I’m giving MAJOR kudos to this couple who pulled off an incredible wedding day in a mere four months. They opted for a simple ceremony on the sand with only their nearest and dearest to bear witness, and Luna de Mare photographed the gallery we might never get over. Go feel all the happy, beachy vibes with a swoop through The Vault.
From Luna de Mare… Weddings are beautiful, regardless of size or venue. Part of what makes each Wedding day so beautiful and uniquely you, is the ability to manifest your day into whatever you envision it to be.
Jessica & Lawrence wanted an intimate beach elopement with a handful of their core family & friends in attendance. Nestled into a corner near a cove on the beach, two of their closest friends officiated, and each person present took turns in reading a few sentences taking part in a bond to connect them forever.
Beautiful to witness, and an honor to document. Their day couldn’t have been more perfect. It was exactly as they had imagined and hoped it would be, with a dozen people encircling them as they vowed to love one another, for all time.
They toasted with champagne, and walked hand in hand as the sun set, towards their intimate celebration at one of the best restaurants on Pacific Coast highway, which houses some of the most trendy and sought after eateries along the California Coast.
From the Bride, Jessica… We planned our whole wedding in about 4 months, so we were incredibly fortunate to find our dream team of vendors. Each of them are artists who are passionate about their crafts, and they added so much magic to our simple little celebration. Our photographer, Beatrice of Luna de Mare, is just amazing. Clearly, her talent speaks for itself through her work, and she made Lawrence and I instantly comfortable in front of the camera (the champagne only played a supporting role). Bea referred me to both my hair & makeup artist, and florist.
Chiali Meng, was my cosmetic savior, and made me feel more beautiful than ever. I’ve worked with many hair & makeup people throughout my career in beauty advertising, and Chiali is unequaled. Our superstar florist was Plenty of Petals. I couldn’t stop staring at our flowers all night – Kasia’s compositions are just SO stunning. One of my favorite details was our stationery, and my dear friend, Lauren Fletcher, created it all by hand, calligraphy and design. Last, but certainly not least, was my dress designer, David Young Couture. From sketch to final fitting, he poured his heart into creating the perfect beachy, flowy wedding gown for me. It was so fun to wear, I couldn’t stop twirling all day.
My best advice is to learn to listen to your heart about what’s most important to you and your partner. For Lawrence and I, that meant having an incredibly intimate wedding with our parents, siblings, and two of our closest friends officiating. We gave up some of the traditional wedding elements, but our tiny guest list of 12 gave us the flexibility to hold our ceremony on a public beach, and to host our dinner reception at our favorite local restaurant. Most importantly, it kept us focused on the significance of the wedding, and let us soak in the time with each other and our loved ones. It was relaxed, simple, meaningful, and felt perfectly like us!
Photography: Luna de Mare Photography | Florals: Plenty Of Petals | Wedding Dress: David Young Couture | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Rings: Josh Levkoff Private Jeweler | Hair & Makeup: Chiali Meng | Calligraphy: Lauren Fletcher | Bride's Robe: BHLDN | Bridemaid's Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Dinner: Selanne | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Ribbon: Bellame Ribbon