Vintage Inspired LA Wedding
This couple is radiating so much love, I bet you can't look through this wedding without a smile creeping across your face. If the pictures don't get you, then the full gallery or the world's cutest engagement video at the end will. And while we're being honest about feelings, this bride is a knockout in her silk charmeuse Watters gown. So keep scrolling for Skip Hopkin Photography's pictures from the day.
From The Bride...Brett I and I met about 6 years ago through Craigslist! He put up an ad on Craigslist to start a sketch comedy group, and I responded. We were friends and writing partners for a while & it eventually became more, with a little convincing on his part.
Insight on wedding planning...We wanted an updated take on a classic wedding. We loved the idea of an evening wedding, but that also meant we might end up being short on time between cocktail hour and dinner. Luckily for us, we both agreed that we were not a fan of the traditional sit-down dinner. We thought it slowed down the momentum, when most people want to dance! We cut the formal dinner and opted for pass tray h'our d'oeuvres and an extended cocktail hour. We also served late-night fare. My mom was not a fan of this idea in the beginning but after the wedding, we received tons of compliments on not only the quality of the food, but the speedy service. Not one guest went hungry, and there was still time to hit the dance floor. Carondelet House was the only place we looked at when searching for a venue. I did a photo shoot there when it first opened, before Brett & I were even engaged and it just stood out. I took him there and he loved it. We knew we had found our place. It is the perfect blend of vintage style in an urban environment. My dress was next on my list. I knew I wanted something vintage & sexy, but for some reason I was all about lace. Turns out, the lace dresses were not flattering at all! On a whim I went to Lili's Bridal in Encino and I found my wedding dress in their clearance section! It was a discontinued dress by Watters brides. Silk charmeuse ivory, extremely flattering, and under $1000!!! It pretty much had my name written all over it. After I bought the dress & had the venue, it made everything else so much easier.
Wedding Details...We both looove cupcakes, and Brett introduced me to drinking whiskey bourbon. One of Brett's coworkers is an amazing baker, so she made mini-red velvet cupcakes spiked with red wine - packaged with a still photo of me from our engagement video. My husband, Brett, created the bottle favors with an art deco font. He loves bourbon and bacon, so he infused bourbon whiskey with bacon and bottled it with a still photo of his Baxter McBaggington character from the engagement video.
The dessert table was provided by my sister, a culinary chef & food scientist. The chocolate covered bacon she made was a last minute addition to the table, but it was devoured in less than 5 minutes. It was definitely a hit!
The S+ B moss heart was inspired by a Style me Pretty post. I saw a sequined heart over the dessert table & I thought it would be cool to have something like that but with a more organic feel. My idea was moss with twinkly lights and antique gold initials. Mary from Poppies & Peonies really brought the idea to life.
I sourced all of the antique looking little vases for tableware, etc. from thrift stores & Etsy.
Inspired by Pinterest, I used cheesecloth as the runners for the table. It had this really nice soft, dreamy effect.
We had a great time collaborating with Talmadge from Pharmacie on the specialty cocktail bar. We had 4 different cocktails. Brett custom made the bar menus as well. The bar menus had a 30's art deco feel.
I sourced most of my ideas & inspiration from Pinterest, blogs like Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Green Wedding Shoes, One Fab Day.
Reflections for future Brides...Be in the moment! I read it so many times in blogs, but it's worth saying again. On your wedding day, you have to let go of the details, trust your vendors, and just worry about you and husband. Oh, and don't forget to have the best time EVER.
Highlights...Before walking down the aisle, I could hear clapping & cheers from the guests. Even during our vows people were cheering. It was a festive ceremony for sure.
My mom and the pianist Vince started a sing-along of "My Girl" during the cocktail hour. Half the guests joined in!
Brett and I love to dance and come from a dance background. So when it came to our first dance, we really cut a rug. A few our guest asked us if we choreographed the whole thing!
During the first look hour I continued a longtime prank between Brett and his friends called 'dummy-ing'. I basically made a 'dummy' of his Baxter McBaggington character, with his clothes, wig, and a balloon face. I pasted a picture of his character on the balloon. He was so shocked, he found it hilarious, and his friends from New York were so proud of me. I'm in the Hall of Fame of Dummy-ing!
Right after the ceremony Brett and I took 30 minutes just for ourselves to revel in the excitement, toast, nosh and kiss. It was nice moment to steal away for ourselves, and we could re-enter the party recharged.
