A Black-and-White Romantic Vineyard Wedding in California

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Location: Malibu, California, USA
Setting: Vineyard
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 97
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Wedding theme/style: Modern elegance with hints of an old, classic Hollywood glam vibe. All black and white and super romantic.

Gabriella and Andrew are a dynamic duo from New York whose love story began in the workplace over four years ago. United by their immense families, passion for running, and ambitious life goals, their connection blossomed into a deep love. Gabriella and Andrew shared a vision of a California-based wedding venue incorporating East Coast elements. Their dream was to create a timeless and intimately elegant celebration that reflected their fun, romantic, and personalities.

Gabriella envisioned a wedding that would stand the test of time. Inspired by vintage-style black-and-white film photography, she aimed to create a celebration devoid of trendy elements. The focus was on capturing genuine moments of joy, with an overarching vision of looking back at the photos in 50 years and reliving the love and laughter. They picked a venue in the same city where Gabi’s parents met, went to college, and where her Dad proposed to her Mom.

Most of the guests arrived from out of town, and the couple aimed to create a highly personal wedding experience, expressing their deep gratitude for the attendees and their immense love. The evening before the wedding featured a grand welcome party at Duke’s on the water in Malibu, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the California coast. Opting for Cielo Farms as the wedding venue, the couple perceived it as a unique and intimate space ideal for an intimate gathering of fewer than 100 guests. The venue’s ambiance felt akin to Tuscany, providing a picturesque backdrop of the rolling hills of Malibu, a sentiment Andrew and Gabriella immediately felt when they toured the location.

Searching for her wedding dress, the bride discovered a captivating design on Pinterest a year before the big day—the Alex Perry “Isobel” dress. Struck by its stunning allure, she was overwhelmed with admiration, describing it as so breathtaking that it felt like a moment of sheer awe. Determined to make this vision a reality, she diligently tracked down the boutique that carried the dress. Upon locating it, she wasted no time and promptly arranged to try it. The moment she adorned herself in the Alex Perry “Isobel” dress, the bride knew it was the one. Undoubtedly captivated by its matchless charm and convinced of its timeless elegance, she purchased the clothing on the same day, solidifying it as the perfect choice for her special day.

Gabriella’s emphasis on natural beauty and timeless elegance was pivotal in selecting her makeup and hairstyle. She aimed to strike a balance where her exquisite dress took center stage, and the makeup and hairstyle didn’t overshadow its magnificence. To achieve this vision, the team at Veiled Vanity Artistry crafted a delicate and natural makeup look. For the hairstyle, they elegantly gathered her hair into a low bun, with loose curls framing her face, creating an effortlessly chic and timeless appearance. The goal was to enhance Gabriella’s features subtly, allowing her inherent beauty to shine through on her special day.

Throughout the morning, Gabriella was surrounded by her closest friends, who shared the joyful anticipation of this special day. Serving as companions and a source of support, her friends assisted her in donning the wedding dress. Their joy knew no bounds when they first saw the bride in her stunning wedding ensemble. They were genuinely happy for their friend, and the moment was filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement and happiness for Gabriella on this unique and magical day.

It was a touching moment when Gabriella’s father first saw her in her wedding attire. His face radiated joy, and he seemed utterly delighted to witness his daughter as the bride.

Andrew opted for a classic tuxedo as his wedding attire: a white jacket with black lapels paired with black trousers, complemented by a bow tie. The groom looked incredibly elegant in this ensemble, exuding a timeless and sophisticated charm on his wedding day.

The first look between Andrew and Gabriella was one of the poignant moments when the couple saw each other for the first time in their wedding attire. The photographs beautifully capture the emotions that this particular moment elicited in both the groom and the bride.

The area designated for the ceremony resembled a living fairy tale. The wedding arch, crafted from white rose petals and Baby’s Breath flowers, created a spellbinding focal point. Beyond the arch, a magnificent view of green hills unfolded, adding an extra layer of natural beauty to the enchanting setting.

The groom and the bride walked down the aisle, accompanied by their parents, to the altar. Reuniting under the wedding arch, Andrew and Gabriella exchanged vows of love in front of their closest friends and family. It was a beautiful ceremony that left no guest indifferent as the couple declared their commitment to each other in a moment filled with love and emotion.

