Ben and Maddie, experienced globe trotters, cat lovers, and generally all around fun loving souls held their wedding in lush gem of a garden. Sherman Gardens is hidden in plain sight in downtown Corona Del Mar, and was the perfect location for their intimate wedding. I loved that Ben, originally hailing from France, was experiencing an American wedding. He gifted Hermes ties to his groomsmen, often had champagne in hand, and broke into the most genuine smiles throughout the day. Maddie, a Japanese American hottie, could go from silly to fierce (I mean that in the Tyra Banks-work-it way) instantly. Their florals were stunning! Check out the circular floral ceremony installation and the overflowing floral chandeliers at reception. Topping off the night, guests were treated to a boba bar, pie from the Pie Hole, and even a fire pit.
Huge congratulations to Ben and Maddie! Thank you to all the talented and hardworking vendors behind the magic.
Venue: Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona Del Rey
Florals: Jessica Westervelt of SWD Floral
Band: The Lucky Devils
Rentals: Signature Party Rentals and Sundrop Vintage
Invitations: Jen Simpson Design Handmade Wedding Invitations
Planner/Designer: Cassie Howard of Events by Cassie
Boba: Cha for Tea
Dessert: the Pie Hole
When Cory and Lily planned on getting married, they didn’t want it to be a big deal. They were going to get married at a courthouse. When they settled into the idea of getting married at the Doubletree Hotel in Little Tokyo, they were only going to invite family. Weeks before the wedding, they humbly asked if expanding the guest list to incorporate friends would make a big difference in the photography and timeline. I enthusiastically responded “It’s a GREAT idea! You should celebrate with everyone you love.” And celebrate they did. In the short time this wedding went from courthouse to full blown, Cory and Lily worked their butts off to incorporate thoughtful details and gestures that honored both their heritages. The day started off with a tea ceremony to show respect for Lily’s Chinese background. I was blown away by how Tina Li, of In The Clouds Events, set up the tea ceremony so beautifully on the rooftop of the Doubletree. It was a special treat for Lily, who could see the ceremony site from her hotel room as she was getting ready. The wedding ceremony and reception incorporated happy splashes of a fall color palette, with origami cranes made by the groom, a reflection of Cory’s Japanese heritage. Out-of-town guests also got to share in some highlights of LA food culture, with cupcake Sundays from Sprinkles and an array of pastries from Porto’s.
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