfect! With love, Mrs Lunzer

Hi Lisa, Thank you SO much for making last Friday run so smoothly.  You are amazing and I don’t think it would have turned out nearly so well without you and your wonderful vendors.  We have heard so many compliments and truly cherished every beautiful moment.  I will definitely pass on the word about your mad skills.  Love Annemarie

Thanks for everything. I think things turned out pretty good.  Thanks again for all of your help, we really appreciate it. David.

Note from Lisa: David and Jessica booked me for Month of service, when that service officially began David told me he wished they had of booked the next size up service as they spent so much time being frustrated, stressed and overwhelmed during the planning months, and he doesn’t know how I deal with vendors, they were driving him crazy!! lol

Then texts ….

Morning after  the wedding………….

Good morning Lisa! Thank you so much for all your hard work.  The day went by seamlessly and u did an amazing job!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Miriam

Another couple …  at 11:56pm, night of wedding…..

Thank you very much.  It turned out very well, better than we all expected. Brian

Then at 10:15am the morning after………

Morning, we are sooooo happy how everything turned out!!  Thank you so much! Brian

Then at 6:15pm the day after, from the bride

Lisa, thank you for everything that you did for us, you’re truly an amazing woman and we’re so happy to have had the opportunity to have you as our wedding planner and plan out our most important day ever!  Blessings to you and thank you once again, it was gorgeous.

Awwwwwwww, thank you my lovely couples, it was really my joy and pleasure.

But to top things off, vendor kudos from some I have never worked with before, really are the icing on the cake……….

One dj during the event commented on how nice is was to work with a co-ordinator that actually co-ordinates.  He said he feels that most of the newer/younger co-ordinators are in it for the picture of the ballroom rather than the co-ordinating part.  After the wedding he sent me this

Lisa, Thank you so much, how nice it was to work with a coordinator that has their S#!T together.  You were right on top of everything and made my job very easy.  Would be an honor to wok with you and your team again 🙂  Best,

Then another dj who I worked with for the first time, sent me some lovely flowers.

Not sure who has it right or wrong when it comes to what I do/what people think we should be doing, but I seem to be more on the right side it seems.

Later

Lisa

http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com

714 305 7112

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Add a comment June 13, 2016

Second Pelican Hill wedding of 2016 for me

Was so thrilled to help Sara and Jeremy with their wedding celebration.  We had a great time planning, pulling the vendor team and vision together, gonna miss them!!

Sara wanted elegant and calm, think we nailed it!!

Vendors we love: Karla/Elegant by Design-florals, TMMPRO-dancefloor, Chiavari chair rentals-draping of rotunda, McCune Photography – but the pics above are mine, fyi everyone, lol, Design Visage-Sara and the girls all looked fabulous all night long, Monico Décor-napkins&chiavaris, and of course our team at Pelican Hill Resort, excellence doesn’t even begin to describe how you all are.

Till next time

Lisa

http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com

714 305 7112

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Add a comment March 21, 2016

Lovely Thank You

Its always so great to get a Thank you from a bride months after their wedding.  By that time I have thought they have moved on, I move on and then voila, I realize I have been on their mind, makes me feel so good

So I went to the PO Box looking for something specific and found this and it made my day.  It’s a handwritten card from a wedding we did in September, Teri actually ran the event on the day………………

Dear Lisa,

I have wanted to write you since the wedding, but the honeymoon, holidays, birthday, and even a car accident, got in the way.  You are among my big ‘thank yous’.  All of your hard work, effort, time, and sincere caring about the event made for a wonderful experience for Joe and I.  The day went exactly how we envisioned and it was so beautiful.  Everything co-ordinated so seamlessly and appeared effortless in the end.  Teri was wonderful at the function and I hardly knew she was there.  The suggestions for vendors were great, and we can honestly say we wouldn’t have done anything differently.

Lisa, thank you for making our day fantastic for us.  It truly was a gift.  You are very talented and we wish you the best.

Nancy and Joe

Till next time

Lisa

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Add a comment March 3, 2016

Pavilion Ballroom – Ritz-Carlton Dana Point

So this event was actually a couple of years ago, but everything about it was unusual and I have never forgotton i, so thought I would share.

