We really hate to see this week end. Like really. It’s been packed to the gills with pretty, and we really can’t thank Surf & Sand Resort enough for hosting such a lovely week filled with OC fêtes. We may or may not have these beauties bookmarked, and thankfully – we still have one more OC beauty up our sleeve today…
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Click here for the FULL wedding!
From the Bride… During winter break from university in 2007, we separately planned vacations to Hong Kong to each visit our families. We met on Christmas Eve on a night out with friends through one of my college friends and his sister. Fate must have brought us together halfway around the world, as we learned that we attended the same university! We began dating as soon as we both returned to California. The proposal was in mid-air during hot air balloon ride over Temecula wine country in fall of 2010. As we swooped towards the ground, a huge banner that read “Marry me,” and a beautiful diamond ring was presented to me. Of course I accepted, and the rest of the ride was filled with mimosa toasts and cake.
The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel was the perfect setting to have our wedding. As the majority of our guests were coming from out-of-town, we wanted our venue to have the perfect Southern California setting. We wanted to share beautiful California with the picture-perfect gazebo lawn and the ballroom overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The vision for the wedding was soft, feminine colors, with a fresh and modern feel. The bridesmaids wore lavender gray dresses and the groomsmen wore black and white tuxedos, paired with blush pink bouquets and boutonnieres. Our florist, Nisie, and her team, made the wedding vision into reality. The delicate swirly rose petal aisle décor, ceremony décor and centerpieces were much more beautiful in reality than I had ever envisioned. The ceremony was short and sweet. We wrote our own vows to openly share with our guests our emotions for each other. While we were surrounded by all of our family and friends, it still felt like we were the only ones there.
Shopping for the wedding gown was challenging, so I turned to two of the most important people in my life that I trust for fashion advice: my sister and mother. We had visited several stores but nothing was unique or special enough. So I made an appointment at Mon Amie. Upon our arrival, we told our consultant to pull a variety of gowns to try. The first one she pulled and had me try on was a timeless and highly intricate gown by Lazaro. My initial thought was that it was not what I had envisioned myself walking down the aisle in but as the appointment went on, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. At the end of the appointment, it was clear that it was the gown for me.
I love to craft, and I looked for every opportunity to DIY a wedding project. This included hand-made letterpress invitations, table numbers, menus and thank you cards. It was so rewarding to see all these projects come to life on the day of the wedding.
Wedding Photography: Sarah K. Chen Photography / Wedding Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California / Wedding Coordination: Kerrie Underhill of Platinum Weddings by Kerrie / Floral Design: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist / Officiant: JP Reynolds of JPR Weddings / Wedding Cinematography: Matt Jensen of FortyOneTwenty / Catering + Wedding Cake: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: DIY / DJ + Lighting: Jack K. Hou of TMMPRO / Dance Floor: Chiavari Chair Rentals / Linens + Chairs: Fusion Linens / Photo Booth: DG Event / Transportation: California Coastal Limousine / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Mon Amie Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Aruna Seth / Bride’s Veil: Jennifer Leigh via Mon Amie Bridal Salon / Jewelry: From Her Mother / Beauty: Kelly Zhang / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Banana Republic / Men’s Tuxedos: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse