So Cal Event Planners

Mishal & Imran met through a mutual friend and couldn’t be happier since! We had the chance to be part of their wedding on December 24th 2016 in the city of Westlake Village. This ceremony and reception were nothing short of magical. The bride and groom shined through it all and their love for one another was evident.

The SCEP team spoke with bride Mishal about her experience during her special day. Read below to find out all the details!

SCEP: What were your original wedding goals?

 Mishal: The goal was to have an elegant wedding while also preserving the simplicity and grace of a Muslim wedding. I really wanted to focus on having a meaningful Nikkah ceremony and a  memorable reception with my loved ones. I wanted the focus to be on the beauty of marriage and the coming together of two families.

 Having an organized wedding was also a priority, since we were also doing the Nikkah the same day as the reception we wanted to stay on a specific time schedule. I did not want either the Nikkah to be rushed nor the reception.

 Another goal, I had was that I really wanted to enjoy my day with my husband and family. I did not want to have to worry about coordinating the vendors. I also did not want to stress out  my parents or family members by taking charge of the vendors. I also wanted them to enjoy their time and share all the special moments with me.

Although it wasn’t a major goal, we both agreed that the background music for the reception should be violins; violins were the perfect background for my vision of having a graceful and elegant wedding reception.

SCEP: How did you feel before, during, and after your wedding?

M: Before- there were a mix of emotions – nervous; excited, some anxiety for everything to turn out okay, however there was always a  sense of comfort knowing that you are marrying the right person.

Being in constant planning mode and trying to figure out all the details was draining. Early on I realized I needed a coordinator who would help execute out all the planning.

During the event, we both had a sense of inner contentment,  joy, and happiness. Neither of us were stressed during the time we both were very much in the moment and shared the happiness together.

Afterwards, it is exciting knowing that you married your perfect match. I looked forward to my journey with my husband and forever best friend! I was also very relieved knowing that all the planning and months of hard work finally came together so perfectly and I owe a lot of that to the amazing So Cal Event Planning team! From the morning when I started getting ready until my rukhsathi, Shumaila and her amazing team took such great care of every detail of that night. Not only did they make sure that everything went according to time they also took such great care of me made sure I had everything I needed that night.

SCEP:  What was your favorite part about the whole wedding experience?

The coming together and interactions of two families! It was such a pleasure sharing all the love and happiness. We both were above the moon to know that not only are we sharing our beautiful moments together but we were also building a beautiful memory with our families.

SCEP: How did you find out about So Cal Event Planners?

I was referred to So Cal Event Planners by my now sister-in-law. I was able to look up their social media page and I was very impressed. I did not hesitate to book your team because of the great interaction I had with Shumaila right after our first conversation. She was so understanding and humble. She catered to my needs and was always available when I had questions. She always followed up with me about every detail. When it came the day of the wedding her and her fabulous team did all the behind-the-scenes work. From coordinating all the vendors to making sure the program ran according to time and making sure the bride and groom were well taken care of. My mom referred to the team as her helping angels for the night.

Venue: Hyatt Regency Westlake

Photo and Video: Samson Productions

Makeup: Nida Gazi — Beauty by NG

Tamanna Roashan, also known as the makeup guru @dressyourface, has brought a child into this world with husband Khushal Aqmal.

Baby Aliya’s journey began with us, as Tamanna trusted us to take part in the gender reveal as well as the baby shower.

The gender reveal took place at Tamanna and Khushal’s residence for an intimate gathering with friends and family.

We created a the dessert table to showcase dad’s musical side, filled with dessert shaped as microphones, piano keys, and music notes and mom’s passion for makeup consisting of desserts designed as lipsticks, mac eyeshadow, and makeup brushes.

It was very exciting to be there when Tamanna and Khushal cut their cake to discover the gender of their baby.

What a beautiful moment once they saw shade of pink hidden in the tier covered in lipsticks! It’s a girl!

S

So, of course, it was time for the baby shower!

