[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Shades of blush
Light blue
Light yellow
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]While life and work has pulled Mike and I around the country and around the world, we both feel a grounding attachment to where our relationship began years earlier – San Diego, CA. For Mike and I, the experience of our guests was paramount and drove most decisions. We wanted our beloved friends and family to leave after our wedding weekend understanding how and why we feel coastal San Diego is the special place that it is. We also wanted to host a long Labor Day weekend which provided a desperately needed escape from the pandemic induced hardships of the prior 18 months. As the world began opening back up, we wanted to foster a design and vibe which would act as a memorable escape and a reminder of what we could all look forward to returning to. We wanted to help everyone return to life, with a bang! In emphasizing fun for our guests, we also hoped our design and vibe would magnify the party energy!
Fortunately, San Diego and La Jolla do a lot of the work for you. Consequently, our foundational driving vision was to amplify the stunning natural backdrop of the cliffs of La Jolla and the surrounding Pacific Ocean. We chose our event venues to compliment such.
We kicked off our weekend with a Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Party at “The Old Pink Lady” on La Jolla Cove, The La Valencia Hotel. Family and friends were provided sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs, crashing waves, and moving waters. Fortunately the weather cooperated and we were treated to a glowing sunset.
Saturday morning our wedding party got ready, had lunch, and took pictures on site at La Valencia. Shortly thereafter, we held our late-afternoon ceremony on the newly renovated and spacious roof at the La Jolla Cove Inn and Suites. Directly above the waters of La Jolla cove, guests were able to see as far North as Torrey Pines. Our ceremony was briefly interrupted by laughter after an unusually loud barking session from the seals which reside on the surrounding cliffs. It was great. Immediately following the ceremony we hosted a brief open bar on-site and allowed guests to enjoy the roof deck views, take pictures, and get the party kicked off.
Following the ceremony, we provided transportation north to The Lodge at Torrey Pines, and our wedding party traveled in a classic old San Diego trolley car. My vision for cocktail hour and dinner was to host a whimsical garden feel that embodied the dream-like feeling of sunset and Amorology brought it to life for us! Cocktail hour was held on the Lodge’s back deck, and dinner on the lawn. Both settings benefited from ocean views, and an outrageously beautiful orange-turned-purple-turned-blue sunset over the Pacific and infamous Torrey Pines golf course. Our party continued into the night on the Lodge’s decks and in an adjacent ballroom.
Overall, we wanted to embody the classic casual modern elegance of California. We also wanted to compliment the California Craftsman style of the Lodge at Torrey Pines. As such, guests dined at exposed wood dining tables, with wood chargers and a wood veranda structure above the head table, etc. And as a ballet dancer, I love shades of pinks. I used a variety of pink shades in the bridesmaid dresses and corresponding bouquets. Our ceremony arch, cocktail hour tables, dining tables, dance floor, etc., were all adorned with shades of pink flowers. It made for a lovely contrast to the deep blue ocean and groomsmen blue suits.
We also sought to weave our meeting story throughout the weekend. A particularly random and miraculous confluence of unexpected events resulted in a blind-notebook offering of a few beers and a boat ride as the hook for a subsequent date. Mike grew up in San Diego, owned the world’s best/worst small motorboat, and is a former Naval Officer. Our design team, Amorology helped us subtly work these themes into the decor to personalize the design details in the most unique and prettiest of ways. With the help of Backup they created a boat house structure for our head table to be nestled under which served as the focal point of our reception. It was accented with lush hops from Native Poppy to give another nod to the boats and beers in our story . Additionally, our guests found their names and seats on a rope and knot wall tied delicately with calligraphed ribbons and table numbers were calligraphed on to varying small wooden sailboats curated by Amorology. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]After 7 years of dating across 4 different cities, cross-country moves, and cross-country (and cross-world!) long-distance, we were happily engaged in the summer of 2019. Mike planned a getaway to the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod to celebrate the end of our time living in Boston, before moving to Washington, DC. The area was a favorite spot for us and we had long coveted an opportunity to stay at Chatham Bars Inn. As we completed the 3-hour drive, Mike casually mentioned he had booked me a massage at the hotel. (I later learned this was not entirely altruistic, he needed time to secretly set everything up for the proposal). When I got out of the massage, he texted me a beautiful poem summarizing our 7 years together, and excitement over the future. It concluded with instructions to meet him on a nearby dock for a boat departure at 2PM sharp, to head to a TBD destination.
