A Lovely, Simple Wedding at Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont, California

Sometimes fate steps in and one doesn't pick the person who they end up loving—or in this case, the venue. When Rhonda Muyargas (33 and a risk analyst) and Lennan Kwan (37 and a rigger) stepped into the Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont, California, they instantly fell in love with the simple reception hall, a converted theater filled with rich history. “I never realized that finding our venue had to be a decision of the heart,” Rhonda says. “We make our decisions within practical dimensions. But after seeing this place, we didn’t bother to look elsewhere.” Starting with an aqua color, the couple let the palette transform over time; they eventually added charcoal and coral into the mix. This was seen through the colorful bridal bouquet, wedding-party attire and dining tables set with flowers and linens, captured beautifully by Kevin Le Vu Photography. After the couple had their outdoor wedding ceremony and married underneath a classic metal gazebo, the party was taken inside the theatre for the reception. Guests located their seats with ivory escort tags attached to vintage metal keys that were engraved with hearts and tied together with blue ribbon. Simple black-and-white menu cards and aqua blue napkins were placed on top of the silver plates set at the dining tables, which were decorated in the middle with colorful peony, anemone and rose arrangements. We couldn’t help but smile at the wooden signs that hung from the bride and groom’s chiavari chairs that read “Mr. Right” and “Mrs. Always Right.” “Sometimes, practicality just goes out the door,” Rhonda says. “Let it be and enjoy all of it fully and wholeheartedly.”