1. Real Weddings

Laura & Shawn: A Fall Wedding in La Jolla, CA

Inspired by the story of how Laura and Shawn met over coffee, a color scheme of espresso brown, ivory, and plum began to emerge for their autumn celeb

Inspired by the story of how Laura and Shawn met over coffee, a color scheme of espresso brown, ivory, and plum began to emerge for their autumn celebration in La Jolla. THE BRIDE Laura Sell THE GROOM Shawn Mitchell THE DATE September 25 Most people find a quick caffeine fix at Starbucks, but 25-year-old grad student and crisis counselor Laura found something else. The first time I saw Shawn, I sensed an instantaneous attraction, Laura says of the bearded barista behind the counter. She soon became a regular, and the two chatted nonstop as Shawn, 26, whipped up drinks. Impatient for him to make the first move, she asked for his number one day. But that night, before she had a chance to call, Shawn surprised her at the restaurant where she worked. Nine months later, he surprised her again with a sunset proposal atop a cliff in Del Mar.

At sunset on the day of the wedding, Laura and her father descended the candlelit twin staircases and met at the bottom to walk down the aisle to the ceremony site: a garden courtyard filled with white dendrobium orchid trees.
Laura's four bridesmaids wore deep plum sheath gowns from Lazaro.
Laura wore a vintage-inspired ivory sheath gown by Lazaro.
Shawn and Laura, who used to be a ballerina, started off the dancing to Sade's By Your Side, and then the bride joined her dad for a dance. I gave him a quick lesson right before the reception, she says.
Laura carried a European bouquet of eggplant calla lilies and deep red antique roses.