One Couple's Chic Rooftop Wedding Overlooking LA at The London in West Hollywood, California

Melissa and Robert Young’s love story began in an unexpected place—LinkedIn. However, it turns out they were actually neighbors as children but had never met. A mutual family friend (who’d go on to become their wedding officiant) babysat the two of them separately when they were children, and their mothers worked together for years. Fate seemed to be pulling them together—“It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 (nearly 30 years later) when we each found out the other existed,” says Melissa. “As they say, things happen exactly when they should. Timing is everything.”

The proposal was just as sweet as their love story. Though Robert had planned to surprise his bride-to-be by getting on one knee at Griffith Observatory while a photographer secretly snapped photos, he had to switch his plan at the last minute due to an unexpected event in Los Angeles: rain. "After going back and forth, he decided he was going to 'come clean' and tell me that for Christmas, he booked a photographer who would take our photos at the Observatory that same day as a Christmas gift," the bride reveals. "He made it sound like he was letting me in on the surprise 'Christmas gift' because it rained while not revealing that the session was actually a proposal." Not five minutes into their Christmas photoshoot, Robert popped the question, and a still-surprised Melissa gave a heartfelt "yes!"

Most couples want their wedding day to be special and unique to them. Melissa and Robert wanted to create an intimate and sincere celebration of their love. A big bonus: allowing their loved ones to dress up and party in the aftermath of COVID-19 restrictions. The stunning result was a luxurious and classic wedding with a unique twist: an all-black dress code.

Melissa explains, “Black is rarely seen at weddings, but it was perfect for us because it’s timeless, always in style, elegant and a bit edgy—all of the elements we wanted for our wedding.” And indeed, the all-black attire of the guests made for a striking contrast against the white flowers and light-colored decor used throughout the space.

The bride decided on a mermaid-style gown with intricate lace detailing and an extended train for her own fashion. She chose a timeless dress that felt effortlessly gorgeous when she put it on. Melissa knew she wanted to feel radiant in her own skin on her big day, and her dress allowed her to do just that. Meanwhile, her husband went for a James Bond-inspired look with a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, custom burgundy lining, silk lapels and even some red-bottom shoes. He elected to switch into a velvet burgundy dinner jacket during the reception, which he described as “like having a different look altogether, just by changing the jacket.”

The bride and groom chose The London Hotel in Beverly Hills to host their nuptials—it offered an outdoor, open-air rooftop with great views of the city for their ceremony. The vista allowed Melissa and Robert to incorporate their love for the outdoors into their ceremony. The vendor team built focal points around key decor pieces, such as a trio of golden arches at the altar and a crisp white dance floor in the reception space, adding hints of bronze, gold, white and black. String lights helped to bring a soft touch of light to give the venue a more delicate vibe after the sun had set while allowing guests to admire the moon and stars above LA.

Flowers played an integral role in the wedding’s aesthetic. The ceremony relied on neutral blooms set against the boldness of ample greenery and the gold from the arches. At the reception, similar blossoms bedecked tables in a unique way—on top of a raised platform lining the center of the table, which gave the reception some height while still allowing for easy cross-table conversation.

In addition to the all-black dress code, Melissa and her husband added a few personal touches to the wedding to make it their own. Custom fans awaited guests on each ceremony chair, and signature cocktails were available at the bar. However, the most notable addition was a gallery adorned with photos of the bride and groom’s family members in gold frames and mementos left behind by their ancestors who had passed away. Melissa noted, “It was really important that we made a space to honor their presence and acknowledge their contributions to our love story.”

In reflection, the newlyweds agree that the most memorable part of the day was their ceremony and vows. “We wrote our own vows and shared our love and commitment to one another before God, our loved ones and each other,” beams Melissa. “It was like time stopped, and we were the only people there. The wedding could have ended there, and it still would have been the best day of our lives.”