A Charming Multicultural Wedding with Plenty of Sweets

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Marissa and Michael’s wedding at the Four Seasons Westlake Village, California, was a celebration of love, culture, and creativity. Thoughtful details, beautifully crafted by Dee Lee Designs, came together to make the day truly unforgettable. From 1,001 origami cranes symbolizing good luck to Asian-inspired delights and a breathtaking chuppah adorned with pink blooms, every element reflected their unique love story and rich cultural heritage.

Location: Westlake Village, California, USA
Style: Romantic, whimsical, vibrant
Number of guests: 200
Setting: Ceremony – garden, reception – ballroom
Season: Fall

Marissa and Michael’s story began in 2010 at a Syracuse University Halloween party. Michael’s leather jacket and slicked-back hair gave him the look of a rebellious biker, intriguing Marissa enough to agree to a date. But instead of the edgy guy she expected, Michael showed up in an American Eagle polo, khaki shorts, and Sperrys — a charming, kind-hearted “nice Jewish boy” from New Jersey. Their first date at Varsity Pizza stretched late into the night, marking the start of their unforgettable journey together.

Eleven years later, Michael proposed in New York City with a picnic of Marissa’s favorite treats and an emerald-cut diamond ring. “Surrounded by family, it felt like a big culmination of this long journey we’ve been on together. I know this is only the beginning of a new chapter, but it was the end of a certain era, too,” shared the bride.

Location & Planning

The couple chose the renowned Four Seasons Westlake Village in California as the backdrop for their special day. Known for its lush gardens and elegant ballrooms, the venue perfectly matched their vision of a romantic and vibrant celebration. With the creative guidance of their planner, Dee Lee Designs, the space was transformed into a dreamy indoor garden filled with soft pink blooms, intricate details, and an inviting atmosphere. “Coincidentally, the Four Seasons Westlake Village has stunning Japanese silk screens as decor in their lobby and hallways so it went perfectly with the theme,” added the planner.

Bridal Morning

Marissa looked stunning in a romantic lace ballgown by Estee Couture, accented with a delicate bow at the waist. Her accessories were full of meaning — a pair of earrings passed down from her grandmother and a bracelet crafted from diamonds her father had once gifted her mother. Known for her love of flowers and vibrant colors, Marissa carried a bouquet by Leta Verbena bursting with pink peonies, roses, orchids, and ranunculus, tied with a locket and an embroidered handkerchief in memory of her father.

She finished her bridal look with chic yet comfortable Loeffler Randall pleated bow heels, a suggestion from her planner. Marissa kept her makeup by Stephanie Navarro soft and glowy, choosing shades of pink to complement her natural beauty, and styled her hair in a relaxed low bun with loose, face-framing pieces. Adding a playful touch, she wore a custom denim jacket embroidered with “Bride” and the wedding year, perfectly reflecting her fun and personal style.

For the reception, she switched into a white V. Chapman dress and paired it with pearl-adorned sneakers — ideal for dancing the night away.

Groom's Fashion

Michael chose a navy Ted Baker tuxedo with a black shawl lapel, finishing the look with a classic black bow tie and shiny patent leather shoes. The sleek choice, suggested by their planner, made him stand out from his groomsmen, while thoughtful details — like cufflinks engraved with lyrics from their first dance song — added a sweet, personal touch. Later in the evening, Michael swapped his formal shoes for white sneakers, ready to hit the dance floor.

“He doesn’t regret it one bit, even though the tailor gave him a look when he mentioned it during the fitting,” Marissa shared with a laugh.

First Look

Their first look, set among the lush greenery of the Four Seasons, was an incredibly emotional and meaningful moment for Marissa and Michael. Surrounded by the serene beauty of the garden, they shared a private exchange of love and anticipation, creating memories they’ll cherish forever.

Afterward, the couple strolled through the venue, seeing the decorations for the first time. Everything was even more stunning than they had imagined, from the lush florals to the personalized details. Their photographer Kayla Denae captured each of these moments, ensuring Marissa and Michael can always look back and relive the magic of their special day.

