Mariella and Daniel had the kind of wedding that proves personal > perfect. Captured by Jannet Photo, their day felt more like the best house party ever—set across six wild acres in Brentwood’s Mandeville Canyon. The venue, known as the Stone House, is a rustic mid-century hideaway designed by L.A. architect Allen Siple, built from canyon-quarried slate and redwood beams salvaged from the old Venice pier. It was all very laid-back-meets-legendary: by night, it felt like a secret rave in the forest with candlelight and couture.
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Style: DIY, vintage, classic
Number of guests: 100
The time of planning: 8 months
Setting: Backyard
Season: Summer
Both born and raised in L.A.—she in West Hollywood, he in Santa Monica—Mariella and Daniel knew they wanted their wedding to stay close to home and even closer to heart. Their planning philosophy was all about making it personal: “If you can’t find it or afford it, make it or find someone who can.” That mindset showed everywhere—from a custom dress made by a close friend’s mom to handmade signs, vintage touches, and thoughtful details that felt deeply personal. It was a celebration rooted in creativity, community, and authenticity—nothing overly polished, just beautifully them.
Photo: Left – Emily Ferretti
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Mariella’s wedding dress wasn’t just a gown but a deeply personal collaboration with someone who felt like family. Her best friend’s mom, Rebecca Danenberg, brought the design to life. Rebecca started her fashion career in the punk-fueled downtown New York scene of the ’80s, designing for icons like Debbie Harry and Madonna. “This was a little like bringing Rebecca out of retirement,” Mariella shared. Together, they created a gown that blended romance with edge—think 1930s-inspired lines mixed with Y2K-era John Galliano bias cuts.
To complete the look, another friend’s mom at French Love Bridal designed a simple, sculptural veil with just the right amount of avant-garde. Mariella wore it all with Manolo Blahniks and her late mother’s art deco diamond necklace, adding emotional weight to the ensemble. The entire look was a thoughtful fusion of history, friendship, and style—proof that the most meaningful fashion moments are the ones that come with a story.
Groom's Fashion
As for Daniel, he wore a white suit with a black t-shirt—an effortlessly cool combo that reflected his personal style while complementing the overall aesthetic. The look felt modern and totally in sync with Mariella’s bridal vibe.
Ceremony
Before the ceremony, guests were welcomed with chilled Aperol spritzes the moment they arrived, setting the tone for a relaxed and celebratory afternoon. Instead of traditional seating, everyone settled into armchairs and vintage settees arranged beneath the sprawling branches of ancient oak trees—creating a laid-back living room feel in the middle of nature.
Mariella and Daniel walked down the aisle together to “Sunny” by Bobby Hebb, a song that felt like the perfect soundtrack for their love story and the day ahead. Their close friend, TV writer Jessica Meyer (of Glee and The Flight Attendant), officiated the ceremony under the chuppah.
The couple exchanged heartfelt vows, and since it was also their 11th anniversary, Mariella read a diary excerpt from the night of their first date. She also dedicated the moment to her late mother, who passed in 2020, adding an emotional depth that had everyone in tears.
They sealed it all with a kiss and danced back down the aisle to “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, radiating pure joy.
Cocktail Hour
The entire wedding took place at a friend’s private residence nestled in Brentwood’s exclusive Mandeville Canyon—an estate that felt more like a hidden forest retreat than a city address. The setting brought a kind of natural magic to the day, where the vibe was effortless, but every detail was intentional, especially during cocktail hour.
Photo: 1,3 – Emily Ferretti
The food was its own experience. Chef Heidi Ross, known for her food-as-art installations, created a grazing table with butter sculptures, checkerboard caviar and salmon, and sculptural summer produce. Grillmaster Karla Subero Pittol of Chainsaw L.A. brought the drama with a 20-foot domed brasero and a live-fire South American dinner. For dessert, Rose Wilde of Red Bread crafted a bespoke cake inspired by the surrounding mountains. The bride summed it up best: “I basically only wanted to work with cool female chefs on the rise.”
Planning & Decor
The couple envisioned a wabi-sabi fairytale garden fête, where every element was either custom, vintage, or crafted by someone they love. Their approach leaned into the growing movement of leaning on your “village”—a refreshing shift that unburdens brides from carrying the full mental and emotional weight of planning. This ethos translated into a deeply personal and visually stunning celebration created with the help of The Social Event, where nothing felt overproduced, and everything had meaning.
Mariella’s college roommate, Allison Hubbard of The Space Between Floral Co., was behind all the florals—from the breathtaking chuppah to sculptural installations scattered across the grounds and her unforgettable bouquet. Day-of details like signage and stationery were lovingly created by the bride and her friends, adding intimacy to the day. Every corner of the celebration radiated intention, care, and community.
Reception
For all of Mariella’s self-proclaimed anti-bride energy and her mission to sidestep tradition, the reception was a playful dance between rebellion and reverence. “I had a strict no bows rule,” she admits, “and yet still needed a bouquet toss.” Inspired by the genre-defying celebrations of Gia Kuan and Shawn Lakin, the evening leaned into that same balance-blending trend-forward moments with timeless elegance. It didn’t feel like following a script but writing a new one altogether.
Finally, guests were treated to hand-rolled cigars, quick “flash” tattoos between dance floor breaks, and a bouquet toss that kept the energy high. At midnight, the celebration took a turn for the legendary—everyone piled onto a karaoke and kept the party alive well into the early hours. It was a night that beautifully balanced tradition and edge, weaving together history, sentiment, and spontaneity.
"The real magic happens in the personal touches; everything else is the cherry on top."
Advice from the couple:
• You don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat your guests to something personal and different.
PHOTOGRAPHY Jannet Photo | PLANNING The Social Events | FLORALS The Space Between Floral Co | CUSTOM GOWN Danenberg Design | CUSTOM VEIL French Love Bridal | AFTER-PARTY DRESS The Kit Vintage, Ann Wiberg Couture | NAILS Rico Nails | HAIR Nanci Lee Santos, Jess Gonzalez, Colleen Duffy | MAKEUP Danielle Katherine Makeup | MUSIC DJ Dosa | TATTOOS Joey Hill | CIGARS Cigar Roller | RENTALS Archive Rentals, Town and Country Event Rentals | GRAZING TABLE Heidi Ross | FOOD Chainsaw L.A. | WINE Garber & Co | CAKE Rose Wilde
