In April, the San Diego wedding world lost a truly talented force of wonder and creativity when 37-year-old Tori Hendrix passed away after a 13-month battle with cancer. Here we celebrate the beloved event designer behind Sitting in a Tree, and the uniquely beautiful way she touched not only every wedding she helped bring to life, but also every person she met. Donations can be made to Tori’s husband, Austin, and two kids, four-year-old Lucca Valentine and one-year-old Golden Wilde, at gofundme.com/helpingthehendrixs; her love and legacy continue to live on through #ForTori and #GetLostForTori.
“Sitting in a Tree was Tori’s dream made reality. She launched it with the design of her own wedding to Austin, and what a launch! The event personified her effortless style, and embodied Austin and Tori’s love—everyone in attendance could feel it, see it, understand it. For every wedding that followed, she accomplished the same feat for those couples. My sister was an artist.” —Lacey Long, Tori’s sister
“Tori and I worked together to design these blankets. She used them as both table runners and ceremony seating for a laid-back wedding. She had such a gift for pulling things together in a way that looked both effortless and chic.” —Julia Wheeler, Gunn & Swain
“Working for Sitting in a Tree has been every bit as magical as one might expect. We could write a book about everything Tori taught us, but what sticks out the most was her incredible ability to think outside the box, to turn ordinary objects into something beautiful. She didn’t just turn us into wedding planners, she turned us into kick-ass designers.” —Jamie Dodson on behalf of Sitting in a Tree
“Thinking of all of the beauty that Tori brought to this world is simply awe-inspiring. Her use of patterns and textures was uniquely her. This gorgeous wedding has her name written all over it. From the hand-painted placemats to the touches of gold, it all says ‘Tori’!” —Myka Haddad, Modern Sequins
SEE MORE OF TORI’S WORK:
Styling: Moroccan Nights Tabletops
Styling: Here Comes the Bridal Party
Coordination: Shelly & Travis Real Wedding