Celebrating Friendorsgiving

In the fast-paced world of wedding and event planning, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of beautiful moments, tight deadlines, and perfectly orchestrated details. But when the last bouquet is tossed and the final notes of music fade, what remains is something just as wonderful: the relationships we’ve built along the way. At House of Joy, we believe in cherishing these connections, which is why we created Friendorsgiving - a celebration of friendship, collaboration, and the incredible vendors we call friendors.

Friendorsgiving began in the fall of 2023 as a way to mark the end of our event season. After spending countless hours working together to create memorable experiences for our clients, it felt odd to simply part ways without acknowledging the bond we’ve forged as a team. We wanted to create a closing event of our own - one that celebrated not just the work we do but also the friendships we’ve cultivated in the process.

This year, Friendorsgiving took place in the garage of House of Joy - a space we completely transformed to accommodate everyone in one, intimate setting. The decision to bring everyone into a single room wasn’t just practical; it was intentional. We wanted to foster closeness, connection, and conversation. Being together in one shared space reminded us of the beautiful interdependence that defines our work together. As event vendors, we rely on one another to bring dreams to life. From florists and photographers to caterers and designers, our collective efforts turn ideas into reality. Friendorsgiving is our way of pausing to celebrate the magic we create together and to thank each other for being part of this journey.

House of Joy hosts Thanksgiving event for vendor relationship building

At House of Joy, we believe the best relationships are built around good food, great drinks, and heartfelt conversation. Friendorsgiving felt like a natural extension of this ideology. The event wasn’t about schedules or timelines; it was about laughter, storytelling, and being present with one another. Some of our favorite moments from this year were: watching our garage transform into a stunning event space that felt warm, inviting, and unique; seeing more of our vendors and partners make time to join us, reinforcing the value of slowing down to connect; welcoming new faces into the mix and expanding our circle of friendors; and, sharing unhurried conversations and genuine fellowship with those we rarely get dedicated face time with on event days. These moments reminded us of why we do what we do. The intimate setting allowed us to bridge the gap between the professional and the personal, creating an environment where relationships could flourish.

Event planning is inherently collaborative. Each vendor brings their unique expertise, and when we work together seamlessly, the results are extraordinary. Friendorsgiving is a reflection of that interdependence. It’s a chance to acknowledge that no one person or company can do it all - and that’s the beauty of what we create together. At the heart of Friendorsgiving is the belief that supporting and celebrating one another strengthens not just our partnerships but also the events we bring to life. When we pour into each other, we’re reminded that our success is shared and that every detail - big or small - is made more meaningful because of the relationships behind it.

Friendorsgiving has quickly become one of our favorite House of Joy traditions. It’s a time to reflect on the season that was, to celebrate the work we’ve done together, and to look ahead with gratitude and excitement. By slowing down and focusing on the people behind the work, we end the year on a high note - not only as collaborators but as friends. As we move into the next season, we carry with us the memories of another beautiful Friendorsgiving. We’re inspired by the friendships we’ve deepened and the new ones we’ve formed. Most importantly, we’re given an opportunity to experience why we do what we do: creating meaningful moments, not just for our clients but for ourselves and the people we’re lucky enough to work alongside.

To all our friendors - thank you for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to continue creating with you next year and continue building something beautiful, together.