Sonia's Studios

Wedding & Event Planning

Irvine, CA

$4,500 starting price

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Serving California & Destination Events

Service area

Sonia Merchant

OWNER

Typically responds within 24h

AWARD WINNER (2X)

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

Sonia Studios is a full-service planning, design, and consulting company located in Orange County, California servicing surrounding areas and destination events. Owner Sonia Merchant is known as a detail-oriented professional with more than ten years of experience. Over time, She has successfully executed high-end weddings, corporate functions, galas, bar & bat mitzvahs, kids’ parties, and countless social affairs. Our days consist of meticulously sourcing event elements including venue, catering, design, rentals, audio-visual, entertainment, and more from inception through completion. We provide observable services for clients to sustain exceptional experiences with impeccable attention to detail. The company is accomplished in tracking trends and seamlessly integrating traditional and contemporary customs. We continue to produce extraordinarily memorable events!

Woman-owned Business

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Details

Destination Weddings

Destination Wedding Packages

Destination Wedding Planning

Planning

A la Carte Wedding Planning

Budgeting

Day-Of Coordination

Destination Wedding Planning

Full Service Wedding Planning

Honeymoon Planning

RSVP Tracking

Wedding Design

Wedding Activities

Getting Engaged

Engagement Party

Honeymoon

Rehearsals & Parties

After Party

Bachelor Party

Bachelorette Party

Bridal Luncheon

Bridal Shower

Couples Shower

Engagement Party

Rehearsal Dinner

Welcome Party

Wedding

After Party

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Day After Brunch

Reception

Rehearsal

Rehearsal Dinner

Awards and Affiliations

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Meet the team

Sonia Merchant

Owner

Hi there, and Welcome! My name is Sonia Merchant. I began my journey at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Irvine, California, while working various internships and jobs in the industry. I soon developed a passion for coordinating and all-things design. Fast forward ten years of working for various planners and producing countless events - here I am! As a women-owned business, I am continuously striving for diversity, consistency, and success. With my life dedicated to my passion, I truly couldn't dream of doing anything else! XO

5.0

out of 5.0

23 reviews

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Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Sonia Studios receives rave reviews for exceptional event planning services, particularly for weddings. Reviewers praise Sonia for her meticulous attention to detail, organizational skills, and positive energy throughout the planning process. Clients appreciate her professionalism, communication, and ability to surpass expectations, creating unforgettable and stress-free experiences. Vendors also commend Sonia for her dedication, love, and care in executing flawless events, recommending her highly for anyone seeking a reliable and top-tier event planner.

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Tori N

10/14/2024

Sonia and her team are a pleasure to work with. Sonia is detail oriented and organized, executes visions and plans, very communicative and always available for conversation, and overall has a positive energy during what could be stressful planning. She has great relationships and vendor recommendations, and our wedding exceeded our expectations.

Laura M

8/19/2024

Sonia was so amazing to work with, she was alway on top of everything, Anytime I had a question she would answer right away. If your looking into a wedding planner look no further Sonia needs to be your go to!

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Komal S

7/06/2024

Working with our wedding planner was an absolute dream. Her meticulous attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our special day was perfectly executed, from the grandest moments to the smallest touches. She listened to our every wish and concern with genuine understanding, making us feel truly heard and valued throughout the entire planning process. Her warm and friendly demeanor transformed what could have been a stressful experience into a joyous journey. We couldn't have asked for a more dedicated and delightful person to bring our wedding vision to life.

Manoj K

6/20/2024

Sonia is extremely professional. Her party planning services are top notch. If there was a level above NextLevel she has achieved it. Highly recommended!

