2021 seemed to be more of an extension of 2020 than any of us hoped. With all the reopenings and the subsequent closures happening almost weekly, the Event and Hospitality industries in Los Angeles were left feeling as if we were muddling through days, looking at life through a foggy windshield. Never knowing what tomorrow may bring. While that can sound slightly dramatic, it was true. As a wedding and event planner, I got up every morning to read the news not knowing if events that had been postponed from the year before could even happen any time soon. My goal for 2021 was to finally be able to get my clients down the aisle, safely! It was a constant game of ‘what if’ with only a small glimpse of light at the end of the dark tunnel. But for all its ups and downs, we were thrilled to be able to start our wedding season off in June 2021 we some amazing events through the end of the year as well as some incredible styled shoots with some of our favorite vendor teams. Here is a colorful look back at what Anything But Gray Events was up to last year. Let’s dive into 2021!

*All the weddings we planned and designed in 2021 were done so in accordance with Los Angeles COVID rules and regulations and the most up-to-date CDC guidelines. The safety of our clients, vendors, and team members is always #1!

 

Mellow Yellow Styled Shoot

Featured on Green Wedding Shoes

March 2021

Photo Credit: Peterson Design & Photography

Venue: East Angel in DTLA 

Equestrian Styled Shoot

April 2021

Photo Credit: Aurelia D’Amore Photography 

Venue: The Stonehurst

Linzy & Jeff

Disney Proposal turned Surprise Wedding

Featured as “Our Favorite Weddings of 2021” on A Practical Wedding.

June 2021

Photo Credit: White Rabbit Photo Boutique 

Venue: Redbird in DTLA

Read more about this wedding  HERE.

 

Trilby’s 70th Birthday

Celebrating my Mother’s 70 years of life and friendships of over 50 years! 

July 2021

Photo Credit: Monica Linda Photography

Venue: Private Residence in Pasadena

Carly & Matt

Old Hollywood meets Southern Charm Wedding 

July 2021

Plus their styled vintage engagement shoot!

Photo Credit: Miki & Sonja Photography

Venue: The Ebell of Los Angeles

 

Kimia & Hailey

At Home styled Engagement Shoot

August 2021

Photo Credit: Peterson Design & Photography

Venue: Private Residence in Los Angeles

 

Julia & Jackson

Color Pop meets Disco Jungle Wedding 

Featured in Rock n Roll Bride Magazine

August 2021

Photo Credit: Mary Costa Photography

Venue: Valentine in DTLA

Stephen & Jared

Broadway meets Hollywood Wedding 

Featured on Equally Wed

October 2021

Photo Credit: Peterson Design & Photography

Venue: The Ebell of Los Angeles

Plus their styled Broadway Royalty engagement shoot!

Em & Scott

1960’s California Kitsch meets Neon Wedding

October 2021

Photo Credit: Aurelia D’Amore Photography 

Venue: The Valley Relics Museum

Plus their styled picnic engagement shoot!

 

 

Katie & Wyatt

November ushered in my own brother’s wedding after having postponed it in 2020.

November 2021

Photo Credit: Julie Shuford Photography

Venue: The Hollywood Roosevelt & St. James Church 

Holiday Double Proposal Styled Shoot

Featured on National Gay Wedding Association

December 2021

Photo Credit: Danforth Neal Photography

Venue: La Venta Inn

Read more about it HERE.

On a personal note, we adopted 2 more dogs, got completed vaccinated (and boosted) and I started learning American Sign Language. Professionally, being awarded as The Equally Wed Awards Best LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Planner 2021, followed by being selected as a preferred planner at The California Science Center was such an honor. Keeping connected to my community was crucial as well for not only my mind but spirit. I spent my free time volunteering at my local homeless shelter as well as being on the board of Directors for Wedding International Professional Association (WIPA SoCal) and closing out my final year as a Tuesdays Together Los Angeles Leader helped keep the community spirit alive and well. Being asked to speak at such conferences as The Wedding Summit Series and The Hill Roundtables that focused on inclusion, creating safe spaces, and responsible involvement in the wedding industry kept me learning and growing professionally throughout the year. I ended 2021 with the honor of being asked to host the National Gay Wedding Association Virtual Conference in January 2022.

With real weddings being pushed to the second half of the year, we kept our focus positive by producing some creative projects along with hiring Elevate Films to create this Video Business Card to showcase to potential clients. While 2021 was an incredibly challenging year for us all it was a year of change, progression, and survival. I look forward to the colorful and creative couples that 2022 brings us!