We took the boat across the sound to a desolate and deserted sandbar. We walked along the sand and to my surprise came upon a prepared picnic basket lunch, with a beautiful lunch spread and champagne. As boats sailed past us in the background (and a few honked!), he got down on one knee, described our shared vision for the future, and asked me to marry him. He used an old family heirloom ring box. The privacy of the setting amplified the intimate feel. A very hungry Mike was subsequently excited to put his nerves away and to eat lunch. We eventually crossed the sound back to the hotel, celebrated at the poolside bar, and enjoyed a wonderful meal in town. I thought the boat surprises were done, but the next morning he surprised me with a ferry ride to Nantucket for a night getaway. [/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]I wore an Alon Livne, “Anastasia” gown with a ballet-inspired bodice, with an A-line skirt and Cathedral-length train. As a professional ballet dancer, the structure in bodice, beading, and fine detail all felt like the perfect fit and combination. I wanted something unique, delicate, and timeless. I fell in love with the embroidered flowers on the skirt. To me, this felt bridal! I found it locally![/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo dresses. I picked out 4 shades of blush and let each bridesmaid pick out the style of their dress. They all desired a different style, which made for fun variation, each complimenting the individual bridesmaid. The blend of the colors worked brilliantly, and the girls looked gorgeous. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Mike’s groomsmen all wore Navy suits from different companies. In the sun, they all looked pretty identical, and they paired wonderfully next to the blush dresses. Mike wore a lighter Navy/ Royal blue custom fit 2-button suit.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Our Friday welcome party included a fun San Diego / Mexican fish taco + margaritas dinner for the wedding party and family, and snacks and open bar for all guests. We also had live music, a gelato station, a venue for speeches, etc. We provided fun welcome bags, custom pint glasses, etc. Live music was provided by infamous San Diego guitarist, Michael Gonzales.
Immediately following the ceremony we provided beer, wine, and champagne as guests enjoyed the views. The natural setting was so stunning that we didn’t want to rush everyone off to the subsequent reception.
Upon arrival at the reception, guests were welcomed with trays of Champagne, Aperol Spritzes, and Espresso Martinis, alongside tray passed appetizers. For dinner, we had a California influenced menu from the Lodge at Torrey Pines. It started with a watermelon/feta/mint salad, followed by Paella, Short Rib or Halibut, and an assortment of desserts. Alongside the open bar, our signature drinks were a “Hot Girl Summer” Margarita and “Just About Thyme” Old Fashioned. Towards the end of the evening, we had late night snacks including sliders, pizza, fries, and ice cream. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our overall designer, Amorology, was brilliant at delivering our vision. They constructed a perfect whimsical California/nautical feel with an absolutely stunning garden dinner. Heather subtly tied in the theme of “boats and beers” (from our notebook meeting story) throughout the decor. Table settings, dishware, and accouterments were all impeccably executed. Heather helped build a gorgeous custom wooden structure veranda over the head dining table, custom designed table identification sailboats, and even strung hops throughout the setting.
Our florals were brilliantly and stunningly crafted by Native Poppy. Natalie, our florist, is a former ballet dancer and was a perfect match for my vision. Native Poppy exceeded my every hope and dream with the use of color on the lush open arch, ceremony flowers, table scape, and bouquet! The flowers truly turned the lawn at The Lodge at Torrey Pines into a magical garden. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The frosting on our cake was subtly designed to look like the sail on a sailboat. It was accented with flowers. It was layers of carrot cake and almond berry. I cut the cake using a traditional ceremonial Navy sword. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]For our ceremony program, our officiant (a childhood friend) wove together our backstory, the influence of special friends and family, unknown commentary from our friends and family, descriptions of the bride and groom which Mike and I had provided, and made special note of those who could only attend in spirit. Mike and I also exchanged our take on vows, which centered on reflections on our past, motivation behind our marriage, and promises on the future.
