WHERE:We had our wedding at the Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock. We first discovered this gem during the 2007 Eagle Rock Music Festival. The space felt so warm and inviting. A band was playing and we both thought it would be the perfect place to throw a party.
THEME: Our theme was retro, casual, fun, and intimate with a DIY flair!
GUESTS: 130. Filled with our closest friends and family.
DRESS: I knew that I wanted a short dress with sleeves. I tried on a several other styles and other short dresses but this one was always my favorite. I felt comfortable and myself in this classic dress. One of my favorite features was the embellishment on the neckline and the sleeve cuffs.
BRIDESMAIDS: We had a small wedding party so we were able to give them the freedom of wearing what they would like. The only request we made was to wear something gray. Melissa’s dress was the perfect shade of gray with her red hair.
GROOMSMEN: Gregory George chose a gray suit from Banana Republic and was able to accompany it with a vintage tie.
HAIR: I wanted to be recognizable. I wanted something simple and elegant. Stephanie did exactly that and I loved it!
MAKEUP: I don't wear a lot of makeup daily. I didn't want to look in the mirror and not recognize myself. I wanted a clean, natural look, which Crystal definitely accomplished.
RINGS: Matthew purchased his wedding band from the Glendale Jewelry Mart. My wedding band and engagement ring were my grandmother's. Apparently my grandfather proposed several times and her answer was always no. Finally when she said yes she told him to take the ring back to get a smaller diamond! After my grandfather's death in the 70's my grandmother wore her rings everyday until she passed away in 2002.
STATIONERY/INVITATIONS: To keep costs low my brother created the invitations and they were printed at gotprint.com. It was a fun project that brought us closer together.
FLOWERS: We wanted a casual vintage vibe for the flowers. My mother always puts together amazing floral arrangements so it was only natural to have her take on this responsibility. She collected vases and jars from yard sales and thrift stores to get that vintage feel. Everyone was blown away at how gorgeous they looked.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Our wedding was captured beyond expectation…Taryn and Scott are so much fun to work with! They captured the day perfectly. We can’t wait to look at our photos in 20 years and remember how much fun everyone had, and how much we still love each other!
CEREMONY DETAILS: We kept this short and sweet, with a touch of fun. I walked down the aisle to a live rock ‘n’ roll version of “Here Comes the Bride.” How can you go wrong with family, friends, amazing weather, live drums, soaring electric guitars and the perfect bleeding glow as the golden hour came to an end?
RECEPTION DETAILS:Our motivation from day one was to have our guests experience our wedding evening as if they were coming over to our house, enjoying amazing music, eating great food, and devouring as many memories as one can have.
CAKE: Melissa did a fantastic job with our cake. The cake provided a simplistic vision of our family. On top, we had hand painted figures, representing our family. Matthew & Bronwen, our cat Jackie, and our dogs, Fosse and Snoop. And it tasted amazing!
ENTERTAINMENT: We wanted the best of both worlds… fresh new music performed live during cocktails and classics for dancing. Jessica Fichot was so much fun and they looked amazing on stage. It was great to see everyone dancing to The Flashdance!
FOOD & DRINKS: We had our favorite Indian Food, prepared fresh and served with our favorite aperitif (Kir Royal), beer and wine.
LITTLE EXTRAS:Our family worked together and hand crafted our very own party crackers. Inside, we filled them with fun glasses, harmonicas, blow up microphones and funny glasses. Our Smilebooth was the perfect addition to capture images of our guests letting lose and having fun, especially with the goodies inside the crackers.
BEST ADVICE FOR PLANNING A WEDDING/TO BRIDES: I know everyone says this, but the best advice I could give is to plan a wedding for you and your partner. In the end, the day is about the two of you.
YOUR CONTACTS:
- PHOTOGRARHY: The AMAZING Taryn Kent Photography!
- BRIDE'S DRESS & VEIL: Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet Reverie collection (dress name was Vienna). Veil – Tessa Kim, etsy.com
- BRIDE'S SHOES: Amazon.com
- BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Anthropologie
- BRIDESMAIDS SHOES: Seychelles
- RINGS: Groom – Glendale Jewelry Mart. Bride – family heirloom.
- HAIR: Stephanie Carrillo, Salon Gregorie's in Newport Beach.
- MAKEUP: Crystal Bernal, crystalbernal.com
- INVITATIONS: Bride’s brother designed them. Printed via gotprint.com.
- FLOWERS: Mother of the Bride and Aunt of the Bride. Flower’s purchased at LA Flower Mart and local farmer’s markets.
- CAKE: made by maid of honor, The Great Dane Baking Co. Cake topper - Naked Peggies on etsy.com
- RECEPTION: Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock
- CEREMONY: Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock. Officiant: Bronwen Savage.
- WEDDING PLANNER: Day of coordinator - Kimberly Peterson, kimbopete@gmail.com
- ENTERTAINMENT: Band – Jessica Fichot. DJ (and Smilebooth) – The Flashdance
- DECORATIONS: Bride and anyone willing to help
- VIDEOGRAPHER: N/A
- OTHER: Catering - All India Café. Rentals – Sir Michael’s
