If you start to feel light-headed it is only because you have just landed on this fluffy, romantic wedding from Studio Vérité Photography. This San Diego bride put her heart and soul into creating her dream wedding full of sweet details and lots of sparkle! If you need me I’ll be lounging on the ruffly, pink pillows with a glittery vodka “Kelbini” (their signature cocktail) in hand! Check out the full gallery for more romantic inspiration!
Click here for more sparkly details in the full gallery!
I knew the second we began to plan the wedding that I wanted understated romantic elegance set off with a rustic backdrop and a touch of feminine glamour. I designed everything in the wedding myself (with help of my mother) from the custom invitations, vintage gold frames and elegant florals to the signature cocktails, bridal party attire and reception details. We selected the Santaluz Country Club in San Diego because the rustic decor, wrought iron and rolling hills reminded me of my home in Scottsdale, AZ. Just with a little “Old California” twist! My inspiration came from a vintage cocktail ring of my grandmothers that has a rare champagne diamond surrounded by tiny white diamonds. It was such a unique piece, it turns from a cocktail ring to a necklace pendant with the flip of a clasp, and I knew I just had to wear it on my wedding day.
Champagne was the primary inspiration with touches of gold, ivory and pale pink. The inspiration had already been selected when my sister and I went on a joint wedding dress shopping trip to a boutique in Scottsdale and we found our dresses within two hours of each other. It just so happened the gown I chose fit perfectly with our color scheme and venue. When I layed my eyes on “the gown”, it I was in instantaneous love. My usual taste in dress is simple and monochromatic. On my wedding day i knew I didn’t want simple or understated. And this dress surely is not! I wore pale pinkish nude ballet flats with a hint of sparkle on the toes, a hair brooch from Etsy and my mother’s gorgeous diamond earrings.
I woke up to a forecast of thunderstorms on the wedding day but the entire day was clear skies and glowing sun. It was perfect. I treated the girls to manicures, pedicures, hair and makeup at the fabulous Spa Gregorie’s Day Spa and Salon in Del Mar, CA and it was a wonderful start to the day. I had purchased small bottles of Rosé Brut from the Korbel Winery for the “Out of Town” gift bags so the girls also started off the day with a little bubbly! My loving husband Ryan always jokes that I love anything that sparkles or shines so he knew he would see bits of that in our wedding. I incorporated dripping strands of crystal into our brown manzanita centerpieces that were strung with pale pink and ivory dendrobium orchid strands. I also handmade dining menus, escort cards and programs with champagne crystal details. These were some of my favorite DIY projects because I spent a significant amount on my custom invitations so designing the remaining paper elements myself was definitely a money saver. Card stock from a local office supply store supplemented by Opal shimmer backing gave it a upscale custom look. We incorporated our nicknames (Kel Belle and Brown Town) in to the cocktail names which our family and friends got a kick out of. We served pink hued vodka “KelBelinis” garnished with gold sugar and Ryan’s favorite drink, a dirty martini nicknamed “The BrownTown-tini.” I purchased ornate gold votives and all of the cocktail/reception linens myself. No renting for this bride! I scoured thrift shops and local home good stores for fun and unique frames in gold hues and filled them with various family wedding portraits. We wanted a fun lounge area in the reception for all of our friends from college to enjoy by the bar. I found various girly ruffled pillows to throw on the lounge furniture which was rented at a discount! The ceremony was out of a dream. We had a simple Catholic ceremony performed by a family friend who also officiated Ryan’s grandparents wedding and will officiate my sister-in-laws weddings as well.
The moment Ryan and I walked in to the tent we were surrounded by our closest friends and family hugging and singing along to our song, “It Just Comes Natural” by George Strait. We broke in to Usher’s “DJ got us Fallin’ in Love’ immediately after the first dance and the dance floor was never empty for the rest of the night thanks to our fantastic DJ.
Wedding Photography: Studio Vérité Photography / Flowers: Flowers By Erin / Hair + Makeup: Spa Gregorie’s / Wedding Venue: Santaluz Country Club / Wedding Invitations: Nicole Reineman Custom Designs / Shoes: Banana Republic / Garter: The Garter Lady / Dress: Lazaro (Destiny’s Bridal in Scottsdale, AZ) / Bridesmaids: Dresses by Coren Moore (Twirl Boutique in Scottsdale, AZ) / Bridesmaids Jewelry: J Crew, Forever 21 / Junior Bridesmaid: Dress by Sweet Plume, Headband by Jovan Jane