Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Song
Hi Grace, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
What an incredible journey this has been! My story began during my college years, volunteering with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles (KACCLA), a dynamic organization dedicated to fostering community and business development. This experience introduced me to the fast-paced world of events, from formal meetings and high-profile conferences to lavish galas and celebrations. Working alongside some of the most influential business leaders and politicians in the nation gave me invaluable insights into the art of planning and executing events that leave lasting impressions.
It wasn’t long before I was handed larger, more complex projects, each one pushing me to grow and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of a vibrant market. To this day, I hold deep gratitude for those early days, when the feedback from attendees and members reassured me that I had found my calling.
One defining moment came when I planned my first wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey. It started as a favor for my former boss, and I quickly realized the immense responsibility of crafting such an intimate and personal celebration. The stakes were high—this was no ordinary event. As the night unfolded, witnessing the heartfelt gratitude of the bride and groom and the joy on the faces of their loved ones was nothing short of magical. That experience taught me something profound: weddings aren’t just events; they’re love stories brought to life. It was the moment I knew I had discovered a new dimension of event planning—one that would become my passion.
Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say that with over two decades of creative experience, I’ve planned and overseen hundreds of events. These range from intimate gatherings of 20 to grand celebrations with 2,000 guests, hosted everywhere from luxurious hotel ballrooms like the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton properties, to sprawling convention centers and private estates. A few years later, to meet the growing demand for bespoke and extraordinary events, I founded Charis Events & Design. Together with my incredible team, we’re driven by a shared passion for creating unforgettable moments, delivering perfection, and spreading joy at every turn.
Every project we take on reminds me why I fell in love with this work—because at the heart of every event is a story waiting to be told, and I’m honored to help bring those stories to life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey as a wedding and event planner has been a whirlwind of challenges and rewards. Whether orchestrating a dreamy wedding in Santa Barbara, a glamorous corporate gala in Las Vegas, or an intimate celebration in Malibu, every event demands precision, adaptability, and a knack for creative problem-solving.
One of the most exhilarating—and often demanding—aspects of my work is managing the event team, which can range from 30 vendors for a smaller event to hundreds for a large-scale gala. Coordinating with such a diverse group—caterers, florists, lighting designers, entertainers, and more—is like conducting a symphony, where every piece must align perfectly. And sometimes, this happens in a matter of hours or even overnight!
For example, at a wedding in Santa Barbara, strong winds unexpectedly threatened the original outdoor setup just hours before the ceremony. With the help of an incredible vendor team, we quickly pivoted to create an elegant tented space, ensuring guests stayed comfortable and the couple’s vision remained intact. Watching everyone work in unison—from the rental crew constructing the tent to the florists reimagining their designs—was a true testament to the magic of teamwork. Similarly, during a corporate gala in Malibu, a key vendor was delayed due to heavy traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway. With the clock ticking, I reassigned tasks to other team members and vendors to keep the timeline on track, ensuring the event started seamlessly.
These moments remind me that it truly takes a village to bring an event to life. Every vendor and team member plays a critical role in making the magic happen, and ensuring smooth communication and collaboration is essential. Traveling frequently across Northern and Southern California, Las Vegas, and beyond only adds to the complexity, as every region brings its own logistics and challenges.
What makes it all possible is the incredible network of professionals I’ve had the privilege of working with. I firmly believe in “community over competition.” Surrounding myself with talented, like-minded individuals who share my passion for excellence has been invaluable. Their expertise, positivity, and collaborative spirit make even the toughest challenges feel manageable.
Despite the obstacles—tight timelines, unexpected shifts, or the sheer scale of an event—there’s no greater reward than seeing months of planning come together flawlessly. Whether it’s a couple seeing their dream wedding unfold or a company celebrating a milestone in style, those moments of joy make every challenge worth it. This journey, with all its twists and turns, has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I’m grateful for every step.
As you know, we’re big fans of Charis Events & Design. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Charis Events & Design, we pride ourselves on creating bespoke, unforgettable experiences that reflect the unique vision and values of our clients. With over two decades of expertise in luxury event planning, we specialize in transforming dreams into reality through meticulous planning, creative design, and personalized service. From intimate weddings to high-profile corporate events and destination celebrations, our team has mastered the art of blending elegance with meaningful storytelling to craft events that feel as special as the people they celebrate.
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to excellence. Every event is approached with the philosophy that no two should ever feel the same. We take the time to understand our clients’ vision deeply, infusing every detail—from décor to entertainment—with their personality and style. Our ability to combine artistic creativity with the precision of flawless execution is what has earned us a reputation for delivering seamless, awe-inspiring events. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with a network of top-tier vendors and partners across Southern California, as well as internationally in places like Hawaii and Europe, ensuring that each event is nothing short of extraordinary.
We are honored to have earned numerous industry accolades, such as being named among PartySlate’s Best Wedding Planners in Los Angeles, as well as receiving honors from The Knot, WeddingWire, and Grace Ormonde. However, our greatest source of pride lies in the lasting relationships we build with our clients. By carefully limiting the number of events we take on each year, we ensure each couple, family, or organization receives our full attention and dedication. For us, it’s not just about meeting expectations but surpassing them, leaving our clients with unforgettable memories.
At Charis Events & Design, we don’t just plan events; we create extraordinary experiences that resonate long after the day has passed. Whether it’s an intimate garden wedding, a grand celebration at a luxurious venue, or a destination gathering in a breathtaking locale, we are committed to making every detail shine with creativity, heart, and precision. When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a planner—you’re gaining a passionate partner dedicated to making your vision come to life seamlessly.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking has always been a part of my journey, though I believe it’s not about being reckless but about making thoughtful, calculated decisions that can push boundaries and drive growth. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my career was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others in the event industry, I faced an incredibly uncertain landscape where gatherings were restricted, and many events were either postponed or canceled altogether.
Instead of scaling back or waiting for things to “go back to normal,” I took the risk of pivoting—finding new ways to engage clients and continuing to offer value through virtual events, micro-weddings, and safety-focused planning. We worked tirelessly to adapt our services, navigate the complexities of health protocols, and even reimagine how weddings and events could be designed in a socially distant world. It wasn’t easy, and there were many obstacles along the way, but this risk ultimately led to growth, as we expanded our services and connected with clients in new and creative ways.
The pandemic taught me that risk doesn’t always have to be about leaping into the unknown blindly; sometimes, it’s about adapting, recalibrating, and finding innovative solutions in the face of adversity. What I learned through that experience is that risk-taking is often about the mindset—how you approach challenges and use them as opportunities to grow. In the end, the willingness to take a risk can set you apart and allow you to thrive in ways you might not have imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charisevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charis_events/
