WEDDING BLOG

There were iced coffees and matcha before the ceremony, popcorn for guests to snack on while they waited, and a tattoo artist whose line barely slowed down all night. By the end of the reception, 17 guests had gone home with permanent souvenirs, while more than 60 others had tried to get one before time ran out. It was exactly the kind of celebration Mackenzie and Chris hoped to host at Valentine DTLA—one where every detail gave people another reason to have fun.

After matching on Hinge in 2018 and leaving the conversation untouched for months, the couple finally connected when Mackenzie sent a simple, “How was your weekend?” Their first date at a Hollywood dive bar led to years of snowboarding trips, music festivals, adopting their dog Sammie, and eventually a surprise proposal beneath LACMA’s Urban Lights. When it came time to plan their wedding, they skipped anything that felt overly formal and focused instead on creating a party that reflected the things they genuinely love.

What We Love About This Valentine DTLA  Wedding

• A tattoo station where 17 guests got inked before the night was over
• Popcorn and specialty coffee served before the ceremony
• DIY gummy bear programs inspired by Chris’ favorite Albanese candy
• A blue Rue De Seine gown paired with a matching blue veil
• Personalized sunglasses, matchbooks, swizzle sticks, and hand-drawn place cards
• A private vow exchange before the ceremony so they could spend the rest of the evening with guests

Featured Vendor:
Velvet Alchemy Photos

Turning Everyday Favorites Into Wedding Details

As a graphic designer, Mackenzie naturally took on nearly every design project herself. Save the dates, invitations, programs, menus, seating charts, welcome signs, bar signage, and place cards all came from her own computer.

The details reflected both of their personalities. Chris rarely goes anywhere without sunglasses, so every guest received custom vinyl stickers for theirs. His favorite snack also became part of the wedding branding, with gummy bear-shaped ceremony programs inspired by Albanese candy. Guests even found hand-lettered boxes of gummy bears waiting at their seats.

Mackenzie’s favorite snack got its own moment too. A popcorn machine greeted guests before the ceremony, while a local coffee company served iced coffee and matcha to help everyone settle in before taking their seats.

Reading Their Vows Before Anyone Else Arrived

Before the ceremony began, Mackenzie and Chris slipped away into the bridal suite for a quiet moment together. “The most special moment of the day was when Chris and I went into the bridal suite alone 15 minutes before the ceremony and read our vows to each other privately. That is my most vivid memory of the day.”

Reading their vows beforehand meant they could spend the ceremony focused on the moment instead of worrying about what they still had to say. Their aunt officiated, while carefully chosen music made the ceremony feel unmistakably theirs. Chris and the wedding party entered to “Sparks” by Coldplay, Mackenzie walked down the aisle with both of her parents to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s “Next to Me,” and together they exited to Fred again..’s “Adore You.”

Finding A Wedding Venue That Already Matched Their Style

The search for a venue ended almost as soon as Mackenzie and Chris toured Valentine DTLA. Just a mile from their apartment, the lush greenhouse-inspired space already matched the atmosphere they had in mind, so there was little reason to compete with it.

“We toured the incredible space and immediately fell in love with the tropical design,” Mackenzie shared. “We didn’t need to add any extra elements to the space and went off the colors of the venue for our invites and wedding website.”

Instead of filling the venue with extra decor, they focused on smaller additions that guests would actually interact with, including a disco ball chandelier, personalized matchbooks, custom swizzle sticks, bathroom baskets stocked with essentials, and lighting that shifted the mood once dancing began.

Hiring People They Already Knew And Trusted

Many of the vendors came through recommendations from the venue, but whenever possible, Mackenzie and Chris hired people they already knew.

Their longtime hairstylist handled both hair and makeup. A neighbor created the floral arrangements. The tattoo artist was someone they had met years earlier. Even the coffee caterers were sisters Mackenzie first discovered at a farmers market.

Rather than searching endlessly for every vendor, they spent that energy on the personal touches that mattered most to them.

A Wedding That Worked For Guests Too

The biggest priority wasn’t elaborate decor or luxury upgrades. They simply wanted everyone to have a great time.

That meant investing in things guests would actually use. Wood-fired pizza replaced a formal plated dinner, with plenty of gluten-free options for roughly 20 guests with celiac disease. They hired a babysitting service so parents could enjoy the reception while still checking on their children nearby. They also arranged shuttle transportation between the hotel and Valentine DTLA, making it easier for out-of-town guests to get around downtown Los Angeles.

They found other places to save instead. Mackenzie handled the wedding branding herself, and instead of ordering an elaborate wedding cake, they served Costco cakes and cookies alongside a smaller cake for themselves.

Breaking Tradition With A Blue Wedding Dress

Mackenzie always pictured herself wearing Rue De Seine, but she wasn’t expecting to choose a blue dress. After trying on both colorways, the blue Angeline gown quickly became the favorite, especially paired with its matching blue veil. “I loved that it was different and was obsessed with the pop of color. It also helped that it was so comfortable.”

Chris rented a blue tuxedo with black lapels, while family members simply wore dark blue rather than matching outfits. Mackenzie also rented many of her other wedding weekend looks through Nuuly instead of purchasing clothes she knew she’d only wear once.

One of the sweetest details came from her seamstress, who used leftover fabric from Mackenzie’s dress to create Chris’ pocket square and a tiny purse for their flower girl.

The Tattoo Artist Quickly Became The Most Popular Guest

Cocktail hour took place in the neighboring Grass Room while the team flipped Valentine DTLA for dinner. Guests loved discovering one new room after another, joking that the venue felt like a maze with hidden spaces waiting behind each door. Once the reception began, Hi Def kept the dance floor moving while Chris’ slideshow played during dinner. 

But the biggest surprise came outside. Neither Mackenzie nor Chris expected the tattoo station to become the night’s main attraction. “We didn’t realize how much of a hit the tattoo artist was going to be. We wished we’d hired four tattoo artists.” Seventeen guests left with fresh tattoos, and dozens more never made it to the chair before the evening ended.

One Practical Tip To Remember

The wedding itself unfolded with very few issues, thanks to family members quietly handling small hiccups behind the scenes. Looking back, Mackenzie only wishes someone had been assigned to gather a few sentimental belongings before the venue was cleaned up.

Her bouquet, which included a pendant honoring her late grandmother, was accidentally thrown away along with a custom hanger.

“If couples want specific things at the end of the night, assign a close family member or friend to account for personal items you want to make it back with you.”