Old Hollywood Inspired Persian Wedding at the Bel Air Bay Club by Alchemy Fine Events
A Glamorous and Exotic Bel Air Bay Club Persian Wedding in the Pacific Palisades - Part 1 The Ceremony
When I first met Jessica and Ilya, I knew this wedding was going to be absolutely fantastic. Not only are they truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, but they also had a great vision for their wedding. They wanted to play off of their heritage and religion to create an event defining who they are as a couple, so we got to work designing a marvelous wedding with Persian and Jewish influences with a flair of Old Hollywood glamour.
We recently posted Jessica and Ilya’s rehearsal dinner on Alchemy Blog which was also featured on Martha Stewart’s Bride Guide!
This wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty seen here!
Jessica and Ilya’s day started off with a traditional Jewish ceremony on the striking property of the Bel Air Bay Club, which boasts a breathtaking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. With so much natural beauty present, we wanted to keep it simple by creating one magnificent statement piece - a vibrant bougainvillea chuppah. Krista John brought this vision to life better than we imagined. The eye-catching pink and orange blooms were absolutely stunning and created a cheerful ambiance for this special day.
Playing off of Jessica and Ilya’s heritage, we used Persian, Spanish and art nouveau influences to create a colorful invitation suite with fun patterns.
To give the groomsmen some level of customization, we worked with Jill Courtemanche to design custom printed yarmulkes, as well as select bow ties and pocket squares in all shades of blue to complement the bridesmaids dresses.
As a joke to one of the groomsmen starting to thin out up top, Ilya had a yarmulke created with a faux pony tail! I loved his sense of humor.
One we thing we loved most about Jessica and Ilya was how evident their love was for each other. Your heart will melt when you see the photos Luna Photo captured of the tender and sweet moments these two shared.
Our dapper groomsmen and groom with their custom Jill Courtemanche bowties and pocket squares for pops of color alongside their vibrant boutonnieres.
The bridesmaids were stunning in their array of blue mismatched Amsale gowns, which served as a beautiful contrast to their pink, exotic bouquets by Krista Jon.
Guests were greeted by a classic old hollywood inspired champagne tower and an ombre fade of blue macarons for a quick bite, hinting at the fun festivities to follow.
This intricate laser cut ketubah was gorgeous!
Five darling flower girls wearing custom designed tutu inspired dresses prepared the way for Jessica by spreading vibrant petals from their shining gold baskets.
How adorable is this little munchkin?!
The bride’s fuchsia and pink peony bouquet was gorgeous… and smelled heavenly.
How fun! This bridesmaid matched her nails to her dress.
What a picture perfect shot!
Stay tuned for a follow-up post sharing photos of the festive reception that followed.
Planning, Design & Stationery: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Photography: Luna Photo
Floral Design: Krista Jon
Wedding Venue: Bel Air Bay Club
Lighting: AV Event Design
Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
Wedding Dress: Lea Ann Belter Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale
Beauty: Fiore Beauty
Yarmulkes, Bow Ties & Pocket Squares: Jill Courtemanche
Home Decoration & Colorization to Celebration: Emerald Green Event Inspiration
Barnaba Fornasetti’s Milan Apartment: Emerald Green Color Inspiration
I have always had a fascination with designers who create with the ability to take push the realms of their creativity and execute whats exactly in their minds. This is how I feel about Fornasetti and his childlike introspective design direction combing illustrations of doll-like architecture, Victorian faces and Rubenesque forms. Recently featured in Elle Decor, Barnana Fornasetti’s Milan apartment inspires me from such a deep and slightly twisted and dark place it urges me to create Dali-esque settings in which to dine and celebrate in. With big, bold splashes of a rich emerald green (the new black!) as the palette to build upon, Fornasetti infuses elements of classical, modern and trompe l’oeil designs to create a one of kind environment only visible in the depths of his fantastic mind.
With desirous inspirations from Fornasetti’s home fresh in mind, I wanted to illustrate how I would interpret his genius into my designs for a striking and yet slightly studious atmosphere where I imagine guests would sip on St. Germaine cocktails, nibble on caviar and debate modern art while listening to house remixes of Cole Porter.
Form Decor rental furniture, rug & accessories, HER chair by Casamania, plates by Fornasetti, invitation by Alchemy Fine Events, turquoise napkin ring by Sur la Table.
The emerald green matte wall makes for the perfect palette to build upon with copper, gold and black mirrors and accessories.
Provencal Parfumerie Wine Country Wedding in Paso Robles
A Wine Country Wedding at Hammersky Vineyards in Paso Robles
We are so excited to finally show you a wine country wedding we designed last fall at the beautiful and intimate Hammersky Vineyards. This beautiful setting was the perfect backdrop for Lauren and Mike’s Provencal parfumerie inspired wedding. With impeccable taste, Lauren and I worked on so many exciting custom designs including waterjet cut copper pieces, custom linens and pillows and many more.
There are so many delicious details and gorgeous photography captured by the talented Lindsey Hahn that we still can’t share them all even with this ultra long post! Please see more details and photos on our features on Style Me Pretty and Style Unveiled!
Lauren’s stunning Lela Rose gown and lacey Louboutin’s.
