Paso Robles Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty
Our Paso Robles wine country wedding is featured on Style Me Pretty this week. The full blog post with all of the colorful details is coming soon!
Date posted: February 10, 2012
Keren + Pieter’s Laguna Niguel Ritz Carlton Wedding
We are finally blogging one of our favorite weddings from the past season! Featured on Style Me Pretty in March, this event was shot by the wonderful Jasmine Star. Keren and Pieter were married at the gorgeous Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, which is where Keren had always dreamed of having her wedding. This sweet and stylish couple envisioned a clean, modern, yet still traditional decor scheme with preppy touches, set in navy blue, yellow and white. The weather was absolutely perfect as they said their emotion-filled vows overlooking the shimmering Pacific Ocean. Carissa of JL Designs created a light, gorgeous chuppah, including fabric that would be seen again in the escort card display and on the reception tables. The love these two have for each other is so tender and evident – you cannot help but be moved when you are around them. One of our favorite aspects of the day was that Pieter surprised Keren as she walked down the aisle by hiring a pianist to play her favorite version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. The look on her face when she realized what was happening was absolutely priceless! Making the ceremony even more personal and special, Keren’s brother and sister performed a beautiful song after the couple said their vows.
Keren had small locket with a photo of her parents at their wedding tied onto her gorgeous all white bouquet. Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet of a different yellow flower, with the maid of honor having a mix of all of the yellow blooms. Keren also gifted each bridesmaid a unique necklace, purchased from various etsy sellers.
The reception was set with a mix of round and long tables, set with custom runners made by JL Designs. Keeping with Keren’s simple but beautiful vision, all white flowers were used in white ceramic vases with white candlesticks. Various ribbon accents were added to the centerpieces and napkins as well.
Keren was born in Israel and speaks Hebrew and Pieter grew up in France and speaks French (in fact, “Frenchy” was Keren’s nickname for Pieter before they started dating) so we wanted to include that into their wedding somehow. For the table number signs, the number was written in both English, French and Hebrew. Posh Paperie also made signs for the back of the bride and groom’s chairs with “Mr.” and “Mrs.” written in all three languages as well. As a surprise to the couple, Courtney made a banner saying “love” in French for their photos and cake table. Speaking of the cake – Sweet and Saucy created a trio of gorgeous cakes featuring the wedding colors. In addition to the delicious cake, late night snacks of milkshakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers and french fries were served with paper cones and flags to match the wedding decor.
Pieter and Keren’s wedding day was a great reflection of the two of them as individuals and as a couple: gorgeous, elegant, personal, stylish, meaningful and fun. This was such a special wedding because it was one of the last events Danae and I had the honor of working with Courtney Toney. Major kudos to Court for orchestrating this amazing day!
Check out their beautiful wedding film by Threaded Films (formerly Weddings by SML)
The vendor line up:
*Venue: The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel
*Photography: Jasmine Star Photography
*Floral Design: JL Designs
*Cinematography: Threaded Films
*Wedding Stationary : Posh Paperie
*DJ: SoCal-DJ
*Wedding Cakes: Sweet and Saucy Shop
*Hair: Bride’s Friend
*Makeup: Cheek Couture
*Linens: Fusion Linens
*Custom Banner: Joyful Joyful
*Custom Runner: JL Designs
*Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin
*Wedding Dress: Amsale
*Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston
Date posted: February 6, 2012
Camille & Jim’s Mid Century Mod Palm Springs Wedding
The first event of the 2011 season kicked off with this wonderful Palm Springs wedding shot by the amazing and artistic eye of Aaron Young. These stunning photos simply speak the essence of Palm Springs. The weekend celebration took place at my favorite mid century modern hotel: The Horizon Hotel. This hotel is so unique in the aspect that the entire hotel grounds are solely occupied by the wedding party and guests. It is one of the best destination wedding venues because of this rare offering for event packages! The back drop to this location is absolutely breathtaking as it sits surrounded by mountains and desert air. We fell in love with Camille as her spunky and fresh spirit was clearly evident the first time we met. We felt so blessed to share in Jim + Camille’s weekend celebration.
My favorite photo of the night! The full wedding party celebrating the close of the festivities with a jump in the pool!
