Part one of Sarah and Claude’s intimate destination wedding in Santa Monica kicked off with a South of the Border themed welcome dinner as a nod to their Texas roots and shared love of Mexican Cuisine. The dinner was held at the Fairmont Miramar where all the guests were staying and the wedding would be taking place the next day.  The bride and groom wanted all of their guests to have a relaxing evening after a day of travel from all across the country so Callista of Callista & Co. dreamt up the perfect fiesta on the hotel’s Sunset Terrace right on Ocean Avenue.  Sarah and Claude, originally from Texas and now living in New York, spent the afternoon exploring the Santa Monica Pier before heading back to the hotel to welcome their guests for an evening of Margaritas and Tacos. Pink by Peach created whimsically calligraphed tan and white invitations wrapped in leather which set the fun tone for the evening.  Guests were welcomed at the entrance to the Sunset terrace with a bar filled with a beautiful display of Casa de Perrin goblets and miniature bottles of Casamigos Tequila with hand calligraphed tags with each guests name on them, which matched the wedding invitation.  A candy bar with Mexican candies was also set up on the dessert table as a party favor for guests to take back to their rooms and enjoy during the weekend.  High top cocktail tables were set up around the terrace with bright linens and florals with chips, guacamole and salsa at each table.  The Fairmont set up an elaborate buffet station with a taco bar and classic Mexican desserts of churros and flan for dessert. Guests enjoyed their tacos and tequila while the sun set over the Pacific Ocean with Mariachis playing in the background. See their welcome dinner and wedding on Style Me Pretty now and stay tuned for their wedding coming to my blog next week!

Hanna and Ted’s beachside wedding in Malibu, CA is an amazing example of DIY done right!  The bride and her mother planned and designed the event to perfection with the help of Crystal from Orange Blossom Special Events.  It was truly a family affair with the bride doing all of the calligraphy and the bride’s mother doing all of the florals, using the bride’s favorite flower- dahlias- as a centerpiece for the day.  The Adamson House is situated in a beautiful garden adjacent to the beach in Malibu and the bride used elements from both the sea and the garden in the decor for the day.  The bridesmaids donned different shades and silhouettes of Jenny Yoo gowns with long trailing ribbons and bouquets of Dahlias. Dahlia’s were also used in lanterns and terrariums placed on the side of the aisle for the ceremony, but the bride and groom decided to forgo a large floral installation  instead choosing to leave the incredible ocean view behind them open for their guests to enjoy.  The bride’s “man of honor” officiated the ceremony and the couple updated the jewish tradition of the groom stomping on the glass at the end of the ceremony by both the bride and groom stomping on it.  After the ceremony guests enjoyed the bride and groom’s signature cocktails, “The Bel Air Bullet” and the “Rolling Hills Refresher” along with passed hors d’ouerves including mini ahi tuna cones and mini sliders in the courtyard of the house while also enjoying tours of the historic house led by docents.  Guests found their names on hand calligraphed and watercolored escort cards made by the bride placed in individual seashells as they entered into the reception on the lawn of the house right on the ocean.  Dahlia’s were used once again nestled in leafy green runners along with terrariums with gold candles on the farm tables paired with French bistro x back chairs and sea shells placed atop each napkin.  While guests made their way to their tables the bride and groom enjoyed a moment alone taking a walk through the bougainvillea catching the last of the evening’s golden rays.  Command performance set up incredible food stations all around the perimeter of the garden for guests to enjoy including street tacos, a California Grill, Feast from the East and a Mac and Cheese bar.   Guests danced the night away under a canopy of twinkly lights and enjoyed cake from Sweet Lady Jane.  See it featured on the front page of Style Me Pretty.