Here at Junebug, we’ve seen our fair share of stunning weddings. We feature beautiful celebrations every single day, so we may be a little bit biased when we say that it’s hard to choose our favorites–we love them all. That’s why, this year, we decided to turn to you! After looking at all of the real weddings that we’ve posted in 2023, we rounded up the ten that got the most love. From stunning elopements on the hills of Big Sur to colorful forest affairs, here are your favorite ten weddings of 2023!
Did you recently tie the knot or know someone who did who you think would make for a great real wedding feature? We want to see it! Submit your wedding here, and have a wonderful 2024!
Traditional weddings typically feature calm vibes, lush flowers, and a whole lot of white Well, not for Justine and Justin. They wanted something that celebrated their uniqueness. Imagine this: bold colors, thoughtful branding, lively tunes, sneakers, and a nod to the chicest creatures in nature—birds! Their upbeat Valentine DTLA wedding was a wild, colorful bash packed with dancing, music, and a whole lot of zest.
They exchanged their “I do’s” in a tropical paradise, with a vibrant geometric backdrop that beautifully framed their sweet vows. The reception that came next was all about low-key sophistication, with potted plants, origami cranes, and white lanterns dangling overhead. And the party? It turned into an all-night dance bonanza!
They sprinkled their special day with personal touches at every turn, and The Hendrys skillfully captured every incredible moment. If you’re on the hunt for unconventional inspiration for your own celebration, this is an experience you definitely don’t want to pass up.
Sneakers, Birds, and Personalized Planters: How Their Colorful Valentine DTLA Wedding Came To Be
If we were to spend our hard-earned money on a party, we would have a party that reflected us, not trends. Our color palette was inspired by tropical birds, pulling in gold, magenta, and forest green (the color of Justin’s suit) and royal blue (the color of my sapphire engagement ring and their wedding bands). Pulling it into context, we decorated the entire space with antique bird sculptures, hand-folded origami cranes, birds adorning the signage, feathers as lapel pins for the suits, and a looping video of birds in the wild during dinnertime (think Planet Earth kind of footage). Justin’s love for sneakers was well represented, with several shoe changes for the reception and personalized 3D printed Air Jordan 1 sneaker planters decorating the dinner space. Each of these custom-made planters by Visionary3D had our monogram of the Justice League and was given out as a prize for a photo scavenger hunt we held at the reception. We wanted to reduce waste as much as possible. As part of our decor, we chose potted plants that could have life after the day and permanent botanicals for the bouquets to keep the beautiful arrangements forever.
Turning Their Love Story into a Dance-Infused Wedding Preview
From the moment we sent out invitations, we set the tone with an invitation video that shared the story of our engagement at Joshua Tree that starts with a dance video, then extending that into a whole dance montage of us in DTLA with the backdrop of vibrant colors to the upbeat song of “The Weekend” by Mufasa, Hypeman, and Dopamine. We partnered with Eddie from Creators Lab, the premiere videographer of Latin dance festivals around the world, to help convey the vibe of our wedding in video. This was our way to set the stage for our guests that this would be a non-traditional wedding full of dancing, music, and vibrance.
A Personalized Throwback Ceremony Playlist
Throughout the ceremony, we opted for more upbeat songs to continue the promise of the vibe we previewed in our invitation. Starting with the pre-ceremony music, we kept a steady flow of mid-tempo R&B with our favorite songs from the 90s and 2000s (our golden era of music). Walking down the aisle, Justin, our families, and the wedding party (otherwise known as the Justice Squad) danced to “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone as if we were all Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy. Justine walked down the aisle to the more mellow but beautiful guitar-heavy song, “I Will Always Love U” by Benise. After all the laughter and silliness of the ceremony, we all walked back down the aisle to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire—a transition to the cocktail hour that followed right after.
