We all LOVE a great DIY wedding! No news flash there. But a DIY wedding at the Park Plaza in LA? Seems an unlikely venue for a hands-on kind of bride! But, just you wait and see what Liz did …
images courtesy of Kim Fox Photography
from Amber at Amber Events …
Liz approached me inquiring about my services as a “day of” coordinator for her April 3 DIY wedding at the historic Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. As a wedding professional who’s reputation is at risk when DIY projects don’t go as planned, I was a bit hesitant about taking on her wedding. Plus, I don’t really do “day of” ~ my base package is more of a 6 weeks of …
However, we met, and bonded over our mutual obsession with Anthropologie, Etsy, and our cats. Her projects were realistic and manageable and really, really cool. So I agreed and asked Liz to give me a list of what all she had going on …
ALL the florals … bride’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnieres, olive branch wreaths, ceremony gazebo flowers/draping, cocktail table arrangements, reception table centerpieces, bar/bathroom/assorted arrangements, moss letters, olive branch wreaths …
… meringue towers,lemon shortbread cookies on dessert table, escort cards, cake stand, bridesmaids’ pearl necklaces and earrings, wooden wine crate/box for ceremony (made by bride’s dad and a friend), all signs (pashminas, dessert table, etc.), chocolate-caramel popcorn favors, family photo table (spray painted frames/assembled/made signs), votive holders (sprayed w/frosting spray, lined with doilies so the bride wouldn’t have to get a fire permit!), table numbers, tassled napkin rings, save-the-dates (reproduction of an antique postcard that the bride found; composed text for the back), booklet with ceremony text/readings …
Liz (the bride) said, “It didn’t seem like that much when we were doing it…. wow!”
Wow, indeed. The florals alone are a monstrous job. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Liz was finishing up her last semester of law school here in LA while her fiancé Ryan works and lives in New York. She was juggling all of this, law school, and a long distance relationship. Watch out, world. Superwoman is about to get unleashed on you!
Their wedding day was beautiful and crisp and everything flowed smoothly and beautifully. Liz and Ryan were so over the moon for each other! Their ceremony was meaningful and touching and officiated by Ryan’s brother, John. There was a portion of the ceremony where Liz & Ryan put love letters that they had written to each other into a box with a bottle of wine and nailed shut. If they ever have any serious problems in their marriage, they are to open the box, drink the wine together, and read their love letters.
The guests loved all of the personal touches put into the wedding day. It was an extraordinary day!
One quick logistical note … the florals were carefully coordinated so that Liz did not do any work on her wedding day thanks to the help of her step-mom. {Our staff did assist with the breakdown at the end of the night.}
soooo?
~ awfully terrific, isn’t it ?!!
A classic and totally gorgeous wedding with a super hands-on bride with her absolutely dreamy groom! Please ~ a standing ovation!
Liz ~ your DIY projects were perfect! Our congratulations to you and Ryan! And to Amber Events, thanks so much for sharing it with us! See more here!
Venue – The Park Plaza
Photography- Kim Fox Photography
DJ – Nik Bordokoff
Cake- NancyKay’s Confections
Floral – Bride & Stepmom
Ceremony & Cocktail hour music – Strings by Reiko
Bride’s Dress – J Crew
Bride’s hair- Monique’s Salon
Bride’s makeup- Annette Reddington
And my wonderful assistants at Amber Events ~ Krista and Sacha