Not many weddings are able to strike just the right balance of “rustic” and “elegant,” but then again, not many weddings are DIY-ed by a pair of Hollywood insiders turned bride and groom. Nick Jandl, who you might recognize from Nashville and Regalia Thomas, a costume and wardrobe stylist didn’t want the cookie cutter wedding, and instead took a heavy hand in the design themselves. Meaningful details were at the heart of their day captured by Next Exit Photography and you can visit The Vault for more plus read on for an interview with the newlyweds!
SMP: What was the initial vision for your wedding day?
Nick and Regalia: We wanted to capture the place that we met – California – with our individual style so that the wedding didn’t feel pre-packaged or like something straight from an online template. We love the rugged coastline of Malibu, and the venue we settled on, Rancho del Cielo, was perfect for us. We wanted to avoid a venue that would have required full top-to-bottom personalization and styling, and Rancho already possessed ninety percent of the look and energy we were going for. It’s surrounded by so many native plants and has a jaw-dropping view of the ocean, and it was the perfect place for the rustic yet elegant style we wanted for the wedding.
SMP: Which decor elements did you decide to DIY?
N & R: We didn’t initially see ourselves doing much DIY, but it turned out to be a lot in the end! The more we did, the better we felt about the wedding becoming as personal to us as possible. It’s so meaningful when you craft things by hand and have them become a part of your day. Regalia bought linen fabric in bulk and cut and sewed all twelve table runners with a colleague of hers. Nick designed and assembled a lot of the framed signs and printed materials. We also had guests contribute to the DIY by having a “Jenga guest book” during the reception where guests could sign or write notes on the individual game pieces.
SMP: Any meaningful details you included in the design?
N & R: Early on, Regalia realized that a cohesive yet mismatched style would really fit the look that we wanted for the wedding. We wanted to strike an elegant but casual tone, and we did this through finding variations within common themes. For example, all of the table centerpieces were composed of silver trays and glass vases, but they were gathered both from home and scoured from flea markets, so they fit an overall scheme but no two tables were identical. We also extended this concept to our bridal party, so the bridesmaids all chose their own dresses within a rose/nude color palate, and the groomsmen used dark navy suits of their choosing. This way we avoided looking too uniform and matching, yet the bridal party still had a style that fit together well.
SMP: How did you decide on your fabulous photographer?
N & R: At our first consultation with Next Exit Photography we discovered Nick and Cat shared the same alma mater, Tufts University in Boston. Even though they didn’t know each other while there, Nick felt it was a great connection to share while working together and trusting our wedding with a fellow alum! Along with other Tufts alum in attendance, Cat’s 2nd photographer snapped a group photo to share with their alumni magazine.
SMP: Favorite moment from the wedding day that you’ll never forget?
N & R: A little way into the evening, some heavy clouds started to move in, obscuring the amazing view of the Pacific ocean. We were a little bummed until later on, we noticed many of our guests standing away from the dance floor and taking in the view. We turned around and saw that the entire cloud layer had settled below our venue on the hill, so we were literally above the clouds for the rest of the night. It was one of those things you couldn’t possibly have predicted, and it was absolutely magical.
What are you most looking forward to in your life as newlyweds?
N & R: Not having to plan another party this complicated ever again! But it was worth all of the time and effort it took. We’re so grateful for how it all turned out.
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Photography: Next Exit Photography | Coordination: Rancho del Cielo Malibu | Floral Design: Ezai Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | Invitations: Minted | Bride’s Shoes: Prada | Hair + Makeup:Michelle Mungcal | Entertainment : Vox DJs | Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss Red Label | Venue: Rancho del Cielo Malibu | Cake Designer: Susie Cakes | Catering + Bar Service: Monrose Catering | Groom’s Shoes:Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom’s Tie: John Varvatos | Guitar Player: Ben Jaffe | Rentals: Smart Party Rentals | Singer: Chaley Rose