Loading...

Chic Four Seasons Los Angeles Wedding

July 6, 2022 | justine

After seven years of dating, building a thriving business together, and an elaborate surprise proposal, Gretchen and Megan finally tied the knot after having to postpone their wedding plans due to the pandemic. It was a long three-year wait for the pair, but it was definitely worth it. A classic black and white color palette with pops of gold, sleek decor, and two show-stopping outfit changes—the pair wanted a black-tie meets Met Gala aesthetic, and they absolutely nailed it! With the help of their planner Abby and Caroline Events, every moment of their Four Seasons Los Angeles wedding was unique to them and perfectly aligned with their vision. 

Tucked away in an exclusive landscaped area of the hotel under towering palm trees and the golden California sun, the pair exchanged heartfelt vows in a private garden ceremony. Lush florals behind the last row of chairs made a romantic first impression, while a minimal candle-lined aisle drew the eye straight to the white floral installation adorning the black arch. Kicking off their reception in an epic way, the couple was then escorted by the Aqualillies in gold leotards carrying black parasols. White florals, candles in glass cylinders, and gold flatware popped against black linen, giving a modern edge to their elegant reception. 

In addition to the stunning details, the brides’ stylish complementing attire stole the show. Gretchen’s two-piece ensemble was a work of art, while Megan’s plunge gown with a feather hem brought the old Hollywood glamour. The pair later changed into sparkly mini-dresses, perfect for their fun after-party. Every single element was unique and meaningful to the couple– from incorporating butterflies into their celebration to the late-night In-N-Out burgers. Scroll through these beautiful photos captured by John & Joseph Photography and learn more about their incredible wedding story. 

The Couple:

Gretchen and Megan

The Wedding:

Four Seasons Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

Why A Four Seasons Los Angeles Wedding

We have always had a special connection with our venue, and if you have ever been to a Four Seasons property, they always make you feel like you are family. We quite literally married the two. We wanted all our guests to feel the magic as well.

A Mishap With The Ceremony Altar

Our ceremony altar did not arrive until moments before our ceremony. It was placed on the wrong delivery truck that took it out to the Valley. If you know anything about traffic in LA on a Friday evening, it is truly a miracle the altar even arrived at our venue. Chelsea from Rolling Hills Flower Mart and her team decorated the altar minutes before our ceremony started. We had no idea at the time what was happening, which shows how professional her team is and how they can work under enormous pressure to complete a flower design.

Saying Their Vows To Each Other Was The Most Memorable Moment Of Their Wedding Day

The most memorable part of the day was saying my vows to Gretchen. I did a lot of prep for this moment and took my time to thoughtfully curate what ten years of our relationship have meant to me. I also loved hearing Gretchen’s vows. I loved that we wrote our own and put our own individual styles on them. It felt really special to read these out loud in front of our friends and family. 

Personalizing Their Ceremony By Putting Their Own Twist On Traditional Elements

To kick off the evening, we offered pre-ceremony champagne and Arnold Palmer’s to our guests as they arrived. We customized every aspect of our ceremony. We had one of our best friend’s officiate the wedding, Sheera Goren. She had us individually fill out a detailed questionnaire early in the wedding process, which she used to create her monologue and structure of the ceremony. We wanted the ceremony to have some traditional aspects but with our own twist. We had our friend and mentor Angela Manuel Davis deliver a blessing during the ceremony and wrote our own vows. We released 15 dozen live butterflies after we said I do. We love the symbolism of butterflies. We joke that my wife, Gretchen, is the butterfly whisperer because they seem to land on her daily. We loved how we incorporated them throughout the wedding story, from the butterfly stamps on our formal wedding invitations to our custom butterfly escort display wall. 