David W

4/11/2024

I have a photobooth business, so I am writing this review from a vendor's perspective. I have worked with Sonia for many years now. She is for sure a blessing to me & my business, and is easily my all-time favorite event planner to work with! I absolutely love her! First off, Sonia has got to be the sweetest event planner out there, not only because she sends me business haha, but she does all the little things that other event planners don’t do. For example, during an event, Sonia is ALWAYS working non-stop. Seriously, that girl does not stop lol. She is constantly checking all the little details, making sure the flowers, decor and colors are absolutely perfect for the photographer & guests upon entry, checking on vendors to make sure they know where they’re supposed to be & what they’re supposed to be doing, checking & double-checking the timeline and making sure every little thing is in the right place for all the activities. Seriously, I have so much respect for the quality & level of work that she does--it’s amazing to watch her bring out that unique expression or theme that she & her client have co-created, and bring their special event to life! But that’s not all. During the event, I ALWAYS see her working non-stop. She is constantly looking around to make sure everyone is having an amazing time, all while still constantly checking the timeline & all the little details to make sure everything goes perfectly for her client. I always see her going around picking up stuff, straightening up little things, etc. Sonia does not stop. Lol. haha But wait...there’s more! Lol. Remember I said that she is the sweetest planner out there? Well, even in the midst of everything that she is overseeing, she ALWAYS checks on vendors to make sure that we’ve received our vendor meals and checks to see if there’s anything that she can get for us or do for us. I always tell her “I’m good”, but she always ends up doing something sweet like bring over an appetizer while we wait for our meals. I always joke with her that I always feel like VIP at her events haha. But it’s really little things like this that speaks volume about the kind of person Sonia is. I think we know who the real VIP is here. :D All in all, I have to say Sonia puts in an incredible amount of love and care into all of her events. You feel it when you walk into one of her events. It’s beautiful...a work of art. You can feel her passion in all the little details. They say that if you care about something, you care about the details. I think her work speaks for itself. I have so much respect for her. I’ll leave with this last note. From all the events that I worked with, with Sonia, I can see that she is creating something more much than just an event. She is creating an experience, and creating many cherished moments that are absolutely priceless...because I see so many people walk into the event as they normally would, but by the end of the night everyone is full--full of spirit and energy, and their hearts are filled with joy and happiness. Everyone leaves feeling “full” and complete, with something that they can keep with them forever and that to me, is one of the most beautiful things for me to witness. Much respect to Sonia & her incredible work.

Mike P

4/04/2024

We have been working with Sonia for well over 8-years and her exceptional organization skills makes the planning process seamless and stress-free. Sonia goes above and beyond to ensure all vendors are organized and coordinated perfectly, and the timeline for the event day flows without a hitch. Their recommendations for vendors were spot-on, reflecting the clients style and budget. What stood out the most was Sonia's ability to make the client feel prioritized and cared for. She always delivers more than what was contracted and has a solution for any problem that arises during the event; something that reflects her experience and calm demeanor. The events we work with her are always executed with professionalism and the designs are well thought-out and stunning. Every detail is executed flawlessly, and delivers a "wow" factor compared to other event planners we have partnered with. We highly recommend their services to any couple looking for a stress-free and unforgettable event planning experience. Mike Purdy Mood Photo & Video

erika c

1/22/2024

Best event planner in Orange County! I was introduced to Sonia Studios through friend as she hired her for a last minute YPO event. I was hesitant to hire a planner for my daughter’s bridal shower as I have had awful experiences in the past with event planners. Sonia was so patient and responsive! She totally understood me and was able to deal with my anxiety. The thing that stood out to me was how knowledgeable and calm she was, which made me feel so at ease!!! We didn’t have much time but she was quick with everything and sprung into action. I am so appreciate to have met her and of course, everything was BEYOND STUNNING and exceeded all of my expectations! Will 1000000% be working with her and team again!!!!

Samantha K

12/19/2023

As a photographer it is so refreshing to find an amazing wedding planner to coordinate the days event so perfectly, and that’s what I found in Sonia! She is more like a best friend that is committed to making your event the very best! Sonia even anticipates what the client and vendors need before we even know what that is, she is just so on top of it! I could not recommend her and her team more if you’d like a seamless event! I look forward to working with Sonia again♥️

Tani A

11/30/2023

A Dream Wedding Brought to Life From the moment we met our wedding planner, Sonia, we knew we were in the hands of a true professional. Her passion for weddings was evident in her enthusiasm, creativity, and attention to detail. She seamlessly guided us through every step of the planning process, from selecting a venue to coordinating with vendors, all while keeping our vision and budget in mind. Sonia possessed this crazy ability to anticipate our needs and desires, often suggesting ideas we hadn't even considered. She was a creative force, transforming our vague concepts into stunning realities. She helped us source unique décor, design a captivating ceremony, and curate a menu that delighted our guests. Probably one of the most organized individuals i have ever met! truly remarkable. She created a detailed timeline that ensured every element of our wedding unfolded flawlessly. She even anticipated potential hiccups and prepared contingency plans, ensuring that nothing could derail our special day. Our wedding exceeded our expectations. She is a true gem and we highly recommend her to any couple seeking a stress-free and unforgettable wedding experience.

