An opulent garden affair with dreamy florals and lush greenery, Olivia and Sam’s wedding at MacArthur Place, California was a celebration of timeless romance and personal elegance. The venue was transformed into a moody and intimate Italian Renaissance-inspired event, complete with rich textures, antique silver and gold accents, and softly glowing candelabras that casted romantic light. Surrounded by loved ones, they exchanged heartfelt vows beneath a custom arbor, with guests seated in a unique, runway-style arrangement that made the ceremony feel even more intimate. As twilight descended, guests gathered around a grand, candlelit table adorned with hydrangeas, amaranths, and grape arrangements for an enchanting reception. Olivia wore a breathtaking basque-waist Danielle Frankel gown and Sam’s custom black suit from Ferragamo reflected each of their own refined style. Here, every moment captured by our member, photographer Katie Gracen, preserving the memories of a day that felt both classic and uniquely their own.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We met in high school! Sam remembers meeting me years before we started dating—though I'm still searching for that particular memory! While we each recall our first meeting a bit differently, our first kiss was unforgettable. It was a brisk November evening, and I noticed a shooting star. I turned to Sam to see if he’d seen it, and before I could say anything, he leaned in and kissed me. We credit that shooting star with sealing our fate together.
The Proposal
Sam proposed on the cliffs overlooking our favorite beach in Malibu. It was perfect. We celebrated at my favorite oceanside restaurant as an added surprise.
The Engagement Ring
Sam designed my ring by combining the many inspiration photos I had sent him over the years. It is a beautiful solitaire radiant diamond set in yellow gold with double claw prongs.
Our Wedding
The Vision
Having an outdoor wedding was a huge priority for us, so I wanted to make sure we found a venue that would fit my aesthetic. I aimed to mix light and airy garden themes with details that were moody and reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance. Hydrangeas, amaranths, and grape arrangements were the main texture highlights, while accents of silver and gold hardware, dripping candlesticks, and uplighting lent to the moody elements.
Our Team of Vendors
Throughout the planning process, I worked very closely with each of our vendors, and I cannot say enough amazing things about all of them. Everyone went above and beyond any and all expectations. Personally curating the visuals and design of our day was the most exciting part of planning for me, so working with the talented people who brought it all to life was a very special experience. Having Katie and Gracen capture it all so perfectly on digital, film, VHS, and Super 8 was the cherry on top.
The Location
I always wanted to have a backyard wedding but quickly realized that executing my vision would be difficult at an actual home. MacArthur Place provided exactly what I was looking for—a home-like feel with the amenities of a venue. The stunning property is made up of several cottage structures, multiple lawns, gardens, and romantic fireplace nooks around every corner. It was such a special place for all of our friends and family to experience together.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was officiated by our mutual best friend on the main lawn of the property. We had runway-style seating leading to a beautiful arbor, where we placed a muslin backdrop that flowed into the aisle. A string quartet played some of our favorite songs while guests enjoyed pre-ceremony champagne. Our processional songs were beautiful string renditions of "Ocean Eyes," "To Build a Home," and "Young and Beautiful." Sam and I read our personal vows during the ceremony—we wanted our guests, who have all been a part of our 12-year relationship, to feel included in the biggest part of our love story. While our wedding was not religious, we included some elements of a traditional Jewish wedding, such as the stepping on the glass, as a meaningful way to tie in my background.
The Reception
After the ceremony, guests walked through the property to the front lawn, where our quartet continued playing. Cocktail hour is always one of my favorite parts of weddings—the energy is so high, and everyone is overjoyed—so Sam and I made sure to arrange the timeline so we could be there for the full hour. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, our ceremony space was transformed into our dream dinner reception. We had all our guests seated at one long table that stretched the entire length of the lawn, with Sam and me in the center.
The table was my favorite design element of the wedding. The florals were richly textured and dimensional while alternating silver and gold candelabras lined the center. We tried lighting the candelabras, but a light summer breeze kept blowing them out. Then, just as the sun was setting, the wind stopped, and our guests began lighting the candles with our custom matches, creating the most magical ambiance.
Dinner was exactly as I’d imagined—candlelit, with wine and cocktails overflowing and fun, upbeat music playing in the background. After speeches and cake, we made our way to the Coach House, where our DJ played our favorite songs and the dance floor stayed packed all night.
The Special Touches
We included many personalized touches throughout the weekend. Some of our favorites were the shooting star emblem on our invitations and day-of stationery, as well as our custom hats that read “From Sonoma with Love.” One of my favorite design elements of the day was the angled, runway-style seating at our ceremony. When we looked up during the ceremony, we could see every single one of our friends and family, and they could all see each other. It was an effortless way to add some creativity to the space.
Our Favorite Moment
Our ceremony was a surreal experience. From our best friend officiating, to listening to each other’s vows, and Sam’s perfect aisle dip, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. A bonus favorite moment was our dance party that carried over to the local bar—we danced so much that we woke up feeling like we had run a marathon.
The little moments that you don’t plan for are what make everything even more special. On our first night in Sonoma, after our family dinner, a group of friends who had arrived before the official events began gathered around a fire pit, drank wine, and made s’mores. I remember beaming with overwhelming joy in that moment, and the anticipation of what was to come was so exciting. Everyone spent a lot of casual time by the pool before and after the weekend events, and those moments were extra sweet.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I wore an elongated basque-waist Danielle Frankel gown, made of wool silk. It was the very first wedding gown I tried on. I paired it with a dramatic Danielle Frankel tulle blusher veil and ivory Jimmy Choo satin mules. You only wear your wedding gown once, and when I found mine, I was certain I wanted to leave it on as long as possible. I chose not to change into a second look and instead had bustles sewn under the dress to ensure it would stay secure for dancing all night long!
The Groom Looks
Sam wore a custom black suit paired with black Ferragamo loafers.
Our Bridesmaid’s & Groomsmen's Looks
Texture was an important theme, so I wanted the bridesmaids' dresses to contribute to that. I sent them all individual vision boards and had them pick out their own dresses. They wore pleats, prints, and sequins in various colors and brands, and all looked absolutely beautiful.
The groomsmen all wore black suits and their choice of black loafers.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Planning a wedding can be very overwhelming. When you need a break from the stressful or logistical parts of planning, prioritize the exciting aspects as a little “break.” It’s a great way to stay productive and on track without getting burnt out. For me, that was designing the event and guest experience details.
For On The Day
The moment the weekend starts, remember that you are the guests of honor, not the hosts! Hire a coordinator or planner you trust, someone who knows every detail as well as you do! Leave it all to them and enjoy every single second.
For Post-Wedding
Hosting a brunch the morning after the wedding was an amazing way to wrap up our weekend with guests. If you have the opportunity, stay on-site for an extra day or two before heading to your honeymoon or back home. It was a dreamlike experience to walk through the grounds after everyone was gone. Having those extra nights to ourselves, in the space where the most incredible weekend of our lives had just taken place, was really special.
Vendors
Photography & Videography: Katie Gracen
Wedding Coordinator: Alyssa Bray Events
Venue: MacArthur Place
Florist: Vanda Floral Design
Stationery: Aardvark Letterpress
Cake: Flour and Bloom Cakes
Catering: MacArthur Place
Music: That's The DJ / Trio Maxim
Hair: Ritual Salons
Makeup: Bella Glow Beauty Studio
Style
Bridal Dress: Danielle Frankel
Bridal Boutique: Loho Bride
Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Wedding Ring: 428 Metal
Groom: Ferragamo
Bridesmaids: L'idée, Aisha Rao
