Moroccan Flair Meets Sophistication at This Wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley, California

Thanks to some crafty matchmaking by friends, Clara Serruya and Noah Tenser embarked on a whirlwind romance. "We went on one date and hardly spent a day apart since," explains Clara. Their relationship led to a magical proposal at Villa San Michele in Capri, Italy, where Noah romantically got down on one knee in a flower garden to the sound of a violin. As Clara describes it, "Our proposal was right out of a fairytale book." The moment was made even more special when both their families, secretly flown in by Noah, surprised Clara right after she said yes. The couple, joined by their families, celebrated this new chapter in Italy, which Clara reminisces as "the most amazing week ever!"

The pair sought to create a wedding filled with cultural richness, vintage elegance and personal touches that made their big day uniquely theirs. From the outset, Clara had a vision that blended her love for natural hues with vintage charm. "My inspiration photos for our wedding included different tones of pink as well as a lot of greenery, wood and vintage-looking elements," she details.

The festivities began with a traditional Henna party with a colorful contrast to the wedding's softer palette. "We chose to have a henna party to incorporate my Moroccan traditions into our wedding week," Clara explains. The 'Noche de la Novia,' as her family calls it, was a vivid tapestry of dark pinks, corals and fuchsia, interspersed with luxurious blue and red velvet and a dash of gold decor, making it a night that friends still rave about.

As for the wedding day attire, the bride was ahead of the game. Before the couple had even selected a date, she had fallen in love with a custom Pnina Tornei gown. Describing her dress, she says, "It was a tight-fitted, off-the-shoulder dress. The sleeves and gown had beautiful floral lace throughout and a gorgeous lace-trimmed train." To add a personal touch, their initials "C & N" were embroidered on her veil, nestled within the intricate lace.

On the wedding day, guests, primarily hailing from Toronto, arrived in Los Angeles to witness Clara and Noah's love story unfold. They were greeted by an enchanting ceremony setup: flower arches creating a path leading to the "I do" locale under a traditional chuppah. "Our aisle was lined with floral arrangements and vintage-looking lanterns," the bride remembers; a sight that took everyone's breath away.

The reception was an extension of their dream—a whimsical, earthy, and vintage wonderland. Beautifully mismatched wood-toned tables and chairs were set with vintage cutlery and menus crafted from handmade porridge paper. The couple's planner had meticulously brought Clara's Pinterest and Instagram inspirations to life, setting the scene for an unforgettable evening.

As the event progressed, Clara and Noah ensured their guests were pampered and entertained. Personalized slippers and sweaters with the pair's date were provided for comfort: cozy mementos that guests could cherish long after the wedding. Giant ice sculptures of their dogs added a whimsical touch. "And our ice cubes were engraved with 'I <3 U'," Clara adds, showcasing the thoughtfully customized details sprinkled throughout their special day.

The reception was alive with music from a violinist, saxophone player and drummer who played along with the DJ, creating a vibrant atmosphere that kept guests on the dance floor until the early hours. "Honestly, my favorite part of the wedding was dancing until 2 am with our closest friends and family," the bride beams.

As the newlyweds looked back on the whirlwind of planning and the joyous culmination of their efforts, they had sage advice for future couples. "One recommendation I would give brides is to hire a planner if possible!" She credited their coordinator with making the planning process a joy rather than a chore, focusing on bringing their vision to life with every little detail thoughtfully curated. "It's also nice to bounce ideas off someone who just wants to make your vision come to life. She always had my best interest at the top of her mind and made the planning process such a joy instead of a tedious task like it often can be for some brides."