Ann A

10/20/2023

Sonia was absolutely amazing and I could not recommend her enough! She was always very responsive and understood my vision for the wedding. Even though my wedding was a destination wedding in Hawaii she did an amazing job contacting local vendors and everything went very smoothly. Throughout this process Sonia has felt more like a friend than my wedding planner and all of my guests loved talking with her and her assistant. She is very experienced and provided great recommendations with regards to design, wedding timeline, and so much more. My wedding was flawless thanks to Sonia and she made the day feel very stress free. I will definitely be using her in the future for event planning!

Gabrielle M

6/20/2023

Sonia planned my dream wedding! With multiple scheduling conflicts and covid issues, she was able to pull it off so gracefully. From everything from the vendors to the experience, the process was more than I could have ever asked for! I am so thankful for Sonia. I wish I could re-live my wedding a million times over!

Simona C

3/21/2023

The collaboration with Sonia was pleasant and professional. She handled our requests and followed up directly with the vendors. We were constantly in contact, which enabled us to stay on schedule. Sonia helped us tremendously with the wedding preparations and made the process easier, especially since we couldn't always be on-site. Our wedding was in Newport Beach, CA, and my husband and I live in TN. I highly recommend her vendors, as well. They were all very competent and reliable! On the wedding day, Sonia was at the church ceremony and later at the reception to ensure everything went as planned. We highly recommend Sonia's Studios!

Vilona M

3/08/2023

I couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience. My husband and I had to keep re-booking our wedding date and changing our location due to Covid issues and it became so frustrating and defeating. Sonia and her team were so calm and collected no matter the situations that they were faced with. Eventually, she led us to our PERFECT venue and everything fell into place. All of our vendors and the uniqueness of the weekend made it worth all of the initial chaos. We are now in the process of planning my baby shower. :-) I can’t stop replaying the best day of our lives!

Rebecca D

10/05/2022

I loved working with Sonia Studios! Her team made our wedding process so smooth from the start. My husband and I wanted to do the least amount of work and basically hand over all of the leg work to a planner and just show up to our wedding. When we walked into the room our jaws dropped! Highly recommend her and her team!

Katrina L

10/02/2022

Sonia is the best!! We are currently in the planning stages for my destination wedding next year. I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience so far. She is so punctual, informative, kind, and most of all she is ALWAYS responsive. She is 100% worth every penny and I am so glad that we connected!

Kristyn A

9/20/2022

I had hired Sonia for my baby shower and she is an amazing event planner. I love how she is very organized and flexible! For instance, I only had to meet with her once and whenever we would communicate over the phone, she always got back to me in a timely manner. I loved how there was a google doc for the costs, so I knew how much we were spending which kept us right on track. Lastly, I love how Sonia is creative! For example, I would have an idea about a centerpiece but then she would come up with a better and more budget friendly idea! She is just that experienced, which made my time with Sonia stress free. She is good at what she does and I definitely would recommend her to my friends and family!

Mia R

6/17/2022

Sonia’s studios was amazing! She was so helpful and informative with the whole wedding process. I am a very indecisive person/worrier but she did a great job guiding me and she put a lot of my stress at ease! My wedding came out more beautiful then I could have ever imagined. One thing I will say is trust the process! It is so easy as a bride to question everything and become doubtful, but Sonia really does deliver and makes all your visions come to life. She communicated with me every step of the way! Definitely recommend! I will be using her for other parties I have coming up as she does do other kinds of events!

