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GEZELLIG.
Gezellig has no direct English translation.
But it encompasses a whole slew of feelings and emotions >>
I heard this word over and over in Ted Lasso – a quick google search says it’s the heart of Dutch culture.
Cozy, warm, welcome, joyful — Gezellig is a fondness, a warmth.
it’s sitting in a coffee shop reading your favorite book.
its an evening in the town with good friends, good wine, and good food.
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Which felt like the perfect word –
Gezellig is the feeling I want my clients to have working with me.
And I would say that they absolutely do.
And gezellig is the feeling I get when I see any of Haley Kelly’s designs, Chic and cozy, inviting and elegant. Haley Kelly’s designs are gezellig.
If you’re looking for a wedding planner who will curate your vision into the perfect wedding day, (that’s Gezellig)…
look no further than Charleston-based wedding planner, Haley Kelly.
Photography by Gately Williams, Paintings by Courtney Kibby
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Where are you based out of, and what do you love most about weddings?
Charleston, South Carolina
Outside of the client relationships – seeing it all come to life the day of. We have spent months working on a design and watching it all come to life is truly fulfilling.
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Why do you work in weddings?
I have dreamed of being an event planner since I was a freshman in college – I didn’t know specifically which facet – non profit, government or weddings and after a few internships it was very clear to me that I wanted the emotional connection of a wedding day.
What are your top 3-5 favorite venues to design weddings at and why?
So hard to pick!! Overall we love a space where we have to build it from the ground up. Bringing in power, bathrooms, water – flooring if necessary and truly
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What’s your wedding style/aesthetic?
I like to think that we don’t have a specific style – I don’t want to be known as the planner that always has plants, can nail a blue palette or always has watercolor invitations. We very much lean into our clients and their likes and run with it. Our overall aesthetic is something that is detailed, has a wow factor and is overly inviting to guests.
What’s one trend in the wedding industry we should pay attention to?
Hiring intentional vendors.
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You’re planning a wedding for a client in Charleston Summer – what are three things you must do?
Spray for bugs – pass cold towels – lots of water!
You’re planning a wedding for a client in Charleston Winter – what are three things you must do?
Aesthetically pleasing throw blankets on your lounge furniture, hot hands passed out by your planning team, coat check!
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What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Spend time with my family – specifically on the water – the pool, boat or beach. For my personal time – I like to go to a work out class, spend time with friends and enjoy a nice date night with my husband! We are huge cooks so learning something new in the culinary world is always fun for me!
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Words to live by?
Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
– William Foster
What advice do you have for couples planning a wedding in 2023?
Get started early – hire an amazing vendor team and enjoy the ride. Wedding planning with a full-service planner shouldn’t be stressful.
Drink of Choice?
Negroni or Margarita with salt!
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What’s one thing you’re most excited about for 2023?
Color!!
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Planning your Charleston wedding (or elsewhere) and looking to make your wedding a masterpiece?
Astound your guests with a live wedding painting experience they’ll never forget, and indulge your memories with a hand-painted watercolor piece that you’ll treasure forever.