I had had a call from the bff of a very busy bride, we had a great chat, she spoke to the bride, and I was on board.  It was the three of us that pulled a really fabulous looking and fun celebration off for a group of 80ish that all came in from Texas.  The two of them worked side by side/hand in hand  with the tasks to be done along the way, invites etc, and then when they came in for the tasting (yes no groom, just us) we pulled the vision together with furniture/linens/chairs and of course the florals.

I don’t have pics of this celebration, but wanted to post about it because it was a really unusual setup in the Pavilion Ballroom and worked well and looked awesome.

Our bride wanted it to be a party (it was a 2nd marriage for both), so we had a relaxed ceremony on the Gazebo Lawn with that beautiful Pacific Ocean backdrop that I know impressed those Texans!!  Cocktails were held on the balcony with a mix of furniture and cocktail tables and that full on Pacific Ocean backdrop again.  In the ballroom/which is one side 5 sets of french doors looking out to that ocean again,  there was no assigned seating, but we had enough seats for everyone (very important, ladies must have a place to put their things down at and feel this is their home for the night), we did a variety of tables/size/height in the ballroom. We had a furniture setup in the middle of each table setup/ie each end of the room.  We mixed things up, the guests may not have noticed but we enjoyed doing it, we used the same color chivaris in all three areas, ceremony/cocktails and dining room, but put different color cushions on them to match the different mood or linens we were using in that area.

A really great celebration, as I looked at it on the night I realised I would probably do this myself!  That may have been part of why I enjoyed pulling the vision together with them, and couldn’t wait to see it come to life on the night.  A fabulous floral display from Square Root/loved the cake table, we were all excited to see how that came out on the night.   The girls loved Design Visage for hair/makeup so much they used them for pre events too.  Enchanted Evening Strings played elegantly as always for ceremony and then cocktails, my fave band kept the dancefloor full inside – Full Spectrum, just love them and the energy they produce.  Monico Décor did all the rentals and of course we had a gorgeous white dancefloor center.  They were very considerate of those travelling with small kids (as they were) so we had a company come in and setup a daycare in a banquet room and then it turned from fun to sleep for the kids in there, so the parents were really able to enjoy enjoy enjoy.  Of course the team at the Ritz as always helped us bring everything to a five star reality, xoxoxo

Till next time

Lisa

www.lisasimpsonweddings.com

714 305 7112

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Add a comment February 21, 2016

Xmas cards

I am so lucky that I get notes by email/in the mail from my brides/couples during the year, and comments on instagram pics which keeps me in touch with them, and gives me a chance to comment back.  But Xmas time is great as I hear from couples from years past and I get to get caught up on other news from couples/not wedding news.

The card above came from Brooke and Matt and I think we both knew we would have withdrawals after the wedding, we had such a great time pulling their wedding together for longer than a year.

From Steve and Margo, a 2014 wedding, I heard about their travels and new doggie child and how great they were both doing with their careers.

From Amita and Raja, think they were 2012 and I have seen them at other weddings since as she keeps referring me on, xoxox) their card was the face of their gorgeous wee boy and the announcement of a new baby girl coming, then a month later a card came with the picture of their sweet baby girl who came a bit early, so good on Amita for getting her xmas cards out early!!!

From Holly and Michael such a great card collage of great pics of them with their lovely Lola/doggie child.  When are the real children coming Miss Holly??? lol  You guys are going to be great parents.

I never heard from Kathy and Keith after their wedding which was Jan of 2015 but got a lovely xmas card with two beautiful pics from their wedding day showing what a beautiful day it was and how happy they were.  Made me happy to see.

And from the McGettigan’s whose wedding I did in 2014, last years card showed their wee boy and this year he is a toddler in full swing, and a note there is a brother coming for him!!  Love it

Unlike your photographer or video where you have to have contact after the wedding, when people take the time to make contact with me after, because there is no need, it makes me smile really really big.  Thanks everyone

Till tomorrow

Lisa

http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com

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Add a comment February 19, 2016

Vendor insight

A while ago a potential groom had asked me what made me different to other planners, well that really is not a question for me, I wouldn’t have any idea as I don’t get to interact with other planners in the capacity of doing our jobs, but more on a social or committee type situation.  So I posed the question to vendors who had known me a long time and others not so long.  What I got back was more than I expected, I wasn’t looking for love and adoration but I got that and my heart was touched and it kind of reinforced I am doing what I should be doing and what they see from their perspective in their roles on the day.  So I had kept that for me in case that question was asked again.

