Old-World Romance Meets Whimsical Style in a Wedding That Honors the Past and Dreams Forward
Neutrals of cream, bone, tan, and whites paired with olive green, sage, juniper, caramel, and walnut with touches of brushed gold accents.
Timeless old world Romance paired with whimsical touches. A beautiful marriage of past, present & future- embracing traditions that have come before & the inspiring dreams of what is to come.
Bride: Maxwell and I met at a Bible study in early 2021. Though there was an instant spark, we stayed friends until Spring of 2023, when we started dating. Just over a year later, he proposed—and it was a dream! I had some big requests for the proposal: my close friends were there, to wear my favorite dress that my mom designed for me, a hidden photographer, and a celebration afterward. Maxwell made it all happen perfectly. On May 11, 2024, I arrived at what I thought was a friend’s birthday picnic at Leo Carrillo Ranch—only to later realize it was just a front for the proposal! While our friend was opening gifts, I was handed a box. I was mortified— after all, it wasn’t my birthday! It was my favorite dress, and a note from Maxwell, asking me to put on the dress and meet him in a specific location in the park. In shock, I quickly changed and went to find him. And there he was, standing under a beautiful archway covered in bougainvillea, where he got down on one knee and proposed. Afterward, we celebrated with our close family and friends at my parents’ house—it was perfect!
Bride: For my wedding look, I knew I wanted something ultra-timeless and elegant. My incredibly talented mom worked tirelessly to design my dream gown! She surprised me with a stunning A-line silhouette, adorned with delicate floral lace and appliqués, a matching veil, and vintage-inspired pearl earrings. The dress had dramatic long sleeves and a high neckline that perfectly complemented the formality of our Winter wedding! Every bride deserves to feel beautiful on her wedding day, but getting to wear my mom’s design made me feel even more special. I will always cherish these memories!
Bride: For my bridesmaids, I wanted a look that would make them truly stand out amongst our elegantly-dressed guests. We designed a variety of gowns in luxurious hand-woven jacquards and ethereal organzas, all custom-dyed to create a cohesive palette. Their gowns added so much depth and texture to our entire wedding aesthetic, and they all looked and felt so beautiful. It was so dreamy!
Bride: "We both love food, so this part was very important to us. We worked closely with the team at the Grand Del Mar to curate a menu that incorporated our love for both meat and seafood, and they delivered! We offered scallops, Chilean sea bass, and braised short rib. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, we opted for a plated chocolate mousse dessert for our guests. Our guests loved the food! "
Bride: "Instead of a traditional wedding cake, we served our guests a plated chocolate mousse dessert and opted for a smaller, two-tiered cake. Our cake designer, Stevi from Hey There Cupcake, created a stunning three-dimensional chinoiserie design adorned with her signature wafer flowers that added so much texture! We couldn’t have loved our cake more! "
Bride: "The only thing that I would say was very thematic (unexpectedly, actually) was the reading of 1 Corinthians 13 (the iconic love passage from the Bible). It was something we put on our ceremony program, our officiant read it, it was incorporated into my vows, and it was read in a couple of toasts. That was fun and meaningful to us." Bride: "For my processional song, I chose Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Ever since learning to play the piano as a kid, it’s always been my dream to use it for my wedding day! Max and I also love the oldies, so we chose our favorite classic, “Everybody Loves Somebody” by Dean Martin. It was such a fun song to dance to and fit our vibe!"
Bride: "The best idea I had was a second outfit before the reception. I changed into a strapless jacquard gown, and Maxwell changed into a white jacket, and we’re so glad we did that!"