So You're EnGAYged, a LGBT wedding blog

Thanks to our pro-gay vendor Jennifer Williams for submitting this wedding via Two Bright Lights. It has such a classy but California feel to it.

We wanted to have an intimate Ceremony and a Reception that would be a night to remember! We chose the classic colors black and white so we could showcase the beautiful greenery inside and out of Wayfarers Glass Chapel as well as the ocean view off of the peninsula. The ceremony was set to a soundtrack of current and classic love songs that triggered the emotions of all our friends and family. The ceremony was short and sweet, and at times funny, as our ring bearer ran down the aisle with the ceramic plate we made for our rings (as opposed to the traditional pillow). It did however land safely in one of our best man’s hands as he got to the end of the aisle.

After the ceremony we opted for a toast, as opposed to a receiving line, and sent our guests over to the reception hall. We made our way over to the reception in a white vintage 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II. The cocktail hour featured music by John Legend, Adele, and Michael Buble. We set up the reception inspired by an upscale lounge. We set up lounge seating areas throughout the hall with white lounge furniture, white shag rugs, and white sheers hanging from the ceiling. White calla lilies, and candles helped set the mood. Our guests sipped on our signature cocktails…Hypnotic and Sprite was the clear winner! We did the traditional first dance, family/friends toasts, mother/son dances, and cake cutting.

Our favorite moment of the day was the time we spent together on the way from the ceremony to the reception. In the Rolls Royce we were served champagne, and the driver rolled out a red carpet when we entered and exited the car. It was nice talking about how wonderful the ceremony was and getting excited about the reception together.

It started with the music. We choose the songs together with our mothers and used songs that really described our relationship and feelings for one-another. We also incorporated our mothers into the candle lighting and presented them with white roses after we lit our unity candle. We included a very close friend of ours by having him read a scripture after the candle lighting ceremony. Just being able to have our ceremony at the beautiful “Glass Chapel”, Wayfarer’s, was very meaningful to the both of us.

Tips:

• For Tuxedo Rentals, ensure that you go with a business that carries In-Stock tuxes so you can try on the EXACT suit you will be wearing for the big day! Don’t trust their measurements and wait until the suits come in a few days before the wedding.
• When talking pricing with vendors you can always negotiate on things that don’t have a hard cost to them (for example: cake cutting fees, extra set up time…). Use this as leverage when deciding which vendor you will go with.
• Don’t forget to talk to your reception venue about the cooling/heating systems. A lot of people + a lot of candles = higher than normal temperatures…be prepared
• EXTRA Tip #4…let your guests know if you are going to be filming the event. That way they are aware of their faces during the ceremony! Lol

Our favorite design element was the lounge seating areas at the reception. We also had six big round tables towards the back of the hall for sit down eating, but we created several lounge style seating areas throughout the hall to promote mingling between our guests. We used several elements to create the feeling of an upscale lounge…White leather sofas and arm chairs, white coffee tables, white shag rugs, tall white paper lanterns, and LOTS of white calla lilies and candles to set the mood and create a CHIC sitting area. We also put tall cocktail tables throughout the hall for people to set their drinks on while chatting with other guests, and dancing.

Planner: Janine Martinez (janinemartinez97@yahoo.com)

Photographer: Jennifer Williams Photography

Ceremony Venue: Wayfarer’s Chapel

Reception Venue: Harbor Lights Masonic Center, San Pedro

Florists: Sharon Nelson & Yvonne Cason

Caterer: Café N Stuff

Car: Classic Limos

Dress/Suit/Accessories: Elite Tuxedo

Wedding Party dresses and Jewelry: S.Y.L.K. Century City

Furniture Rentals: Modern Chair Rental

Videography: 24kt Sound and Video

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