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This blog shares the latest news about {So Happi Together}, an event design and planning firm, along with my personal inspirations, ideas and love musings.

My hope is that it can serve as 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

More Cowbell #2... More Lights!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I am a sucker for good lighting. Not just lighting but also light fixtures. One of my first choices for our wedding venue was the Beverly Hills Hotel because of their beautiful rose/crystal chandelier and old school elegance. It ended up being waaay over our budget, which is okay because we went a pretty different direction in terms of our style for the day, but I still dream about that chandelier!



 Another gorgeous and unique chandelier can be found at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. This place is a real gem! When we were inquiring, they had recently started booking weddings and we would have been their first wedding, which meant we had to bring in EVERYTHING because they were not equipped for such large parties yet. Of course, this meant they would be over our budget, but Eddie and I still enjoy the center on non-wedding related business. :) In the summer, they have movies under the stars and we take our Molly for a picnic dinner and a free movie. Still, I would definitely love to work with a couple who chooses to get married under their elaborate chandelier!



Finally, if you are getting married outdoors (like we did) you can always set up your own lighting fixtures by hanging chandeliers or lanterns from trees, overhangs and beams.  I am pretty partial to the soft, romantic look of bumblebee lights - like what we had for our own wedding.




Such lights coupled with some warm, amber toned uplights is perfection for me. We had a combination of amber hued uplights on columns and warm pink uplights on trees and I squealed when it became dark enough to notice the lovely! For those of you considering uplights or patterned lighting, amber hued lights create the most romantic vibe and complement a variety of skin tones very well.

Lights in general make me happy and I love images of lights and lighting. Imagine having an artistic image of the lighting at your wedding as a print for your home after the big day. I would cover a whole wall with them - especially if they looked anything like these below!


images via we heart it

And just because it's late and I like to share what's on my mind... I will share what is on my iTunes right now. I was listening to Priscilla Ahn (one of my fave artists!! Eddie and I went to her first night of residency at the Hotel Cafe waaay back when she was still really, really indie and had just released her EP!) and when my iTunes got to the end of her list, it began playing Sarah Mclachlan.  Wow. I haven't listened to her in FOREVER. It totally brings back memories of high school when Eddie and I were "just friends" (yes, we have been friends since high school) and makes me feel all nostalgic and squishy. I think everyone in my graduating class must have an emotional reaction to Sarah because on our last day of school, during the lunch hour, when seniors were all hugging, signing each other's year books, crying, laughing and promising to K.I.T., they played "I Will Remember You" over the loud speakers and it is a moment in life I will never forget. This is why that song and Green Day's "The Time of Your Life" will always have a special place in my heart.

So, because it came on while I was writing my more cowbell post about more lights, I will share some of the lyrics from one of my fave songs by Sarah, "The Answer":

I will be the answer
At the end of the line
I will be there for you
While you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance
If you can't look down

If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You'll still be burning so bright

I love this song for Eddie and myself, but reading it right now makes me feel like it could fit the relationship of a planner/coordinator and bride just as well!! ;)

Whew! That was a long post! But enough about me... are there any venues you like due to lighting fixtures? Or any particular light/ing images that make you swoon?

10 comments:

Type & Swash said...

i love me some lights too!! I'm swooning over that chandelier! uh-ma-zing! AND you just brought back old school nancy! I totally got nostalgic for the WHS cafeteria cookies & fries and announcements on the stage! LOL! wow, i feel old!

said...

Stunning examples of great lighting. Bravo Happi. Lighting can transform a bland space into a masterpiece. I wish I had done it for my wedding!

connie M chung said...

wow. that first pic of the bh hotel is sooo pretty! nice post about lights!

ever ours said...

those heart lights are super cute!

same brain wavelength going on here...you are right, soul sista!

Amanda Rae said...

Hi there! Chenin sent you my name through Twitter last night and I just spent way too long going back through pages and pages of your blog! I love it, the stuff you post is fantastic!! And your own wedding was simply stunning! amanda :)

Jessica said...

The chandeliers drew me to our future reception to our reception site. The Zsa Zsa in me couldn't resist. Now I want a chandelier in my bedroom. Ugh.

nancy {So Happi Together} said...

oh wow! it has been a crazy week and I am so thrilled by all the comments! thanks for the great love for the cowbell post on lights! :)

welcome to our lil' blog Stitches by Katy and Amanda Rae! Thank you for dropping by with your kind comments! :)

iris +++ said...

mmmm! nancy, i loved this entry! :)

nancy {So Happi Together} said...

Thanks, Literalliris! :)I loved putting it together! xo!

Ravenous Couple said...

this palce looks amazing!! what type of food do they allow? outside catering? Congrats by the way!