They Made Their Wedding Day 100% About Them And Their Love Story

Megan: I am most proud that we stayed 100% true to ourselves and us as a couple. We didn’t let any outside voices pressure us into doing things super traditionally, and I loved that we put our own twist on everything. Our wedding absolutely felt like Gretchen and Megan. 
Gretchen: I am most proud of how we integrated our personalities individually and together in the design and execution of our big day. It was a profound moment for me when all the elements came together, and we were actually getting married. It was so much fun and felt just as I imagined it would. 

Wedding Planning Advice: Don’t Worry About Following Tradition, Choose What’s Important For You And Your Partner

Gretchen: It is ok to do things your way. We were 100% true to ourselves and didn’t let anyone tell us how to feel about wedding planning. We also weren’t married to wedding trends. We brought back the sweetheart table because we didn’t want to sit with anyone else. Whatever you choose or don’t, do it for you and your partner.
Megan: Spend your money and your time in the places that will be the most impactful. We knew we would be there most of the time, so we wanted to make sure a lot of the experiences happened here.

Creative And Fun Ways They Entertained Their Guests

We surprised everyone with a performance by the Aqualillies after the ceremony. We were not the type of couple to do a full-on first dance, but we surprised everyone again when the Aqualillies escorted us into the ballroom for our grand entrance. We did a quick little twirl and invited all our guests to meet us on the dance floor. It was such a fun, unique activation to get the party started. We did a second entrance in our party dresses with bottle boys carrying Don Julio 1942 (Gretchen’s brother and our friend Kevin). To be extra over the top, we entered to non-heated firework sparklers and had a bar cart of tequila watermelon shooters brought out to guests on the dance floor. It was lit! 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – John & Joseph
Event Planning – Abby and Caroline Events
Venue + Catering – Four Seasons Los Angeles
Floral Design – Rolling Hills Flower Mart
Cake – The Butter End
DJ + MC –  Vox DJs
Live Music – De Bois Entertainment 
Performers – The Aqualilies
Videography – John & Joseph
Invitation Design – Emily J. Snyder
Hair & Makeup Artist – Trace Watkins
Wedding Attire – Naeem Khan + Toni Maticevski
Bridal Stylist –  The Bold & Bridal
Rings – Happy Jeweler
Rentals – Theoni Collection

 

Congratulations to Megan and Gretchen on their chic Four Seasons Los Angeles wedding. And big thanks to John & Joseph Photography for capturing the love and excitement on the happiest day of their lives.

One of the best things about an LGBTQ+ wedding like this one is that you can reinvent traditions so you can make your big day truly your own. From putting a modern spin to the ceremony or adding an element of surprise during the reception, your wedding should ultimately reflect your and your partner’s personality and relationship.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Intimate and Intentional Hurricane Ridge Wedding

July 4, 2022 | justine

When the pandemic hit, a lot of couples had to pivot and adjust their plans—but not Sarah and Justin. This couple wanted to tie the knot in 2021, and pushing through with their wedding wasn’t an easy decision to arrive at. Fully embracing their wedding journey despite the challenges, the couple pulled off an unforgettable and stunning celebration. Their Hurricane Ridge wedding is proof that all you need is an epic location, jaw-dropping views, and your closest loved ones to create the perfect wedding experience. 

On a cliff overlooking the ocean, the pair had the sweetest first look—what a beautiful way to start the day. After spending some alone time, the couple and their guests headed to Hurricane Ridge for their intimate ceremony. Surrounded by evergreen trees, misty fog, and mountains disappearing into the clouds, the couple exchanged vows against this magical backdrop with their loved ones and beloved dog as witness. Although their celebration was small, they put so much thought into every detail.

From the mobile drink bar and a neon sign to the stunning tablescape of muted floral clusters, rattan petal chargers, and gilded accents—the couple transformed their parents’ backyard into a cozy and whimsical reception venue. And in a picture-perfect moment to end their big day, the couple and their guests danced the night away under twinkling string lights. Everything about their wedding was intentional and full of love, and these gorgeous images by Northwest Focus Co. tell the full story of their special day.

