My best friend of 22 years said "I do" to the love of her life on March 27, their seven-year anniversary, at the breathtakingly beautiful Malibu West Beach Club, and I was so blessed to stand beside her as her maid of honor. It was a perfect, warm, sunshine-filled Southern California day and the sparkling Pacific and clear blue skies made for a gorgeous backdrop during the outdoor ceremony, held on a patio overlooking the beach. Marielle stunned in her Maggie Sottero fit-and-flare gown, with sweetheart bodice and intricate rosette detailing in the skirt, while the bridesmaids donned vibrant blue chiffon frocks with ruffled necklines. A close friend officiated the nuptials, and Marielle and JP shared sweet and funny personal vows they wrote for each other. (I had the privilege of looking them over before the big day!) Once they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs., the wedding party kicked off their shoes and headed down to the sand for pictures while the rest of the guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio. A nod to JP's love of football, the newlyweds made their grand entrance into the reception by breaking through a paper sign and strutting to the NFL theme song! They then went right into their first dance, swaying and spinning 'round to John Legend's soulful ballad "All of Me." The reception was held inside the beach club, and Marielle's vision of a cobalt blue and yellow wedding, with chevron table overlays (hand-sewn by the mother of the bride) and touches of glitter and gold, came together even better than I could have imagined. No seashells or nautical kitsch here; the look was bright, fun, graphic and modern. A chic beachside wedding. After dinner was served (the 105 guests noshed on beef short ribs, bruschetta salmon or butternut squash risotto), the best man and I gave our speeches (eek!), and then the dance party began. In addition to cake, a dessert table/snack bar (another nod to the sports-obsessed groom) offered up cookies, cupcakes, brownie bites, jam bars, gourmet popcorn and pretzels to fuel wedding revelers, while the flowing wine and beer fueled hilarious takes in the ever-popular photo booth. In addition to their photo strips, guests took home custom etched pint glasses inscribed with the bride and groom's names and wedding date. A lot of love, sweat, glitter and spray paint went into crafting a dream day—a day seven years in the making—and it truly was the best day ever for Marielle and JP. There's nothing more I could wish for my best friend.
These photos were borrowed from the Instagram accounts of some of the couple's vendors: Matrimony Films, Nick Belohlavy Photography, and makeup artist/hair stylist Melissa Beck-Swarberg. I can't wait to see the professional photographs once they come in! Until then, I present my quick snaps from the rehearsal and wedding day, after the jump...
:: Rehearsal Day ::
:: The Wedding Day ::
P.S. More posts about my best friend's wedding here, including a look at Marielle and JP's Santa Monica engagement session, the bridal shower invitations and sneak peek party photos (more coming soon!), the wedding invitation suite and the lettering and calligraphy projects I completed for the big day.
No Comments Yet, Leave Yours!