Their initial impression was far from reality: The thought of a Beverly Hills wedding conjured up images of extravagant decor, opulent gowns, and lavish festivities. But Marciel and David’s garden wedding defied expectations with a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity, their celebration exuded authenticity, romance, and poise from start to finish. The stunning visuals captured by Priscilla Frey Photography only add to the allure.
What made this wedding truly remarkable was the couple’s ability to pull off an unforgettable experience within budget through a combination of DIY projects and clever planning, showcasing their resourcefulness and creativity. Marciel stunned in her long-sleeved lace gown, complemented by a statement flower crown and bouquet, while David looked dashing in his pale grey suit, effortlessly blending with the garden setting.
The undeniable chemistry between the newlyweds is palpable throughout, making it impossible not to be swept up in their love story.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Their initial impression was far from reality: The thought of a Beverly Hills wedding conjured up images of extravagant decor, opulent gowns, and lavish festivities. But Marciel and David’s garden wedding defied expectations with a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity, their celebration exuded authenticity, romance, and poise from start to finish. The stunning visuals captured by Priscilla Frey Photography only add to the allure.
What made this wedding truly remarkable was the couple’s ability to pull off an unforgettable experience within budget through a combination of DIY projects and clever planning, showcasing their resourcefulness and creativity. Marciel stunned in her long-sleeved lace gown, complemented by a statement flower crown and bouquet, while David looked dashing in his pale grey suit, effortlessly blending with the garden setting.
The undeniable chemistry between the newlyweds is palpable throughout, making it impossible not to be swept up in their love story.
Our Love Story
Our paths first crossed at our church, where we were both part of the worship team. We didn’t exactly hit it off immediately; we were more like acquaintances. However, everything changed during the summer of 2013 when we were assigned to work together as cabin counselor leaders for our church’s youth camp. David turned out to be a quiet and observant individual who initially thought I was just a loud and energetic person.
But as our friendship grew, he started noticing qualities in me that he wanted in a partner. Little did I know, he was falling deeply in love with me, on the other hand, I saw him simply as my friend; he never expressed his feelings or gave any indication that he had romantic interest in me, so I remained oblivious. The beauty of this was that we were able to build a strong foundation for our friendship without any pressure or expectations.
When David finally gathered the courage to confess his true feelings, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I had fallen head over heels in love with him too. Since then, we’ve been inseparable, and I couldn’t imagine living my life without him by my side. Fast forward to September 26, 2015, when David proposed to me at Laguna Beach. He prepared a picnic basket filled with some of my favorite treats and took me on a romantic walk along the shore.
We ended up on a small reef island, alone and surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever partner. It was the most incredible feeling knowing that I would spend the rest of my life with my best friend and soulmate.
The Inspiration
As we drew inspiration from Greystone Mansion’s inherent beauty, our vision for the event took shape. We aimed to create an atmosphere that was both soft and moody, evoking a romantic garden wedding with subtle nods to rustic charm. Our color palette featured blush tones, rosy pinks, and deep reds, alongside ivory and grey neutrals, perfectly capturing the essence of the venue.
The Attire
As I searched for my dream dress at David’s Bridal, I was drawn to a stunning Galina Signature lace gown that perfectly captured the essence of my wedding vision. The intricate lace scalloped neckline captivated me, and I knew I had found ‘the one’. Meanwhile, my bridesmaids were dressed in long gowns with high necklines in a soft blush hue, while my maid of honor stood out in a wine red version of the same design.
In a delightful touch, the groom donned a light grey suit paired with playful light pink suspenders, while his groomsmen sported medium grey tone dress pants and a rainbow of unique pattern suspenders – each chosen to reflect the individual personality of its wearer.
The Flowers
The floral arrangements featured a harmonious blend of pink roses, delicate white and red garden roses, and seeded eucalyptus leaves. Expertly paired with a unique protea flower, boutonnieres were crafted using roses and the subtle texture of seeded eucalyptus, while our show-stopping centerpieces combined these same roses and eucalyptus leaves with some carefully selected filler plants to create a lush and visually appealing display.
The Ceremony
As we began our special day, we turned to Genesis 2:18-24 for inspiration. In Mexican religious ceremonies, the union of husband and wife is symbolized by the placement of ‘Lasos’ over the couple – a beautiful yet costly tradition typically fulfilled with crystals. However, we chose to create our own unique interpretation by crafting faux greenery ‘Lasos’ that perfectly complemented our garden theme.
The ceremony also featured a time-honored ‘coin ceremony’, in which the groom presented his bride with 13 silver coins, symbolizing their new pact as husband and wife.