Sharing the Rhythm of Their Love with Their Guests
As Latin dancers who both met dancing and continue to have a deep passion for it, we wanted to share that very joy with our guests through a Bachata dance lesson during cocktail hour, especially since much of that music will be playing throughout the reception. We could think of no better instructors for our day than Justin’s former dance directors from San Francisco, Bryon and Samantha of Inessence Dance Co., working with our DJ Peter of Arazia Events, who himself is also a Latin dancer, we set up a lesson during cocktail hour that would help our guests get comfortable with the dance floor. As Latin dancers ourselves, we couldn’t have our wedding without a first dance showcasing our experience in Bachata and Afro-Cuban movement, performing in front of our former teammates, directors, friends, and family.
Congratulations to Justine and Justin for pulling off a colorful Valentine DTLA wedding inspired by tropical birds. Big shoutout to The Hendrys for skillfully preserving every detail and capturing those unforgettable moments that made their celebration truly special.
Let this extraordinary event encourage you to break the mold, infuse your wedding with unique personal touches, and rely on trusted vendors to bring your vision to life. Your wedding day should mirror your journey together, creating a captivating experience for everyone who joins in the celebration.
Image by Alinea Pictures. Keep scrolling to see how Helzberg can help you find the perfect customized engagement ring
Are you ready to pop the question to the love of your life and want to make it extra special? Do the rings you see in jewelry stores not feel customized enough? We understand wanting a piece of jewelry as special as your relationship. That’s why customized engagement rings are the perfect option. A customized ring allows you to create a unique piece that perfectly reflects your partner’s style and personality.
There’s a lot to consider when creating a ring, though. From diamond types (lab-grown or natural?) to ring style (emerald cut or oval?), metal, and more, there are a lot of aspects to think about. That’s why we’re making it as easy as possible–and showing you why Helzberg is the perfect option for you.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Customized Engagement Ring
Diamond Types
Customization begins with the choice of the centerpiece: the diamond. Diamonds come in various types, each with its own unique characteristics. Understanding the 4Cs–cut, color, clarity, and carat weight–will help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and budget. However, Helzberg gives you a 5th C to consider–choice. With countless lab-grown and natural diamonds to choose from, you can make the right choice for you and your partner.
Ring Style
The style of the engagement ring sets the tone for its overall design. Whether you prefer a timeless solitaire, a glamorous halo setting, or a vintage-inspired design, the ring style is the number one way to show off your taste and personality. Popular options include:
Solitaire – A solitaire setting features a single diamond, allowing it to take center stage and shine.
Halo – A halo setting consists of a center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating a truly sparkling effect.
Vintage – Vintage-inspired rings showcase intricate details that they just don’t quite make anymore.
Three Stone – Three-stone rings symbolize the past, present, and future, representing a couple’s journey together.
Metal
The choice of metal adds another layer of customization to the ring. Common options include platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. Each metal has its own distinct qualities, from the durability of platinum to the warmth of rose gold. Consider your partner’s style and skin tone when selecting the metal.
Personalized Elements
Beyond the traditional aspects of an engagement ring, consider incorporating personalized elements that hold sentimental value. This could include engraving a special date, adding birthstones, or integrating unique design elements that represent shared interests or milestones in your relationship.
Pros of A Customized Engagement Ring
Unique design – A customized ring allows you to create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your partner’s individuality.
Symbolic meaning – Every aspect of the ring can be tailored to hold personal significance and symbolism.
Personalized experience – Designing a customized ring is a memorable and personal experience that can be shared with your partner (if you so choose, of course).
How Helzberg Can Help
Helzberg is all about making people feel loved, and they’re there to help guide you through finding just the right jewelry along the way. Not just any piece lives up to the Helzberg name. They go beyond industry standards for sourcing their products–from ethics to the stunning quality of their diamonds. They’re even members of the American Gem Society and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. That’s why the brand has opened over 175 stores throughout the United States.
With rings under $2,000 to entire pages dedicated to moissanite and lab-grown rings, Helzberg makes finding the perfect ring a piece of cake, which means you can spend more time planning out the proposal to surprise the love of your life and less time worrying about the ring.
Crafting the perfect customized engagement ring is a labor of love, resulting in a symbol of your unique connection. From selecting the right diamond and ring style to choosing the perfect metal and adding personalized elements, the process allows you to create a timeless piece that will be cherished for generations. To start creating the ring of your dreams, check out Helzberg’s custom engagement ring builder!
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