Ceremony

The couple said their vows under the most beautiful chuppah, covered in lush greenery and bright pink blooms designed by Leta Verbena. The floral details were stunning, but what made it truly special were the tallitot from their late grandfathers and Marissa’s father, adding so much meaning to the moment.

Set on the grassy lawn of the Four Seasons Westlake Village, with waterfalls in the background, it felt like something out of a dream.“The venue was absolutely breathtaking,” Marissa shared.

Their ceremony was made even more personal with Rabbi Nicole Guzik, a family friend, officiating. Michael’s parents and Marissa’s mom and sister stood under the chuppah with them, making the moment feel even more intimate and full of love.

"The most memorable part of the day for me was walking down the aisle with my mom to Michael. We’ve done so many firsts together, supported each other through really difficult times, and been there to celebrate the highest of highs. I was having all the feelings. It felt surreal."

Marissa, the bride

Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour was a nod to Marissa’s Japanese heritage, with Asian-inspired appetizers and a breathtaking display of 1,001 origami cranes lovingly folded by Marissa’s mother. This meaningful tradition, symbolizing good luck and prosperity, became a standout feature of the evening that guests couldn’t stop admiring.

"Florist Emma Seitz and her team strung the cranes into gorgeous strands, creating two stunning backdrops — one behind the sweetheart table and another for the seating chart, which later doubled as a photo booth backdrop. They were absolutely magnificent!"

Dee Lee, the planner

Decor & Setting

The ballroom was brought to life as an enchanting indoor garden, thanks to the creative vision of planner Dee Lee Designs. Some tables featured tall gold stands with big, vibrant floral arrangements, while others were styled with ginger jars and bud vases for a more intimate feel. The table settings were just as thoughtful — blue ginger jar-inspired chargers, gold cutlery, and blue water glasses tied everything together.

Each plate held a menu designed to match the couple’s cherry blossom-themed invitations with a personal touch: every guest’s name was hand-painted in elegant calligraphy. The mix of colors, textures, and thoughtful details made the space feel warm, unique, and magical.

“It felt like walking into heaven. It was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined,” added the bride.

Reception

The reception was pure joy from start to finish, filled with music, laughter, and plenty of lovely moments. As a true sweet tooth, Marissa ensured the dessert selection was as vibrant as the celebration. Guests enjoyed a dessert lounge featuring unique Asian-inspired treats from Mr. and Mrs. Creamery alongside a classic wedding cake by the Four Seasons.

The dessert station was a showstopper, featuring a tall macaron tower in their wedding colors — shades of pink and blue with flecks of gold — and an array of delights like matcha rice crispy treats, mini passionfruit donuts, tofu cheesecake, chocolate mousse shooters, and profiteroles.

Adding a personal touch, the couple’s signature drink menu included a whimsical illustration of the bride and groom, drawn by Marissa.

Marissa’s Japanese heritage was thoughtfully woven into the day with meaningful details like the party favors — floral acrylic chopsticks, each wrapped in an origami holder lovingly made by her mom. Guests couldn’t get enough of the photo booth, where they posed with playful props like glowing Disney ear headbands and a foam Statue of Liberty crown, adding a fun, whimsical vibe to the night. “The wedding had such a good energy!” shared the planner.

"The band, Cardinal Gold, was incredible. We had the time of our lives! Our family and friends stayed on the dance floor all night, and everyone was having such a blast."

Marissa, the bride

Advice from the couple:

• Start taking dance lessons in advance! Even though we had a two-year engagement, the dance lessons never made it to the top of our list, and we ended up cramming in three classes in the two weeks before our wedding. We made it work, but I’m sure we would have felt more confident if we had more practice.

• Also, do as much as you can in advance! The list of things to do at the last minute will pile up! Things you didn’t even think about. So, get the obvious ones you can think of out of the way — even if you have plenty of time. You’ll cross one thing off your to-do list and then think of ten more things to add.

A Charming Multicultural Wedding with Plenty of Sweets

Location & Planning

Bridal Morning

Groom's Fashion

First Look