One thing that never goes out of style? A beaming Bride in a gorgeous white dress. This Bride’s ear to ear smile speaks volumes about her Laguna Beach wedding captured by Sarah K. Chen Photography. It’s definitely the love that is casting that smily glow and quite possibly all the gorgeous design and styling to celebrate that love. All those pretty details were crafted by Platinum Weddings by Kerrie, one of the best of the best in the wedding world. This is a happy, happy day indeed and it’s so worth a look at the full wedding gallery with a big glass of vino in hand. It IS 7:30 on the east coast after all and that’s how we do our best wedding gazing. Enjoy!
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From the bride… I’m a hopeless romantic. Timeless. Romantic. Elegant. In my head, I saw the palest of blush pinks and deep warm espresso browns all woven together with soft ivory and candles. A classic and traditional look with just an understated sparkle. My family’s always called me a princess – and while I’ve tried to fight the pretentious part of that stereotype – I think part of me always knew I wanted to walk down that aisle with a princess ball gown to my prince. My girls would flank me in long elegant gowns (that they would want to wear again!) and my soon-to-be hubby would reach for me in a classic black tux. So I think my goal was to create a grown up fairytale wedding. I envisioned an intimate but elegant scene that, when I looked around the room, I saw the faces of the people that were most important to us in a classy black tie affair.
I asked the St. Regis if they could design a ivory fondant cake (chocolate and white cake layers with strawberry and whipped cream filling) that was inspired by my Kenneth Pool dress. They took the scalloped embroidery from my dropped waist and draped that in antique shimmery silvery across each layer of the four layer wedding cake. They coupled those embellishments with small fondant buttons that emulated the silk satin buttons on the back of my dress. It was just stunning. And oh so tasty! We paid homage to my culture by presenting each guest with a silver fortune cookie placecard holder/paperweight. Each was engraved with the Chinese character “Double Happiness” – the traditional symbol at weddings. My now hubby has a bit of a sweet tooth so I knew that desserts and a candy bar would be integral in our wedding. In shades of blush pinks and ivories, we had over 75 pounds of candy available for our guests (and I’m sure that Chris eagerly hoped for leftovers). Themed “love is sweet” we had wooden hand carvings from Treehouse Designs from Etsy to adorn the table and I made little stickers to go on the frosted Chinese takeout boxes so people could enjoy the treats at home.
I think what was most special to me was how personal each and every element of the wedding was to me/us. I had personally designed, hand punched and hand cut each place card, menu, table number so it could be just as I have always pictured. We pared down the program to less than a handful of toasts, a wedding blessing and the requisite dances, so we could spend most of the evening mingling with our guests.
Event Coordinator: Kerrie Underhill of Platinum Weddings by Kerrie / Ceremony + Reception Venue: St. Regis Monarch Beach / Photographer: Sarah K. Chen Photography / Music: DJ Tasos of LSM Entertainment / Beauty: Design Visage / Florist: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist / Cake: St. Regis Monarch Beach Pastry / Linens + Chiavari Chairs: Fusion Linens / Lighting: LSM Entertainment / Dance Floor: Chiavari Chair Rentals / Wedding Gown: Kenneth Pool / Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids Dresses: After Six by Dessy