Location: Long Beach, California, USA
Setting: Historical Venue
Wedding season: Fall
The number of guests: 150
How long did the couple plan the event: 2 years
Wedding theme/style: Vintage, celestial, moody.
Love stories often begin with chance meetings, and for Mia and Michael, their journey started in elementary school. They grew up together, facing the ups and downs of growing up in a small town, moving out of state to attend college, and becoming adults with serious careers. Their careers as a nurse and a teacher brought them to Pasadena, California, where they now share their home with four beloved pets.
Michael proposed to Mia in March 2019 on their road trip from Southern California to Northern California. They got engaged in Muir Woods after exploring the beautiful redwood trees and taking a short hike. It was a beautiful, excellent, cloudy day, and on their last leg of the walk, Michael pulled Mia aside from the trail to “take in the environment.
Mia recalls: Where we stopped was a very dry, fresh one-dollar bill that Michael picked up (he keeps it in his wallet to this very day). In that place where we found the dollar, he began sharing his thoughts about our love and relationship, slowly removing the promise ring I had on my hand and replacing it shortly after with an engagement ring. I was utterly surprised, and we spent the evening celebrating our engagement at Ella restaurant in Sacramento over delicious food and wine.”
After years of growing together, they celebrated their love with a beautiful wedding at the historic Ebell of Long Beach, surrounded by 150 cherished guests. Guests were amazed by the venue’s beauty before and after its transformation for the wedding.
Mia’s bridal look was nothing short of stunning. Her gown, designed by Vivienne Atelier in Los Angeles, exuded elegance and sophistication. She completed her ensemble with Badgley Mischka shoes and engagement and wedding bands from Shane & Co. and Prestige Jewelers, respectively.
Mia chose a half-down hairstyle adorned with hairpins delicately crafted in the shape of moons and stars. This choice was a perfect fit for the vintage-inspired celestial wedding decor. The hairpins, intricately designed in the form of moons and stars, not only accentuated her elegant look but also harmonized seamlessly with the wedding’s theme. Quendie Joy, based in Los Angeles and Orange County, expertly handled the bridal party’s hair and makeup.
The groom and groomsmen’s Michael Kors suits, purchased in Friar Tux in Arcadia, CA, provided impeccable attire that perfectly complemented the vintage theme.
The celestial-inspired floral arrangements and decor left a lasting impression, with guests acknowledging the uniqueness of the theme.
Music played a significant role in setting the mood, with a talented DJ and pianist from Dart Collective ensuring a perfect atmosphere throughout the event.
What a touching moment! As Mia walked down the aisle, Michael could barely hold back tears of overwhelming happiness and love. It was truly a beautiful sight to witness. All the guests were delighted by the exquisite ceremony, and each one was thrilled to share in Michael and Mia’s celebration of love.
Photographer Reagan Suitt from Olive and Oath made an invaluable contribution to capturing the most essential day for Michael and Mia. Her experience and creative vision made every moment of this joyful celebration unforgettable. Reagan skillfully wielded her camera, capturing the beauty and elegance and the emotions and feelings in her photographs. Her ability to seize and preserve moments in time turned her work into true art. Each picture reflected not only the external beauty of the event but also the indescribable joy, excitement, and love that Michael and Mia felt on that day.
The use of a film camera added a special touch to the photographs, infusing them with a unique atmosphere. Reagan’s decision to capture moments on film brought a timeless and nostalgic quality to the images.
The analog nature of film photography lent an authentic and vintage feel to the pictures, perfectly aligning with the couple’s vintage-inspired wedding theme. Each shot taken on film seemed to transport viewers to a bygone era, evoking a sense of romanticism and sentimentality that digital photography sometimes can’t quite replicate.
Food and drink were top priorities for the couple on their wedding day. They wanted to wow their guests with a feast, a nod to their Latino heritage. The abundance of delicious hors d’ oeuvres, sumptuous entrees, and mouthwatering desserts ensured everyone had full hearts and satisfied palates. TresLA’s culinary expertise impressed everyone, offering a continuous flow of delectable hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and a memorable dining experience during the reception. Desserts and late-night snacks, including mini tacos, delighted everyone’s taste buds.
