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40 Love Song

Elegant gowns that befit today’s intimate weddings, from beautiful backyard celebrations to romantic elopements.

50 LIFE’S LITTLE LUXURIES

Dream big when planning your microwedding by drawing inspiration from these newlyweds and wedding professionals.

60 Modern Romance

Beautiful jewel tones and glimmering Spanish-influenced details comprise the elements for this bold reception design.

66 Love And Light

64

Soft whispers of blush and blue create an ethereal setting against the stunning natural backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Jinza Bridal’s “Sophie” gown features 3D lace applique and a layered tulle skirt. Hair and Makeup by Cheek to Cheek Artistry. Photography Jenny Quicksall at Stone Mountain Estates. Additional details on page 66.

A truly intimate elopement; plus, Wheat and Honey Events shows couples how to infuse their cultures and personalities into an elegant wedding design.

The

Vegetable-focused

White

An impeccable

Fifteen

The ultimate checklist for planning your wedding.

Photographed Laura Ford Photos.

(DEC/JAN/FEB)

A La Robe’s “Naked Claudette” ($2,400) gown from LOHO Bride in Los Angeles. Floral shrug by Flowers by Lady Buggs. Photography by Molly and Co. More details on page 36.

(MARCH/APRIL/MAY)

“Rosie” by Netta BenShabu, $4,950, at Kinsley James Couture Bridal. Diamond engagement ring, $2,950, white gold channel huggie diamond earrings, $2,475, and diamond scalloped “J” hoop earrings, $1,140, all from B. Anthony Jewelers in San Luis Obispo. Photography by Ryan Plett. More details on page 40.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

Editor in Chief | Lara Morgenson Burnap

Art Director | Keely Brittles

Design Director | Janet McLaughlin

Associate Editor | Taylor Ellsworth

Editorial Assistants | Sara Hubbard, Kristin Synder

Copy Editor | Sunny Parsons

Contributing Stylist | Catlin Myers

Contributing Photographers | Jenny Quicksall, Molly Ann and Co., and Ryan Plett

Publisher | Thea Hargrove (Thea.Hargrove@tigeroak.com)

Associate Publisher | Alexis Sanabria (Alexis.Sanabria@tigeroak.com)

Group Publisher | Sonja Babich

Print Production Director | Brittni Dye

Digital Production Director| Deidra Anderson

Digital Editor + Marketing Specialist | Laura Cross

Web Coordinator | Angela Beissel

Marketing Intern | Grace Thoen

President & CEO | R. Craig Bednar

Chief Operating Officer | Susan Isay

Accounts Receivables Specialist | Melissa Duffney

Circulation & Marketing Manager | Katie Ringhand

Newstand Consultant | Alan Centofante, The Centofante Group

California Wedding Day 3970 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 834 Studio City, CA 91604 californiaweddingday.com

California Wedding Day, Inc.Spring/Summer 2021. Published semiannually by Tiger Oak Media, Inc., 900 S. 3rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415

For customer inquiries call 800.637.0334. ©2020 Tiger Oak Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

2020 HAS BEEN A TIME FOR REFLECTION as we have found ourselves in a reality that no one could have imagined. My thoughts have been with all of California’s brides and grooms as you as alter wedding plans due to COVID-19. These times have made all of us hold our loved ones closer than ever.

For some couples, this uncertainty led them to postpone their wedding; others decided to elope while many opted for an intimate celebration. But no matter the decision, one thing remains constant and true: love. This is what we celebrate in this latest issue of California Wedding Day. A wedding is one of the few times in our life where love becomes tangible. Every decision from the blooms in your bouquet to the guest list is a meaningful one. And now more than ever we all want to share love with our family and friends.

One of the brightest spots this year has been the time I’ve spent looking over all of the real weddings, from the pre-pandemic beauties to the small, romantic ceremonies (page 109). The unwavering commitment from wedding vendors from bridal stores and planners to caterers and venues to find a way to celebrate love is a gift in these uncertain times.

To aid in your planning, we immersed ourselves in the emotional beauty of microweddings and elopements (pages 23 and 50), showcase creative ideas for big day décor (pages 24, 60 and 66), and found romance for our fashion shoot at the beautiful La Lomita Ranch in San Luis Obispo (page 40).

I hope that all of you continue to dream, find inspiration, support each other and embrace hope. And know that we here at California Wedding Da y are with you every step of the way.

Lara Morgenson Burnap lara.burnap@tigeroak.com

Behind The Scenes At La Lomita

IN 2020 . This may even become the busiest wedding season ever experienced, with an overflow of celebrations extending well into the future. For a little historical perspective, the flu pandemic of 1918 was followed by the Roaring ’20s, a period of provocative social and political change, a booming economy, an evocative new sense of freedom for women—and glamorous celebrations. With that in mind, now is the time to embrace your personal style and be confident in expressing yourself. We are already seeing this surface; for example, our Runway Report (page 36) features Flowers by Lady Buggs’ creative revisions of the classic bridal bouquet.

The virtual possibilities presented by technology for weddings are only beginning to be realized. Although celebrating in person is more desirable and can never be fully replicated in the virtual world, there is something to be said about how Zoom (and similar virtual-meeting platforms) have allowed us to stay connected. As this virtual technology continues to develop, it may be possible for guests from afar to be present virtually as holograms at one’s wedding. Take a look at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, which created a surreal gift of a holographic first-dance experience that can be shared with distant guests, a thoughtful way to memorialize this special occasion.

California Wedding Day members have also shared with us some incredible adaptations. The most notable is the arrangement of guest seating. Guests are now being seated in their own personal groupings. As guests arrive, they are tested for the coronavirus and then gracefully escorted to their intimate table and personal lounge. At last, an excuse to forgo the tedious hours spent arranging that seating chart!

A new theater-style floor plan is also emerging as an option. Teaming up, The Riviera Country Club, BreLuxe Beauty and Shawna Yamamoto Event Design reimagined the traditional wedding layout by combining the ceremony and reception, and putting the ceremony center stage as a live show. As this incredible styled shoot developed, we decided to transform it into a wedding-day giveaway to one lucky couple. After receiving many submissions, California Wedding Day presented the special day to Kellie and Tyler! We learned that COVID-19 had brought this couple together after a long-distance relationship, and that their first date was at The Riviera Country Club, and, well, we knew it was meant to be. Visit californiaweddingday.com for the full story. And for a sneak peek, check out how Kellie and Tyler exchanged vows surrounded by guests seated at reception tables. Other creative design details included a ceremony aisle that was transformed into the dance floor for the couple’s first dance, and live entertainment performed in a spotlight throughout the reception.

Many blessings and positive experiences have arisen from these challenging times. Certainly, the highlight of the year has been embracing our diversity with even more pride; yet, while recognizing our differences of origin and even our different opinions, we know that none of it truly matters, because love binds us all and will carry us forward. So, here’s to the wedding mania to come, filled with an abundance of love!

Thea Hargrove Thea.hargrove@tigeroak.com

Intimate Weddings

Seven Private Spaces

Downtown Los Angeles redbird.la | @redbirdla

Rachelle Derouin Photography