1. Real Weddings

A Romantic, Vintage Wedding at Carondelet House in Los Angeles, California

Esme Williams (34 and a consultant) married Matthew Berenc (34 and director of the Equinox Training Institute) in a romantic, vintage-inspired ceremon

Esme Williams (34 and a consultant) married Matthew Berenc (34 and director of the Equinox Training Institute) in a romantic, vintage-inspired ceremony in the Zen garden at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California. Esme and Matthew had met as coworkers eight years earlier, and they began dating after a series of escalating practical jokes. “Esme has always been an amazing person and makes up my other half,” Matthew says. “This is why we got married in the Zen garden. We are the halves of the circle, and together we are whole.” A subtle palette of lavender, gray and blush were carried through the event. After the ceremony, an elegant reception for 135 guests was held at the nearly 90-year-old Carondelet House in Los Angeles, California. “We loved the vintage charm of the Carondelet House because it looks like it belongs on a cobblestone street in New England, not in downtown LA,” says Esme, who is originally from Boston, Massachusetts. “It was important that our opposite personalities were showcased under this theme of vintage enchantment. We both agreed that Carondelet House did just that.” Tables were set with vintage plates and crystal alongside moss-filled terrariums and apothecary jars. Large arrangements of greenery hung from the ceiling to create the feel of a charming, overgrown garden. For dessert guests chose from a variety of Esme and Matthew's beloved treats—among them, mini doughnuts from LA’s Fonuts, and Gooey Butter cake shipped from Gooey Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, Matthew’s hometown. As for advice, Esme recommends getting inventive—she combed through Craigslist and garage sales to find the vintage plates for the place settings. “There is a solution for almost everything if you just take the time and do your research,” Esme says. “You must keep an open mind and think creatively.” —Carolyn Meers

In keeping with the event's vintage theme, Esme and Matthew had the Polka Dotted Bee create custom invitations printed on delicate vintage-style handkerchiefs. Each was sent with an information card printed on postcards from the couple’s home states: Massachusetts and Missouri.
As gifts for her bridesmaids, Esme custom-designed necklaces with a purple ametrine stone and a triple infinity, symbolizing the wedding date—the eighth month (August), the day (the 8th) and the year (2015), which adds up to the number eight.
Esme and Matthew's 135 guests sat on wooden chairs for the outdoor ceremony; bouquets of lavender ribbons decorated the aisle, reflecting the event's palette of lilac, cream and gray.
"I was going for a modern fairy-tale look," says Esme, who chose a Hayley Paige gown. "I wanted my dress to be epic without being obnoxious. I wanted to wear something that had a modern spin on the traditional white cake topper. I loved the layers of light gray, ivory, blush and soft lavender horsehair tulle in the skirt."
The bridal party’s muted lavender and slate dresses alongside the groomsmen’s gray tuxedos tied into the event's warm plum and gold palette. Bouquets were a textured mix of champagne and peach roses, sage green succulents, white lisianthus, lavender sprigs and jasmine vines.
Groom and Groomsmen wore gray Vera Wang tuxes with black trim. Each also sported a lavender pocket square.
Guests were welcomed to Los Angeles, California, with gift bags, each of which included items that called to mind Esme and Matthew's hometowns. Items included Cape Cod chips (representing the bride's home state of Massachusetts), a bottle of Schlafly beer from the groom's home city of St. Louis and a custom monogramed glass carafe.
The white blossom-covered arbor that Esme and Matthew stood under during the ceremony at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California, was designed and built by the groom and his brothers.
"My favorite part of the dress was the back," says Esme, who was attracted to the "cake-topper" style Hayley Paige dress for its luscious full skirt and incredible detailing. "It’s difficult to make a cake topper look sexy, but the back on my dress blended sweet, sophistication and sexy."
Los Angeles florist Peony and Plum decorated the tables with blooms in lavender, blush and white. Moss was set inside terrariums, apothecary jars or vintage bud vessels. Along the length of each table were lush garlands of lemon leaves, plumosa ferns and seeded eucalyptus, along with loose blooms of white and peach dahlias and champagne and peach garden roses.
Tables were set with glowing votive candles, gold-caged hurricane vases and moss set inside terrariums. Apothecary jars and vintage bud vessels were also mixed in on tabletops.
In keeping with the event's rustic, vintage theme, guests were offered cold beers from a porcelain tub just outside the dining room at Carondelet House in Los Angeles, California.
The main Funfetti cake from Sweet and Saucy bakery in Long Beach was made with ivory fondant and decorated with gold-leaf monogram and delicate Victorian accents.
Esme and Matthew a traditional wedding cake but also expressed their individuality at the dessert table, offering mini doughnuts from Esme's favorite LA donut bakery, Fonuts. Matthew had a Gooey Butter cake shipped from Gooey Louis in St. Louis (his hometown).
Contemporary and classic tunes were used throughout the day. "Music is very important and special to me," Esme says. "Therefore, we had three music options. We had a live guitarist and cajon player at the ceremony, a live jazz and blues band at the cocktail hour to represent my love of jazz and then a DJ for dancing."