Their wedding theme was a unique blend of vintage elegance and celestial allure, inspired by the glamour of the 1920s, particularly the Great Gatsby era, and Mia’s fascination with the stars and the moon. They aimed to seamlessly weave these elements together without creating a clichéd theme. Flowers and design were such a standout; people were slightly unsure what a celestial wedding might look like, but when they saw it for the first time, they said it all made sense and was gorgeous.
Fortunately, the Ebell’s old-world charm provided the perfect canvas for their vision. They adorned the venue with gold star pendants and jewel-toned florals and fabrics, achieving their desired celestial atmosphere.
The reception was filled with heartfelt congratulations, and the atmosphere was a delightful blend of laughter, jokes, and friendly conversations. For Mia and Michael, this part of their wedding day reflected the love and happiness they had found in each other’s arms, surrounded by the people who meant the most to them. It was a time to savor the present, create lasting memories, and bask in the joy of their union.
As Michael shared a dance with his mother and Mia swayed with her brother, it was evident that these dances represented more than just graceful movements; they symbolized the bonds of family and the love that surrounded the newlyweds. Guests were moved by the sincerity and warmth of these moments, and it was clear that the love and connection between Michael, Mia, and their families were at the heart of this celebration. These dances became cherished memories that added a special depth of emotion to the wedding, reminding everyone of the power of love and family.
The perfect wedding cake wasn’t just a dessert; it was a work of art. The celestial-themed decorations, featuring moons and stars, tied in seamlessly with the vintage and celestial ambiance of the wedding. The attention to detail, both in taste and design, made this wedding cake not only a treat for the palate but also a visual masterpiece.
As the couple swayed to the music, their eyes locked in a loving gaze, it was a testament to the bond they shared. The dance represented not only their commitment to each other but also the beginning of a new chapter in their lives as a married couple. It was a poignant and heartwarming moment that will forever be etched in their memories as the start of their lifelong journey together.
One of the most joyful moments for the bride’s friends was when Mia tossed her bridal bouquet. This traditional ritual always brings excitement and anticipation to a wedding. Laughter, excitement, and friendly competition filled the air, making this moment unforgettable. Each woman hoped to catch the bouquet, dreaming of the following magical wedding. This moment added fun and happiness to the wedding atmosphere as a delightful way to introduce an extra element of merriment and rivalry on this special day.
Later, the groom and his friends gathered to share a moment of camaraderie, to reflect on the day that was coming to an end, and to indulge in a true gentleman’s pleasure – lighting up cigars.
The dance party was a treasure trove of photographic moments. The camera captured candid smiles, synchronized dance moves, and uninhibited expressions of joy. These snapshots would serve as timeless reminders of this night of celebration.
Advice from the couple:
• Being honest about wants or needs for an event like this is so important; not only does it help with budgeting, but it also helps to ensure that the couple is satisfied with their wedding. As a bride, I did a lot of the design and floral, but I took my fiancés input very seriously, making sure that he felt like he was being reflected in the decisions as well. I was floored by how gorgeous everything came to be, and I was honestly surprised that I had imagined it in my head. Additionally, we trusted our planner/coordinator to support this and used her as a third opinion to make sure everything made sense. Having professionals who know your vision and share it is a big deal.
• It is also essential not to consider too much what friends or family think about your choices. Thankfully, Michael and I paid for everything, so we didn’t feel like we had to make any choices based on others, but even so, we just planned between ourselves and our team of pros and let the rest of our friends and family just be surprised at the final product. That way, we ensured what we created was ours and ours alone. Everybody loved it at the end, and many said they’d never seen a beautiful wedding and that it suited us well.
PHOTO AND VIDEO Olive and Oath | COORDINATOR Radleigh and Sage Events by Miranda Snow | VENUE Ebell Long Beach | FLORIST Pilar floral | CATERER Tres la Catering | RENTALS MTB Event Rental | MUAH Quendie Joy | BRIDAL DRESS Vivienne Atelier | SHOES Badgley Mischka | ENGAGEMENT RING Shane&Co. | WEDDING BANDS Prestige Jewelry | BRIDESMAID’S Revelry | GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S SUITS Michael Kors | GROOM’S SHOP Friar Tux
