This wedding is no cookie cutter wedding. This beautiful wedding is totally customized and personal to the couple who made it. And, no I am not talking about a DIY wedding. This lovely wedding is DIY inspired, and the bride knew exactly what she wanted her big day to look like. With the help of a brilliantly talented designer, her wedding day turned out to be a lovely affair. I love everything about this wedding. I mean EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. From the custom granita stand and the Italian who served it as guests arrived, to the custom made runners, linens, pillows, signs, arches, and dessert table. This bride definitely knows how to throw a  fabulous wedding with all the right touches.  Who would have thought that an English Garden Party exists in California?  It does, and let me tell you, it is super romantic and full of love! With photographs from  Goddard Studios, make sure to take every second of your time to view the lovely details. I’m talking drop dead gorgeous inspiration and some serious pretty coming your way.

 

Lovely words from the bride…

A California take on an English Garden Party….  Sophisticated.Rustic.Romantic

It was a late summer day, not a cloud in the sky.  The bride awoke early in her hotel room and “Halo” by Beyonce – the song that had always reminded her of her fiancé – played as she finished pouring her heart out onto the paper she’d be reading her vows from later that day.  As she gazed out the window, she worried about the sun and the increasing heat; would the guests melt during the ceremony, would the flowers be ok, would her designer get everything perfect…?

A knock on the door broke her from her anxious thoughts as hair, makeup, and photographers bustled into the room.  As the music played, and the busyness in the room increased, the bride didn’t have a moment left for worrying.  Soon, the group descended the elevator of the Island Hotel in Newport Beach and entered the waiting limo. 

Upon arrival, the bride giggled as she passed the 7 foot, amazingly lifelike poster board of her and her fiancé holding a welcome sign as she was quickly escorted inside the bridal suite of the Oak Creek Golf Club.   Custom vintage signs located throughout the property added rustic charm while also directing guests.  At the ceremony site outside, guests enjoyed lemon-mint, melon, and coffee flavored granitas from an Italian Granita Stand, took mini Polaroid pictures to take home and to pin to the couples custom picture board (used in lieu of a traditional Guest Book) while they listened to the melodious notes of the ukulele playing acapella group.

The Officiant took his place under the second beautifully lush arch along the aisle.  The aisle was decorated with rose petals in the shape of the bride and groom’s monogram that their wedding designer created.  Ladies took parasols as everyone was invited to take their seats.  The acapella singers switched to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as the groom walked down the aisle and the bridal party followed.  Emotions peaked and tears began to flow as the singers once again switched songs – this time to “Going to the Chapel”, and the bride’s father took her by the arm to escort her out the door and to their long walk towards the aisle. 

Though her custom made silk cathedral length veil was drawn over her face, once the bride was in view of the gorgeous ceremony site and her seated guests, she could see clearly that her worries had been in vain!  Her designer had thought of everything and executed it perfectly!  Everything was beautiful, the temperature was perfect, and the waves of open white parasols made for amazing and artistic photos.  Her guests smiled expectantly as she approached, the harmony of the acapella singers was spot on, and at last her eyes met her groom’s.  Her veil was lifted and the couple beamed at one another with ear to ear smiles as if it were the very first time.  At that moment, the bride was filled with happiness and the crowd seemed to fade away.

At the commencement of the ceremony, fast paced, wedding-themed Persian music boomed through the speakers (an ode to the bride’s half Persian Culture).  The couple’s Persian DJ, Taraneh was notorious for getting guests to their feet and this was no exception!  Everyone cheered as the couple made their way back down the aisle and to the waiting golf cart that swept them away to hidden romantic spots for picture taking.

Meanwhile, guests were ushered to the Cocktail Hour overlooking the Reception site.  A charcuterie table abounded with cheeses, meats, and breads, matched only by the overflowing fruit table nearby.  Waiters weaved through the crowd with plentiful and unique passed appetizers like shots of tomato bisque with bites of grilled cheese and a tuna tartar over wasabi chips.   An iced tea and lavender lemonade stand was a clever addition, perfect for the late August afternoon. 

Close by was a lounge area beautifully decorated with pictures of the couple in gorgeous frames, bird cages spilling out with flowers, and benches decorated with hand sewn pillows custom made for the event.  The guests ate, drank, and were merry as a Persian violinist and drummer serenaded them. 

Soon it was time for the guests to head to the reception area as the DJ announced that the bride and groom would be making their way out.     Four rows of long Amalfi wood tables covered the grass, each with custom burlap and lace silverware holders and runners copiously decorated with candles and vintage bird cages of all different sizes spilling out with an assortment of white flowers and mosses in varying shades of green.   Large market umbrellas each adorned with several ivory paper lanterns provided both shade before the sun went down and romantic lighting once it set. 

The music momentarily fell silent as the DJ announced the couple and then reared up as hand in hand, they entered the dance floor.  It was now the moment the couple had been preparing for….  Their song played and the couple broke out into their choreographed waltz.  As the song approached its end and the bride was dipped by her groom, the music suddenly changed to a traditional Persian song, called Baba Karam and the couple suddenly grabbed their props – a hat and scarf for him and a jangly gypsy skirt for her – and began their surprise custom choreographed dance.  Their guests went wild with laughter and cheers.  The couple was so happy they had successfully pulled it off, there was nothing left to do, but to relax and enjoy the night. 

The market string lighting overhead lit the dance floor as everyone began to dance the night away.  After dinner, guests were treated to both a lavishly custom decorated dessert table and candy stand.  Each was dazzlingly decorated and plentifully supplied with sweets!  The dessert table which was custom built from pallet wood for the event added to the night’s rustic, romantic charm.  The dessert table was covered with specialty tarts, mini pies, cupcakes, a macaroon tower, and both a bride’s and a groom’s cake.  The bride wanted to surprise her groom and did so with a cake in the shape of a beach volleyball that sat on a platform decorated like the beach – an ode to his favorite pastime!  The candy table had several of the couple’s favorite candies and take away bags providing guests a second favor to take home.  Guests toasted the couple with custom signature cocktails and they proceeded to live happily ever after.    

 

Vendors:

Wedding location:   Oak Creek Golf Club, Irvine, CA

Guest count:  130

Food: Oak Creek Golf Club

Event Planner & Designer:   Nicole Clanton Events

Photographer:  Goddard Studios

Flowers:    Nicole Clanton Events

Linens and Custom Runners & Linens:  Nicole Clanton Events

Rentals:      Signature Party Rentals & Nicole Clanton Events

Invitations:   Minted

Wedding Day Stationary:   Nicole Clanton Events

Wedding Cake:   Black Market Bakery

Specialty Dessert Table:  Custom Styled by Nicole Clanton Events and Desserts Supplied by: Black Market Bakery & Sprinkles Cupcakes

Candy Bar:   Styled & Supplied by Nicole Clanton Events

Gourmet Granita Stand:  Vitaly

Favors:   Nicole Clanton Events

Ceremony Entertainment: Boyz and the Beez Accapella Trio

Reception Entertainment: DJ Taraneh

Dance Lessons:  Pro Dance Center

Wedding Gown:  Cocoe Voci

Bridal Salon/Gown Store:   The White Dress, Inc.

Custom Veil: Nicole Clanton Events

Bridal Shoes: Brian Atwood

Hair: Nancy J. Morales

Makeup: Jen Castelo Makeup

Groom’s Formalwear: Suit, shirt and tie from Burberry of London; Vest by John W. Nordstrom; Shoes by Hugo Boss

Flower Girl Dresses: J. Crew