Santa Monica Wedding at Casa Del Mar from Harrison Long Photography

Dawn Strong
October 24, 2013
Categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

I may not know this darling duo, but I am fairly certain of one thing: they are a couple that really likes to have a good time. The kind of couple who throw the world’s most beautiful celebration, complete with purple-infused florals from M.J. Design LA, fab paper goods from Minted and a whole lot of Lakers-inspired awesome captured by Harrison Long Photography. And after the nuptials and yummy cake from Vanilla Bake Shop? Well, there’s a crazy awesome dance party. See it all right here in the full gallery.

And don’t miss a minute of this sweet film from Unboxed Images. It’s lovely.

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From Harrison Long Photography… Lizsl and Geoff are an awesome couple. They are fun-loving and caring people that are always down for a good time – their wedding was nothing short of a reflection of their vibrant personalities. One of the most important things to them was to make sure that all of their guests enjoyed themselves that day. Not only was their wedding absolutely gorgeous, but it truly was a celebration.

Located on the waterfront of Santa Monica beach, Casa Del Mar provided a beautiful backdrop for a modern-chic wedding. Aesthetically it is sophisticated and elegant, and yet at the same time it’s true to its location and holds a cool and casual beach feel to it. It supplied the perfect juxtaposition for Lizsl and Geoff to celebrate their wedding and mix contemporary with vintage for a jubilant party. Libations were free flowing well before the ceremony commenced and cocktail hour featured a whiskey and sausage tasting table. Lizsl and Geoff are huge LA Kings fans. Midway through cocktail hour they surprised their guests with a special appearance by Bailey, the 6 foot lion who wears a number 72 jersey because that’s the average temperature in LA. Upon entrance, Bailey caused a couple near-faintings, held a baby, blessed the whiskey tasting area, and got the crowd revved up. Why Bailey? That’s just how Lizsl and Geoff roll.

The reception was a mix of modern and vintage. In the middle of the Parisian chandelier ceiling covered ballroom, the head table was a vintage farm table with eclectic chairs. Guest table numbers held a bit of levity to them. Instead of the conventional sequentially ordered seating assignments, table numbers were randomly numbered with glimpses into the lives of Lizsl and Geoff. There was table number 496 with the caption underneath it that read “cost of Geoff’s most recent traffic ticket” and then there was table number 2.1652233 that read “number of times Lizsl and Geoff cry during Downtown Abbey. Per episode.” Each table was different, including table number 234622 which read “Our secret passcode for everything. Just kidding.” below. Even the dessert bar had its own unique touch with a combination of weathered wood crates, milk-glass cake stands, magenta uplighting, bird cages and vintage tables that held delectable desserts. The dance floor got kicked off early with the 80’s band Fast Times covering everything from Joy Division, to the Cure to New Order. Nothing quite gets you energized to cut some rug and shake what you’ve been blessed with, than dancing your head off to “Take on Me” or the Idol’s “Dancing with Myself”. All in all, it was a wedding that fit Lizsl and Geoff perfectly. A blend of love, modern elegance and a whole lot of party.

From the Bride + Groom… We wanted the theme of our wedding to be centered on love and celebration. Of course our love for each other, and family and our many close friends. And also for Geoffrey’s two sons. And for LA, where we live and thrive. The wedding colors were different shades of purple, like the Lakers. Bailey, the LA King’s Mascot was there too! A long time ago, it was a toss up: elope or the wedding. We know now we made the right choice! Throughout the night we heard people say they had so much fun — and that’s all we could have asked for.