The BIG DAY is here, YES!! You’ve seen our proposal story, our engagement photos in Italy and Palm Desert, my wedding dress hunt, my wild bachelorette party, tiki bridal shower, and planning bits and bobs. And now it’s time to share part 1 of the most beautiful day of our lives, as captured by the visionary Max Wanger, a talent who I have known would be there photographing us since I first discovered his breathtaking work four years ago.
Tim and I hadn’t really collaborated on many creative projects, but during the planning process we found ourselves bouncing ideas back and forth about our wedding style, location and vibe. Everything seemed to flow so easily… yet another sign I was marrying the perfect guy for me. We both love mid-century design, the style and colors of the early 60’s, so we knew we had to incorporate that vibe into our wedding.
Our first kiss happened after a James Bond party a friend threw (as told here), so we thought it would be fun to give a nod to those early movies. Our first project was a save the date. Inspired by the opening credits to From Russia with Love, we collaborated with Scott Clark on a quirky video to announce our wedding and give our guests a bit of intrigue. The song in the video is Lujon, by Henry Mancini, and pretty much sums up the feeling we wanted our big day to portray. Here is a screen from our wedding website Tim and I created..
Come and walk with me through our fairy tale..
Tim and I arrived in San Clemente a few days before the wedding to relax and focus on each other. The months and weeks leading up to the wedding were full of excitement, trying to get everything done and ready to celebrate our love in front of our family and friends. The planning process was a blast, extremely hard and time-consuming, overwhelming at times, but downright amazing. With the help of our wonderful planners, Bash, Please, we had a celebration of the century. There is no way we could have pulled this off without them.. they were a pleasure to work with, had a creative solution for everything and kept us sane throughout the process.
The Fiore Beauty team arrived to get me and my ‘maids all fixed up! Jaimi gave me the prettiest glitter French mani..
My wedding dress hunt was a long one.. filled with full tulle gowns, pretty blush colors, lace and many different dress shapes. I had an idea of what I wanted, but when I tried on many of the gowns in my research folder they just didn’t feel perfect on me. When I saw this Jorge Manuel gown on a mannequin at The White Dress, I was instantly drawn to it.. with its sparkly beaded details and body-hugging mermaid shape. The moment I put it on, I felt like a million bucks. Like a movie star. Like an silver-screen siren. It wasn’t what I had planned to wear all along, but sometimes the dress finds you.
To compliment the dress, Twigs and Honey made me an ethereal custom blusher veil. Paula from Ila Handbags designed two amazing clutches to go with each gown, which are some of my prettiest treasures. And I couldn’t resist these Nicholas Kirkwood heels to pair with my reception gown. Here is one of his similar styles.
Our ring pillow was constructed by Tim’s sister-in-law Michele, from a vintage handkerchief I found on Etsy.
And the bouquet! Juliette and Baroness garden roses, Cafe au Lait Dahlias, White Mona Lisa anemones, Astilbe, Jasmine, Passion Vine, and seeded Eucalyptus.. a beautiful creation by Honey and Poppies, which carried a locket with photos of my mother and grandmother. That sparkly pink number is Morganite, from Yael Designs.
BHLDN feather heels and my Ila Handbags ceremony clutch completed the look. Below are some of my bridesmaids’ accessories…yes, they love gold too!
Tim, looking sharp as ever, and making me want to marry him every day..
I gave each of my bridesmaids a box filled with goodies…a rhinestone bracelet, a Roxy Marj envelope clutch, embroidered hanky, pretty soap, nail polish and custom monogrammed Wiley Valentine stationery. Their heels were a DIY glitter project I took on with my friend Kendra. Then I wrote little messages to each gal on the soles.
OUR FIRST LOOK! This was one of the most amazing parts of our day, filled with ear-to-ear smiles and a few sweet tears. I remember walking up to him as my heart pounded.. almost as if this was our first date. I love that I still get those butterflies after being together for so many years!