Then last month I got an email from a videographer I worked with on one wedding in 2015 and his last sentence really touched me, we sometimes have no clue the positive effect we are having on someone’s life/career.  When I worked at Disney I had taken the time after weddings to send a real letter to vendors we had not worked with before that did a great job to thank them for being a great team player and a dj who got one of those letters reached out to me a year or so ago to tell me he still had that letter and what it had meant to him.  So no matter who we are/what we do, positive reinforcement makes us all feel good about who we are and what we do, so I want to share the videographers email as well as comments from the vendors that I asked for so you get some insight on me and how I work so you can see if I am the right vendor for you.  I won’t give the names of the other vendors here in order to not alienate them with regards to other planners, but you can certainly reach out to me and I will tell you who they are.

January 18

Want to wish you a very Happy New Year and tell you what a pleasure it was for me to work with you and your clients last year.  I am hopeful that we will continue our working relationship into 2016 and beyond.  Most importantly, I want to thank you for creating such a positive environment that made it so easy for me to create the most amazing event film of my career.  Thank you again and let’s stay connected.

Best Regards, David    David Medill Productions.

Ceremony musician-Comparing you to other planners I have these notes – You are to the point/no chatter which allows us to focus on why we are there.  Your timelines are fabulous, they are clear/precise and a godsend as we sometimes don’t even see one.  On the day your instructions/ques are very clear.  You build cohesive teams and a nice atmosphere on the day.

Videographer – Your decorating skills are exquisite and ALWAYS styled to the clients taste.  Your timelines are always extremely detailed (down to making sure they eat), you follow up with every vendor several times making sure they know where they need to be.  Your professionalism goes a long way with the venues and guests.  You are well travelled and are familiar with destination events as well as S CA.  Everyone knows when they hire you, you get the job done.  Most of all, your kindness and passion for your ‘job’ is what makes you the best!

Band – Some of your main strengths above your peers is the fact that you have developed and nourished long term working relationships, not only with outside vendors but even the serving staff at the resorts you service (the love and respect illuminates).  This works as a major enhancement for all your events because everyone is on the same page and connected to the success of the event.  I know this to be true, your unselfish kindness is infectious.  I enjoy working with you more than most and look forward to each of your events.  If your clients are seeking someone who has the gifts of creating, facilitating their thoughts of an unforgettable evening I strongly recommend they sign you right away.  PS: Of all the jobs we’ve done over the years I have never seen a repeat concept which shows you have a gift of seeking the best out of your clients to personalize a special day just for them

Photographer – You make the most detailed timelines I’ve ever seen.  People know where to be and when things are happening – organization is critical to a successful event! I don’t know why more event planners don’t follow your lead on this.  You have a natural ability to calm nervous brides and smooth their fears and anxiety.  I have watched you do this on many occasions and have admired that quality.  Someone hiring you would probably have no clue about this, but it is so important.  You’re also quite talented at getting the best out of your vendors/team which early benefits the client.  Assembling and managing a creative team is more important that most clients understand.  Finally you’re very creative.  You don’t ever seem to do cookie-cutter decor.  I can tell you give special attention to each client and have really listened to them whenever I walk into one of your reception rooms.

Photographer – Here is what I think brides love about you – From the minute the bride speaks with you they can really sense your extreme knowledge, confidence and passion towards all aspects of a wedding.  Because of that you make the prospective bride feel secure she made the right choice by hiring you for their big day.  Experience is key! Since you also have lots of samples and experience at the location you work at that also makes the bride confident with you!  Your wedding day timelines are extremely detailed! The brides love that and so do the vendors! Staying current and on top of the trends!  Since you are always networking you get to see the latest and greatest which your brides benefit from.  And certainly not last, they all love your “New Zealand ‘ accent!  No one can compete with that!