With planning and coordinating by us and decor by Kismet Event Designs, the Maharani baby shower was beautiful and extravagant.

The party of 100 family and friends took place at the Brandview Ballroom – L.A. Banquets.

Once upon a time, Lubena and Mustafa met through mutual friends in San Diego. Unfortunately, soon after they met Mustafa had to move to the Bay Area, but they still kept in touch. Fast forward three years, Lubena was in for a magical surprise. Mustafa drove down to visit Lubena again in San Diego, and while they were having a nice walk in Del Mar Beach, Lubena noticed a beautiful sitting area under a canopy. Little did she know, Mustafa had set the whole thing up just for her. They spent a romantic evening under that canopy which ended with a very important question to which Lubena answered ‘yes’!

Before the wedding, Lubena felt a little stressed about all the details to keep track of for her various events. She almost couldn’t believe she was planning her own wedding. She met So Cal Event Planners at another event and they proved extremely helpful and very friendly. There were many months of planning. Slowly but surely the big day was coming closer.

Love is by our side.

Lubena’s favorite part of the whole process was getting ready on the morning of her wedding day. It was finally time for her to relax and allow herself to be pampered. Her hair and makeup team did a fantastic job! Just see the pictures below! Not to mention her gorgeous dress!

Beautiful design!

But he’s looking at you…..

The bride in all her glory.

They planned a gorgeous wedding with lovely details including sparkly linens topped with elegant centerpieces and a breath-taking stage. A delicious white cake had disappeared by the end of the night. But the most important part of the wedding was celebrating this day with family and friends.

Elegant centerpieces.

Breath-taking stage decor.

Delicious dessert.

Mustafa and Lubena are truly a perfect match. She is a vision of beauty and his eyes light up at the sight of her. So Cal Event Planners would like to wish them both a lifetime of happiness and love. And so, their wedding day came to a close and they lived happily ever after.

Princess and her Prince.

“SCEP exceeded my expectations by staying in touch with my vendors and taking over the minute details from A to Z. Shumaila was very organized in her ideas and during the planning process which facilitated the execution of the big day to be absolutely perfect. Before the wedding, as any frantic OCD bride is, I was very nervous as I expected everything to be very particular during the wedding and SCEP enabled me to trust them in leaving the rest in their hands.”

Happy wife, happy life. Gorgeous bride.

She is all that he sees.

Apple of my eye.

This is the beginning of something beautiful.

Happiness.

Magical staging!

This is us. The So Cal Event Planners team.

You have Marvi who loves cats and Nichole who loves shopping. Then there’s Momena who loves to eat anything spicy and Shumaila who prefers sweets. Standing next to her is Rocio who loves photography and Bushra who loves baking.

Our team of coordinators are equipped with a set of master skills that include precision, organization, excellence and grace. We are experts in every aspect of wedding planning and are with you every step of way.

We know how the process goes, you want a fabulous wedding and we can get you there! Besides being your personal wedding gurus, we are also you friend. Tell us your frustrations and worries so we can resolve them for you and turn you into a calm and happy bride.

Each member is unique and vital to the success of your events. Some of us will work behind the scenes by planning, researching, gathering information. And others will work at your event, making sure everything runs perfectly smooth. All of this happens with impeccable communication and understanding.

Our team is dedicated to creating the best wedding planning experience and we wish you a pleasant stay on our site. To learn more about each member, go to our about us page!

Special thanks to the amazing photographers:
Jason Haider Photography
AA Creation

In case you haven’t seen Part 1 of this gorgeous couple’s events, click here! 

Afra and Saad deserve the best, and that’s exactly what they got. The lovely couple wanted a classy and humble wedding, centered around family and love. They simply wanted to provide a serene and enjoyable space for their guests to celebrate.

Their glamorous wedding was no small feat. It was full of enchantment and elegance. They even had an indoor water fountain with luscious roses. The night was full of laughter and love. Below is just a preview of their wedding. Don’t forget to go the gallery for more incredible photos of other weddings planned and coordinated by So Cal Event Planners!

