You guys! We’re SO excited to be collaborating with the always-amazing Smitten Magazine to bring you Carly and Kevin’s incredible Southern California wedding! The bride enlisted panning guru, and Grey Collective member, Ever After Events to coordinate a day filled with lush and vibrant details. We’re officially obsessed with the bridal party colors—this one’s taking mix-and-math to a whole new amazing level. The rustic-elegant tablescapes sprinkles with citrus are stunning and the florals and abundant and bonkers-beautiful. Inviting Occasion, the florist and rental coordinator, created magic with lush greenery everywhere, including on the pergolas and incredible reclaimed wood chandeliers. Seriously, ladies, this one is spectaular and we know you are going to love every image captured by onelove photography. You can also read more in the current issue of Smitten Magazine Vol. 15 available today! Enjoy!!
We really wanted to showcase Southern California because we had so many guests from out of town. We wanted an elegant outdoor setting, but we wanted to make sure it felt like part of the outdoor space. Larrissa at Inviting Occasion and I came up with the idea of doing the pergola overhangs with a citrus theme. I think this design really made our wedding unique. I was so delighted with the way it turned out – it was everything I had dreamed of!
Surprisingly, my gown was the first gown I saved on my computer that I wanted to try on. After visiting a few salons and boutiques and trying on numerous styles, I always went back to my original pick: Vera Wang’s “Diana”. The gown’s skirt full of layered silk organza was the detail that I was looking for, and the overall classic design made it timeless. It was obvious by the smile on my face every time I tried it on, it was the one!
We tried to incorporate small family details to make the day more personal. I had my mom’s bow from her wedding veil sewn under the skirt of my gown and pinned Kevin’s grandmother’s sapphire cross under the skirt as well. We displayed family wedding photos of our parents and grandparents too. Our citrus theme throughout the wedding was a nod to our engagement and love of Ojai, California.
The most memorable part of the day was the wedding ceremony. It had begun to rain as soon as my bridesmaids started walking down the aisle. As I waited nervously with my dad, he was peeking around the corner checking out the rainy situation. As soon as the wedding march started, my dad looked up at the sky and said “it’s stopping!” The rain stopped as soon as I walked out and didn’t start again through the entire ceremony. As I walked down the aisle, I just remember Kevin’s smiling face as well as all of our wonderful guests. It was magical!
Kevin and I met our Junior year at Purdue University. We didn’t start dating seriously until after graduation. We fell in love while both living in Chicago and decided to make the move to California in 2012. Kevin gave me the surprise of my life when he proposed in our favorite southern California town, Ojai. He surprised me with a walk in my favorite herb garden and proposed at our favorite spot in the garden — where I said YES! He then surprised me by arranging a celebration with my family along with his family who flew in from Chicago! We spent the rest of the trip celebrating with loved ones, it was such a memorable weekend!
Planning + Coordination: Ever After Events // Photography: onelove photography, Sara // Florist & Rentals: Inviting Occasion, Larrissa // Cake: Crimson Cake & Desserts // Rentals: Classic Party Rentals & Found Rentals // Music: Time of Your Life, Joe Hecht // Transportation: Goldfield Stage & Skye Limo