A Nature-Inspired Wedding at The Monrovia Historical Museum in Monrovia, California

Jess Chitra and Liz Perez transformed their love of design and nature into a trendy modern fete with an organic vibe. Their goal was to enhance the beauty of The Monrovia Historical Museum by creating focal points within the large space. For the ceremony, a white geometric screen did just that, making the couple pop as they exchanged “I dos.” An eye-catching dessert display, eight-foot sweetheart table and bold palette bar helped ground the reception décor. To complement the garden’s natural color palette, Jess and Liz teamed up with Faithful Blooms to create bright textured arrangements for the tables. Burgundy amaranthus, orange dahlias and blue thistle offered just the right blend of romance, texture and modernity. “It was important to both of us that we incorporate hints of our cultures. We are Mexican and Thai. What better way to represent our roots than with tasty food?” Jess says. During cocktail hour, waiters passed Thai hors d’oeuvres such as fresh papaya salad and chicken satay skewers. For a late-night snack, the couple switched gears, serving up Mexican-style corn with lime juice, cheese and chili, plus Paloma cocktails. After the ceremony, Jess and Liz took 10 private minutes to soak in the moment. “The time alone allowed us to breathe and take everything in without any distractions. We told each other what we were feeling at that exact moment and mentioned a few things we noticed during the ceremony—like the surprise violinist!” Jess says. “I recommend this to all couples on their wedding day. It is a memorable time that we will always cherish.”