Photographer and Junebug Member Northwest Focus Co.’s Insights On This Hurricane Ridge Wedding

Sarah and Justin thought of everything. When it came to the details, it was just flawless. They also had this reception at their family’s backyard and executed it so well that it looked like a full-on venue. I think it’s the perfect example of having an intimate wedding without skimping on anything you want. Even though it wasn’t a huge wedding, it felt very well done and showcased these two in the most stunning way.

The Couple:

Sarah and Justin

The Wedding:

Olympic National Park, Washington, United States

Family And Friends Made Their Celebration So Special

Having all our closest family and friends together made our day so special. Justin is from Tennessee, so much of his family flew up to celebrate with us. We had family and friends from all over the country—we felt so loved.

Advice From The Newlyweds: Enjoy Every Moment Of Your Big Day

It will go so quick and little things leading up to the big day might overwhelm you or stress you out, but what you have to remember is at the end of the day, regardless of if the linens are slightly off or it sprinkles rain, you get to marry your best friend and truly nothing else matters. Have fun, dance, eat, drink, and laugh! 

How The Couple Decided To Have Hurricane Ridge Wedding

We got engaged in February 2020, right before COVID hit. Our wedding planning was a little unique, as many couples experienced that year. We knew we wanted to get married in 2021 regardless of regulations or the number of guests who could attend. We looked at one venue and added all the costs—it wasn’t what we had envisioned. Scenery was super important to us, so we decided to get married on top of Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park with 38 of our closest family and friends. We then had our reception in my parents’ backyard in Sequim for 90 people. We wouldn’t have changed anything about it. It was so special to us.

A Meaningful And Thoughtful Gift From The Bride To Honor The Memory Of The Groom’s Mom

Justin’s mom passed away when he was really young. I knew I wanted to do something for the wedding to honor her and also respect him by not doing anything publicly to make him sad. He has always had a special connection to the stars. The night we got engaged, he saw a shooting star right afterward, and he told me he knew that was his mom’s way of blessing him. My gift to him was that I purchased and registered a star in his mom’s name.

Personal Touches They Added To Their Celebration

There were two things I knew I wanted—long dark wood farm tables and a pearl veil. We also had personalized napkins made with our dog on them!

DIY Seating Chart, Individual “Jarcuterie” And Thrifted Details

We DIY’d our seating chart and my aunts all made the “jarcuterie” for the wedding day. We also thrifted all the frames, candlesticks, and other decor.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Northwest Focus Co.
Event Planning – Floreātis Events
Ceremony Venue – Hurricane Ridge
Floral Design – Blushing Blooms Creative
Catering – Ulivo Pizzeria
Bar Cart – Hitched Mobile Bar
Cake – That Takes The Cake
Invitation Design – The Lettering Bee Co.
Makeup Artist – Kayla Kollection
Hair Styling – ChicStyles by Monique
Wedding Dress – Grace Loves Lace
Veil – BHLN
Bridesmaid Dresses – Show Me Your Mumu, Free People + Express
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rentals – Olympic Farm Style Tables + BB Tabletop Rentals

 

Congratulations to Sarah and Justin on their intimate and intentional Hurricane Ridge wedding. And big thanks to photographer Northwest Focus Co. for beautifully capturing all the precious moments wedding planning couples want to use as inspiration.  

Sarah and Justin’s wedding proves that nature is the most stunning backdrop. Whether you’re looking for coastal views, a desert oasis, or snow-capped mountains, get inspired by these breathtaking national parks.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

5 Winter Honeymoon Destinations

July 4, 2022 | kailey

Image by Jessica Amber. 

There’s no one size fits all honeymoon. And while many couples dream of a tropical getaway, this isn’t the case for all newlyweds. If sipping cocktails on the beach doesn’t appeal to you, trade the traditional seaside destination for a romantic winter wonderland. Think getting cozy under blankets, warming up by the fire, or hitting the slopes. No matter what’s packed into your itinerary, there are plenty of locations around the world that’ll warm you up to the idea of a winter honeymoon. 

