Tranquility and Elegance by the Sea at Bel Air Bay Club

Lauren Megerdichian
May 22, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

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Our wedding colors were champagne, white, and green with hints of gold.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]For our wedding vision, we aimed for a timeless, elegant, and classic look, incorporating traditions from our families. The ocean was chosen as the setting to provide a sense of peace and tranquility. The overall vibe was one of grace, sophistication, and a deep respect for heritage and natural beauty which was captured by Mallory Dawn Photography and her amazing team. Our wedding planner, Bree Hueners from I Love You More Events, and her exceptional team were instrumental in bringing our vision to life. With attention to detail and a deep understanding of our vision, they ensured that every aspect of our special day ran seamlessly, just as we had envisioned. Their expertise and dedication made our wedding day truly unforgettable.[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]Our engagement story is truly romantic and beautifully demonstrates our love and respect for our traditions and families. Max’s gesture of asking my family for my hand in marriage before our trip to Hawaii shows his commitment to honoring tradition. When Max received the approval from my family, he began to plan the beautiful proposal that took me completely by surprise. The proposal itself, on the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail in Hawaii, with its stunning ocean view, was a perfect blend of romance and nature’s beauty. It’s clear that the ocean holds a special place in our hearts, making it a meaningful backdrop for the engagement and little did we know at the time an inspiration when picking our wedding venue.[/field]

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The gown was purchased at the Casablanca Bridal Flagship store in Newport Beach, CA, as a heartfelt gift from my grandmother. It perfectly embodied the timeless and romantic feel that I envisioned for my wedding day. When I tried on the gown, I immediately fell in love with it. With the assistance of the bridal gown consultants at the store, I was able to customize the top of the dress, creating an off-the-shoulder look, and adding a cathedral veil that, in my opinion, elevated the timeless elegance to a whole new level.[/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids represented many important parts of my life, including family, childhood best friends, college and travel companions, and even my soon to be sister-in-law. Although each of these women held a special place in my heart, they all dispersed across the country as we grew older, making it impractical to all gather at the same time. Understanding this, I wanted each bridesmaid to feel comfortable and express their individual personalities through their dresses. I encouraged them all to choose dresses that reflected their unique styles, while ensuring they all adhered to the primary wedding color of champagne.[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groomsmen were some of Max’s closest friends, his brother-in-law, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Opting for a classic look, Max chose a tuxedo for himself. However, he also wanted his groomsmen to wear something similar yet distinctive enough to make him stand out as the groom. With the assistance of Friar Tux in Brea, CA, they were able to make a selection that achieved this desired effect.[/field]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]The Bel-Air Bay Club’s culinary offerings featured contemporary cuisine with unique flavors. After careful consideration, we settled on a menu that included chicken, fish, and a vegetarian option to cater to all of our guests’ preferences. We also ensured there was an open bar with signature drinks: the spicy margarita for myself and a whiskey sour for Max, adding a personal touch to the celebration.[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The stunning floral arrangements were expertly crafted by Laura Kunoth of Bluebell Floral. Laura created timeless and elegant garden-style bouquets and arrangements using crisp white, ivory, and champagne florals with lush greenery. I requested a bridal bouquet that appeared naturally gathered and organic, while the bridesmaids’ bouquets were petite versions of the bouquet and wrapped in beautiful silk ribbons. The boutonnieres featured a mix of white blooms and olive greenery.

One of the highlights was the beautiful meadow Laura created, designed to allow the beautiful ocean to be seen in the background, as it was our reason for choosing the venue. Adding a personal touch, Laura incorporated papel picado, a traditional Mexican decorative craft, which was very special to me and brought a touch of my desired cultural tradition to the wedding.

Additionally, there was a stunning welcome arrangement made of olive greenery, featuring a puzzle piece photograph of Max and I created by Max’s mother, Agnes. The room was further enhanced with candles, a personal note from us, the couple, on every guest’s plate with an olive sprig, and more beautiful floral arrangements, creating a truly magical, intimate, and romantic atmosphere.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake was made and ordered from Porto’s Bakery in Glendale, CA. After sampling a variety of cakes from Porto’s Bakery, we ultimately went with the cuban cake featuring pineapple and vanilla custard. We ordered a three tiered white spatulated cake to which Laura from Bluebell Florals added her artistic touch by adorning the cake with beautiful flowers, enhancing its natural beauty.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Jared Haren, Max’s brother-in-law, officiated the wedding alongside Deacon Tony, creating a heartfelt and meaningful ceremony. Jared eloquently honored the couple, weaving their individual stories into a beautiful narrative of love that set the tone for the entire event. Deacon Tony brought a sense of tradition to the ceremony by offering blessings for the couple, their marriage, and the rings, adding a sacred and profound element to the occasion. Max and I composed heartfelt vows, expressing our deep love and admiration for each other. We shared cherished memories and highlighted our favorite qualities, making our promises meaningful and personal.

The bridal party entered to “Lover” by Taylor Swift, chosen by me, Jenn and I walked down the aisle to “Anyone” by Tommee Proffit and Fleurie, chosen by Max. These songs were selected for their meaningful lyrics.

As a symbol of celebration, love and joy, we chose “Hailey” by Justin Bieber as our recessional song. The first dance was to “Lifetime” by Justin Bieber, a song that focused on the idea of a love and partnership lasting a lifetime.

Continuing with tradition, I danced with my father to “Tu Sangre En Mi Cuerpo,” sung by Angela and Pepe Aguilar, a father-daughter duo. This song held special meaning for me, as I share a close bond with my father, who worked hard to manage and overcome his left-side weakness after having a stroke so he could dance with me on my special day. This moment added even more depth to the song’s significance for me, and I will forever cherish the memory. Max and his mother shared a dance to “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion, a song that held nostalgic value for them both. It reminded them of Max’s childhood, when he would sing along with his mom in the car. These dances were truly heartfelt and will forever hold a special place in our hearts, symbolizing the love and bonds within our families.

Finally, DJ Michael from High Profile Entertainment ensured a lively reception by playing a variety of music genres. He expertly blended Latin vibes, nostalgic throwbacks, and classic hits, all while incorporating some of our favorite songs.[/field]

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