Photographer – What sets you apart….. Best people skills in the business.  You are steady, confident, incredibly knowledgeable not only about how to do something but who would be the best vendor to do it, have impeccable taste, never any drama.. and are funny, … and did I say, no drama? The thing that stands out to me when I work with you are the relationships you have with everyone on the set.  From the venue to the busboy, you have always built incredible teams on every job.  I feel as though we are all there for the right reason and we would all help each other out however we could that day.  With newer planners, the vendors never know each other and it always seems to be just a job for the day where everyone can’t wait to get out there.  Definitely not so with you.  I love the feeling of camaraderie on your weddings.  Some teachers have the gift of making you want to learn more, some coaches make you more passionate about the game and build better teams each year, and Lisa makes me look forward to her weddings knowing they are going to be the most organized and beautiful events with great vendors and very happy clients at the end.  Plus, you know more, research more and spend more time on your business than anyone I know,  and it shows.  Thanks for the opportunity to say these things.

Dj – This is easy. I’ve worked with a bunch of different co-ordinators.  Some of them are easy to work with, relaxed and fun.  Others are great at “getting the job done” but usually are so high strung they make the wedding seem like more of a ‘job’ than a ‘celebration’.  You are able to somehow excel at everything.  You’re laid back and fun, but I never need to worry about that any detail will go overlooked.  When I talk to the couples who work with you I can tell they are relaxed.  You inspire the same confidence in your clients as you do in your vendors and that truly is a gift.  If you EVER need anyone to sing your praises directly please feel free to give them my number.  I can’t say enough about how great you are and how great your weddings are.

Florist – Easy question, hardest part is putting the answer into words.  I LOVE your honesty and no nonsense approach and how it is always done classy, eloquently, and effortlessly.  I find that events with you run very smoothly and that’s fought to say considering what we do … You are extremely conscious of your clients budgets and that is a HUGE advantage that any couple that hires you should greatly appreciate!  And of course I love your KIWI accent!  We love working with you!!!

Videographer – There are several things that set you apart from other wedding planners, but I will share two BiG benefits you bring:

1. Your planning and co-ordinating process is impeccable! No other coordinator delivers a timeline weeks in advance of the event.  Most co-ordinators send me a timeline a day or two before the wedding and expect that I will have time to learn all about the day and adjust as necessary in 24-48 hours before the event.  We do just that of course because we have to, but the client is short changed by such a short sighted effort.  You communicate with each professional throughout the process of the planning to confirm everyone is on the same page all the way through so there are no questions and no surprises on the event day.  No other co-ordinator contacts me as often as you do during the planning process, you are second to none when it comes to planning and coordination.
2. 2. You are not only experienced in event planning but you are talented with great ‘people skills’.  Many planners I work with are very likable and good with people.  Some are efficient and thorough.  Few have both qualities and even fewer have both qualities at the level you do.  A wedding planner is the Executive Producer of a once in a lifetime event, managing a team of professionals, service providers and vendors (all with their own needs, goals and agendas) AND at the same time personally assisting and fulfilling the needs of the couple, family and their guests.  That Executive Producer had better have a wealth of experience and great admin and people skills if everyone’s expectations are going to be met.  You have what it takes to be the top of your field.  Your success and reputation attest that you are among the best of the best at what you do.  Your modesty may case you to hesitate to share my opinion and observations with future clients, but I hope you do share my thoughts with every couple considering you and your services.

Officiant: I have known Lisa for over 24 years and we have performed hundreds of weddings together.  Lisa is very professional and highly regarded in her profession.  For me she is the number 1 wedding co-ordinator in Sa CA.  Lisa always gives over 100% to her brides and grooms in helping them plan their wedding.

Photographer/female who used to be a planner: I think you are absolutely wonderful! You are kind, quick at solving problems and finding solution.  You are always delightful and caring.  You are very meticulous and put so much into consideration for a couples wedding along with taking excellent care of the vendors.  You are strong, smart and fun!  You are always happy and genuinely care about your clients and treat them like royalty.  You can’t fake that!! that’s why we love working with you.

