Pack your bags SMP’ers, because you’re invited to a destination “I Do” from Eileen Liu Photography . It’s the ultimate hometown ceremony chock-full of glamour and super sweet details – like the officiant being a childhood friend. Love & You Video captured the perfect celebration, and you can see every moment of California sunshine in The Vault!
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From The Bride…My husband and I chose to be married in Pasadena, CA to commemorate where we first fell in love. Although we both live in Maryland now, we felt that it was important to have the wedding in my hometown, not only to honor my parents, but also so the majority of our friends and family could share our special day with us.
Planning everything from across the nation was a both exciting and difficult, but we spent most of our time on Style Me Pretty researching venues and wedding details to find the perfect style that matched our aesthetic. We chose The Athenaeum, a hidden dining club tucked away in a private research university. Both my father and late grandfather dedicated their lives to the field of education for two generations; so this particular venue paid a fitting tribute to their contributions. In addition, the beautiful Mediterranean- style architecture and lush grounds were the perfect setting for the romantic and classic wedding we were dreaming of.
We wanted a timeless wedding with an element of glamour that still felt unique to our story as a couple. As a nod to the many Sunday mornings spent dancing to Bossa Nova in our living room, my husband and I scoured the greater Los Angeles area to find a Brazilian jazz band to play at our ceremony and cocktail hour. At our reception, the gorgeous blush tent served as a picturesque canvas for the large crystal chandelier and golden accents found in our decor. To add a personal touch to our invitations, we stamped each one with a wax seal imprinted with our initials. This seal was then used again on the escort cards and provided inspiration for the design of our other wedding stationery. Since our guests are all well aware that the two of us have a mean sweet tooth, we used cupcake domes as whimsical holders for the table numbers. Each of our guests received a porcelain jewelry box filled with my husband’s favorite chocolate because we believe in treasuring life’s sweetest memories. Another choice that was very close to our hearts was opting to have a close, childhood friend as our officiant. She has watched our relationship grow for many years from young love into the strong, mature partnership that it is today. For my “something blue,” my husband surprised me with a stunning sapphire ring when we exchanged gifts before seeing each other at the altar.
Throughout the planning process, we chose vendors with warm and inviting personalities. It was important to us to be working with professionals who did great work yet also connected with us on an emotional level. We looked for individuals whom we entrusted to take care of us during our momentous celebration. After meeting and Facetiming with photographers in California, Eileen was definitely our favorite. She had such a positive and bubbly energy that felt genuine and put us at ease (which really helps a camera-shy couple like us). Our florist, Allison, worked so patiently with us by email and over the phone to achieve the breathtaking florals at our ceremony and reception. To capture our meaningful event in motion, we selected the lovely husband-and-wife team from Love & You videography because of their unparalleled sense for capturing tender moments and weaving them into fairy tales on film. Even though we signed with Berlanti for day-of coordination, she really went above and beyond, answering countless questions and providing invaluable input in all the months leading up to the big day. All of our vendors’ efforts and passion combined are truly what brought our vision to fruition, and we are so grateful for their help in creating a deeply joyous, unforgettable occasion for our families and friends!
Photography: Eileen Liu Photography | Cinematography: Love & You Studios | Event Planning: The Elegant Ninja | Floral Design: Flower Allie | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cake: Porto's Bakery | Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Forever 21 | Hair And Makeup: Hale Koa phineas Estate | DJ: Vox DJs | Groom's Attire: Z by Zegna | Groomsmen Attire: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Venue: The Athenaeum | Jazz Band: Maria Schafer Music | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Dress: Needle & Thread | Rentals: Town And Country