LISA & MARK ~ WINTER INSPIRED WEDDING
Perfect Wedding Magazine officially celebrates the beginning of Winter with this beautiful wedding celebrated at the luxurious SLS Beverly Hills Hotel.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met on E-Harmony, I was on there for almost a year and ready to quit, and Lisa was signed on by her co-workers reluctantly.
THE PROPOSAL
We had been discussing getting married for a while so finding a way to propose without it being obvious was going to be tough. Especially since I knew she would want Chewbacca there when I did it too. I concocted this story that my coworker had a groupon for a free Gondola ride that he gave to me and I needed to use. She was hesitant wondering why we needed to drive all the way to Marina Del Rey just for a free boat ride, (she wasn’t impressed with the idea), but she went along anyway. I had to hide the ring so I wore a jacket that day to hide the ring in. It was July…it was hot. She thought I was crazy wearing a jacket in the middle of summer. After setting off on the ride she was enjoying it and even commented it would have been romantic if I proposed and I played along and said I wish I had thought of that too. When we got to the pre-determined area facing the sunset, I popped the question. I was nervous and couldn’t remember a word I said and messed up a little bit, but she said yes anyway.
WEDDING THEME/DESIGN CONCEPT
An “Alexander McQueen” inspired Winter Wedding.
Guests entered the outside ceremony terrace after they were handed either a sparkling water or Frizzy cocktail featuring ice spheres and white blossoms before they took their seats amongst natural wooden benches draped in white and beige furs and pelts. The ceremony area featured white carpet and natural wooden antler chandeliers overhead while the path to the alter was lined with winter birch trees leading to a cluster of trees embellished with cotton pods and crystal chips which glittered in the light. Guests were serenaded by a string trio while they had the opportunity to write special notes to the couple on custom note cards for their wooden wedding day time capsule box. Personal arrangements included antlers, crystal tipped succulents, cotton pods, skeleton leaves, and white ferns. The exchanging of vows took place in front of pewter ceremony tables – the home where the time capsule ritual was celebrated.
Following the ceremony, guests were escorted down a long hallway lit with cool blue lighting and were handed peppermint martinis topped with candy canes stir sticks; before heading into the cocktail lounge for tray passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Long belly bars featured crystallized branch installations and five nooks were each filled with white ceramic novelties. A jazz trio played modern upbeat arrangements while guests enjoyed unique small bites; took photos from the custom winter inspired photo-op area which offered thematic props and selected their table assignments from a display of frosted acrylic “ice bricks.” A full bar was available throughout cocktail hour dramatically illuminated by votives within the mirrored shelves in each outer door on each side. Guests entered a ballroom transformed into a modern couture “Winter Wonderland” as the DJ played “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” The ballroom featured a white stage with a white fur fascia and a birch tree backdrop embellished with a mapped projection of falling snow. Surrounding a frosted metallic dance floor, tables consisted of rounds draped in a metallic birch textile while long wood tables were set along the perimeter placed with metallic snakeskin runners and slate along with upholstered white sofas.
The long tables were set with stainless chargers and birch metallic print napkins with silver antler candelabras, votives, white succulents with crystallized tips, white phalaenopsis, and birch branches. The round tables featured two unique tablescapes – the first, a collection of silver birch vessels in varying heights with white fern, air plants, and succulents paired with votives; and the second, a collection of inspired decor including metallic deer heads, birch and cotton pods, quartz, cloches displaying mini antlers, and crystallized cotton pods, along with silver napkins and silver rimmed glass chargers. The sweetheart table was draped in birch fabric and accented with hyde placemats, silver vessels, orchids, and Quartz, along with custom acrylic placecards to resemble ice.
All tables were set with silver dragonfly flatware, Camille crystal glassware, glass dinner plates, and 2 clear ghost chairs.
At the far end of the ballroom a silver bar was set with chrome back bar units placed with inspired decor and candlelight, set with wooden Shanghai barstools and flanked by two barrel chair lounge vignettes. The back wall was highlighted by a gobo projection of winter birch trees. Throughout the night, guests danced to the sounds of Vintage Confidential in-between the four-course seated dinner which included tableside wine service and butler passed custom menus. Guests were able to enjoy Grey Goose vodka from an illuminated ice bar and luge incorporating birch branches.
Following dinner as the band retires and the DJ began a lively set, guests had the opportunity to indulge in a lavish dessert spread placed on large pewter trunks with an ice-inspired surface. Samplings included a decadent five tier “frosted” wedding cake with birch accents in three custom flavors. The photo-op area re-opened for guests to enjoy for the remainder of the evening. The entire space was warmly illuminated around the perimeter along with warm double pinspots on each table.
As guests exited, they were offered tray passed Nutella pies in celebration of the couple’s initial bond.
THE PERFECT WEDDING TEAM
Wedding Planner and Designer KRISTIN BANTA EVENTS, INC.
Photography BEAUTIFUL DAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Videographer ELYSIUM PRODUCTIONS
Florals LILLA BELLO FINE FLORALS & EVENT STYLING FLORAL & DESIGN
Rentals TOWN & COUNTRY EVENT RENTALS, FOUND VINTAGE RENTALS
Ice Sculpture ICE BULB
Stationery BLISS AND BONE
Cake FANTASY FROSTINGS
Linens BBJ LINEN
Lighting THE LIGHTER SIDE
Venue SLS Beverly Hills
Love! So elegant!!