There are beautiful weddings, and then they are beautiful weddings. Weddings that feel like they are straight out of a book. Romance in the most exciting places, warmth hugging you from every image (thank you for that John and Colette | Photography & Beauty), and just the perfect amount of drama. Often these beautiful weddings are filled with flowers so lovely, they are more a work of art than a bridal bouquet (thank you for that Peony & Plum). They are the kind of soiree that you can curl up with for an hour or two!
From the gorgeous bride… Make sure to always sit down with chance for a cup of tea, she often leads you to foreign lands and a life you never thought possible. In 2011, being the lone single girl amongst my family of friends, I chose to embark on a solo journey with an old college friend (just back from war-torn medical service in Palestine) I had not seen in years. In the Emerald Isle, not only did I find transcendent beauty sitting in the mist but the laughter of a man who is now Husband. Needless to say, we were lucky to begin our relationship with month after month of travel and adventure being that Ian lived across the pond. Modern technology made this less cumbersome; however, we embraced the slowness of snail mail as well gifts, cards, postcards (albeit learning the UK postal service is far superior). After getting engaged on a blistery cold day at the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, how do you commence planning a wedding that encompasses the magic that velvety green island graced us with? No better excuse to get all our friends and family together from across the world to celebrate with us so let the planning begin!
Once we found Carondelet House (Ian’s first experience was via pictures sent through What’sApp) we felt inspired and hopeful that our family and friends making the journey from near and far would have the intimate experience we imagined. The venue has a personality of its own and could be embellished or left to speak quietly with its brick, metal, glass and wood adornments from the 1920’s which we felt embraced both a Los Angeles and UK vibe. To our great fortune, we found Angela our amazing wedding planner who led us to Peony & Plum Floral Design. Susan was able to bring the simple yet elegant textural floral design that I really wanted (Cotton, Wood Roses, Twigs and Pussy Willow, etc.). I still have my bouquet which looks as beautiful as the day I walked down the twig-lined candle-lit aisle. We used Town & Country for our rentals as they have the best selection of rustic tables, chairs and linens. We were incredibly please with the earthy elegance of the final design.
Choosing a location and vendors who share your sensibility and are willing to go outside their comfort zone is truly impactful on the outcome of this day that flies by in a flash. We feel honored to have worked with such unique, creative and kind people. We were married by our mutual friend Dr. Jason, whom without, we may not have met. Thank you Jas for being the humanitarian and world traveler! We wrote each other’s vows which ranged from tearful and sentimental to silly and cheeky.
Following the ceremony our guest sipped cocktails and filled their palettes with delectable bites, while our fabulous photographers, John & Colette (special shout out to Colette for your beautiful natural make-up work and your sage wedding day advice) whisked Ian and I through several beautiful poses of which we managed to bungle as we are more oddballs than “blue-steel” model types. Even still, our photographers managed to capture timeless moments and outstanding candid shots which were most important to us. Everyone needs a picture of their subdued father trying to dance Gangnam style.
We chose the in-house caterers Tres LA and designed our family-style menu. The meal was delicious and we hoped that by serving family style our guests would be able to get better acquainted. I was more concerned with a groom’s cake than a wedding cake and Pati of Guilty Temptations, brought both to life with a “Liverpool Football Club” themed groom’s cake and the delicious 3-tiered wedding cake. The morning after the wedding I dined on a giant piece of wedding cake as I was not able to eat any the prior evening.
Music is the bloodline to me and fortunately Ian likes most of the sonic landscape that I bring to fill our home. We found Tessa, our Mix Queen and immediately hours of musical conversation ensued over some wine and inspiring brunches accented with mimosas. Amidst the 1,000s of songs and ideas I sent to Tessa she culled together a night of music that represented Ian and my tastes and I danced til I dropped!
The hair The Hair THE HAIR… I wanted long thick flowing curls however I was instead blessed with thin tresses. Thank you to Paul Jean, Fabien and Jessica of Paul Jean Salon for your hair magic and curls that lasted all night even amidst my rigorous and harrowing dance moves.
Angela of Love and Elegance is not only an exceptional planner/coordinator she is a genuine and kind person that I am now grateful to call a friend. Our wedding day was days after the disastrous October Super Storm in New York which devastated many of our guests lives and rendered so many unable to make the trip. Angela was a port in my emotional storm and helped with all the rearranging and worried highs and lows, without her this experience would have been an impossible fete. Because of Angela’s consummate professionalism and unbelievable level of organization Ian and I were truly able to embrace and enjoy the entire event!
It is truly a marathon not a sprint the wedding and even more so marriage, and having amazing family, friends and wedding team makes all the days and months spent on details after detail a colorful memory that lingers forever. We are so happy we shared these tender moments before our family and friends and created so many memories we will cherish forever. In the end it is a day (a special life changing day) but before you can blink it’s a new day — so make all the moments of every day memorable and filled with laughter.
[dotted]
Photography: John and Colette | Photography & Beauty | Flowers: Peony & Plum | Event Planning: Love & Elegance | Venue: Carondelet House | Catering: Tres LA | Paper goods: Love & Elegance | Makeup: John and Colette | Photography & Beauty | Hair: Paul Jean Salon | DJ: Tessa Young Event Services | Rentals: Town & Country | Cake + Desserts: Guilty Temptations