Beside Andrew and Gabriella stood their closest and dearest people, sharing in the joy of every moment of this blissful occasion. Family and friends, intimately connected to the couple, were there to witness and celebrate every precious minute of the joyous event. Their presence added warmth and significance to the celebration, creating a circle of love around the newlyweds.

The talented photographer Lauren Lucile Creative skillfully captured this joyous day and preserved every moment of Andrew and Gabriella’s wedding. From tears of happiness to pure joy and laughter, nothing escaped her professional gaze. Lauren managed to convey the wedding venue’s enchantment, showcasing the celebration’s beauty and elegance. Her unique, heartfelt, and entirely creative approach to photography captured the day as the bride and groom envisioned. She portrayed their dynamic personalities while maintaining a romantic ambiance. Truly, Lauren is a consummate professional in her craft.

After the ceremony, guests joined the bride and groom for a cocktail hour as unique as the rest of their celebration. Gabriella and Andrew specifically curated the cocktails for the guests, treating everyone to their favorite drinks. Gabriella opted for a spicy margarita, while Andrew chose an espresso martini.

Some of Gabriella’s favorite touches included the custom black and white matchboxes given as parting gifts and the Aperol spritz welcome drink served with black and white straws. These thoughtful details added a personalized and stylish element to the wedding celebration, reflecting the couple’s attention to detail and desire to make every event memorable for their guests.

The couple organized the escort cards to create a distinctive touch. They wrote individual letters to each guest, sharing favorite memories or expressing how the guest had impacted and shaped their lives. This heartfelt gesture was one of the day’s most memorable and emotional aspects, as nearly every guest approached the couple with tears, reminiscing about childhood memories and cherished moments.

For the guest book, the couple selected a coffee table book compiled with articles from The New Yorker, intending to represent their connection to New York. The book’s gorgeous cover seamlessly complemented the black-and-white theme of the wedding.

The venue for the wedding reception was beautiful. In the garden, rectangular tables adorned with white tablecloths and round wooden tables were arranged, all decorated with bouquets of baby’s breath flowers. This arrangement added a unique lightness and an atmosphere of refined celebration. The overall setting transported guests to Tuscany, with hundreds of garlands suspended above their heads, creating a uniquely romantic atmosphere.

As Gabriella and Andrew entered the wedding reception, guests welcomed them with joyful cheers and congratulations. This vibrant and emotional moment immediately set the tone for the entire evening, creating an atmosphere of celebration and excitement.

The couple also created a champagne tower to kick off the cocktail hour. This was such a fun little experience for them and the guests.

The reception was filled with heartfelt moments, and one of these poignant instances was the newlyweds’ first dance. The couple swayed in a graceful dance to a beautiful melody, surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

The photographs of the reception, captured by Lauren Lucile Creative, beautifully convey the atmosphere of joy, effortlessness, and love that permeated the evening.

Another touching moment was the dance between Gabriella and her father and Andrew and his mother. These dances added a sentimental and heartwarming touch to the celebration, symbolizing the special bonds between the bride and her father and the groom and his mother.

In the evening, Gabriella changed into a glamorous dress that allowed her to dance the night away. The entire night of the reception unfolded in a joyous rhythm of dancing, lively conversations, and pure happiness.

Following a beautiful wedding tradition, Gabriella and Andrew cut into their magnificent wedding cake at a particular moment. This symbolic act marked a sweet beginning to their journey as a married couple.

As the night progressed, a memorable finale unfolded with the delivery of a five-foot by five-foot pizza bearing the initials “G+A” encircled by a heart in pepperoni. Recognizing their shared love language of food, Andrew and Gabriella considered this pizza delivery the ultimate homage to New York, rounding off the celebration in a uniquely delicious manner.

Advice from the couple:

Take it all in – it goes by so quickly! Even the silly, mundane chores of planning the wedding, like the seating chart or picking the food or colors, make it fun with your partner! It makes that day that much more meaningful. Also, if you have the means, hire a wedding planner who can help your vision come to life. Our wedding would not have been the same without our incredible planner, who took weekly calls with us and held our hand every step of the way!

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