I’ll be honest: I’m a LITTLE disappointed with my pictures for this post. The good: Nicola had some AMAZING details that I got to capture to the best of my feeble ability. The bad: I have hardly any pictures of the couple. Which hurts my heart. Because not only are they beyond awesome… they looked amazing! Until the rockumental Krissy Davis premiers her photos from the day, these details and small glimpses will have to do…
The entire event took place at the super cool boutique Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach [seriously... 33 rooms to the entire place!]. The ambiance of the courtyard was PERECT. The day was gorgeous. All in all, amazing. And Nicola hand made SO many delectable details for all of her guests. I couldn’t get enough!!
Their guest book was Manhattan Beach postcards:
My assistant Miriam and I set up the place card tray prior to the ceremony, but kept it hidden until cocktail time:
On each chair, a program and a little bag of lavender to toss as the couple came back up the aisle!
Loooooved it:
The colors of the wedding were green and brown, but the theme was beach-y for sure. This worked GREAT at the Shade, because that was the ENTIRE hotel. Wood, green, and sea life. Their decor was insane!
Some simple decor for the stage and stairs, where the ceremony took place [which later turned into our dinner focal point]:
[and YES, keeping these candles lit was a losing battle!!]
Ceremony!
Miriam caught this shot JUST IN TIME:
Oh and yes, her dress is blush pink. I’m SO lucky. TWO brides with pink dresses in August. I love it!
This is meant to be vibe-y and nothing else [the couple, waiting for their bridal party to trek to the beach after the ceremony]:
And now, the ceremony area turned reception style [totally forgot to take a picture of the super cool lounge/lobby area where the cocktail hour was held... VERY modern, funky, sleek, love-able!]:
A close up of the centerpieces, conceptualized by Nicola [put together through inspirational pictures]:
I loved that they were lush but didn’t need to be totally floral! And from the 2nd story:
Okay, so I couldn’t get enough…
THIS picture was smashingly captured by Miriam, can’t you see that the top of my head is my “good side”? This is what happens when you say “Hey Amanda!!” while I’m working. :)
More table decor:
For the kids:
Another vibe shot pre-dinner: [Nicole changed out her veil for a gardenia for her hair... I loved it!]
Oh, and she also changed her shoes so that she could rock THESE puppies:
The losing battle:
After dinner we headed up to the roof top for dancing and cake. I LOVED this about the Shade. Seriously pictures don’t do the space justice. It was SUCH a fun venue!!
Nicola thought of everything, and beyond that, she vibed it OUT!
As night fell and the guests headed upstairs, they were graced by a gorgeous modern cake from the likes of Vanilla Bake Shop, a husband and wife that I’d been dying to meet. Amy and Jeremy are just as infectious as their confections. And the cake was fabulous to boot!!
N & N had their “official” grand entrance upstairs after dinner, going straight into a personal, intimate first dance which I loved but got super sucky pictures of:
Though the above is a GEM to my heart!
I think they like each other!!
And lastly, a pictures of Nicola’s cool green kicks:
All in all, the night was SO fun and SO personal. Nicola was such a beautiful, beaming, and gracious host to her wedding. I loved watching her laugh and be sincere with her guests. I loved watching her schmooz up her husband and fall hopelessly for him. They’d been together 10 years I think word on the street was. So, it was ABOUT TIME! :) Either way, they are full of love and life, and were SUCH a pleasure to be with!
My favorite memory from the night: just before the cake cutting I got distracted for a moment and when I came back, they were standing at the cake, holding the knife upside down [meaning sharp side up, away from the cake] aiming for the top tier. After correcting them and giving them the rundown at the last moment, we had a good laugh about it! I truly love my couples!!
N & N- fabulousness oozes from you! I LOVED being a part of your day. I’m so glad you finally got to see your vision come to life. It was everything you could have asked for and more [well, from my eyes it was]. I loved that you two remained relaxed, in love, and focused on what weddings are supposed to be- a celebration of you two!!! xoxo!
