From the bride’s gorgeous gown, to the lush bouquets by Plenty Of Petals, to the table linens – this wedding is texture done oh-so right. HauteFêtes brought the couple’s vision to life, an elegant dinner party in the garden complete with a rich Fall palette. Jacqueline Benét Photography was behind the lens capturing every must-see moment from their day, prepare to fall in love at the full gallery.
From HauteFetes… After first pivoting their nuptials from Mexico to Southern California, and then postponing their wedding again from Spring 2021 to the Fall so that Jessica’s Canadian friends and family could join, the couple decided to shift from a largely neutral, pastel palette to a rich, warm one that better reflected the season and the warm vibe they wanted to create for their guests. It was important to Jessica and Matt that we design and center all the spaces around friends and family for their micro-wedding and that as much as possible it resembled an intimate dinner party. We drew inspiration from the French, bucolic style of Bastide de Bonheur, and layered textures such as natural linen, wicker, crystal and ceramic, softened by fall blooms, vines and candlelight. To keep the design cohesive with surroundings, we incorporated these textures in repetition – the vintage wrought iron detailing in the ceremony chairs was repeated in the pretty iron candle holders used as part of the reception tabletop; soft linen was carried from the ceremony through cocktail hour and to the reception, and so forth.
Jessica got ready with her maids in the bedroom and then stepped outside into the garden to meet Matt for their first look and family photos. For the Ceremony, iron garden chairs were set up in front of a beautiful fall-inspired arch set up in the olive allee, creating a beautiful focal point for the ceremony. As guests started arriving, they took their seats for the start of the ceremony. An acoustic guitarist entertained them with the strumming of soft melodies that wafted through the cool shade of the allee. Together the couple shared communion and said their vows to one another. Once the ceremony concluded, everyone headed to cocktail hour, greeted at the top of the stairs with tray passed cocktails including white wine and the couple’s signature drink, a tequila, lime and lavender cocktail they named, “Dress Nice and Casual” as an inside joke for how they met.
After cocktail hour and tray passed appetizers, it was time for dinner. Guests took their seats at a long, feasting table set in the courtyard by the fountain at the front of the house which provided a romantic, intimate setting for the wonderfully warm and inviting wedding supper. Fall blooms consisting of distant drum roses and antique hydrangea arranged in textured ceramic pedestal vessels beautifully blended with the roses and lavender in the existing plant beds in the garden, while taper candles and soft linens provided texture for the garden fete. Aged iron garden chairs added further garden charm and elegance, pulling together the neutral tones of the surroundings. Guests were served a delicious seasonal salad and then a choice of crispy salmon and crab or Prime rib in a bourbon cream sauce.
After dinner, Jessica and Matt and their guests retired to the pool area to cut their banana-walnut cake and dance to the band. Above, market lights twinkled as the evening sun set. Having so much fun, everyone remained on the dance floor until after the last dance when guests finally departed for their hotel. Elegant but down to earth, the entire event beautifully set the tone for a chic and intimate wedding experience, proving that despite a global pandemic, love will surely always win.
Photography: Jacqueline Benét Photography | Event Design: HauteFetes | Floral Design: Plenty Of Petals | Cake: Hey There Cupcake | Stationary: Foundry Paper Co | Catering: The Farmhouse Catering | Makeup and Hair: Beauty By Stacey | Band: Lucky Devils Band | Venue: Bastide De Bonheur | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Tabletop Rentals: Catalog Atelier