The vendor line up:
*Venue: The Horizon Hotel
*Photography: Aaron Young Photography
*Floral Design: Cachet Fiore
*Catering: The Manila Machine
*Hair & Makeup: Bridesmaid
*Rentals + Linens: Classic Party Rentals
Date posted: January 23, 2012
A Fond Farewell
I ventured into the wedding industry 9 years ago. It is hard to believe that it has been that long since eagerly walked into my first day of interning with an LA planner while in school at UCLA. At that time, brides did not have thousands of blogs within their fingertips- they mainly read wedding magazines. Mason jars were not popular and if you told someone that people would be incorporating fake moustaches into their wedding, they would think you were crazy.
Weddings had my heart from the start. The details, the moments, the quiet looks between a bride and groom. I have loved getting to be a part of my client’s love stories.
This year, I am saying goodbye to wedding planning. Not because I do not still love it with the giddiness of college student venturing into a world of peonies and place cards, but because my goal has always been to put my family first. I am so thankful that God blessed Joyful Weddings & Events beyond my wildest dreams- so much so that it grew beyond what my situation could handle. With my two sweet boys now at my side, I simply could not continue running a wedding planning business from home while trying to be the mom I wanted to be. My goal was always to be a mom, not a career woman. After a year of praying and discussing with those close to me, I made the hard decision to step back.
But I did it with joy in my heart. Not only because I have so many incredible memories and friends to take with me, but because I am handing it off to an incredible woman. Bre has been working with me for the past few years and, through that time, she has become a wonderful friend and an amazing wedding planner. You can read a bit more about her here, from when I introduced you to her last year. She has had the reins of the business this year and is rocking it! I cannot wait for her to show you what she has been up to- she will be posting some breathtakingly beautiful weddings soon.
What’s next for me? Getting to spend time with these two sweet boys and my amazing hubby.
I’m not going to lie- it has been bittersweet and has been a bit of a transition. I miss wedding planning already, but am treasuring the freedom to be a full-time mommy!
I am still running my etsy shop and have just launched a new blog. I will be sharing wedding & party DIYs, crafting tips and ramblings about my adventures in a crafty mom’s world. Come and follow my journey!
Other business:
Bre will be taking over the twitter handle joyfulweddings. Be sure to follow her for all of the latest gorgeousness from Joyful Weddings!
I will be now be JoyfulCourtney on twitter. Don’t worry- if you follow either of us already, you’ll still be following us. Just try not to get confused by the name switch 
You can also follow me on pinterest and Bre too! (including inspiration for her own wedding coming up in June!!)
I also have a little giveaway on my new blog, so hop over to check it out!
Thank you all for following us and for the years of encouragement & love! Joyful Weddings & Events has been such a blessing to me & I cannot wait to see it grow & thrive under Bre’s leadership!
Date posted: January 16, 2012
Handmade Boutique this Friday in San Diego
Hi everyone!
This coming Friday, the 9th, I (courtney) will be participating in one last holiday boutique. If you are in San Diego, come check it out! It is from 9-12 and 5-9 at a home in Poway.
It is called Ubuntu and it is particularly special to me. My bible study girls and I started it last year in an effort to do something bigger than our everyday working and mommy-ing. Every seller participating will be donating a portion of their sales to a charity of their choice. It is so fun to see what different causes are represented.
I will be donating to Blood Water Mission- an organization our family is passionate about that builds wells in areas of the world that do not have access to clean water.
Here is a flyer and some more info about Ubuntu, courtesy of my friend Mollie over at YellowMeDaisy:
Ubuntu (oo-BOON-too)
definition
kindness, compassion, humanity. It is an ethnic philosophy focusing on people’s allegiances and relations with each other.
origin
the word has its origin in the Bantu languages of southern Africa. Ubuntu is seen as a classical African concept.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.
A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that ones from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished where others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.
It is the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. it speaks about our interconnectness. you can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have that quality – Ubuntu- you are known for your generosity.
Hope to see you there!
Date posted: December 6, 2011
Cayla & Mike’s Orange County Ranch Wedding
Cayla is one of my favorite people in the whole world. We met at UCLA, where she led my freshman bible study. She is one of the sweetest, most authentic and caring women I have ever known and I knew it was going to take someone incredible to win her heart.
Mike did just that. Their love story is beautiful (you can read a bit more of it here) and I could not be happier to have been able to be a part of their wedding day. It was overflowing with joy. I teared up more than I have at any of my weddings before and I simply could feel the strength of their love all day long. One of the best ceremonies I have ever witnessed on top of it all.
Their wedding took place at Parker Ranch in Trabuco Canyon and the cheery rustic vibe set the tone for a super fun, relaxed wedding day. Here is a glimpse into the beauty, shot by another one of my favorite UCLA friends, Emily with Gem Photo.
