From the moment we started planning, we knew we wanted our wedding to feel like a bigger, better version of the small dinner parties we host at home. To that end we chose to use lots of candles, small, mix-and-match arrangements of flowers, and striped napkins–things we use at home, too–and brought our fire pit from home for late night s’mores. I’m not sure anyone noticed, but we even bought extra versions of our own salt and pepper shakers for the tables. We wanted the reception to feel warm and intimate and deeply romantic. I absolutely loved how the room glowed once the lights were turned down for dinner.
It was also important to us that wherever possible, we made sentimental choices. Our wedding china (which was a gift passed down from my grandmother) was placed at just our seats, so that we could always remember using it for our first meal as husband and wife, and my grandmother made our wedding cake herself. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was much more special to me than any showstopping dessert could have been, and it’s a detail I’ll always be proud to
remember.
Aside from that, we wanted our guests to know how important they were to us on that day and always. To make the space personal not just for us but for everyone, we secretly printed and framed photos of our favorite memories with each of them. Then the photos were set up on the large bookshelves along one of Smog Shoppe’s far walls. It was fun to watch our guests discover the photos.
Once I saw a how-to guide on making printed envelopes out of wallpaper in a bridal magazine, I had my heart set on doing it. It wasn’t easy, but my mom, my dad, and my sister-in-law each pitched in (thanks you guys!) and I absolutely loved how they turned out. It was a really nice way to add some style to an otherwise classic invitation.
In the end, we couldn’t have been happier with our vendors. We got compliments for weeks on the food, the drinks, the music, the flowers, James’ beautiful photos, the video–everything. Best of all, I got to exchange vows with someone I love more than words could describe in front of the people who make our marriage a family.
Bash, Please – Design/Planning/Paper Goods // James Moes – Photography // Marcia McCann – Florals // Smog Shoppe – Venue // Pharmacie – Cocktails // Heirloom LA – Catering // Stillwater Cinematography – Video // Town and Country – Rentals // Smiles Davis of The Flashdance – DJ // Eric Kufs – Ceremony Music // Aviva Cohen – Hair // Eric Soto – Make-up