Lauren from Adornments created one of the most beautiful bouquets I had the pleasure to lay my eyes on! This stunning piece featured a variety of roses, blooms and wild greenery for a textural effect.
Guests were greeted at the ceremony via a custom waterjet cut sign we created and glasses of lemonade and lavender cookies to tie them over until cocktail hour, the perfect welcome to a wine country wedding in Paso Robles!
To decorate the vintage church pews used for guest seating we featured bouquets of red roses tied with vintage lace and custom designed toile pillows we designed with Nena Von.
Guests lovingly tossed wildflower seeds at the couple after they said their sweet I do’s.
For the cocktail hour we presented a fun cheese table served on vintage copper dishes and paired each cheese with unique pairings such as stout beer.
In lieu of traditional tags, we featured etched spoons for cheese markers.
For thoughtful guest gift I designed custom labels to go around Lavender and Verbena French soaps by Mistral and passed them out with jars of golden honeycomb.
For a fun start to the day, guests were picked up from their hotels on the Central Coast Trolley, the perfect start for a wine country wedding.
During the cocktail hour we let guests create their own potpourri sachets by blending their favorite dried flowers and then asked guests to write out their well wished onto squares of fabric later to be made into a quilt.
For a very Provencal style table design we started with long wooden farm tables and layered on our custom designed black toile table runners. From there we presented lush and wild arrangements in vintage French teapots and pitchers Lauren scoured far and wide to find.
For a unique take on the traditional menu I created a letterpressed and laser cut menu and then bolted them onto cut sheets of copper we had made.
For a fun twist on the standard bar we created another fun waterjet cut copper piece to hang behind a vintage armoire. To keep in line with our French country perfumerie inspiration we hung racks of dried flowers from the signage and backlit it for a warm glow in the evening.
To create a unique photo opp backdrop we designed a very Victorian inspired cameo design with Mike and Lauren’s initials and framed it in toile curtains for guests to pose in front of.
For a French country style dessert bar we had Two Little Birds Bakery whip up some delicious pies, cookies and pomegranate panna cottas we presented in vintage cut crystal glasses.
To keep guests cozy in the brisk valley air we offered spiked white hot chocolate served in cups wrapped in custom designed toile print we create fro the couple.
Event Design & Planning by Alchemy Fine Events
Photography by Lindsey Hahn
Flowers by Adornments
Catering by Trumpet Vine
Venue Hammersky Vineyards
Vintage Furniture Rentals by Found and Marigold
Cake & Desserts by Two Little Birds Bakery
Bride’s Gown by Lela Rose
Inspiration to Collaboration: Alchemy Fine Events partners with Ibiza Solutions on the White Island of Ibiza
Alchemy Fine Events partners with Ibiza Solutions to create destination weddings & special events!
As I’m sure most of you know from reading my blog and following my work, I love to travel and design abroad! From Southern California, California Wine Countries, New York, Miami, Italy and beyond… I am inspired by my travels and love to marry my passion for culture, food and design together to create memorable and unique celebrations that are culminations of all of my inspirations and experiences. Design is a language that knows no borders and can speak to people internationally.
With this being said, and with an incredible amount of pride and honor I am so excited to formally announce the partnership between myself, Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations, and the premier luxury travel concierge of Ibiza, Spain, Paloma Bonder of Ibiza Solutions. Not only featured in Ibiza itself, Ibiza Solutions also works with clientele on the neighboring island of Formentera, Barcelona and in the United Arab Emirates. Starting December 15th, Ibiza solutions is also proud to begin offering 30 luxury properties on the gorgeous Spanish island of Mallorca.
With an A-List celebrity and internationally recognized client list, Ibiza Solutions has an impeccable reputation with jettsetters worldwide. In addition to client relationships Ibiza Solutions represents clientele from The Blue Marlin, American Express centurion and platinum members and has close relationships with Moet & Chandon and Ciroc Vodka.
With this exiting new collaboration between Alchemy Fine Events and Ibiza Solutions, we look forward to creating one-of-a-kind weddings and events for exigent clientele internationally. Bringing an elevated level of detail and design to some of the most beautifully designed and architecturally celebrated venues and villas.
Read about Paloma’s interview announcing our collaboration in the September issue of Blue Marlin Ibiza Magazine below!
Known mostly for their night-life here in the states, I perceived Ibiza as a natural and serene haven outside of the well known Ibiza town. Similar to Santorini, Greece in climate and beauty, yet the soul, food and passion of the Spaniards we all love and adore. Ibiza is actually becoming one of the most popular destination wedding locations throughout Europe which makes it a wonderfully exciting location to combine with my passion for design and travel.
During my visit to the white island I toured some of the most spectacular venues and private villas! Here were some of my Instagram photos below! Follow me on Instagram @alchemyeventsvw
From renting your own private island, to staying at a secluded eco lodge, to being perched in a modern villa overlooking your own private cove, the style and budget options are endless.
We look forward to bringing you more gorgeous eye candy from these unforgettable locations in the near future! The high wedding season for Ibiza and neighboring islands is May, June, July and September so contact us now to reserve your dates and explore exciting locales.
