1. Real Weddings

Lillie & Matthew: A Colorful Wedding in San Diego, CA

When Lillie and Matthew went to an architecture exhibit at the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles, Matt pulled Lillie aside to show her around the secon

When Lillie and Matthew went to an architecture exhibit at the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles, Matt pulled Lillie aside to show her around the second floor, planning on a surprise proposal in private. His plot hit a snag, however, when the pair found the second floor closed to the public. The Bride Lillie Duarte, 33, project planner The Groom Matthew Wister, 29, architectural designer The Date May 29 In the end, the proposal came in a more comfortable setting: He proposed at our apartment while I was in my jammies with no makeup on, wearing glasses and with my hair in a bun, Lillie says. It was perfect, as far as I was concerned. Since Lillie and Matt met in architecture school, it's only fitting that the couple designed many elements of the wedding themselves. For inspiration for their afternoon affair, the couple took a cue from their romantic honeymoon destination: Spain.

While guests enjoyed drinks and took pictures after the ceremony, the ceremony space was rearranged for the reception.
The wedding cake was chocolate with raspberry Bavarian creme and chocolate frosting decorated with milk chocolate shavings and red roses.
The Couple
Lillie walked down the aisle wearing a strapless creamy white A-line gown with a tight-fitting bodice by Amy Kuschel, along with a Lazaro veil and shoes by Vanessa Noel (plus jewelry she made herself!).
The maids' bouquets consisted of blue hydrangeas. They were made by the bride and her family.
My family and I did the flower arrangements and bouquets, Lillie says. The bride carried a bouquet of white peonies, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas.
Lillie's maid of honor and two bridesmaids wore strapless A-line cranberry-striped dresses by Aria.
The afternoon ceremony took place outdoors on the beautiful grounds of the Bernardo Winery, a vineyard 20 miles north of San Diego, founded in 1889 on land that was once (ironically enough) part of a Spanish land grant. Lillie walked down an aisle lined with orange gerbera daisies, and the couple exchanged vows they wrote themselves and included a reading from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. The ceremony was very informal with our minister acknowledging and engaging our guests, Lillie says.
Guests were treated to a tapas menu that included Tortilla Espanola, Empanadas Barcelona, Albondigas, marinated olives and mushrooms, chicken legs with garlic sauce, and paella. The tapas were hearty enough that no one went home hungry, Lillie says. Next came the delicious dessert.