We wrote about the fabulous wedding planner and designer Kristin Banta of Kristin Banta Events last week in preparation for her TV special on Bravo, The Ring Leader (did you see it? Did you love it as much as we did?) and today we’re excited to get to showcase one of Kristin’s signature over-the-top, ultra-luxe weddings. Couple Fontine and Stephen worked with Kristin and a team of fabulous wedding professionals to create a romantic, dark and super dramatic wedding look with a rich red and black wedding color palette, and to show you just how much attention to detail the Kristin Banta Events team puts into each and every event the produce, the following description of the wedding design is from Kristin herself, along with images from Miki & Sonja Photography…

Romantic, Dramatic, Dark and Sexy with a touch of Glam in hues of blood red and ebony. Guests valeted at the entrance of the Rolling Hills estate and were directed towards the expansive hillside bluff where they were met with butlers holding black trays of chilled Peach Bellinis in black and red crystal goblets. A shoe check awaited them offering black flip flops for those wanting to ditch their heels and check them in a drawer within a large black cabinet embellished with a black bird cages, urns and red floral accents. Guests entered through 2 large black bird cages flanked by black candelabras, all dripping in red and black amaranthus before wandering down a long natural aisle embellished with inspired décor including collections of black urns, candelabras, bird cages and parasols placed along the path as they made their way to their seats in black Chivari chairs in the round. The altar featured an ornate alter credenza styled with ruby and black florals, birdcages, fans and candles. A lively string quartet provided the musical accompaniment to the touching ceremony that followed.

Following the ceremony, guests walked from the field, down the driveway, and through the breezeway to the homes expansive back garden for cocktail hour. As they entered the space, they were met by butlers offering chilled martinis and lemon drops from black trays. Guest then had the opportunity to select their escort card hanging from torn black fabric tied on oversized black bird cages detailed with rich red florals and inspired décor. A unique selection of hors doeuvres were tray passed throughout the garden along with the specialty cocktails as guests wandered the lawn, visited the custom black ruffled u-shaped bar embellished with rich red florals spilling out of toppled over urns, socialized amongst cocktail rounds draped in deep red linens or relaxed on the striking black velvet lounge also boasting a variety of mercury glass candles and still life.

Following the cocktail reception, guests made their way to their seats amongst square and round tables adorned with luxe black rosette linens seated with black Chiavari chairs and embellished with low inspired mercury glass vessels overflowing with lush textured florals and an abundance of mercury glass hurricanes and votives. Place settings featured mercury glass chargers and a mix of red crystal glasses along with black napkins offering custom black menus calligraphed with each guests names in red ink. A central canopy over the black dance floor was bathed in a wash of rose-textured light serving as a focal point of the space, draped in black-red taffeta and including three overhead red crystal chandeliers illuminated with uplights all around. The bride and groom were seated at their own table also draped in the same luxe rosette linen but featuring upholstered black velvet chairs and benches for guests to join them throughout dinner. A decadent seated dinner reception began with passed artisan bread and custom butter selections along with a wedge salad followed by prime beef tenderloin and family style sides and sauces and table-side wine service. As the darkness fell, the rich ruby lighting became apparent shining up into the perimeter foliage and washing over the face of the nearby home and 180 degrees of lights twinkling from the nearby glow of the city.

Following the dinner service, guests were invited to the dance floor as the DJ spun the couples favorite jams. Pinkberry was available from a specialty station and the bar remained a destination for drinks and socializing. The couple enjoyed a cake cutting featuring a cake placed on an ornate table decorated with black ruffled fabric and lit with mercury votives and still life. The evening concluded with the bride and groom departing in a classic car from the motor court driven by the brides dad wearing an old school drivers cap.

The Wedding Team:

Design and Production: Kristin Banta Events
Photographer: Miki & Sonja Photography
Venue: Private Estate in Rolling Hills
Catering: Savore Catering
Décor and Florals: R. Jack Balthazar
Lighting: The Lighter Side
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals, El Segundo

Thank you for sharing your day with us Fontine and Stephen! And thank you to Kristin and the whole Kristin Banta Events team!