The Music
The soundtrack for our special day was set in motion with a quartet’s performance of classical music, providing a sophisticated atmosphere for the ceremony. As the bride made her way down the aisle to ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri, the emotional significance of the song added depth to the moment. The reception, on the other hand, featured an iPhone playlist that perfectly captured the carefree spirit of the celebration.
Our first dance as a married couple was a poignant one, with ‘Oceans’ by Hillsong serving as the backdrop for our intimate and romantic moment.
The Photography & Videography
In our experience, meeting your photographer before booking them for your special day is crucial. Unfortunately, we had to settle for an appointment without actually getting to know the person behind the lens. It lacked a personal touch, feeling too formal for us. In contrast, when we discovered Priscilla Frey’s work, we were instantly smitten with her cohesive and breathtaking style. Her blog showcased stunning visuals that felt like art.
Meeting her sealed the deal – she was warm, professional, and one of our favorite vendors to work with on wedding day. Similarly, we almost skipped hiring a videographer to save costs, but we’re thrilled we didn’t. Our friend-of-the-bride’s new business venture resulted in a fantastic outcome at a great price – sometimes, taking a chance on emerging talent can yield incredible results.
The Venue
Our choice of venue played a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetic and ambiance of our special day. Having settled on a theme, we were keen to find a location that would seamlessly integrate natural beauty with lush gardens. And then, it happened – as soon as we stepped into Greystone Mansion, we knew we had found the perfect setting for our celebration.
The decision to invest in this exceptional venue proved to be an unequivocal success, as it set the tone for an unforgettable experience and solidified our dream wedding.
The Decor & Details
To maintain a sleek aesthetic at our venue, we opted for a minimalist approach to decor. To stay within budget, we got creative and took on many tasks ourselves in the ceremony area, we incorporated a borrowed family heirloom – a large mirror – and enlisted the calligraphy skills of one of my bridesmaids to add a personal touch with a quote. She also contributed to our favors and menu sign designs; they were another DIY success story, requiring minimal effort but yielding impressive results.
We took it upon ourselves to create chair signs for our sweetheart table, eschewing traditional labels in favor of personalized messages that reflected our relationship. David affectionately calls me ‘gorgeous,’ while I refer to him as ‘handsome.’ This inspired the design concept of two arrows pointing to each other, with ‘his gorgeous’ and ‘her handsome’ inscribed below.
To adorn our tables, we purchased lace fabric and cut it into runners, a cost-effective project that added a touch of elegance. We also crafted moss table numbers to complement our garden-inspired theme. These DIY projects allowed us to showcase our creativity while keeping expenses in check. Another savvy decision was to source vases for our centerpieces at a reasonable price online, then leave them to our florist’s discretion.
This approach not only saved us rental costs but also enabled guests to take home the centerpieces as a memento.
Ballpark Budget
In a bold move to create an unforgettable experience for our guests, we invested $20,000 in securing the perfect venue, exquisite cuisine, and premium table rentals. However, by being mindful of our budget, we managed to shave costs elsewhere, demonstrating that with careful planning, even the most ambitious events can be achieved without breaking the bank.
The Refreshments
The dinner was a buffet-style affair, with the smaller guest list allowing for a seamless experience with no complaints of lengthy wait times. In fact, our non-alcoholic beverage options were a hit with our guests. The real showstopper, however, was our decadent dessert table, featuring an array of sweet treats that included cake shooters, cookies, mini cupcakes, caramel pears, and a two-tiered masterpiece that we cut into for a touch of tradition.
Favourite Moments
Our first dance as a married couple remains etched in our memories as one of the most unforgettable moments. Time seemed to stand still as we became completely absorbed in each other’s presence, feeling like we were floating on air. The intimacy and romance of that moment created a sense of being entirely wrapped up in our own little world. Hearing my husband’s heartfelt vows was another poignant highlight. His words left me breathless and filled with emotion.
In fact, I highly recommend writing your own personal vows to your partner – it adds an extra layer of meaning and significance to the ceremony.
Advice for Other Couples
When planning your big day, it’s essential to factor in the honeymoon expenses as part of your overall wedding budget. After all, the honeymoon is when you get to truly enjoy each other’s company and create lifelong memories. Consider booking a fun-filled adventure or a relaxing getaway that aligns with your shared interests. Don’t make the same mistake as some friends who’ve spent their entire wedding budget on the ceremony and reception, leaving them broke for the honeymoon.
Instead, prioritize and cut back on unnecessary expenses to ensure you have enough funds set aside for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Remember, a beautiful wedding is achievable regardless of your budget. For instance, my husband and I opted for a European honeymoon, exploring iconic cities like Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Venice, and Paris. We had an absolute blast and would highly recommend it to any couple looking to create unforgettable memories together.