Brett's first dance with his mother was a goofy dance to the song "Chantilly Lace". It's her favorite. It was a fun moment. The excitement on everyone's face as the late menu was being brought out. It was sliders, French fries, vegetarian hot wings (made with cauliflower instead of chicken).
Insight on wedding planning...We wanted an updated take on a classic wedding. We loved the idea of an evening wedding, but that also meant we might end up being short on time between cocktail hour and dinner. Luckily for us, we both agreed that we were not a fan of the traditional sit-down dinner. We thought it slowed down the momentum, when most people want to dance! We cut the formal dinner and opted for pass tray h'our d'oeuvres and an extended cocktail hour. We also served late-night fare. My mom was not a fan of this idea in the beginning but after the wedding, we received tons of compliments on not only the quality of the food, but the speedy service. Not one guest went hungry, and there was still time to hit the dance floor. Carondelet House was the only place we looked at when searching for a venue. I did a photo shoot there when it first opened, before Brett & I were even engaged and it just stood out. I took him there and he loved it. We knew we had found our place. It is the perfect blend of vintage style in an urban environment. My dress was next on my list. I knew I wanted something vintage & sexy, but for some reason I was all about lace. Turns out, the lace dresses were not flattering at all! On a whim I went to Lili's Bridal in Encino and I found my wedding dress in their clearance section! It was a discontinued dress by Watters brides. Silk charmeuse ivory, extremely flattering, and under $1000!!! It pretty much had my name written all over it. After I bought the dress & had the venue, it made everything else so much easier.
Wedding Details...We both looove cupcakes, and Brett introduced me to drinking whiskey bourbon. One of Brett's coworkers is an amazing baker, so she made mini-red velvet cupcakes spiked with red wine - packaged with a still photo of me from our engagement video. My husband, Brett, created the bottle favors with an art deco font. He loves bourbon and bacon, so he infused bourbon whiskey with bacon and bottled it with a still photo of his Baxter McBaggington character from the engagement video.
The dessert table was provided by my sister, a culinary chef & food scientist. The chocolate covered bacon she made was a last minute addition to the table, but it was devoured in less than 5 minutes. It was definitely a hit!
The S+ B moss heart was inspired by a Style me Pretty post. I saw a sequined heart over the dessert table & I thought it would be cool to have something like that but with a more organic feel. My idea was moss with twinkly lights and antique gold initials. Mary from Poppies & Peonies really brought the idea to life.
I sourced all of the antique looking little vases for tableware, etc. from thrift stores & Etsy.
Inspired by Pinterest, I used cheesecloth as the runners for the table. It had this really nice soft, dreamy effect.
We had a great time collaborating with Talmadge from Pharmacie on the specialty cocktail bar. We had 4 different cocktails. Brett custom made the bar menus as well. The bar menus had a 30's art deco feel.
I sourced most of my ideas & inspiration from Pinterest, blogs like Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Green Wedding Shoes, One Fab Day.
Reflections for future Brides...Be in the moment! I read it so many times in blogs, but it's worth saying again. On your wedding day, you have to let go of the details, trust your vendors, and just worry about you and husband. Oh, and don't forget to have the best time EVER.
Highlights...Before walking down the aisle, I could hear clapping & cheers from the guests. Even during our vows people were cheering. It was a festive ceremony for sure.
My mom and the pianist Vince started a sing-along of "My Girl" during the cocktail hour. Half the guests joined in!
Brett and I love to dance and come from a dance background. So when it came to our first dance, we really cut a rug. A few our guest asked us if we choreographed the whole thing!
During the first look hour I continued a longtime prank between Brett and his friends called 'dummy-ing'. I basically made a 'dummy' of his Baxter McBaggington character, with his clothes, wig, and a balloon face. I pasted a picture of his character on the balloon. He was so shocked, he found it hilarious, and his friends from New York were so proud of me. I'm in the Hall of Fame of Dummy-ing!
Right after the ceremony Brett and I took 30 minutes just for ourselves to revel in the excitement, toast, nosh and kiss. It was nice moment to steal away for ourselves, and we could re-enter the party recharged.
Brett's first dance with his mother was a goofy dance to the song "Chantilly Lace". It's her favorite. It was a fun moment. The excitement on everyone's face as the late menu was being brought out. It was sliders, French fries, vegetarian hot wings (made with cauliflower instead of chicken).