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.
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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!
What’s one thing you’re most excited about for 2023?
Color!!
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.
