The combination of modern and bohemian romance is a style we can so get behind. Think ghost chairs and cascading flowers by Burst And Bloom, lucite seating cards and antique tableware. It’s the kind of wedding that will inspire you to party under the twinkle lights and stars. Add to that the loveliest moments captured by Jose Villa , and this collection of photographs is officially dream status.
From the Bride…When Choosing the perfect setting for our special day without hesitation it was Carmel. I grew up Visiting Carmel as a little girl because my parents would experience the romance and it was a short drive from Los Angeles for us to do weekend get-a-ways as a family. I knew When I met Benjamin I had to share the magic of that city with him. One day we Took a coastal road trip From British Columbia (Where Ben was born and raised) all the way to Orange County… he was absolutely floored by its charm and romance. This city will always be “our place”. It doesn’t hurt just how dog friendly it is, because our two rescue fur babies Lula and Sailor are everything to us.
On Our wedding Day we asked the guests to all wear black and white because it’s so classic and calming. The acrylic ghost chairs were chosen as we were framed by two mirrored flower pedestals to make the seamless setting all about the ocean and nothing else.
After Being Pronounced husband and wife, we popped prosecco and were carted off in a beautiful vintage car . That was actually our favorite moment of the day because it was only us. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, blasting Etta James with wind blowing in our faces and the gorgeous beach backdrop.
Ben and I chose a mixture of vintage and new furniture mixing shabby chic and glamorous elements sticking to our clear and white palette because its what makes us happiest. Sticking to acrylics, marbles, velvets, silks, and glass. Our home is even decorated like a mini version of our wedding. It was important to us to be framed in a floating tented light fixture to feel as tho we were always under the stars.
I chose to wear a Claire Pettibone gown and veil because of her victorian bohemian elements and attention to butterfly details which always remind me of my Grandmother when I see them. Tess Harris built me these heels from scratch in designing custom with me as I am a vegan fashion blogger and it was important to me the sourcing of the shoes with no animal product, with thee most beautiful sparkly butterfly atop.
Ben chose one of his favorite brands Ralph Lauren as a no brainer because as Ben is an actor and He is such a fan wearing Ralph for any of his movie premieres or press junkets.
We did all of the wedding planning ourselves and I was so proud of Ben’s involvement throughout the process. He has such good taste and our tastes are very similar! I thrifted all of our antique tabletop items because I didn’t want anything to be too “matchy” we paid attention to sourcing squatty etched glasses for The Grooms recommended cocktail: “The Sailor” which was a bourbon old fashioned and finding thin stemmed detailed Marie Antoinette type wide brimmed champagne glasses for The Brides recommended cocktail: “The Lula” which was Baileys Almande over ice.
Burst and Bloom delivered our dream flowers from a combination of garden roses, eucalyptus, and gardenia. And a magnificent cascading floral garden floating on our bridal party table felt like we were dining in an outdoor vintage bohemian garden party.
Amongst our friends and family we danced our first dance which was by Feist “Lovers Spit” We are forever grateful to our favorite photographer in the world Jose Villa for capturing the best day of our lives so beautifully so we may relive it over and over forever.
Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Floral Design: Burst And Bloom | Cake : Robyn Wood | Brides Shoes : Tess Harriss Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair and Makeup: Melissa Hurkman | Venue: La Playa Carmel By The Sea | Bridal Gown and Veil: Claire Pettibone | Furniture Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Furniture Rentals : Classic Party Rentals | Grooms Tux: Ralph Lauren | Invitations and Event Branding: The Idea Emporium | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Sponsored Liquor: Baileys Almande