We’re starting this week off with a bang! Vanessa and Dorian’s wedding at Villa del Sol D’oro features gorgeous florals, a beautiful location, and fabulous vendors! To find out more, be sure to read all the details that Vanessa has shared with us! Very special thanks to Kerry Underhill of Platinum Weddings for sending us these images shot by Christine Farah (with pretty pretty pretty flowers by Honey and Poppies).
Tell us about your location.
We originally wanted a destination wedding, and always dreamed of a romantic, old-world feel. Plans changed when the time came to get married and Vanessa’s grandparents could no longer travel. So we searched high and low until we came across the name of our venue while searching for tickets to a concert at the Greek Theatre. They’re catered by the same company as Villa Del Sol D’Oro. As soon as we saw it, we felt like we were at an Italian Villa. It was perfect! Being there makes you feel like you left the California and went straight to Tuscany. There are so many different rooms and spaces that our guests always had a new corner to explore and a new detail to enjoy.
What inspired the look of your wedding?
I always imagined that I would have a blush and cream wedding.. very monochromatic. However, Dorian is bright and effervescent, so that had to be represent as well. We went with a vibrant purple (Dorian) and soft peach (Vanessa) color-scheme. We hadn’t seen those colors together in any of the blogs we had been on, but we were convinced that it would work, and they did. We kept the flowers and table linens light fluffy and frothy.
We wanted a wedding that seemed like a dream, beautiful and easy. We didn’t want to do anything too quirky or trendy, but we didn’t want to be stuffy or boring either. We wanted it to be a perfect representation of us. The ceremony and courtyard had lush flowers and magical lighting. The music was equally magical, and as you listened closely you noticed that the symphony was actually a string version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The rowdiest scene was the bar, which was located in a grand library of all places. Our wedding was all about beautiful things experienced in a new and special way.
What advice would you like to share with other brides?
Use your friends and family to come up with special details to incorporate into your wedding to make it personal! No one knows you like your inner circles, and they do want to make you happy while being able to contribute to your special day. Start early! Never put anything off until tomorrow, because you’re wedding will seem to come up over night. No matter how hands on you are, you STILL want a planner.
Coordinator: Platinum Weddings by Kerrie Underhill // Ceremony Site: Santa Anita Gardens // Catering: Sandi McQuilkin // Photographer: Christine Farah Photography // Videographer Tiffany // Music: Ceremony Heraldo // Music: Reception Mark // Reception Emcee: LSM Entertainment // Officiant: Father Aiden // Beauty: Lauren Partida // Florist: Honey and Poppies // Chuppah: Happy Chuppah // Bakery: Ruby’s Bake Shop // Chiavari Chairs: Fusion Linens // Photo Booth: Cheesy Photobooths // Bridal Salon: Marisa from MaryLinn’s Bridal // Rehearsal Dinner: The Castaway // Bride’s Dress: Marissa