1. Real Weddings

A Grand Del Mar Wedding in Del Mar, California

For their glamours black-tie affair, Leslie (29 and a project management coordinator) and Ryan (32 and a business and engineering coordinator) drew in

For their glamours black-tie affair, Leslie (29 and a project management coordinator) and Ryan (32 and a business and engineering coordinator) drew inspiration from vintage Chinoiserie vases. Playing with the navy and cream color palette along with the intricate design motif, the California couple transformed their classic ballroom into a luxurious indoor garden complete with four ornately decorated weeping willow trees.

I loved how the romantic theme was played out in the space with four weeping willow trees that were punctuated by flowers that climbed up the trunks of the trees, describes Leslie. Crystal chandeliers were brought in and placed above the dance floor to draw the eye into the center, really enhancing the intimate and romantic feel of the room.
The couple personalized every detail including cocktail napkins printed with a formal navy monogram.
The ornate navy and white tented escort cards featured an interactive element: guests had to pull the decorative gold charm in order to reveal another card with their table assignments.
Instead of only having signature drinks, Leslie and Ryan also had signature glasses to incorporate a luxe vintage vibe during the cocktail hour.
Gift baskets complete with miniature champagne bottles and matching straws, snacks and an activity schedule, welcomed the out-of-town guests.
The custom-made invitations were printed on heavy card stock with a cornflower blue border, navy type and a decorative design motif that was echoed on the ceremony programs, the menus, table numbers and place cards. My favorite part of the invitations where the gorgeous envelops because the envelope flap was ornate instead of a straight edge, says Leslie. All of the design elements pulled together to create a seamless classical yet very contemporary look.
Leslie used her grandmother's handkerchief as a bouquet wrap for her lush white peony bouquet.
The ceremony programs were designed to echo the romantic theme of the wedding and were displayed with lush floral arrangements for guests to have something to look while waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The stunning place settings took on an antique classical feel with etched glasses, vintage-inspired silverware and gold-rimmed chargers set on a lace runner.
The glamorous indoor garden reception featured over 60 Chinoiserie vases of various sizes filled with an array of beautiful white flowers.
Leslie and Ryan hosted a sophisticated ballroom reception filled with blue-and-white Chinoiserie vases and lush greenery. Each table had simple, but elegant candle light and I requested that the center pieces for the tables be kept low so each guest could easily converse as well as as well as easily look up to the stage for the speeches, says Leslie.
A photo of each guest with their significant other was taken during the reception, and at the end of the night they were surprised to see the photos printed in a chic blue-and-white decorative frame waiting as a favor. I liked the idea because everyone is dressed their best and it’s something that people would actually keep, explains Leslie. No one wants my initials on an ornament….
Leslie selected a rustic-meets-elegance white wedding cake with fresh flower accents. The cake had to be buttercream, as I love the strokes of the buttercream and airy quality that the frosting exudes, explains the bride. Plus, it just tastes amazing! The cake was punctuated with white flowers to enhance the romance theme and add more texture to the cake.
Leslie removed her Cathedral length veil after the ceremony and had gorgeous gardenias placed in her hair to create a different look.
Antique gold mirrors hung from a lush green wall serving as a stunning backdrop for the live band.
The Catholic ceremony took place at Founders Chapel at the University of San Diego. Overflowing white flowers lined the pews creating a dramatic aisle leading to an ornate alter.
Light pouring in from the glass mosaic windows illuminated the evening ceremony.
After a full seated dinner and buttercream cake, guests were also treated to an over-the-top dessert bar including chocolate dipped doughnuts!
Another design aspect to created within the ballroom was intimate seating around the dance floor consisting of sofas and ottomans, which allowed guests who weren't ready to dance to still feel included.
Places were set with the a sophisticated menu for the seated dinner with the card itself held in a taupe rectangular card also made of heavy card stock that retained the white menu by the corners with fabric that folded over. When you flipped the card over, embossed in silver with a decorative type read ‘Menu’ and I took a bunch of extra menus home with me so in the future if I want to recreate the menu and have a dinner party, I'll have the menu from my wedding day to display! says Leslie.
Guests all raised etched antique glasses to toast the newlyweds during the joyous celebration.
Leslie wanted something more conservative than a strapless dress for her Catholic ceremony and found the perfect balance with her modest-yet-modern Monique Lhuillier gown. It offered that traditional aspect, but had a unique twist, describes Leslie. It had the traditional mermaid shape but I tweaked the dress adding a shear fabric piece similar to a very fine mesh to the chest to get away from the strapless look.
The navy and cream design motif inspired by Chinoiserie vases was also utilized for the table numbers.
For Leslie's formal affair, she selected matching full-length Monique Lhuillier gowns for her bridesmaids. I decided on the long dresses because the wedding was black tie and it’s not often one gets to wear a floor length gown, explains Leslie. In some ways they were reminiscent of a Greco style, but with a modern flair—simply gorgeous and romantic.
Leslie decided to wear her hair in a gorgeous chignon not only because of it's formal vibe but also because it could support the weight of her Cathedral length veil.