"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You"

Weddings are most successful when every option to personalize is seized creating an event that represents a couple in their individual lives before uniting and the joint one they are entering into. This was achieved in spades by Mark and Larry, who had a ceremony with Jewish themes in a Church while wearing traditional Filipino Barongs. Their first glance of each other was at the altar, after being escorted by their mothers while the organ at All Saints in Pasadena executed the wedding processional from The Sound of Music. The ceremony brought together the elements from their cultures that were important to them, while keeping a sense of humor and inclusivity that this LGBTQ friendly church is known for.

Following the ceremony, Mark and Larry changed into white tuxedo jackets before being driven in a vintage red convertible to the Carondelet House. This venue has multiple rooms, and we created an experience in all of them. As guests arrived for cocktail hour, they enjoyed passed canapés and cocktails while having the option for a caricature to be drawn by Rosefur Portraits. The indoor/outdoor dining room then opened revealing the combination of round and long tables adorned by BudsNBloomsLA. Each setting had an individual Baby Bell gouda cheese wheel as this an inside joke of the couple. There was also a Vanity Fair inspired photo room to get a perfectly composed shot by Jake Ross.

After dinner guests took to the dance floor where DJ Eddie presided over a giant boombox and got the entire crowd moving. After they cut their cake from Porto’s, Larry surprised Mark by serenading him with a Frank Sinatra classic. This was followed by a surprise performance from Mark’s high school dance troupe that eventually pulled him up to join in the routine. There were also late night snacks of popcorn, churros and popsicles. And on the way out, each guest received a candy-filled coffee mug displaying the custom caricature drawing of the couple by theatrical illustrator Squigs Robertson. It was an absolute blast to work with these two gentlemen who wanted to infuse the entire event with their personalities. Guests got to enjoy all of the details, and also witness the union of two people who thrill each other through and through..

“Never thought I'd fall, but when I hear you call
I'm getting sentimental over you.”

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Ceremony Venue: All Saints Pasadena

Reception Venue: Carondelet House

Photographer: Ja Tecson

Videographer: Jonathan Chung

Florist: Buds N Blooms LA

DJ:Eddie Garcia

Photo Booth: Jake Ross

Portrait Artist: Jen Rose

Late Night Food:Let’s Have a Cart Party

Hair: Casey Crawley

Make-Up: Kate Quinlan

Say You Won't Let Go

Weddings are often described as the coming together of two people, their families and communities.  This was certainly the case for Jason and Christopher, but it was more than that.  I know this first hand as not only was Jason a client, but he’s been one of my best friends for almost fifteen years.  As with many industries, working with friends can either be recipe for disaster or an opportunity to bond and become even closer.  This experience was certainly the latter, and I had a feeling it would be knowing the story we were telling.  This wedding was about two men who once never dreamed they would marry celebrating the undeniably perfect fit they are for one another. It was their chosen families who have witnessed their individual evolutions getting to see their personalities that came through in each detail from the vows that were exchanged to the desert choices.  And it was a celebration of time.  The wedding was a special moment in time, but also a reflection of how with time, previously conceived notions can soften leading to families accepting, bonding and loving more deeply.

 All of their friends attending knew this would be a party filled with laughter, dancing and the feeling you could take your shoes off, because that is how these two men are socially.  Selecting the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood as the venue made this easily achievable.  Incredible views of Los Angeles combined with quirky design give it the relaxed glamour suitable for this couple.  After champagne upon arrival, guests could either stand, sit or lounge on the multitude of throw pillows we brought in to enhance the atypical ceremony space.  Cocktail hour was on the rooftop lounge to best enjoy the views of sunset while dining on passed canapes and sipping signature cocktails.

 For the reception, we created a space with a combination of lounge seating and dining tables; food stations and bars; and a photo booth with a custom step-and-repeat background composed of various shows the guys have worked on.  DJ Aaron Elvis kept the dance floor packed, only slowing for sentimental moments like the grooms dancing with their mothers or the heartfelt toasts given by family.  The guys changed out of their suits into jeans and matching “Groom” t-shirts just as the candy and donut bar came out along with tray-passed wigs and glow jewelry to up the fun. 

 Of all the many details Jason and Christopher selected, I think it was their first dance that summed it up.

 When you looked over your shoulder
For a minute, I forget that I'm older
I wanna dance with you right now
Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever
And I swear that everyday'll get better
You make me feel this way somehow

I'm so in love with you
And I hope you know
Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold
We've come so far my dear
Look how we've grown
And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go

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Venue: The Jeremy Hotel
Photographer: David Perlman Photography
DJ: Aaron Elvis
Rentals: Town & Country
Photo Booth: Jake Ross and Step and Repeat
Stationery: Minted

"Play the Music Low and Sway to the Rhythm of Love"

Weston and Edward’s wedding was an official celebration of a love so deep it was tangible in every moment.  It wasn’t just the love they share with each other, but between their community of friends and family who were there to bear witness to their marriage.  While they were in a beautiful setting on a picturesque day, it was their gratitude towards one another and their guests that took center stage.