Cayla & Mike: Thanks for letting me help with your amazing day. I love you two and cannot wait to see what God does through your marriage!
Date posted:
Boutiques coming up and a new sweet product!
Happy Halloween everyone!
Courtney’s shop, Joyful Joyful, will be selling at two boutiques coming up in Southern CA. If you are in Orange County or San Diego, definitely come check them out!
The first is this coming Thursday in Mission Viejo. The Market at Saddleback Covenant Church will have lots of great handmade items and baked goods. You can find out details at their blog. It will be held at:
23401 Madero Mission Viejo
The weekend before Thanksgiving, it is Queen Bee Market time again! It will be held in Del Mar again and will definitely be one of the best shopping events of the year! There will even be a concert by Mindy Gledhill! More info below and on their site.
We are going to have a super cute new product available at both boutiques. Here is a little peak:
Date posted: October 31, 2011
Jenifer & Casey’s Engagement Photos
With their wedding almost a month away, we are so thrilled to be working with Jenifer and Casey! From the moment we met Jen, we absolutely fell in love with her style and vision! Not to mention they are an absolutely stunning couple who will be breathtaking on their wedding day. Lane Dittoe portrayed the couple’s engagement session so beautifully! We can’t wait until October! This first photo is captivating…I want it poster sized in my office.
Date posted: September 14, 2011
Monica and Elliot’s La Jolla Cove Bridge Club Wedding
Monica and Elliot are one of the sweetest couples I have ever met. Full of joy, you cannot help but smile when you are around them and see their love for one another. They were married last summer at the La Jolla Bridge Club- a cute little spot with an incredible view. Their color palette of seafoam green, white and yellow was fresh and summery and their wedding day was full of fun. All photos are by the lovely Photographs by Anjuli
With such a stunning ceremony backdrop (yellow pacific!) we wanted to keep the ceremony decor simple. We tied bunches of ribbon from the chairs and the Floral Lab set up pomanders on different sized glass hurricanes to frame the bride and groom.
I loved this bike! I’m not going to lie, I kind of wanted to take it for a stroll. We used it to greet guests with a sign directing them to the ceremony and then changed the sign out for a little after ceremony ride for the couple.
Monica made a large amount of the decor and details herself- from the poms to the programs to the table number clocks. It all turned out so cute! We made a large banner to cover up the bridge club’s sign and sweet mini banners for the bride & groom’s chairs. Leigh Anne with The Floral Lab did an awesome job with the flowers and the escort card grass display.
In leiu of favors, the couple made donations to Invisible Children.
The guests kept the dance floor packed all night and were surprised with a frozen yogurt buffet at the end of the night. Such a joyous wedding and we were honored to be a part of it!
The vendor line up:
*Venue: The La Jolla Cove Bridge Club
*Photography: Photographs by Anjuli
*Floral Design: The Floral Lab
*Video: Curtis Nemetz Productions
*Catering: Ki’s
*DJ: Mobile Music Plus
*Frozen Yogurt Bar: Fiji Yogurt
*Hair & Makeup: A New Twist
*Rentals: Affairs
*Linens: A Perfect Table
*Banners: Joyful Joyful
Date posted: August 18, 2011
A look at our Queen Bee Market booth
I had such a fun time at the Queen Bee Market on saturday! I met new friends, got to spend time with some favorites and scored some really fun finds!
I love how our booth turned out. I told my husband I wanted it to look like a wall in a house and we ended up building a giant grown-up version of a school tri-fold project board. The pictures are not so lovely (thanks ballroom lighting!) and I didn’t get one of the whole booth, but I wanted to show you all how it turned out.
I had planned on taking pictures of all of the other cute booths, but amidst the forgetting of my breast pump, arranging for it to be brought (and dying in the meantime), finding a private location to use the aforementioned pump at a huge hotel (much more of an adventure than it should have been and quite a great story) and chatting, shopping and maintaining my booth, I totally forgot. Longest sentence ever and tmi- I know, I know.
I did- however- manage to snag a picture of Hudson’s first modeling job in the adorable YellowMeDaisy booth:
Yep, he’s a stud.
Jessica & Mique did such a great job of organizing the event- as always. Thanks so much ladies for all of your hard work!
We will be back to posting lots of great weddings and parties soon- I promise! Also, our etsy shop will be updated soon will all of the items we have left over from the market.
Happy wednesday!
Date posted: August 10, 2011