J e n n i f e r & T o m
{ALL IMAGES SWEET LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHS}
F R O M T H E B R I D E ...
The Meeting...
We were set up on a blind date in October of 2009 by my cousin. It started as a double date but halfway through, my cousin began to feel "sick" and she and her husband went home. To this day, I'm still not sure if she really was ill or if it was all part of the plan!
The Engagement...
We got engaged in September of 2012. We go to Big Sur every year and always stop off at each vista point along the Pacific Coast Highway to take photos. Tom proposed at one of the vista points and nature's backdrop could not have been more stunning.
Ceremony & Reception Venues...
Both the ceremony and reception were at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California. The ceremony was in the garden and the reception was at their Main Dining Room.
Pre Wedding celebrations...
We had a rehearsal lunch at Boccaccio's Restaurant overlooking the Westlake Lake. The view was spectacular and the restaurant was gorgeous enough to have been the wedding venue.
Wedding Theme...
We kept the wedding true to ourselves and used Big Sur as inspiration. We fell in love with the sweeping trees, crisp cool air and the rustic charm of Calamigos. Our colors were light pinks and peach with touches of grey.
The Bridal Party...
I asked a few best friends from high school and a few from college to be my five bridesmaids. Tom's five groomsmen were family members and his business partner. My bridesmaids wore sweetheart, chiffon gowns from Donna Morgan in peach and the groomsmen wore custom grey suits from Indochino.
The Wedding Gown...
My wedding gown was from Bella Bridal. I wanted lace to keep it traditional but chose to stay away from the usual strapless neckline. The detailed beading on the capped sleeves and open back design really sold me. It was soft, feminine and very romantic.
The Flowers...
We liked flowers with soft shapes like garden roses and peonies in a variety of light pinks, peaches and whites. We also incorporated succulents into the groomsmen's boutonnieres and floral arrangements to add some contrasting rustic elements. T.H.E Flower provided flowers and decorations. Our cake was baked by Lark Cake Shop and included both of our favorite flavors, carrot cake for Tom and berry shortcake for me.
The Décor...
The reception room was beautiful and we didn't need to add too much decor. The ceilings were high with gorgeous wooden beams, and an entire wall was lined with windows with a waterfall cascading behind it. The tables each had a floral centerpiece with accents of lace and mercury glass stacked on vintage books for additional height and dimension.
The Menu...
We had an open bar and tray-passed hors d'oeurves. Our dinner menu included seared Atlantic Salmon with a champagne mustard sauce, roasted prime rib with horseradish sauce and au jus, and wild mushroom raviolis in a white wine sauce as a vegetarian option.
Wedding Music...
We had a ton of classic jazzy tunes during dinner and bossa nova while we served cocktails. On the dance floor, it was mostly old school hip hop!
Photographer...
We used Sweet Little Photographs, a husband and wife duo and they clearly love what they do. Their work speaks for itself! What we love most about our wedding photos is that we look infinitely happy and that we look like ourselves!
Memorable Moments...
One of the most memorable moments was the traditional Paebaek ceremony that occurred while we served cocktails. Paebaek is a traditional wedding ceremony where the bride and groom dress up in traditional Korean wedding attire and partake in a tea ceremony with the family elders. A little game of date and chestnut catching is also played to predict how many children the couple will have in the future. Paebaek was an opportunity for us to show our gratitude and respect to our parents and grandparents, and for them to share with us their best marriage advice and hopes for our future. It was meaningful to tie in our culture and experience some intimate moments with our family.
Jenny and Tom stayed at The Hyatt in Westlake on their wedding night and honeymooned in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Currently they live in Studio City, California.
Ceremony, Reception Venue & Catering Calamigos Ranch Photographer Sweet Little Photographs Videographer Momento Videography Florist T.H.E. Flower Cake Lark Cake Shop DJ/MC + Lighting + AV Shine Entertainment Wedding Dress Bella Weddings Bridal Hair and Make-up Kelly Zhang Limousine Victory Sedan and Limo Services Wedding night hotel Hyatt Westlake Plaza Invitation and Paper Goods The Things Hannah Loves Wedding Coordination Joyce Kim Weddings
Special thanks to Joyce Kim Weddings for sharing this gorgeous day with us!
MW x