We’re major fans of fab vendors (they make our wedding world go round) but you know what else warms our hearts? When we hear statements like this: “My husband wins the award for best co-planner of the year.” Because whether it’s your wedding day or 100 days later, your best partner should be right in front of you. These two cuties created a pretty, pastel summer wedding that’s giving us plenty of inspiration, all thanks to Ether & Smith’s pics. See them all right this way!
From the Bride… When Derek and I met in college, I knew right away that he was a keeper. We dated for eight years and spent much of that time in a long distance relationship as each one of us went through medical school and residency in different locations. Eight years later, he proposed to me on the same campus where we first met. Of course after saying “yes” I immediately began planning our wedding!
With Derek being from Los Angeles and me being from the San Francisco Bay Area, we both knew we wanted to stay true to our Californian roots with an outdoor, relaxed, and intimate event filled with the people we love. I envisioned a palette of blush, soft periwinkle blue, and brilliant greens to evoke the feeling of a gorgeous midsummer night’s garden party. Maravilla Gardens was the last venue we visited, but when we saw it, I knew it was the perfect location for us to tie the knot.
Both of us being detail oriented, we wanted our wedding to perfectly reflect us as a couple. We featured local beers from Vermont, where Derek went for medical school, and San Francisco, where the two of us have countless memories. For dessert, guests enjoyed one of my favorite Chinese sweets, egg tarts. We also chose each and every song for the entire wedding.
My husband wins the award for best co-planner of the year, taking the lead on booking our DJ, photobooth, and even chairs. My girlfriend and bridesmaid worked tirelessly to help bring our vision for our invites and all of the signage to life. Derek’s groomsman personally flew in all of our macarons and cake pops from his bakery up in San Francisco.
As we were still in a long distance relationship while planning our wedding, the weeks leading up to our big day were stressful, filled with last minute things to do. But on the day of our wedding, all of our hard work paid off – we have never gotten so many compliments! My favorite moment from our wedding was listening to my husband’s vows. Standing across from him on the alter, it hit me that I was finally marrying the man I can truly call my best friend and partner in life. Afterwards, we laughed, ate cake, and danced the night away under the stars. It was the best day of my life.
For my brides-to-be, never think it’s too early to do anything! The more you do in advance, the less you have to do in the weeks leading up to the wedding when unexpected tasks come up. Book vendors that you love. I read this so many times on SMP but it’s so true! You will breathe easier knowing you can trust the people you’ve hired to carry out your vision. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the ideas floating out there. Instead, focus on your relationship and be true to yourselves and your unique aesthetic as a couple. Enjoy the whole process, especially your wedding day – it will all go by too fast.
Photography: Ether & Smith | Coordination: Maravilla Gardens | Floral Design: City Flowers LA | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: By the bride | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Nadri | Catering: Command Performance Catering | Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kang Makeup & Hair Artistry | DJ: GTZ Entertainment | Ties: The Tie Bar | Officiant: Michael Beecher | Wedding Venue: Maravilla Gardens | Baked Goods: M Cakes Sweets | Photobooth: Booth Twenty Four