Every wedding vendor team is created a little differently. In this series we explore how and why each couple selected the right wedding vendor team for their wedding day.
Arta and Dylan live in Los Angeles and love the beauty and great weather the Golden State offers. So it was only fitting that they got engaged at a nearby oceanfront resort, and a month later began dreaming up a wedding day in Malibu.
With their eyes set on an estate wedding, they soon set a date for August of 2020. But as the pandemic continued, they felt it necessary to postpone to the following April—which happened to be the fifth anniversary of their first date. In between moving the wedding date, they found out that their original venue could no longer host their nuptials. But because they had the help of an experienced wedding planner in Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events from the start, they were able to navigate that major change without too much trouble.
Although their original venue fell through, they were able to find a private estate that turned out to be an amazing option as it lent itself very well to the intimate nature of the celebration, with just their immediate families and a few close friends in attendance. Not to mention, the property’s sweeping views are a spectacular draw.
From the get go, Natalie worked to ascertain what the couple envisioned for their big day, so she could propose vendors who would fulfill their specific wants and needs. And thankfully, the team she suggested were not only a great fit, but flexible with the reschedule and venue change. All of the vendors ended up being available for the rescheduled date, and on board with the relocation.
Because Natalie feels that music is the key to an amazing party, and since a good DJ books up fast, she proposed two of her favorites to the couple early in their planning. They loved Let’s Party LA in particular, who were the next to join the vendor team. The added bonus of the venue change was that music could now go until 11pm, unlike the previous estate where the end time was 9pm.
One of the couple’s top priorities was their wedding photographer, so that was the next order of business. Natalie had someone in mind who could capture the celebration in the style Arta and Dylan loved: Jessia Grazia Mangia of Jessica Mangia Photography.
“When we imagined what our dream wedding would be like, we wanted a day full of celebration, happiness, love, and memories we would remember forever. We knew Jessica would be able to capture the magical moments.” —Arta, bride
Another important move came next: selecting a floral designer who could execute the couple’s romantic and whimsical vision. Peony & Plum used flowers in a range of warm whites and muted pinks for everything from the bouquets, to the wedding cake, to the centerpieces on the tables, and ceremony decor, which was kept low to maximize the epic views.
“Arta and I met with Peony & Plum once we changed venues to discuss the new floorplan and what was possible. We chose romantic white florals mixed with gold accents and the Louis chairs added to the romantic look that was always the vision for Arta and Dylan. Everything was hand-picked for the look they wanted to create.” —Natalie Sofer, planner
Next, the couple opted to have Shutter and Sound Films capture their day in motion from their emotional first look and heartfelt ceremony to their first dance and cake-cutting.
While a DJ had been secured for the reception, live musicians were still needed to play during the ceremony and cocktail hour. That’s when Ocdamia Music Group came on board.
Because Silver Service Events had worked at the first wedding venue, they were pitched to the couple as a caterer. And although they hadn’t worked at this location before, they still executed a wonderful reception. Plus, it’s not just about familiarity with a space when it comes to hiring a caterer—making the menu your own is also important. Since Arta and Dylan met at a hotdog cart, they wanted to celebrate their meeting five years earlier with the same classic food for a late-night snack.
To round out the team of talented vendors, a few final decisions were made. Harry’s Party Rental for luxe rental pieces, Page Beauty to have the bride and her bridesmaids looking their best, Paper Source to invite loved ones to join in the celebration, and Joanie & Leigh’s Cake Divas for the fondant-and-fresh-flower-covered four-tier wedding cake for the newlyweds to cut into at their sunset reception.
