Elizabeth and Clint wanted their wedding day “to feel like a French garden party and a Jane Austen book all in one.” So, they hired Feathered Arrow Events to transform Triunfo Creek Vineyards into a backyard-style party at a vineyard on a European countryside. We’re loving the details like the surprise gospel choir serenading the ceremony guests, the larger-than-life- calligraphy signage and the casual pots of herbs by Poppyhill Flowers on the tablescapes. Photographer Lynn Bagley was on hand to capture all the details and some pretty stunning portraits of the very photogenic couple.
What made the wedding special and unique?
Our hope was to make everyone feel like they were both at a vineyard in the European countryside for the day and in our backyard at the same time. We wanted it to feel like a French garden party and a Jane Austen book all in one which I think we really achieved.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
My mom works in a bridal boutique in Pittsburgh, PA called Bridal Beginning and as I was starting to look for dresses in LA, she called all giddy and said “I think your dress came into our store today!” She was totally right. It was perfect. It’s a Lazaro gown made of champagne organza with lace applique and an illusion lace bodice. There’s is a sheath skirt on the interior of the dress so when you walk, the organza skirt overlay turns almost translucent and all you see is the inner silhouette. We paired it with a matching cathedral length train. I felt like I was floating.
What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?
My husband and I both work in film and TV music, and love choirs and live music. We surprised our guests by having a gospel choir in white robes lead our processional singing “Stand By Me” followed by “My Girl”. They then sang “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” as our recessional. My stepdaughters, some of the bridesmaids and I hand-painted pots and planted olive trees, lavender and herbs in them for the tables in lieu of traditional flower arrangements; we wanted guests to be able to take them home to add to their gardens as well as symbolize planting roots. There were hand-painted fabric scrolls with music and literary quotes hanging from garden rods. The ring bearers carried our rings on vintage books given to me by my Dad. Clint’s brother Dennis supplied all the beer from his brewery Culture in San Diego and Dennis’ wife, Mariah, made our wedding cake and all the desserts!
To me, my friends are these fierce, unique, beautiful goddesses and I wanted them all to look and feel that way so the inspiration for their look was Grecian goddesses. Some of the ladies wore a Jill Stuart cape gown and others wore Joanna August dresses in a style of their choice in a hue called Going to the Chapel. My brides-man rocked an ivory tux. Flower girls wore BHLDN and J Crew.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
There were so many! Saying our vows was really emotional. Seeing Clint’s face as I walked down the aisle with my Dad with so many of our nearest and dearest smiling was really powerful. Standing on the hill overlooking the reception while we were taking bride and groom photographs was really lovely. It gave us a moment to be together and let the magnitude soak in. The bridal party beauty prep before the wedding was such a blast as well. Sipping champagne, giggling and listening to music as we all got gussied up was the ultimate pal moment! We had all fathers and daughters join in my dance with my Dad about halfway through, and vice versa for mothers and sons when Clint danced with his mom which was really fun.
Another was doing a first look not only with my hubby but with my bridal party! My mom and I shared a moment putting on my dress while the photographers posed my 10 bridesmaids and brides-man in an editorial style spread. Walking out in my dress and seeing all of my best friends together looking so stunning was just epic and overwhelming.
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
Clint and I met in 2009 on a film called Cabin in the Woods. He was the music editor and I was the music coordinator. We became work buddies, both in other relationships at the time, and wound up working on several projects together over the years that followed. In 2014 we found ourselves on a few projects in a row and both newly single. We started hanging out as friends and he kept showing himself to be this amazing and thoughtful man. I finally caved in and said yes to a date and here we are! In February of 2016, Clint took me on an amazing trip to Big Sur and as we were walking through the redwoods behind our hotel after a cliff side lunch, he asked me to marry him with a ring he’d had made by a designer in our hometown of Venice, Amanda Keidan, with my maternal grandmother’s oval sapphire!
Wedding Planner: Feathered Arrow Events // Photographer: Lynn Bagley // Flowers: Poppyhill Flowers // Venue: Triunfo Creek Vineyards // Bride’s Dress: Lazaro, Bridal Beginning // Bridemaids’ Dresses: Joanna August / Jill Stewart // Bridesmaids’ Makeup: Kate Crisler Ritter // Hair/Makeup: Diane Buzzetta / Rocio Burton / Tae // Cake/Chocolate Truffles: Mariah, Urban Confections // Music: Vox DJs // Photobooth: GC Photobooth // Hotels: Casa del Mar / Le Meridie // Rentals: A Rental Connection // Catering: Command Performance Catering // Bar: Liquid Catering // Security: Sandman Security // Valet: SoCal Valet // Transportation: P&L Transportation // Signage: Hue Creative