We included two readings, a traditional Irish Blessing, and a piece on love by James Kavanaugh.
Ceremony music was provided by Eliana Strings, an absolutely fantastic San Diego string quartet. They played before, during, and after the ceremony on the rooftop at The La Jolla Cove Inn and Suites, as well as during cocktail hour at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. They were wonderful to work with, and offered an extensive set list of options, or ability to play custom songs.
Our wedding processional included 3 pieces: The Navy Hymn, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (bridal party), and Cannon in D Minor by Pachabel for arrival of the bride. For our recessional, we used Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles.
For our reception, we hired the best in the business from Encore. For our first dance and throughout dinner, a three piece band played. Our first dance was an acoustic Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty. For our dance party, we had an electric 7 piece, high energy band, from Encore play hours worth of beyond incredible covers, while guests danced in a ballroom and on surrounding outdoor decks at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Meeting story and an explanation of where the details of “boats and beers” came from:
Mike and I met in an obscure and serendipitous way, and the story still befuddles us to this day. We were single 20-somethings not at all intent on trying to meet someone. I was new to San Diego, having recently taken a job dancing for a professional ballet company. At the time, I was largely looking to make friends and develop a social scene. Mike is a San Diego native, and was in and out of town a lot for work, and spent most of his weekends on the water with his friends in their world’s best/worst small boat.
As a largely non-memorable weekend wound down, Mike met with two friends to catch up at a cocktail bar/restaurant in Little Italy. A signature element of the restaurant/bar is that when time to pay your bill, they provide it folded up inside a moleskin notebook. In addition to paying your bill, people can write or draw whatever they wish.
When Mike was in the bathroom, his two girlfriends settled the bill, and without telling him before or after, wrote his name and number in the notebook, drew a picture of a boat, and offered “Call Mike for Boats and Beers.” Mike had no idea this transpired. He said goodbye and walked home to get ready for work the next morning.
Only a few months into living in San Diego, I was still exploring the city. On the weekend in question, my best friend from growing up was visiting. That same Sunday night, the two of us happened to go to dinner at the same Little Italy cocktail bar. Despite dozens of available notebooks and thousands of notebook pages, when we went to pay our bill, it happened to be folded up inside the same page Mike’s friends had earlier decorated. My friend noted that clearly “Mike” hadn’t written this, due to the flowery handwriting and hearts above the boat. For strictly entertainment value, and with a little liquid courage, she suggested we text the number.
Mike answered the text, despite having no context or awareness of what was going on. I inquired about a boat ride with beers. He played along and we eventually asked who on earth was on the other end of the text exchange. Some limited diligence into the true existence of the person on the other end ensued.
3 days later, on Valentines Day, I made plans to return to the same cocktail bar with my girlfriend. I asked Mike if he wanted to meet. He was a touch skeptical that there was a ballerina looking to meet people on the other line, but he scrambled, found a wing-man, and showed up. The rest is history.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]
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Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Cinematography: Current Films | Event Design: Amorology | Event Planning: CROWN WEDDINGS AND EVENTS LLC | Floral Design: Native Poppy | Dress: Alon Livne | Cake: HEY THERE CUPCAKE | Invitations: Grey and Cake | Ceremony Venue: La Jolla Cove Suites | Reception Venue: The Lodge at Torrey Pines | Rings: Barmakian | Catering: The Lodge at Torrey Pines | Lighting: Brilliant Event Lighting | Entertainment: Encore Event Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Eliana Strings | Transportation: Old Town Trolley | Transportation: MIB Transportation | Beauty: Beauty Bespoken | Bridal and Bridesmaid Robes: Lauren Leshansky | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Four Things Paper | Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Alexis Nolana | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: La Valencia Hotel | Rentals: Backup Backdrops | Rentals: APR Event Rentals | Rentals: Adore Folklore | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | getting ready venue: La Valencia Hotel
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