Alyssa & Nick | Claremont, CA

Featured on Carats & Cake.

When Alyssa and I first met to discuss her wedding, she told me that she envisioned the reception taking place under a canopy of lights, and wanted to incorporate oranges into the decor. She accomplished both of these and her wedding was a dream come true.

This Southern California wedding was also filled with pops of bright colors, so you'll see coral and bright pinks in the bouquets and the cake. Alyssa's dress featured the most stunning beading by Hayley Paige. She knew she wanted something unique and found it with this dress. We did their first look on Pomona campus, Nick's alma mater, and strolled the tree-lined streets for their portraits. 

The ceremony took place at Claremont Presbyterian Church. Her father engineered and built the floral hoop that hung in the church at the altar. One of the sweetest moments during the ceremony was when Alyssa started to tear up during their vows and Nick surprised her with a handkerchief he brought with him just for that purpose. He also surprised her with an early kiss during the ceremony! 

The reception took place under a canopy of cafe lights strung from the Grecian Columns of Bridges Hall of Music. Nick's mom's dog couldn't make it, so they named their signature cocktail after her, The Fizzy Izzy. 

During a trip they took to Europe together towards the beginning of their relationship, Alyssa bought a bottle of red wine, a Chateau du Tertre, Margaux, 2006. She held onto it with hopes of saving it for their (eventual) wedding day. They finally got to drink the wine they'd been holding onto for so many years. 

All of these details were so special, stunning and unique that it’s hard to pinpoint one as a favorite. When that’s how you feel walking away from a wedding, you know it was a good one.