It’s been a while since we’ve had a guest blogger, so here is Dana and Jeff’s beautiful love story:
how did you meet?
We met through mutual friends… We both were recently single our friends thought we should meet… At their one year old’s birthday party. A year and a half later, we tied the knot!
what was your favorite part of wedding planning?
Being able to combine our likes and dislikes based on other events we had been to. We loved collaborating together and compromising on how we each pictured our wedding. We also made clear ahead of time what was important to each of us- to Jeff, music, wine and food were at the top of his list. To me, decor, decor, decor (and invitations)! Lehr & Black created with us the most stunning save the dates/invitations!
how did you decide on the venue?
We got married at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, which when you enter the gates, truly feels like a tropical oasis that could be thousands of miles outside of Los Angeles. It really embodied the feel we wanted for our wedding which was “beachy glamour.” The 200 year old Fig tree in the driveway was the perfect setting, and we envisioned the perfect juxtaposition of the organic and outdoors with shimmering crystal chandeliers, amber lighting and over the top, stunning Chupah by Eddie at Tic-Tock Couture. The Starlight Ballroom inside provided the perfect 400 person venue, which we divided with fabric creating two spaces- one for our enchanted, glimmering, warm dining room, and the other room, a modern night cub
what kind of personal touches did you add to your event?
Again, we both love glamour paired with nature, so from the Fig tree with chandeliers, to the branches centerpieces flocked with flower bunches and crystals strung about. We love motown music so we chose the best band possible with the help of Jim at West Coast Music… In fact after dining, the curtains opened and the singers came in singing a capella, drawing our guests into the after party room for dancing and desert (including “Tyson’s Sweet Shop,” our all white and silver candy and sweets bar named for our Poodle!). We also served late night fries, grilled cheese, cotton candy and specialty cocktails that added to our personal touches! Eddie from Tic-Tock took my obsession for all things sparkly and created a giant bed of crystals to hold the place cards, illuminated by candlelight and Lehr & Black created stunning menus which were personalized with each guests name at their given seat, which we thought added something special!
what was the best decision you made during your planning process?
We had about 80 people come in from out of town,(a total of 180 guests) so we feel that our best decision was choosing the Fairmont. They were beyond accommodating and generous to our guests and we wanted everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy their time in beautiful Santa Monica, making it feel like a vacation and not just a wedding they needed to travel to! Also, a few months into our wedding planning, we changed planners and hired the fabulous Mindy Weiss, who we felt best understood our desires for our event and helped create our dream night.
what are your best memories from your wedding?
There are far too many to choose a few. But the most important thing to us is how our friends and family to this day say our wedding was the most fun night and weekend of their lives!
how did you choose your music for your Elysium edit?
We watched so many art house series that Elysium did and knew right away that their taste was modern and classic and just great. We couldn’t pick the songs so left it up to them…. And we couldn’t be HAPPIER! We will look back and not regret using these amazing, fun, touching songs (we just saw somebody’s video to Flo Rida’s Club Can’t Handle Me and really feel sad for them!). Everyone should chose music they love but classic songs that aren’t fads is the way to go!
what advice do you have for future brides?
Very simple…. make the wedding a reflection of YOU and YOUR HUSBAND, not your wedding planner or what the magazines have to say. You don’t want to ever regret choices you made on this special day! Go with your gut and the day will be the most magical event of your life!