Kelly B

6/17/2022

Where do I even begin? As soon as I got engaged, I reached out to Sonia to plan my 2019 wedding (pre-pandemic). Before I even hired her, she was so unbelievably helpful and made me feel instantly comfortable. She accompanied me on a tour of the venue we ended up using and guided me through the whole meeting. Once I signed her contract, we hit the ground running. I sent her my inspiration pictures and she instantly made appointments for us to meet with designers and florists. She had an extensive list of great vendors she had worked with before, but was also super open to meeting and working with new vendors that I had suggested. She handled every request quickly and thoroughly and was so organized throughout the entire process. We were constantly in communication and she always kept me in the loop. She negotiated pricing and got us discounts when possible, and when appropriate (please remember there are some prices/fees that are non-negotiable!!). I can go on for days about how she was my lifeline and my confidant through the most stressful time in my life. Our wedding was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined and I literally could not have done ANY of it without her! She has become my family's go-to event planner and we wouldn't have it any other way! Thank you so much, Sonia! We HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Sonia Studios! DO NOT hesitate to hire Sonia for all your party-planning needs!

Kathy S

6/17/2022

If you're planning any event, Sonia is the way to go! Without her, my fairytale wedding would have never come to life the way it did. Sonia was BEYOND amazing!! I had spoken with several planners before I got the recommendation to talk with Sonia from a family friend. I immediately felt comfortable with her and she was ready to help from the first moment we spoke. She really did turn my dream into a reality!! She went above and beyond my expectations. Sonia planned our June 2021 wedding in the midst of the chaos of a pandemic and she made chaos seem calm. She took care of everything to relieve me from any stress and was on top of anything and everything! She was able to get us great deals and recommended some of the best vendors. I trusted her with so many aspects of our day and I do not regret a thing! We were unable to actually have our reception at our original venue due to COVID and had to find a new venue that could accommodate all 300 of our guests only 2 months before the wedding. Sonia made the process smooth and reassured me that we would still have a fabulous wedding and my vision would still be intact as much as possible! When we chose a new venue that would accommodate our huge guest list on such short notice, I was not too happy with the actual hall but again, Sonia continued to reassure me and boyyyyy was she right! When my husband and I walked into our hall on the day of, we were BLOWN AWAY!! We could not believe the transformation that Sonia made happen! Sonia was my go-to for the year of planning and she made it so easy to text or call her at any time when I needed anything. She is so personable and professional, I was so lucky to have her plan my day! My family lovessss Sonia and she will be our go-to for all our future big party needs! She made what I thought to be impossible, possible! Sonia became part of the family and I can't recommend her enough!! Anytime I have a friend or family member that is about to start planning a wedding, or any other event, I immediately say SONIA! Trust me!! Thank you Sonia Studios for helping me create my fairytale!

Jay M

6/16/2022

I had such a great experience with Sonia. She helped coordinate my wedding and I can’t say enough positive things about the level of service she provides. Sonia is on top of every detail, and is always making sure that you get the best from your vendors, caterers, and venue. I highly recommend Sonia for your wedding.

Sarah K

6/16/2022

Sonia is such an amazing wedding planner. She is professional, organized, and punctual. She went above and beyond to make sure our wedding ran smoothly. We never had any doubt that our wedding would turn out any less than spectacular.

Kristin R

6/15/2022

It was such a pleasure to work with Sonia Studios for mine and my husband's wedding day! We went back and forth and had to change plans multiple times during the pandemic. I'm a bit of bridezilla and called her late nights, early mornings and she would ALWAYS answer and take the time to reassure me and talk to me. Going from hotel venues to AIR BNB'S and we almost started to lose hope until we found a venue that would accommodate our guest count within our budget. She was extremely organized and accommodating and made us feel like we were in this together! She had our back when vendors tried to charge hidden fees and always said "I treat your money like my own money!" The biggest thing that stood out was her punctuality and extremely quick response time. Would HIGHLY recommend her and her team any day!

Anisha D

6/15/2022

Sonia was amazing! From the beginning phases of planning all the way till execution, she was professional and supportive. She is very detail oriented and precise, very easy to communicate with and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right! On top of it all, she was so patient and kind to my family and friends. I highly recommend Sonia!

Service area

Irvine, CA

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Serving California & Destination Events
Service area

Contact

(909) 957-0054

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Sonia Merchant

OWNER

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Sonia's Studios

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Meet the team

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5.0

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