Whimsical and Modern Winter Wedding at the Historical Grand Gimeno
There's no better way to set the tone than with flowers. The right flowers help guests feel like they've stepped into another world where whimsy and luxury are natural partners, and the only thing that matters is the celebration of love. At the same time, the couple chose a historical venue with a Spanish Colonial Revival design, the reimagined modern-day detailed interior allowed for flexibility to pursue the couple's vision. The couples' goal was to create an elegant celebration that felt intimate and joyous, and they achieved it with simple, modern touches and complementary winter-hued colors.
"James planned an elaborate scavenger hunt at the Huntington Library with a music playlist to accompany the adventure. My parents were in on the surprise, so it made it that much more special," the bride.
The bride is wearing an elegant long-sleeve fitted dress with a whimsical floral lace pattern, custom designed by the wife and husband duo of Shin Bu Bridal before their retirement. Late in the evening, the bride changed into a satin slip dress.
Each bridesmaid wore a unique Birdy Grey style in either mauve, taupe, or blush. Having her six bridesmaids pick their own style was very important to the bride as she wanted each to feel confident and beautiful.
The couple's food was light and bright - bite-sized appetizers (including tasty Fig, Goat Cheese, and Mascarpone Tarts) got the palette started for the evening buffet options such as tequila lime chicken and tri-tip carver. The couples' signature drinks included the classics - Paloma and Old Fashioned.
A whimsical organic arch provided color and vibrancy for the heartfelt ceremony. Later, Ikebana-style centerpieces, candles, and modern place settings on the reception tables set the tone for a simple, elegant, and luxurious evening.
The couple chose a two-tiered personal cake to cut per tradition; the florist added a petite arrangement on the second tier to match the centerpiece style.
When the bride and groom planned their wedding, they knew one detail was non-negotiable: their daughter Regan would be their flower girl. Her dress was simple but elegant, and while she couldn't walk down the aisle, she looked adorable in her cousin's arms.
The bride loved seeing her daughter being a part of the wedding, she included her in their "getting ready" moments - they wore matching PJs! The bride said it "was truly special."