The grooms come from different backgrounds, and some family members would not attend due to their beliefs on same-sex marriage.  This didn’t stop Weston and Edward from creating a custom event that suited them, honored those who were present, and reimagined some old traditions.  Their processional alone included a flower-boy, ring-bearer in drag, and both grooms being walked down the aisle by Edward’s mom. The ceremony was officiated by their fabulous friend Harold, who reminded all how far we’ve come as being able to live out and proud.

The venue for this intimate wedding was the backyard of a private residence in Woodland Hills, with magnolia trees and fountains serving as the backdrop.  With Weston having an affinity for cosplay, we created an enormous interactive photo-guest book station with props, hats and wigs galore.  The station was outlined with clothes-pinned photos of them and previous memories with their beloved guests.

The laid-back food service included a grazing table of imported cheeses and cured meats, followed by a Thai buffet of all their favorite dishes.  Desert consisted of a Cake and Art masterpiece featuring a drawing of the grooms plus an additional station of cookies and brownies.  At the bar, you could pick your poison for either specialty cocktail that incorporated their two last names.  As guests departed, they took home a garden-in-a-can to continue to grow the love.  Their first dance was to “Stand by Me,” and those familiar lyrics served as a reiteration of the vows they shared earlier.

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
No I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

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Photographer: The Dream Choice | Siouxzen Kang Photography

DJ: Joey Rahmati

Catering: Anantra Thai

Cake: Cake and Art

Rentals: Town and Country

Favors: Back to the Roots

"Let's Have a Wedding. Dive, Turn, Work!"

This wedding was a party

For two guys Self and Prew

Where Witchcraft, Thai and tacos, were what some guests did chew…

And though the crowd did work

While the grooms rocked Mr. Turk

The cake was cut,  

And games played but,

Adieu to my Parody.

As a wedding planner, I am often asked what my signature style is.  The truth of the matter is, other than showing up for work in one of my sassy suits, I don’t have one.  My goal is always to create an event that definitively reflects the couple.  This task is most fun when the wedding is for a couple like Jeffery and Augie. 

They selected SmogShoppe, an indoor/outdoor venue of the Marvimon group not far from where they live in Culver City.  With a living plant wall, bookcases of props and an assortment of mix-matched furniture, this spot captured the playful vibe of these grooms.  Augie’s brother Somerset created a caricature drawing of their faces for the save-the-date, and we used that image throughout the entire branding of the wedding.

As guests arrived they were greeted with either of the signature cocktails: The Self Standard or Pomegranate Prew.  Augie and Jeffery got impeccably groomed by Jonathan Van Ness, and then descended the stairs in their signature Mr. Turk suits.  Each groom was escorted by their parents down the aisle to “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry.” Their officiant was the one and only Eric Gilliland. This is the second wedding we’ve done together, and I can attest again that his ability to capture the tone of a couple through wit and sentiment is incredible.  The ceremony included heartfelt vows, jokes about Mike Pence, and even a bit of witchcraft by Miguel Pinzon.

The entirety of the space opened up during cocktail hour, which was enhanced with flower arrangements by Georgiana Louella Johnson & Alexis Krause Di Salvo and additional lighting from Town and Country. Guests began visiting the photo guestbook station with an impressive collection of wigs and props styled by Jim Hansen and Orlando Soria.  Jeffery and Augie knew from the beginning they did not want to fuss with seating arrangements or a plated meal. After guests enjoyed the grazing table of crudité, imported cheese and cured meats, the two food stations opened.  The grooms wanted to serve their two favorite foods, so we offered Mexican by Border Grill and Thai from Night Market. 

After dinner began the little bit of programming that was scheduled.  Wanting to avoid a slew of speeches, Jeffery and Augie asked the four guys closest to them, who were billed in the program as best supporting actresses.  To say that Cole Escola and Jordan Firstman’s rendition of “If Jeffery Gets Married” brought down the house is an understatement.

Jeffery and Augie toasted their guests and cut into the masterpiece creation by Cake and Art.  DJ Micah then got the entire crowd dancing as a video backdrop of camp classics curated by Jake Wilson lit the dance floor.  Some guests took a break from dancing to Brittany while a clip of Rosie accepting her honorary Tony played.  There was a candy closet to visit with traditional fare and some of California’s best legal treats.  There were giant games to play including Cornhole, Jenga and Connect Four. It was the “choose your own adventure” mentality the grooms wanted, and luckily David Perlman was on hand to capture it all.   On the way out, guests were each given a hangover kit for the next day consisting of a cocktail shaker, vodka, Bloody Mary mix and an Advil.

Oh, What a Wonderful Wedding

This Wedding was Marvelous

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Venue: Smog Shoppe
Photographer: David Perlman Photography
Suits: Mr Turk
Grooming:  Jonathan Van Ness
Officiant: Eric Gilliland
Flowers: Georgiana Louella Johnson & Alexis Krause Di Salvo
Catering: Border Grill & Night Market Thai                                                                                 Rentals: Town and Country
Cake: Cake & Art
Artwork: Somerset Sidney Prew
DJ: Micah James
Witchcraft: Miguel Pinzon
Video: Jake Wilson