Intimate doesn’t always mean casual. Sometimes small affairs can be just as glamorous as their larger cousins. With sequin linens, a sparkling BHLDN dress and a night filled with twinkling cafe lights and loved ones, this couple showed us exactly what intimate glamour looks like. And it’s gorgeous. See even more crafted by Grace Lorenzen and captured by Kelsey Stewart for Ken Kienow in the full gallery right here.
From Grace Lorenzen…Ryan and Whitney wanted a small, intimate gathering of close friends and family to celebrate their wedding. They did not, however, want it to be a casual, laid back affair. They wanted to pull out all the stops and make it a night to remember.
Their first priority was the dinner menu. Their shared passion for food had always played an important role in their relationship, and they wanted to share that passion with their wedding guests. My husband, Jensen (the chef), wrote a menu that incorporated dishes that were inspired by childhood memories (an amuse bouche of chicken divan, which Ryan’s mother used to make), dishes the couple first enjoyed together (while in college they couldn’t afford to eat extravagantly every night, but every once a week they would splurge on a “pay day steak”), and current favorites (local roast chicken with wild mushrooms). Most of the vegetables on the menu came from Ryan’s garden, everything else was sourced from local farms, dairies, and ranches.
Their second priority was atmosphere. They wanted a glamorous affair, mink coats, live jazz, sequin table runners and silk napkins. They also wanted to leave their guests guessing, the only detail that was revealed prior to the day was the location, time, and dress code. Canapes in the garden came first, then dinner, then the party was greeted on the front porch by a jazz trio who escorted them across the street to the beach for the candlelit ceremony. Most of the guests thought the night was over (how could you top such a romantic ending to a perfect day?), but when they arrived back at the house they were led through the garden to a small tent that was ready for cake, dancing, and lounging. The night ended as perfectly and peacefully as it began, and it was truly a night to remember.
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Photography: Kelsey Stewart for Ken Kienow Wedding Photography | Venue + Catering: The Cass House | Wedding Coordinator + Floral Design: Grace Lorenzen | Linens: La Tavola | Tent: Central Coast Tent & Party | Vintage Props: SLO Vera | Wedding Dress: BHLDN