The bride’s favorite part of her wedding was towards the end of the night. In the words of the bride herself:

“As we were leaving the hotel, my family created a walkway of bubbles – it was so fantastic to have Saad carry me through that. Outside, as we approached the car, our families began to cry. So to bring some comic relief, Shumaila quickly handed me and my husband our quirky sunglasses that said “Bride” and “Groom,” the driver blasted FloRida’s “It’s Goi’n Down For Real” on the radio, and my husband and I turned around waving good-bye. It was such a silly surprise that everyone was laughing as we drove way. It was a great way to end the night, with laughter.”

Hotel Irvine was blessed to hold Afra and Saad’s mehndi reception. Vibrant colors on a gorgeous sunny California day stood as a good omen for the happy vibes that were destined to happen. A huge audience of guests and a lovely walkway of flower petals led up to the stage for the Mr. and Mrs. Check out the photos below for sneak peeks at their charming event, and to read about how the couple met.

Afra was MC’ing the mosque’s fundraiser a little over a year ago. Saad had seen her for the first time and was immediately mesmerized. About a month later, coincidentally, Afra and her family were accidentally invited to the “family only” dinner party at one of Saad’s relative’s homes. Afra and Saad were introduced. He realized she was the same girl of his dreams, so they arranged to meet up and get to know each other. The rest is history.

Before the wedding Afra was very worried about what needed to be done logistically. Planning was definitely fun, but she first she had to come up with a checklist which proved very stressful with no guidance!

Afra was introduced to Shumaila through family friends. Immediately, she noticed Shumaila’s friendly personality and determination to plan this wedding perfectly.

Afra explained her expectations for the wedding. With Shumaila’s help and assistance, her instructions were executed excellently. She trusted Shumaila and her team and was confident the details would be taken care of properly.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Afra and Saad’s wedding!

Whether he popped the question with the ring of your dreams or you picked the ring yourself and he ‘surprised’ you with a proposal, we have everything you need to know about choosing your engagement ring.

 
First, get excited! Ring shopping may be the most luxurious and expensive shopping trip you will have.
Secondly, have patience. Like you’ll soon learn with wedding dress shopping, chances are you may not find your perfect ring on the first try. In fact, we encourage you to shop around before making your final decision. There are so many gorgeous settings and many unique styles ranging from $500 to $500,000. Together, let’s begin the quest for your perfect engagement ring. (more…)

Venue: Hyatt Huntington Beach
Date: December 13, 2015

The So Cal Event Planners were introduced to this cute couple through Ankit’s father who played a vital role in the planning process of their wedding. Aniata had moved here from India, and Ankit is from the OC. They met through mutual friend, began talking and fell in love. Together they dreamed of a beachside wedding and found the perfect venue at the Huntington Beach Hyatt Regency. It became a great backdrop to their Indian ceremony which was followed up by the intimate reception of 150 guests. Fun filled and exciting, this weekend was abundant with love and laughter. The couple even had a special Bollywood-esque slideshow and video to share with their guests. Ankit and Aniata’s love is evident and strong. For us, it was wonderful working with the couple and their families. See their pictures below!

The bride’s shoes shall be the most sparkly~

And she shall also be the most beautiful~

There will be the most perfect weather~

And she must wait for her prince~

A most luxurious chair~

But a chaise for them both~

Romantic purple hues~

A wardrobe change~

An end to a romantic night~

Photo credit: AJ Studios

Choosing a honeymoon destination depends on three things:
1. Time
2. Budget
3. Adventurous spirit.

All destinations are great—each one gives you the chance to travel, dream and explore new places. It won’t really matter where you go, as long as you are with your special someone. Without too much intro (because these destinations speak for themselves) we introduce to you, in no particular order, our Top 8 Honeymoon Destinations! So choose a vacation spot and make some memories. (more…)