From me, Lisa, think my new mantra will be

Experience is EVERYTHING when it comes to planning your wedding/celebration.

Till tomorrow

Lisa

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Add a comment February 18, 2016

Grand Lawn/Club 19 St Regis Monarch Beach

I am such a fan of white dancefloors as I think they can really tie a look together and sometimes can make the look if lacking in other areas.  Some of my brides agree and some are aok with the dancefloor the hotel provides, above the priority was lounge furniture/club vibe and later when its dark/dancing time it all looks great.  There are no right/wrongs, it comes back to your priorities

Sometimes color palettes change too, originally this wedding was white and green florals for a fresh look and use orange or yellow for napkins to add a pop, but after the mockup the brides mom wanted the yellow and orange to be much more visible, and so it became!

Their guest list started a tad high to be able to do the two long tables, but as happens it organically went down and Joanna was thrilled to be able to do the two long tables.  It looked great.  Thanks to Karla/EBD florist for making the vision/budget work and being so gracious in working with last minute changes, Peter/Vive Ent for djing and keeping that dancefloor full, Design Visage for beautifying all the ladies, Joanna looked so lovely.  Monico Décor for the rentals, and the team at St Regis for as always being awesome to work with and ensuring all went seamlessly from their end.

Till next time

Lisa

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Add a comment January 24, 2016

Destination wedding, from Scotland to St Regis Monarch Beach

Everything was done by email and a perfect celebration was held for these fabulous 13 people who flew in from Scotland for this wedding.  Of course we had a bagpiper to lead everyone from ceremony site to the dining room.  Cocktails were held on a balcony watching a beautiful CA sunset and a lovely dinner was held in the private dining room off Stonehill Restaurant.  Thanks to Joe Latter/photographer for being fab, and for the pics, Design Visage for beautifying Gillian, Annie of La Tulipe/floral designer, and Paul Uhlar for as always doing a great ceremony and giving the guests a giggle.  Fascinators in the house at the ceremony, I love the formality of weddings from commonwealth countries. Gillian also brought me some real shortbread that I savored with my cups of afternoon tea for many weeks after the wedding. Yum yum, happy Lisa.

Till next time

Lisa

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Add a comment January 14, 2016

Hyatt Huntington Beach fun celebration

I really do get the best couples, so so lucky.  Samantha and Chris were just awesome, we had way too much fun pulling this celebration together.  They are both from England but moved to Huntington Beach to work, so we had a great mix of locals and English folk!!  Fascinators in the house for sure.  Fun details that were obvious reflections of them, Sam lived on Etsy and the signature drink sign was perfect, it actually keeps getting re-grammed on my instagram when friends of brides see it, Sam’s bike/noted below, I showed them my neighbours fun program from his wedding last year and they took it and ran with it, full of fun/interesting facts that totally get the guests involved and they learn stupid stuff about the couple/wedding planning, which they love.  Right after the ceremony I went to pull Sam and Chris back for the group/combo pics and guess what I found them doing, a selfie, you can see that below, of course my first question to them was, who the heck had a cell phone on them, yes groom guilty as charged at least he had it on silent!!  Too funny

We pulled together a great team to reflect how they are; Joel Austell/photographer and thanks for the pics, Linda Trott for as always officiating a great ceremony and is one of the few officiants out there that can provide the marriage license and we had the B&G sign it during the cere as that is something that is done in Commonwealth countries, I did it during my ceremony too.  Design Visage for beautifying the ladies and they looked great until the end, Karla Flores/Elegant by Design for hearing us and bringing the vision to reality. Jim Vita/guitar for cere/cocktails, Peter/Vive Entertainment for djing/mceeing wonderfully as always and keeping that dancefloor full until the end and the encores!!  Monico for the rentals, Luxe Linens for the perfect shade for the napkins, and 4 Snapz for the photobooth/backdrop which incorporated Samantha’s favorite thing her beach bike which Karla decorated.  And of course to the Hyatt HB, they picked you because Huntington Beach is so important to them and their lives, and as always the team worked flawlessly with us to bring it all together and create a great celebration/memories for everyone involved, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Till next time

Lisa

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Add a comment January 13, 2016