My dad had always talked about my wedding day before I even met Tim. He knew I would meet and marry the man of my dreams, and had been excited about this day ever since I was born. And I had always planned on having him perform our wedding ceremony, so I wanted to surprise him with a “first look” too.
I will never forget the way he looked at me and the emotion between us in that moment. I remember him turning around saying, “My baby!” with tears in his eyes.
A pre-ceremony toast with my beautiful sister and maid-of-honor Abbey, and my lovely bridesmaids Catherine, Jenna and Kendra.
Tim’s niece and nephew were our ring/sign bearer and flower girl. Isn’t her dress adorable?
Tim made the wood sign (in our dining room, with a saw. don’t ask) and my friend and bridesmaid Jenna created the lettering on it.
I walked down the aisle to this lovely song, as played by a musician from Elan Artists.
My father married us just as I had always dreamed, and I had my friend Catherine read a beautiful poem by Pablo Neruda. Tim and I wrote our own vows and even wrote some of our ceremony script. We wanted it to be personal, heartfelt, and an expression of our love for each other. It was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the day for us.
And that beauty of an aisle runner? It was created by our planners Bash, Please. Those girls have a multitude of ideas up their sleeves.
I didn’t expect a high-five from Tim in the middle of his vows, but it cracked me up. Tim makes me laugh every single day, so of course our wedding day would be full of giggles.
Best. Day. Ever. I love you, my Timmy D!
Here is part 2 with all the pretty reception details!
You can see photos of our wedding in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, in print and on the iPad).
Photography: Max Wanger / Event Planning: Bash, Please / Videography: Sharkpig / Location: Casa Romantica / Ceremony and dinner reception music: Elan Artists / DJ: The Flashdance / Flowers: Honey and Poppies / Rentals: Yeah! Rentals, Casa de Perrin, Signature Rentals, and Bountiful / Linens: La Tavola / Fringe and balloon installation: Geronimo Balloons / Wedding cake: Sweet and Saucy. Smaller cakes: Porto’s Bakery / Catering: 24 Carrots / Bartending: Pharmacie / Photo booth: Smilebooth / Transportation: Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car / Save the date video filming: Scott Clark / Invitation Design: by me!
Bride and bridesmaids: Hair, makeup and nail design: Fiore Beauty / Ceremony dress: Jorge Manuel, from The White Dress / Ceremony shoes and rehearsal dinner gown: BHLDN / Reception gown: Monique Lhuillier / Reception shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood / Veil: Twigs & Honey / Ceremony and reception clutches: Ila Handbags / Cocktail ring and reception earrings: Yael Designs / Ceremony earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane / Glow: Plush Tan / Blue Print Cleanse / Bracelet: Rose Bowl Flea Market / Bridesmaid dresses: Kirribilla, Theia, ASOS, C. Luce / Bridesmaid shoes: Nina / Flower girl dress: Weddington Way / Bridesmaids’ gifts: envelope clutch from Roxy Marj, rhinestone bracelets from Rose Bowl Flea Market, embroidered hankie from Bumble Bee Linens, monogram stationery from Wiley Valentine, Essie nail polish
Groom and groomsmen: Groom’s suit: Versace / Groom’s tie: Zara / Cuff links: Thomas Pink / Shoes: Urban Outfitters / Socks: Urban Outfitters / Groomsmen ties: H&M
Design, decor and favors: Design by me. Hand-lettering for invitations and coaster: Bernadette Pascua. Lettering on signage: Love, Jenna Calligraphy / Invite screen-printing: Diversified Images / Coaster printing: Mama’s Sauce / Dinner napkin printing: Spoonflower / Cocktail napkin, matchbox, flower to-go bag printing: For Your Party / Escort cards / Tassels for escort cards / Welcome bag: mini Baggu / Favor: lucite diamonds from Charming Creation / Custom One Love Organics aromatherapy mist / Ring pillow sewn by Michele Dawbarn