If you’re ready to ditch the sun and the sea for a chilly, snow-filled getaway, these top winter honeymoon destinations are calling your name. 

1. Edinburgh, Scotland 

A honeymoon in the city or an idyllic countryside? Edinburgh, Scotland is the best of both worlds. You can soak up the rich culture, try authentic Scottish cuisine, and even taste test their famous local whiskeys in the town center. Add an extra bit of romance to your stroll down the cobbled streets by scheduling a tour of the historic Edinburgh Castle, followed by watching the sunset on Calton Hill. 

Just a short drive outside of the city, you’ll be met with some of the most picturesque highland towns, hikes, and natural waterfalls. It’s the perfect destination for adventurous couples looking to do it all.  

Image by Alex Mabrey.

2. Lucerne, Switzerland 

We’re giving Lucerne, Switzerland the “most romantic vacation destination” award—making it the perfect spot for honeymooners. Being one of the largest cities in Switzerland, it’s rich with culture, enchanting resorts, and of course, the Swiss Alps. 

From their towering snow-capped mountains to the crystal blue glacier waters, this colorful old town is ideal for nature-loving couples. You can take a cozy boat ride on Lake Lucerne, ride on the cog railway to the top of Mount Rigi, or casually stroll the city center, appreciating the medieval architecture. 

3. Breckenridge, Colorado, United States 

This historic mining town has quickly become one of the top ski towns in the United States. If you’re dreaming of a chilly getaway with a slower pace, trade Denver for Breckenridge—a small ski town that’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. 

With the highest snow totals and the highest operating chairlift in North America, Breckenridge Ski Resort is the spot for couples looking to hit the slopes. But, if skiing and snowboarding aren’t on your itinerary, you’re still in luck.  It has many alternatives that make this winter wonderland the perfect winter honeymoon destination. You can go shopping down the historic main street, rent snowmobiles, go dog-sledding, or even take an art course in their Art District. 

Image by Jessica Amber. 

4. South Lake Tahoe, California, United States 

With luxurious mountain resorts, crystal blue lakes, and a list of never-ending things to do, it goes without saying that Lake Tahoe is a prime honeymoon destination. Nestled on the border of California and Nevada, this winter getaway location has it all. 

Take a sailing cruise or a private boat charter on the crystal blue Lake Tahoe waters. If you’re looking to take your love to new heights, schedule a helicopter tour or hit the slopes for an all-day skiing adventure. For our ultimate outdoor-loving couples, take the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the Yosemite National Park or soak in one of their natural hot springs like the Grover Hot Springs. 

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

Northern lights, black-sand beaches, and natural glacier tours—sign us up for a wildly romantic honeymoon in Reykjavik, Iceland. With no shortage of things to do or see, this winter destination can be as opulent or as outdoorsy as you’d like. Take a dip in one of the 25 wonders of the world, the Blue Lagoon. You can also head south towards Reynisdrangar—one of the largest black sand beaches—or spend your time hunting down the Northern Lights. 

Image by Lauren Casino.

5. Banff, Canada 

Finding words that do the beauty of Banff, Canada justice is a tough task. Being the perfect blend of outdoorsy and relaxingly romantic, it’s the honeymoon destination. For those audacious explorers, check out Banff National Park. Surrounded by towering snowy mountains, the crystal blue waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake should also be added to your must-visit list. 

For couples that didn’t bother packing their hiking boots, spice things up with a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, schedule a spa day at the Willow Stream Spa, or take a gondola ride to experience 360 views of the Canadian Rockies. 

You’ve picked a location, now the real planning begins. Before creating your dream honeymoon itinerary, start by booking one of our favorite Airbnb honeymoon homes. Then, it’s time to get packing.

Image by Maya Lora Photo.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings
← Older Entries
Newer Entries →