1. Real Weddings

A Modern, Bohemian Wedding at the Loft on Pine in Long Beach, California

Alexandra Osinski (29 and a designer) was working as a bar tender when Walter Brasch (36 and a certified public accountant) became a consistent weeken

Alexandra Osinski (29 and a designer) was working as a bar tender when Walter Brasch (36 and a certified public accountant) became a consistent weekend fixture at the watering hole. “Sundays quickly became the best day of my week,” Alexandra says. Before long, laid-back, goofball tendencies on both sides were revealed, mixtapes were exchanged and they were in love. On the night of the proposal, Walter kept it simple. “He just walked me down to the beach and proposed in the sand. No bells or whistles, just us and the ocean. I didn't even see the ring until we got to the street lights.” Fittingly, Alexandra and Walter’s wedding for 150 guests at the Loft on Pine in downtown Long Beach was equally modern, earthy, and intimate. Green, navy, cream and blush tones complemented the venue's rustic hardwood floors and vintage architecture. “As a Southern California girl, I've always been drawn to eucalyptus, so we wanted it everywhere,” says Alexandra, who enlisted Costa Mesa’s Bloom Box florists to use an abundance of lush succulents and eucalyptus for the ceremony’s arbor, bouquets and reception centerpieces. The couple exchanged vows in the Loft on Pine’s Great Hall under a stunning half-dome of windows and used the same space for their reception, where they served casual eats like sliders and fries. In another nontraditional twist, the couple served glittered doughnuts instead of cake. While Alexandra says the entire day was “surreal,” the couple tried to savor it. They advise other couples to pick their battles. “Stand up for the thing you care about, and let the small things slide,” Alexandra says. “Have fun, be kind, be loving.” —Carolyn Meers

Alexandra got the first glimpse of her vintage engagement ring under a street light after Walter's nighttime proposal on the beach. "It is a pear cut, which is sentimental to me because my mother used to wear one," Alexandra says. "I'm obsessed with it."
Alexandra's Watters dress blended contemporary style with classic elegance. "It had a sweetheart corset with a skirt that was made up of layers and layers of this incredibly soft tulle," says Alexandra, who paired it with a lush bouquet of eucalyptus, succulents and dahlias. "I wanted something with impact but nontraditional, and I got exactly that."
"Even though I switched into Nikes for the party, my reception shoes couldn't have been more perfect," Alexandra says of her nude ankle-strap floral-themed heels. "They were so elegant and wearable."
A designer in Los Angeles, California, Alexandra took her bridesmaid dresses as seriously as her own. "I mostly cared that my bridesmaids were comfortable. I'm not a fan of traditional or uniform things, so when my company gifted me the dresses for my bridesmaids, I was thrilled, and I insisted they each dress them up however they liked," she says. The navy lace dresses had retro bell sleeves and fit perfectly with the wedding's modern bohemian vibe.
"Our venue was romantic and my husband wanted to look the part, so he wore a modern black tuxedo and tuxedo slippers," Alexandra says. "I've never seen him so dressed up."
Walter wore a classic black tux with a white tie and a generous boutonniere made with succulents and sprigs of greenery.
Alexandra's bridesmaids wore navy lace dresses with vintage-inspired bell sleeves, while Walter's groomsmen echoed his black tux and slip-ons.
Alexandra and Walter held their ceremony and reception in the century-old building's main hall. "We were blown away by the architecture and the acoustics of the hall," Alexandra says. "Because the space was so beautiful on its own, we decorated with lots of greenery and candlelight."
At the indoor ceremony, rustic white wooden boxes were topped with soft greenery and white candles to lend the room a romantic warmth.
During cocktail hour, the ceremony site was converted into a romantic reception hall. A combination of round and long communal tables were set with simple white linen and then topped with eucalyptus garlands and glass vases filled with blush dahlias. "Nestled into the foliage were these beautiful little votives and some tall candlesticks," Alexandra says.
For the reception, Alexandra and Walter continued the upscale bohemian theme: "We had a lot of greenery, dim lighting and natural elements.” Long, white linen-topped tables were adorned with candles and thick garlands of eucalyptus, which were also prominent in the bridal party bouquets.
Each table was set with a combination of blush and cream dahlias and copious amounts of greenery, helping to maintain an intimate, rustic feel in a spacious indoor space.
At the reception, the head table was covered with crisp white linen, draped with eucalyptus garlands and set with glowing white votives. To continue the rustic, romantic feeling through the reception, vintage white boxes were placed throughout and topped with similar candles and greenery.
“Our venue was incredibly beautiful and we were so lucky to find it,” Alexandra says of Long Beach's Loft on Pine, which had the perfect combination of vintage and modern elements to fit her and Walter's laid-back yet classically informed style.
In a refreshing departure from traditional wedding cake, Alexandra and Walter offered guests a variety of fresh doughnuts for dessert.