Sheer Romance Wedding at Carondelet House
Carondelet House, you never disappoint. Brandi Welles Photographer and The Poppy Studio recently worked together on Sabrina and Lino’s wedding day, bringing us some incredibly beautiful images and floral design in the process. One of our favorite details? Take a look at the reception centerpieces, and you just may find a hint or two of fresh fruit peeking out!
From the bride, Sabrina: Our ceremony took place on a beautiful, sunny afternoon at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in downtown LA. Its grandiose presence set the stage for the day. Built in the 1920’s, it’s romanesque architecture was reminiscent of the churches I frequented on family trips to Italy. After the ceremony, we proceeded to our reception in true vintage Italian style as we drove away in a 1959 mint green Fiat convertible. The ride from the church to the reception was truly our favorite moment of the day. With the warm of the autumn breeze surrounded by feelings of pure love and excitement, the day couldn’t have seemed more perfect.
The reception dinning area had two large family style tables surrounded by round tables filled with lush floral arrangements created by the Poopy Studio, which included shades of beige, brown, green foliage, along with apples and oranges. Before the wedding I scoured flea markets for weeks in search of unique vintage decor such as vintage pink and milk glass vases. Tre LA completed the look with vinage glassware used during dinner. After dinner, guest were let loose to the dance floor and to munch on homemade Italian biscotti, not to mention the wedding cake. Lino and I joined in the fun after I slipped into my hanbok, a tradition Korean dress to pay homage to his culture. As we danced the night away, surrounded by our Korean-Italian families and friends, we knew that very moment the magic of the day would be ours forever.
I’m not quite sure we had a true theme, but we really wanted to integrate both of our cultures into the day. Lino’s mother and family members wear classic Korean hanboks (traditional dress). I walked down the asile to my favorite Italian composer Enio Morraconni. We left the church with style in a 1959 Fiat 500. We had an Italian Biscotti bar for dessert made by all the wonderful Italian women in my life, and I danced the night away in a hanbok to pay homage to Lino’s culture. The color scheme we used was beige, blush, and gold. I DIYed as many projects as I could and I loved every minute of it. It added just the perfect touch of personal detail to the day. I made the moss initials that hung on the metal gates at the entrance of the reception. I made our seating chart using a $20 frame, ribbon and tags. I made a lovely framed heart art out of twine that was placed on our gift table. I found an old vintage tackle box and placed doilies inside for a unique card box. I rummaged through flea markets for months in search of an old typewriter, vintage pink glass vases, and for old frames to use for our parents and grandparents wedding photos. I printed all of our menus, seating chart and ceremony programs.
Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Don’t let too many people influence your decisions regarding the planning process. Everyone as an opinion about something. Remember, the day is about you two. If you want to invite 50 people as oppose to 150, stick with it and stand your ground. In the end, this day is a reflection of your love and personalities. The day flies by, and everyone will tell you that. Try to sit back and take in a few specials moments of the day, and preserve those feels and moments deep within your heart. For us, that moment was the 10 minute car ride from the church to the reception. We had the top down in our adorable 1959 mint green Fiat. With the warmth of the autumn day and breeze upon us in the back seat, that was our moment to take a deep breath, hold each others hand and savor the feelings of pure elation.
Wedding Music:
Processional: “Tema d’amore per Nata,” Ennio Morricone (I wanted to walk down the aisle to a song that reminded me of my dad who passed away many years ago. My father was Italian, and I picked the a song I knew reminded me of him each time I heard it. My mother walked me down the aisle, but I knew my father was there right alongside me.)
Recessional: “All You Need is Love,” The Beatles
First Dance: “Something,” The Beatles
Uncle/Niece Dance: “Caruso,” Andrea Bocelli
Mother/Son Dance: “The Way You Look Tonight,” Frank Sinatra
What a stunning wedding! The cake looks almost too pretty to eat!