We haven’t had our fill of beach fêtes just yet. We’re closing down the pretty party with one last knock-your-socks-off wedding from the California coast. Shot by Kim Le Photography, this is a wedding that seamlessly blends laid back elegance with all out gorgeous details and some really great ocean views. And you know what we say to that? Bravo Team California. Plus, we have the perfect ending in the form of a heart-warming film by 8 Kinds of Smiles below. See more of this Golden State gem here!
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From the Bride…My husband and I have somewhat unique jobs. We’re both variety acts entertainers, we perform an act about magic, mentalism, pickpocketing, and con games. On the side, he consults for law-enforcement on security & theft. I write poetry & edit for a literary website. From the beginning, we knew we wanted a wedding that reflected the uniqueness of our relationship. Besides working together, we also share a mutual love for books, travel, and many things vintage. We travel a lot for our job, performing worldwide. We have a custom-made bookshelf in our home, which is decorated with many of the vintage decor you’ll see in the wedding.
We wanted to be hands-on with much of the look and ambiance of our wedding day. Having been a former graphic designer, Apollo designed all of the wedding stationery, along with our A & A logo. The save-the-dates & ceremony programs were designed to resemble a vintage newspaper (an affection to my literary love) and the escort cards & wedding invitations carried this same sentiment. I made all of the boutonnieres from dry florals, wanting the groom & groomsmen to be able to keep them as souvenirs. For the centerpieces, I wanted a carefree look that reflected my love for the ocean, desert, English gardens and French countryside, so I chose hydrangeas, gerber daisies, snapdragons, roses, and peonies. Along with my caring bridesmaids, we arranged all the florals in vintage glassware rented from Ribbons & Rust. Each of us also made our own bouquet, wrapped in lace & burlap and sprinkled with champagne.
Working closely with law enforcement and performing as a pickpocket, my husband wanted to arrive with his groomsmen in a vintage police car and vintage handcuffs. This was a lot of fun for them as well as our guests. Our ring bearer was also dressed as a secret police agent (black sunglasses, headpiece, and all), protecting a safe that carried our rings inside.
My favorite thing to wear on our wedding day was a necklace that my mother wore when she married my dad. They’ve been married for 35 years and I hope it brings me the same joy & love it brought my parents. Apollo’s favorite thing to wear that day were watch movement cuff links (a gift from me with affection for his watch-stealing performances).
Perhaps our favorite part of the wedding was that it was truly a family & friends affair. Everyone pitched in to help us with their unending generosity. My husband’s son was the DJ, one of my brothers was the emcee and wedding coordinator, and the other brother was the director of the videography and photo booth supplier.
We were so blessed to be able to have our reception in the backyard of a dear friend’s home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Clemente. The ceremony was held in a small park right next door. We loved that our guests didn’t have to drive and that left more time for cocktails and dancing. The beach and train tracks where the bridal party photos took place were also within walking distance. This made the whole day happen so smoothly and added to the organic and intimate feeling we wanted with the celebration. We could not have done it with the help from our friends & family. And it turned out to be the unique, warm, and intimate day we’ve always wanted.
Wedding Photography: Kim Le Photography / Assistant Photography: Ning Wong Photography / Wedding Videography: 8 Kinds of Smiles / Caterer: At Your Service Catering / Wedding Cake: Cinderella Cakes / Flowers: DIY / Vintage Rental: Ribbons & Rust / Silhouette Artist: Nancie Marie / Bride’s Ceremony Dress: BCBG Max Azria / Bride’s Reception Dress: Calvin Hyp / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang + Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Headpiece: Powder Blue Bijoux / Groom’s Cuff Links: Longines by EDM Designs