Yesterday we showed you Cherise and Aaron’s amazing rehearsal dinner, and today we are delighted to bring you their breathtaking real wedding and reception. Not a detail went unnoticed in the exquisite wedding photography by Elizabeth Messina, and from the colors and decor to the cake and the dress, we are captivated by their romantic wedding!

The Goals: This timeless and elegant event was born from Cherise and Aaron’s desire to have a celebration that all their guests would enjoy, filled with music and food, and captured by an amazing photographer. With the help of wedding planner extraordinaire Lisa Vorce, of Oh, How Charming, their vision of a romantic and regal wedding was carried out with seamless perfection. Together they chose the private Hahn Estate in Montecito, California for their wedding reception, a spectacular backdrop for their big day with its acres of sprawling lawns and flowing fountains.

The Design: The entire design of the wedding stemmed from two main fashion inspirations from Cherise – a luxurious Lanvin handbag, and a cutting edge Chanel jewelry cuff. To bring the two looks together as a whole, classic elements like cozy white lounge vignettes, heirloom silver accents and vintage mercury glass accessories were combined with edgier items like soft nude python skins and a custom high-gloss charcoal dance floor. The color palette was made up of delicate, romantic tones of blush, ivory and charcoal, and the florals by Mindy Rice were picturesque bouquets of cream garden roses, open spray roses, tuberose and dusty rose succulents. Keeping with the soft look, candles were placed throughout the grounds in vintage cut glass hanging lanterns and mercury glass votives.

For their invitations from Papel Paper and Press, they chose a large, square ivory and charcoal card in a rich, heavy stock. A handmade pocket was placed on the back to hold the RSVP and reception detail cards, and a charcoal colored silk ribbon was tied across the top. The entire invitation was hand-calligraphed in a deep gray ink and placed in a custom faux python-lined envelope, creating a truly dazzling package!

Cherise and Aaron’s cake, by Vanilla Bake Shop, was a simply frosted in white, and accented with impressive sugar jewels that were inspired by the sparkling details on the bride’s gown.

The Look: Cherise’s bridal style was, as she says, “simply inspired by the things I love.” Her pale blush Vera Wang dress had a weightless quality that she adored, and it embodied the modern yet romantic look she wanted, with just a hint of the dramatic. Wearing her mother’s pearl rosary, vintage earrings from Paris, and her own Omelle shoes, Cherise looked every inch the ultra-stylish bride. Her one bridesmaid wore a sheer black ruffled Lanvin dress with nude straps and “Actress in Black” Omelle shoes with a copper heel.

The Moments: From Cherise: “when the doors to the church opened on our wedding day, all I could see was Aaron waiting to take my hand at the end of the aisle, ready to embark on our journey together as husband and wife. Our five-year relationship was a series of hellos and goodbyes, as I lived in New Orleans for two years and Los Angeles for three years of our courtship, and Aaron lived in Las Vegas. The fondest memory I have is after we were pronounced husband and wife, knowing we would never have to say goodbye and our vows were symbolic of a new life as one. I would forever be with the love of my life, my biggest supporter and my best friend for an eternity.”

The Details: After their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to The Moon”, Cherise’s father and his brothers performed an incredibly entertaining family tradition, singing “You Never Even Call Me by My Name” by David Allan Coe for the crowd. The guests enjoyed it so much, many have now downloaded it to their iPods! As the night wound to a close, everyone danced under the stars to a 10-piece band, and was served late-night snacks like Croque Monsieurs, coffee and doughnuts, and a Louisiana hometown favorite, “Dirty Chips.” Finally, the bride and groom retired to their romantic cottage at San Ysidro Ranch, after what was a simply perfect day.

Check out more of Cherise and Aaron’s big day with this gorgeous film from Living Cinema:

The Pros: To learn about all of the incredible team of wedding professionals who helped to make this wedding a reality, please visit our Real Weddings section, and stay tuned for Monday’s exciting giveaway from Cherise’s own fabulous shoe company, Omelle!

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing wedding with us Cherise and Aaron! What a truly gorgeous day!

If you’re planning your own wedding in Southern California or Seattle, don’t miss our trusted Plan Your Wedding Hotlist!